今日吃瓜, Etihad Airways, Boeing, ADNOC, Safran, GE and BAUER Resources celebrate a major milestone in developing a comprehensive sustainable aviation fuel value chain

The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), a non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute that is part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology and supported by Etihad Airways, The Boeing Co, ADNOC Refining, Safran, General Electric and BAUER Resources, announced the world鈥檚 first successful commercial flight on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 using locally produced sustainable fuel.

The flight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam marked a major milestone in the development of a clean, alternative aviation fuel to reduce carbon emissions. The initiative also addresses food security in the United Arab Emirates through the farming of seafood as a core element in the process.

The SBRC partners have been working together to prove the concept of a comprehensive value chain that is centered around the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS). This is a synergistic industrial platform that supports the aviation sector, the oil and gas industry, food production and the creation of a new agricultural alternative in the UAE.

His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: 鈥淭he UAE鈥檚 visionary leadership is strongly committed to positioning the country as a global hub for innovation and sustainability. In this context, productive cross-disciplinary public-private partnerships are crucial to fueling research and development efforts and creating game-changing innovations that enable a more sustainable future.

鈥淒eep decarbonization of energy-intensive industries has a ripple effect on food security and climate action. Clean, alternative aviation fuels are an innovative and sustainable solution to significantly reducing harmful carbon emissions. The UAE is proud to be a pioneer in this domain.鈥�

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi, Minister of Food Security in the UAE, said: 鈥淭his proof of concept is a ground-breaking development that confronts local, regional and global challenges of energy, water and food security. The system鈥檚 production of seafood offers a sustainable source of nutrition for the UAE into the future.鈥�

Etihad Airways has been at the forefront of aviation biofuel research in the region and this marks the first time that a flight has been operated on fuel derived from plants grown in saltwater.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer Etihad Aviation Group, said: 鈥淭his is a significant milestone for the UAE and its key industries. Etihad is fully committed to this project which demonstrates a successful proof of concept that is local, viable, cost-effective and sustainable.

鈥淒ecarbonisation is important across the aviation industry and, together with our partners, Etihad is proud to be at the forefront of this pioneering new research.鈥�

Sustainable fuel for the flight was derived from oil in Salicornia plants, which were grown on the two-hectare SEAS farm in Masdar City. The SEAS is the world鈥檚 first desert ecosystem designed to produce fuel and food in saltwater. Fish and shrimp raised at the facility provide nutrients for the plants as well as contribute to the UAE鈥檚 food production.

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: 鈥溾�淭he landmark achievement by the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium, part of Masdar Institute at Khalifa University, and partners marks a new beginning for the use of clean fuel for air travel. Khalifa University is proud to be part of the consortium, driving research and innovation, while contributing to creating a sustainable biofuel value chain, supporting the UAE鈥檚 strategic objectives in energy and food sectors. The collaboration partners and Masdar Institute researchers have contributed significantly to achieve this success and we believe the use of biofuel for this commercial flight will make a compelling statement that impacts stakeholders in the aviation, energy and transportation sectors.鈥�

Dr Al Hammadi added: 鈥淎s a leading research institution in the region focused on providing cutting edge technologies in clean energy, Masdar Institute at Khalifa University remains committed to continue with its mandate to produce biofuel, clean energy, and sustainable technologies for reducing carbon emissions, as well as water and environment-related research.鈥�

Using sustainable feedstock to produce the fuel significantly reduces life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuel. The biofuel is blended directly with jet fuel and does not require any modifications to aircraft, engines or airport fuelling delivery systems. The unique initiative also bolsters the oil and gas industry by using existing refining infrastructure, with the potential to become an important new option for sustainable aviation fuel in the future.

ADNOC Refining has played a fundamental role, providing the expertise and infrastructure to ensure the effective refining of the seed oil to meet stringent jet fuel standards. ADNOC Distribution has also provided an essential element of the project through the blending and delivery of the biofuel to the aircraft.

UOP-Honeywell鈥檚 (a founding member of the SBRC) Ecofining technology was used in the refining process of the oil and recognition is also given to Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (ADVOC) for essential assistance in the pre-treatment phases.

Jasem Al Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer ADNOC Refining, said: “We are proud of the role that ADNOC Refining is playing in carrying out this research for the SBRC pilot project. Today represents a significant step forward on the journey towards finding a final solution for commercial-scale aviation biofuel.鈥�

Approximately 160,000 passenger flights have flown on a blend of sustainable and traditional jet fuel since the first biofuels were certified for commercial use in 2011. Sustainable aviation fuel represents a significant opportunity to help aviation meet its goals to cap the growth of carbon emissions by 2020 and cut levels to half of what they were in 2005 by 2050.

Sean Schwinn, Vice President of Strategy and Market Development for Boeing International, said:鈥淓tihad鈥檚 flight proves SEAS is a game-changer that can substantially benefit air transport and the world. The research and technology being developed shows significant promise to transform coastal deserts into productive farmland supporting food security and cleaner skies.鈥�

Operated by the SBRC, the SEAS pilot facility became operational in March 2016. Salt-tolerant halophyte plants that thrive in desert conditions and do not require fresh water or arable land to grow are nurtured there. After wastewater from the fish fertilizes the plants, it is diverted into a cultivated mangrove forest. This further removes nutrients and provides valuable carbon storage before the naturally filtered and treated effluent is discharged back into the sea.

16 January 2019

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Mechanical Engineering Graduate聽Sara Almahri and Aerospace Engineering Graduate Hind Amin Prove Industry-Ready Skills at Boeing

Two Khalifa University alumni have successfully contributed to three patents each in collaboration with others at The Boeing Company, where they interned for more than 18 weeks as part of an internship program sponsored by Mubadala Development Company.

BSc in Mechanical Engineering graduate Sara Almahri and BSc in Aerospace Engineering graduate Hind Saeed Ahmad Mohd Amin were among 12 students selected by Boeing from a group of 30 shortlisted by Mubadala. They had to go through a two-stage interview process to ensure their place in the final list.

Almahri spent Fall 2016 at the Colorado School of Mines and graduated from Khalifa University in July 2018. After her graduation, she spent four weeks at Boeing Everett preparing and training on different programs such as computer-aided three-dimensional interactive application (CATIA) and ENOVIA 鈥� a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software with a broad portfolio of technical and business applications. These first four weeks prepared Al Amahri for the two rotations she underwent at Boeing鈥檚 Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering departments, where she completed her 18-week internship.

Amin, who was also part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the Colorado School of Mines, completed her engineering internship at Boeing鈥檚 South Carolina facility, where she worked to support the production of the 787 aircraft program.

Amin said: 鈥淎ll of the projects are tools that we have designed upon the request of mechanics who build the aircraft. The tools make it easier for the mechanics to perform a certain operation, which in turn reduces the manufacturing time and results in substantial savings for the company.鈥�

Almahri described the internship at Boeing as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She said: 鈥淚 learned about the different aircraft programs that Boeing operates and designs. I worked specifically on the 787 program, a new aircraft that is made mostly of composite material unlike other aircraft in the world that are made out of aluminum.鈥�

She has submitted three patents, which include Fuel Tank Pressure Test, Fastener Support Tool, and Caliper Protective Cover. These patents have also resulted in substantial savings for Boeing.

Almahri said: 鈥淚 was placed for seven weeks in Design Engineering and the rest of the seven weeks in Manufacturing Engineering. I worked on design changes that reduce the time and cost at the first department. Later, I spent most of my time in the factory talking to mechanics and technicians to improve specific processes which will improve the manufacturing process.鈥�

Both alumni are deeply grateful to Khalifa University for laying the foundation that enabled them to intern with an international industrial leader.

Amin said: 鈥淢y studies at Khalifa University gave me the essential basics in Aerospace Engineering. However, I believe that in order to enhance our knowledge in a particular area, it is important to put the theories into practice. This is where programs such as the Boeing internship and the REU internship allowed me to gain a better understanding of my field of study, while Khalifa University provided me the basic knowledge to build upon.鈥�

Almahri agreed, adding: 鈥淭he four years I spent at Khalifa University were very productive, as I learnt all the technical skills needed to become a mechanical engineer. Khalifa University supports students and makes sure that enough opportunities are provided to students to support them in hands-on as well as extra-curricular activities. Those activities help develop our communication skills which also enable us to become successful engineers.鈥�

Clarence Michael
News Writer
10 January 2019

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