Continental Aerospace Technologies yesterday said that it is close to completing a test program to run sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in its CD-100 series of engines.
Continental said that it has been testing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for the CD-135, CD-155 and CD-170 engines.
"Hydrotreated vegetable oil is one of many sustainable alternative fuels," said Dr. David Dörner, Vice President of Global Research and Development for Continental.
"While the industry continues to work through a wide variety of diverse, sustainable options on their path to reach decarbonisation, Continental is proud to take this incremental testing step to potentially bring a cleaner fuel to our CD-100 Jet-A owners.
"Our extensive analysis has thus far demonstrated results that confirm our four-cylinder Jet-A engines exhibit seamless performance equal to traditional Jet-A fuel."
HVO is a renewable and carbon-neutral fuel alternative to turbine fuel. HVO is produced from vegetable oils, using hydrogen as a catalyst instead of methanol. In addition to vegetable oils, HVO can be produced from tallow and used cooking oil.
By approving HVO for use in CD-100 engines, Continental believes aircraft owners and operators can significantly reduce their carbon footprint without compromising engine performance.
"By embracing sustainable practices, Continental continues to drive positive change, setting an example for the entire general aviation industry," a company statement says.
"Continental remains dedicated to further research and development in eco-friendly technologies, working towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for aviation."