US Military tests alternative jet fuels.....

[GengisKhant]

When an F-16 lights up its afterburners, it consumes nearly 28 gallons of fuel per minute. No wonder, then, that of all the fuel the United States government uses each year, the Air Force accounts for more than half, reports the New York Times.
The Air Force may not be in any danger of suffering inconveniences from scarce or expensive fuel, but it has begun looking for a way to power its jets on something besides conventional fuel.


In a series of tests — first on engines mounted on blocks and then with B-52s in flight — the Air Force will try to prove that the American military can fly its aircraft by blending traditional crude-oil-based jet fuel with a synthetic liquid made first from natural gas and, eventually, from coal, which is plentiful and cheaper.

GengisK :ok:

[foldingwings]

When an F-16 lights up its afterburners, it consumes nearly 28 gallons of fuel per minute. No wonder, then, that of all the fuel the United States government uses each year, the Air Force accounts for more than half, reports the New York Times.
The Air Force may not be in any danger of suffering inconveniences from scarce or expensive fuel, but it has begun looking for a way to power its jets on something besides conventional fuel.


In a series of tests — first on engines mounted on blocks and then with B-52s in flight — the Air Force will try to prove that the American military can fly its aircraft by blending traditional crude-oil-based jet fuel with a synthetic liquid made first from natural gas and, eventually, from coal, which is plentiful and cheaper.

GengisK :ok:

Bloody Hell! You're at it again. This is downright plagiarism! Have you got the copyright to cut and paste this stuff?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Acey ducey]

You 2 be nice to each other! If Gengis wants to write irrelevant unsubstantiated drivel, just let him. Having a go at him will only encourage him!

[What Limits]

So if we can have synthetic lubricating oil, why not synthetic fuel oil?

I could imagine that the recipe exists somewhere under lock and key and wobetide anyone foolish enough to try to suggest this. Lets face it there would be too many rich people getting poor very quickly amd it could de-stabilise the Middle East so won't happen soon.

(Or... if the Middle east is currently unstable, it could stabilise it !)

[FJJP]

... just like the South Africans produce fuel from coal?

[k3k3]

...and the Germans did in WWII.

[teeteringhead]

And the Wessex used coal all the time! ;)

You could always see the puff of smoke from the exhaust when the stoker chappie downstairs threw another shovelfull on the fire.....

[ORAC]

Coal Based Fuel JP-900 (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/03/coalbased_jet_f.html)