Synthetic fuel gets the thumbs up

Sasol has become the first company worldwide to receive international approval by global aviation fuel specification authorities for a synthetic jet fuel produced by its proprietary Coal to Liquids (CTL) process.

Engine-out emissions of Sasol's CTL jet fuel are lower than those from jet fuel derived from crude oil due to its limited sulphur content.

'This approval by the international aviation fuel authorities recognises the need to develop aviation fuel from feedstocks other than crude-oil in order to meet the world’s growing needs,' said Pat Davies, chief executive of Sasol.

Following a period of rigorous testing and evaluation, international aviation fuel authorities including the UK Ministry of Defence, which governs the Defence Standard DEFSTAN 91-91, have approved Sasol’s wholly synthetic jet fuel as Jet A-1 fuel for commercial use in all types of turbine aircraft.

Jet A-1 is a kerosine grade of fuel suitable for most turbine engined aircraft. The main specifications for Jet A-1 grade are the UK specification DEF STAN 91-91 (Jet A-1) Nato code F-35, (formerly DERD 2494) and the ASTM specification D1655 (Jet A-1).