Boeing launches plan to turn tobacco into jet fuel

[yuiyoshida]

JOHANNESBURG —

U.S. aerospace giant Boeing says it is working with South African Airways and a Dutch biofuel company to make jet fuel from tobacco seeds.

The Dutch firm, SkyNRG, is boosting its production in South Africa of a hybrid, nicotine-free, tobacco crop called Solaris with “biofuel production expected… in the next few years,” the three companies said in a statement.

“Initially, oil from the plant’s seeds will be converted into jet fuel. In coming years, Boeing expects emerging technologies to increase South Africa’s aviation biofuel production from the rest of the plant,” added the firms.

Aviation biofuel, made from renewable resources such as plants, can reduce carbon emissions by 50 to 80%.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/boeing-launches-plan-to-turn-tobacco-into-jet-fuel

[liberal N proud]

1. Federal regulations prohibit smoking on board commercial aircraft

[IDemo]

2. OK, so now I'm a vapor trails conspiracist

[Bosonic]

3. Used-cigarette butts set to become the next generation energy storage device

Used-cigarette butts set to become the next generation energy storage device

LONDON: A group of scientists from South Korea have converted used-cigarette butts into a high-performing material that could be integrated into computers, handheld devices, electrical vehicles and wind turbines to store energy.

The researchers have demonstrated the material's superior performance compared to commercially available carbon, graphene and carbon nanotubes.

It is hoped the material can be used to coat the electrodes of super capacitors — electrochemical components that can store extremely large amounts of electrical energy — whilst also offering a solution to the growing environmental problem caused by used-cigarette filters.

It is estimated that as many as 5.6 trillion used-cigarettes or 766,571 metric tons are deposited into the environment worldwide every year.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/used-cigarette-butts-set-to-become-the-next-generation-energy-storage-device/articleshow/39807450.cms