Algae and cellulosic biofuel supported in U.S. federal tax act
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is expressing gratitude to the U.S. Congress for including extensions and modifications of the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Credit and the Special Allowance for Second Generation Biofuel Plant Property in final passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. The Act will incentivize investment in both cellulosic and algae biofuel production by renewing a $1.01 per gallon tax credit for producers and accelerated depreciation for newly constructed facilities during 2013, and modifying these credits to include algae. Said Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section, in a Jan. 2 statement: “We thank Congress for extending the producer tax credit and bonus depreciation and enabling algae producers to qualify. Stability in such policies is crucial to maintaining private investment. We hope to work with Congress in the coming year to extend and maintain additional policies that support this innovation, such as a strong energy title in any upcoming Farm Bill, and the Renewable Fuel Standard.”
;)
Petri dishes of Solazyme's tailored algae strains.
Parker Aerospace, GE Aviation launch joint venture
Parker Aerospace and GE Aviation reached an agreement to form a joint venture, Advanced Atomization Technologies LLC, to enhance the development and manufacture of commercial aircraft engine fuel nozzles. This represents a critical addition to the comprehensive GE fuel management team. The 50:50 joint venture—created specifically to produce fuel nozzles for current and future GE Aviation commercial engine platforms (including aerospace and aero-derivative engines)—will be located in the Parker Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division facility in Clyde, NY. The joint venture will employ approximately 300 skilled assemblers, technicians, engineers, and other professionals in the production of advanced fuel nozzles and related products for GE Aviation.
Rolls-Royce to power U.S. Navy’s new Ship-to-Shore Connector hovercraft fleet
Rolls-Royce won a contract to power the U.S. Navy’s future fleet of hovercrafts, known as the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC). It will work with Textron Marine & Land Systems, which has been selected to build the initial development craft, in a program that could extend to 73 craft. The SSC will replace the Navy’s current fleet of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft over the next 20 years. The new hovercraft will be used to rapidly deploy personnel and vehicles between U.S. Navy ships and the shore. Each SSC will use multiple Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbines, derived from the AE1107 engine, which powers the U.S. Marine Corps ’ V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Rolls-Royce will also design and manufacture the air intake and exhaust systems.
;)
On each hovercraft, the Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbines will be connected to a sophisticated gearbox system providing both propulsion and lift.
ATK Awarded $50 Million Contract for NASA's Advanced Concept Booster Development for SLS
NASA has awarded ATK a $50 million contract to complete engineering development and risk reduction tests as part of the Advanced Concept Booster Development for the Space Launch System (SLS). ATK's effort focuses on overcoming key technological challenges in developing advanced booster requirements for NASA's SLS program. Tasks within the scope of ATK's award include development of a lithium-ion battery-powered electric thrust vector control system; high-performance propellant; lightweight composite rocket motor case; and an advanced nozzle. All of these developments will culminate with an integrated booster static test firing of these technologies. All of these tasks use cost-saving processes and materials that reduce cost and help lower risk as NASA moves toward a higher-performing booster in the future.
;)
Shown is an artist’s concept of ATK's Advanced Concept Booster in support of NASA engineering and risk reduction tests as part of its Space Launch System (SLS) program.
Algae.Tec, Lufthansa agree to build biofuel production facility in Europe
Algae.Tec and Lufthansa signed a collaboration agreement for the construction of a large-scale algae-to-aviation biofuels production facility. The site will be in Europe adjacent to an industrial CO2 source. Lufthansa will arrange 100% funding for the project. Algae.Tec will receive license fees and profits from the project, which will be managed by Algae.Tec. As part of the agreement, Lufthansa commits to a long-term offtake agreement of at least 50% of the crude oil produced at an agreed price. The agreement forms the base for a long-term cooperation between Algae.Tec and Lufthansa for the industrial production of crude algae suitable for conversion into aviation kerosene and conventional diesel fuels.
;)
Algae.Tec’s Shoalhaven One algae production facility in Bomaderry, New South Wales, Australia, is shown.
Pratt & Whitney acquires Rolls-Royce’s share in IAE
Pratt & Whitney finalized an agreement to purchase Rolls-Royce's program share in International Aero Engines (IAE). IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders now consist of Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corp. (JAEC) and MTU Aero Engines GmbH. To date, more than 5000 V2500 engines have been delivered, and nearly 2000 more engines are on order with close to 200 customers around the world. As well as restructuring participation in IAE, on Oct. 12, 2011, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce also announced the formation of a new collaboration to power future midsize aircraft, which is subject to separate regulatory approvals. IAE partners JAEC and MTU have also agreed to join this new venture.
PW1400G engine to be offered for MC-21 aircraft family
Pratt & Whitney and Russia's Irkut Corp. signed a definitive agreement to offer the P&W PurePower PW1400G engine on Irkut's MC-21 family of aircraft. This agreement makes the PurePower engine the only western powerplant offered on the new narrow-body program. P&W and Irkut selected Short Brothers plc, a subsidiary of Bombardier Aerospace, as the exclusive nacelle provider for the PW1400G engine family. Irkut is developing the MC-21 as a family of 150- to 210-passenger aircraft with first flight of the PurePower PW1400G engined aircraft planned for 2015 and entry into service in 2017. The MC-21 series will feature on aircraft with 25,000-32,000 lb of thrust. The PurePower PW1000G series engines use an advanced gear system allowing the engine's fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine.
Orbital to supply FlexDI engines to AAI
Orbital has been contracted to supply heavy-fuel engines for use in AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems' Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS). AAI recently won significant military contracts from the U.S. Navy and Special Operations Command to provide SUAS fee-for-service operations utilizing the newest configuration of its Aerosonde SUAS. Orbital, headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, is contracted to supply engines up to a value of approximately $4.7 million throughout 2012. This new engine and system uses Orbital's FlexDI Engine Management system to enable spark ignition operation of heavy fuels such as JP5 (naval operations) and JP8 (land-based operations) satisfying a U.S. Department of Defense initiative to eliminate gasoline fuels for safety and logistic reasons. One key advantage of the Orbital technology is extended range; the improved fuel efficiency can increase the range on a typical mission by 40% over current technology, or can allow AAI to increase the payload.
;)
Aerosonde unmanned aerial vehicle, shown ready for take-off, demonstrates an endurance of more than 26 h with minimal payload and more than 10 h endurance with a full electro-optic/IR payload. (NASA)
Aircelle and Applied Composites Engineering expand services agreement
The Safran group's Aircelle business unit signed an agreement to enlarge the scope of jet engine thrust reverser and nacelle repair and services performed by Applied Composites Engineering (ACE) in the U.S., building on three years of successful cooperation. This new agreement sets the framework to expand ACE's maintenance, repair, overhaul, and services activities for Aircelle with jet engines that power regional airlines and business jets in the Americas. It follows the work performed by ACE since early 2009 on Aircelle-manufactured thrust reversers on three regional airliners, for the following platforms: Embraer's ERJ 145, powered by AE 3007 jet engines; along with the Embraer 170 and 175, which are equipped with CF34 engines. During a three-year period, ACE has processed several hundred thrust reversers at its Indianapolis, IN, facility, demonstrating the company's capabilities to deliver high-quality, efficient, and on-time work.
Aveos signs five-year engine service contract with Snecma
Aveos signed a five-year agreement for the repair and overhaul of Snecma's CFM56-5 platform engines and Line Replaceable Units (LRUs). Aveos has been providing MRO engine capacity to Snecma for almost 15 years, according to Paul Lochab, Chief Commercial Officer, Aveos Fleet Performance. Aveos has a 515,000-ft² engine facility with three test cells and has expertise on a wide range of engine families including the CF-34-3A & 3B, CF34-8C, 8E, CFM56-2A, 2B, 2C, CFM56-3B1, 3B2, 3C1, CFM56-5A, 5B, 5C, and the Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7 (A-J), JT9D-7R4 (D/E). Program offerings also include component solutions, Quick Engine Change engine management, and inventory solutions.
- Share:
