Sen. Conrad Impressed by UND Biojet Fuel Research, Potential For Markets

United States Sen. Ken Conrad, N.D. (seated) got a crash course from University of North Dakota chemical engineering faculty on their research to develop a biojet fuel that will run at colder temperatures, cost less and be more environmentally friendly than the conventional jet fuel. The biojet fuel, derived from crop oils, such as soybeans, is about ready for testing by the Air Force.


UND Environmental & Energy Research Center and UND chemical engineering students and faculty have worked closely together on the biojet fuel, which will be tested this spring at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Wayne Seames (right), a UND chemical engineering professor working on the project, said the biojet fuel is able to perform at 60 degrees below Celsius. The Air Force specification is 50 below. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., toured UND’s Chemical Engineering Department Feb. 23. “It’s absolutely fascinating,” Conrad said. “I am so impressed in what they are doing. There is a tremendous opportunity there.”

University of North Dakota News