This was taken from the FAQ on the Swift website. For
anyone who is interested in this. They also have a video or two you can
watch. I hope it makes it myself only time will tell. Eric Von Kelsheimer
FAQ
Q: Is there any ethanol in the SwiftFuel?
A: No! The SwiftFuel contains no ethanol. We
can use the output stream of a modified ethanol plant to produce SwiftFuel;
however, there is no ethanol itself in our fuel.
Q: Is SwiftFuel petroleum-based?
A: No, one major goal of the SwiftFuel project
was to develop a 100% renewable substitute for petroleum-based fuel.
Q: Does SwiftFuel come from bio-renewable products?
A: Yes, all components of SwiftFuel can, and
will, be derived from renewable, natural materials.
Q: Does SwiftFuel meet the specifications for ASTM D910, grade 100LL?
A: Yes, SwiftFuel
meets the specifications for ASTM D910, grade 100LL, and will soon be
in the process of independent verification and approval by the FAA.
Q: Is there any alcohol in the SwiftFuel?
A: No, there are no alcohols of any kind in our
fuel.
Q: When can I buy the SwiftFuel to use in my airplane?
A: Our goal is to have our fuel at the pump for pilots to buy in 18
months. Our deadline is Spring 2010, when 100LL is hinted to be banned
for use in the US.
Q: What is the MON (motor octane number) of SwiftFuel?
A: The MON of SwiftFuel is 104.1, as compared
to 100LL, whose minimum is 99.5.
Q: How much testing has been done on the SwiftFuel?
A: We have done lab testing and static engine testing ourselves, and
have also sent several samples for independent verification through
ASTM laboratories.
Q: Is there a problem with gumming in SwiftFuel?
A: No. The potential gum number, as provided by independent
laboratories, is between 0.6 ? 1.8 mg/100mL, which is substantially
lower than the specification of < 6.0 mg/100mL per ASTM D910.
Q: How does SwiftFuel compare to 100LL with regards to emissions?
A: SwiftFuel actually produces less harmful emissions - NOx,
CO, and SO2.
Q: What planes will be able to run on SwiftFuel, and what modifications will
need to be made beforehand?
A: Any aircraft that is certified to run on 100LL will be able to run
on
SwiftFuel
without any STC?s (Supplemental Type Certificates) or modifications of
any kind. A pilot can taxi their plane to the pump as is and fill up
with SwiftFuel once distribution begins.
Q: Is SwiftFuel produced using the Fischer-Tropsch Method?
A: No, the Fischer-Tropsch Method is not used in our production
process, as we have come up with a practical production process in
order to keep manufacturing costs down.
Q: What is the projected cost of SwiftFuel?
A: The ideal price for SwiftFuel
should be less than half of the cost of current 100LL AvGas; most
importantly, the price will remain stable due to its origin.
Q: Is SwiftFuel compatible with all existing engine parts with which it
will come into contact?
A: SwiftFuel
is expected to be 100% compatible with all existing engine parts,
gaskets, seals, etc. To this date we have not seen a problem, but we,
and the FAA, are evaluating all elastomeric seals that are known to be
used in GA.
Q: Is SwiftFuel hydrophilic (does it hold water)?
A: Unlike ethanol, SwiftFuel
does not hold water, which means that the fuel will not freeze at
altitude. Also, this means the use of biocides, as is done in Jet A,
is not necessary because the lack of water prevents microorganisms from
growing in the fuel.
