Term used in the oil refining industry, meaning to "crack" crude oil, which is to break down the long-chain hydrocarbons in the crude oil into shorter chains. Also used with regard to the breaking of long-chain fatty acid derivatives (usually C18-C22) or synthetic waxes (e.g., from Fischer-Tropsch) to the jet fuel range (C8-C14).

A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the liquid phase in natural underground reservoirs and remains liquid at atmospheric pressure after passing through surface-separating facilities. The U.S. benchmark for crude oil prices is West Texas Intermediate (WTI), measured in Cushing, Oklahoma.

Unburned carbon molecules. See also UHC.

The research and development office for the U.S. Department of Defense.

An agency within the Department of Defense responsible for providing the Department of Defense and other government agencies with comprehensive energy solutions in the most effective and efficient manner possible. DLA procures fuel for the Armed Services.

A change in the use or management of land by humans. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) distinguishes six broad land use categories: forestland, cropland, grassland, wetlands, settlements, and other land (e.g. bare soil, rock and ice), where the conversion from one land use category to another is called LUC.

The U.S. Department of Defense is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military.

The U.S. Department of Energy is the federal department charged with advancing the development of energy technologies and promoting related innovation in the United States

The mission of the U.S. Department of Transportation is to develop and coordinate policies that will provide an efficient and economical national transportation system, with due regard for need, the environment, and the national defense.

U.S. federal law enacted in 1950 giving the President authority to force private industry into giving priority to defense and homeland security contracts and allocate resources as needed. Title III of the Act enables the Federal government to engage in activities to "create assured, affordable, commercially viable production capabilities and capacities for items essential for national defense." The Advanced Drop-in Biofuels Production Project under this program is funding several first-of-a-kind drop-in alternative fuel biorefineries. This program is funded jointly by USDA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense.

Commercialization and commercial use of a new technology such as alternative fuels.

A substitute for conventional jet fuel, that is completely interchangeable and compatible with conventional jet fuel when blended with conventional jet fuel. A drop-in fuel blend does not require adaptation of the aircraft/engine fuel system or the fuel distribution network, and can be used “as is” on currently flying turbine-powered aircraft.

U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration provides official energy analysis, information and statistics.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforces U.S. environmental protection laws.

The molecular formula for Ethanol is C2H5OH. Ethanol is often abbreviated as EtOH, using the common organic chemistry notation of representing the ethyl group (C2H5) with "Et" and the Hydroxyl group with "OH". Ethanol is primarily a product of fermentation processes (the conversion of sugars). Although alcohols are readily combustible, they are not compatible with existing turbine-powered aircraft or infrastructure.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is an entity within the Department of Transportation whose continuing mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

This Office within the FAA recommends and coordinates national aviation policy relating to environmental and energy matters, which includes noise and emissions. The FAA uses such multi-letter terminology as a convenient organizational naming convention

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) is a moniker commonly used in reference to biodiesel. This is traditional biodiesel, produced by processing raw vegetable oil or animal fats through a chemical process called transesterification. FAME is not a suitable "drop in" fuel for jet aircraft as it contains oxygenates, and in fact is considered to be a contaminant when found in jet fuel.

The primary provider of services to general aviation aircraft and operators located at or adjacent to an airport. General aviation refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial.

The federal agency with jurisdiction over, among other things, interstate natural gas pricing, oil pipeline rates and gas pipeline certification.

A biofuel created by a synthetic biology process in which metabolic processes involved in fermentation have been co-opted by genetically modifying organisms to produce hydrocarbons in place of ethanol.

A scale that provides an objective measure of how close a particular alternative fuel or feedstock is to successful deployment for jet fuel production.

A document that contains details on an agreement between a seller and buyer for a commitment to sell and to purchase fuel.  The agreement will contain name of buyer, the seller, term, product specification, volume, price, payment terms, delivery points, contacts and any other terms and conditions related to the transaction.

The Feedstock Readiness Level (FSRL) Tool is a companion to the CAAFI® Readiness Level (FRL) Tool. The FSRL Tool provides a means of tracking development and availability of the raw materials (or feedstocks) required to make alternative jet fuels. Levels range from 1, preliminary feedstock evaluation, to 9, commercial deployment of the feedstock.