Abstract
BackgroundThe hydrotreatment of oleochemical/lipid feedstocks is currently the only technology that provides significant volumes (millions of litres per year) of “conventional” biojet/sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). However, if biojet fuels are to be produced in sustainably sourced volumes (billions of litres per year) at a price comparable with fossil jet fuel, biomass-derived “advanced” biojet fuels will be needed. Three direct thermochemical liquefaction technologies, fast pyrolysis, catalytic fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction were assessed for their potential to produce “biocrudes” which were subsequently upgraded to drop-in biofuels by either dedicated hydrotreatment or co-processed hydrotreatment.ResultsA significant biojet fraction (between 20.8 and 36.6% of total upgraded fuel volume) was produced by all of the processes. When the fractions were assessed against general ASTM D7566 specifications they showed significant compliance, despite a lack of optimization in any of the process steps. When the life cycle analysis GHGenius model was used to assess the carbon intensity of the various products, significant emission reductions (up to 74%) could be achieved.ConclusionsIt was apparent that the production of biojet fuels based on direct thermochemical liquefaction of biocrudes, followed by hydrotreating, has considerable potential.
Highlights
The hydrotreatment of oleochemical/lipid feedstocks is currently the only technology that provides significant volumes of “conventional” biojet/sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)
As described in more detail below, this study demonstrated that direct thermochemical liquefaction biocrudes could be used to produce lower carbon intensity biojet fuels via a hydrotreatment upgrading approach
As one of the objectives of the work was to obtain enough material that could be used for subsequent upgrading trials, a fast pyrolysis biocrude was obtained from BTG where softwood had been used as the feedstock
Summary
The hydrotreatment of oleochemical/lipid feedstocks is currently the only technology that provides significant volumes (millions of litres per year) of “conventional” biojet/sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The vast majority of biojet fuels that have been used to date are produced via the “conventional” hydrotreatment of oleochemicals/lipid feedstocks, including fats, oils and greases (FOGs) [8, 9]. As work on the gasification route continues, some of the liquefaction technologies such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction have reached the pilot, demonstration or small-commercial stage of development These processes are in a position to provide enough of the “biocrude” feedstock to allow an assessment of the upgrading processes that could be used to produce finished fuels such as biojet fuel and allow an assessment of the carbon reduction potential of producing and using this lower carbon intensity biojet fuel
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