Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and other renewable transport fuels via a modified Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Technology: Phase 2

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a description increasingly used to refer to aviation turbine fuel (jet fuel) that is produced from renewable and sustainable resources. The use of SAF for commercial air transport holds the promise of reducing the fossil fuel footprint of this industry. However, in North America it is at present not legal to commercially operate an aircraft with 100% SAF. The purpose of this project is to produce fully formulated synthetic jet fuel in sufficient quantity for it to be submitted for qualification under ASTM D4054, which describes the standard practice for qualification and approval of new aviation turbine fuels and fuel additives. For this purpose, batches of kerosene must be produced and pre-qualified to the amount of 300 L (80 gal) that can be submitted for qualification under ASTM D4054 for tier 2 testing. Specifically, the fuel process must reflect the process description for which the fuel is qualified. Due to the importance of having 100% SAF qualified, this project leads investment in a demonstration scale facility. The conversion steps involved in the process include acid catalysis, metal catalysis, and bifunctional metal-and-acid catalysis. Separation will be by distillation. Pre-qualification analytical work will include all major jet fuel properties.
In addition, the project will evaluate the characteristics of other by-products particularly and synthetic renewable diesel and test the compliance with ASTM D975. This will contribute even more to the GHG emission reductions from transportation sector in relation to heavy duty vehicle emissions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Arno de Klerk

Student:

Partner:

Greenfield Global

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Alberta

Program: