Open AccessPerformance evaluation of jet fuel production by hydrothermal liquefaction in Europe
Author(s) -
Christina Penke,
G Özal,
Franz-Fabian Bellot,
Leonard Moser,
Valentin Batteiger
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1226/1/012058
Subject(s) - hydrothermal liquefaction , raw material , miscanthus , waste management , environmental science , biofuel , sewage sludge , jet fuel , life cycle assessment , greenhouse gas , kerosene , production (economics) , bioenergy , engineering , sewage , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry , biology , economics , macroeconomics
The EU Horizon 2020 project HyFlexFuel successfully demonstrated hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) fuel production chains from different feedstock types to upgraded kerosene products. Now the question arises which commercial scale HTL system design is associated with the lowest environmental impact and production costs. The contribution addresses this research question by establishing a comprehensive process model for different feedstock types (sewage sludge, straw, miscanthus and microalgae) based on experimental biocrude production and upgrading campaigns in pilot and laboratory scale. This model enables evaluating different process configurations and serves as basis for subsequent system analyses by applying techno-economic and life cycle analyses (TEA and LCA). Upgraded biocrude using sewage sludge, representing a waste stream in wastewater management, can be produced at near-competitive price levels. Compared to conventional jet fuel production, greenhouse gases are reduced significantly. However, sewage sludge is a limited resource and only limited amounts of jet fuel could be substituted. Lignocellulosic feedstock such as straw or miscanthus are available in larger quantities and provide the opportunity to produce large amounts of sustainable aviation fuels at moderate costs.