Researchers Aim to Boost Aviation Biofuel Production Efficiency

Sustainable jet fuel continues to represent an important component of the airline industry's strategy to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while meeting the demand for air travel. However, producing huge amounts of biofuels needed by the airlines and handling the feedstocks necessary has not been optimal.

Penn State is part of a cooperative aviation research consortium Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment. Led by Washington State University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the group is committed to reducing the environmental impact of aviation. The group aims to identify key barriers that must be overcome to produce and effectively market 1 billion gallons of alternative jet fuel in the near term and 10 billion gallons in the longer term.

The group also evaluates regional supply chains that could be used for alternative jet fuel production, including feedstock production, transportation and fuel conversion. Researchers are also examining fuel-production pathways, feedstock and infrastructure requirements, as well as commercial fuel demand to create scenarios for future production.

Furthermore, scientists are also identifying potential intermediate materials and co-products for each pathway to understand potential ways to aid in making biorefineries more economical.