From forest to jet biofuel by developed catalytic pyrolysis technology

The main purpose of this project is to design an efficient ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis system to convert the forestry residues into jet biofuel components. The superior catalytic activity and a reduced gas/coke formation can be achieved by enhancing the mass transfer rates of reactants and products within catalysts. Enhanced mass transfer will limit secondary reactions such as coking, over-cracking to gases and/or excessive aromatization.

Jet biofuels could be blended at regional distribution terminals. Blending biofuels with jet fossil fuels allow early adoption, providing a transition pathway for introducing small volumes of new fuel into an existing mature supply chain whilst minimizing the operators' concerns over performance.

Producing a drop-in jet biofuel from wood is scientifically and economically challenging due to the catalyst performance requirements and the chemical complexity of the feedstock. This project will provide new knowledge and science advances in (i) structure vs. activity relationships for catalysts to upgrade complex mixtures of oxygenated biomolecules, (ii) pyrolysis vapor pretreatment and process engineering solutions for catalyst deactivation, and (iii) an optimized conversion pathway to jet biofuels from wood in terms of fuel quality specifications for wood-based jet biofuels.