A new technology developed in the United States could lower the cost of sustainable aviation fuel and make it easier to produce on a large scale, offering a potential boost to cleaner air travel, CPG reported.
Scientists have found a way to turn ethanol, a type of alcohol, into jet fuel in a single step. This simplifies a process that usually involves multiple stages, making it more efficient and less expensive.
The development was announced by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which created a special material capable of converting ethanol directly into components used for jet fuel.
Sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, is made from renewable sources such as agricultural waste, oils and residues. It is seen as a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels because it does not rely on crude oil and can help reduce emissions from aviation. However, high production costs have so far limited its wider use.
To move the technology beyond the lab, Gevo has partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to test the process on a larger scale. The aim is to evaluate how well it performs in industrial settings and support wider production.
Researchers are also working on models to predict how the technology will perform when scaled up, which could help speed up its adoption.
Apart from jet fuel, the process can also produce materials used in plastics, solvents and cleaning products, expanding its possible uses beyond the energy sector.
Global demand for aviation fuel is expected to reach about 230 billion gallons by 2050, increasing the need for cleaner and more efficient options. Technologies based on renewable raw materials, such as ethanol, could play a key role in meeting this demand while reducing dependence on oil.
Experts say that if the new method proves successful at scale, it could lower fuel costs, expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel worldwide, and support the transition to cleaner energy in the aviation sector.
