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Chang CF, Paragian K, Sadula S, Rangarajan S, Vlachos DG. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Molecules from (Hemi)Cellulose: Computational Insights into Synthesis Routes, Fuel Properties, and Process Chemistry Metrics. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:12927-12937. [PMID: 39211384 PMCID: PMC11351710 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c04199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) can significantly reduce the aviation industry's carbon footprint. Current pathways that produce SAFs in significant volumes from ethanol and fatty acids can be costly, have a relatively high carbon intensity (CI), and impose sustainability challenges. There is a need for a diversified approach to reduce costs and utilize more sustainable feedstocks effectively. Here, we map out catalytic synthesis routes to convert furanics derived from the (hemi)cellulosic biomass to alkanes and cycloalkanes using automated network generation with RING and semiempirical thermochemistry calculations. We find >100 energy-dense C8-C16 alkane and cycloalkane SAF candidates over 300 synthesis routes; the top three are 2-methyl heptane, ethyl cyclohexane, and propyl cyclohexane, although these are relatively short. The shortest, least endothermic process chemistry involves C-C coupling, oxygen removal, and hydrogen addition, with dehydracyclization of the heterocyclic oxygens in the furan ring being the most endothermic step. The global warming potential due to hydrogen use and byproduct CO2 is typically 0.7-1 kg CO2/kg SAF product; the least CO2 emitting routes entail making larger molecules with fewer ketonization, hydrogenation, and hydrodeoxygenation steps. The large number of SAF candidates highlights the rich potential of furanics as a source of SAF molecules. However, the structural dissimilarity between reactants and target products precludes pathways with fewer than six synthetic steps, thus necessitating intensified processes, integrating multiple reaction steps in multifunctional catalytic reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Fei Chang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, 124 E Morton Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Kristin Paragian
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
- Catalysis
Center for Energy Innovation and Delaware Energy Institute, 221 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Sunitha Sadula
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
- Catalysis
Center for Energy Innovation and Delaware Energy Institute, 221 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Srinivas Rangarajan
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, 124 E Morton Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Dionisios G. Vlachos
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
- Catalysis
Center for Energy Innovation and Delaware Energy Institute, 221 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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Hengsawad T, Srimingkwanchai C, Butnark S, Resasco DE, Jongpatiwut S. Effect of Metal–Acid Balance on Hydroprocessed Renewable Jet Fuel Synthesis from Hydrocracking and Hydroisomerization of Biohydrogenated Diesel over Pt-Supported Catalysts. Ind Eng Chem Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b04711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tepin Hengsawad
- The
Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Suchada Butnark
- PTT
Research and Technology Institute, PTT Public Company Limited, Ayutthaya 13170, Thailand
| | - Daniel E. Resasco
- School
of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Siriporn Jongpatiwut
- The
Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center
of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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