Biorefining of forest residues for production of fossil free aviation fuels by a two-step process – Enhancing process aromatic selectivity

This project focuses on the development of a novel two-step process of forest residual materials to produce fossil free jet fuels. It would provide a means of supplementing fossil free jet fuels with aromatic content from additional renewable feedstock. The aromatic content of jet fuels is crucial to satisfy content specifications needed for safe performance and current industrial processes for producing renewable fuels lack a direct means of producing aromatic compounds.

Specifically, the project will focus on developing a novel strategy involving sequencing operating conditions and catalyst formulations to enhance aromatic yields in bio-oil from forest residuals. For a future up-scaling, the process economy is critical and this will be considered when developing the process. In addition, all carbon atoms must be utilized in the best possible way.

The process should mainly produce jet-fuel, but also some solid residues will be formed, which could be used as bio-char in fertilizers.