production cost of SAF via the PBtL pathway is projected to be below $2,000/MT in 2025,³ which is lower than the production cost of SAF via other contemporary technology pathways, except for a lower bound HEFA price. Going forward, Opex is expected to improve significantly due to lower cost of inputs and economies of scale. The design of the PBtL plant is modular and smaller than that of other renewable fuel plants, making it possible to locate compact plug-and- play modules at multiple sites. The typical inside battery limit (ISBL) footprint of a 50 KTPA PBtL plant is expected to be ~50m x 100m, including control room and final/intermediate product storage. The low-cost, modular design PBtL plant delivers the lowest Capex per unit barrels per day (bpd) capacity of any advanced biofuels plant based on any known cellulosic biofuel pathway. For project conceptualisation purposes, the Capex of an installed PBtL plant in India can be assumed to be ~$1 million per MT of daily capacity. Current status The patented plasma process has been validated based on data from a pilot plant. The current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the PBtL pathway is 6/7. An integrated industrial-scale SAF plant is currently under construction/ commissioning, which will demonstrate and optimise the production processes. The data generated will act as a model for rapid scale- up to global commercial-scale plants, with technology licensing, large-scale production, and international marketing over the next two to three years. Key takeaways • The future of SAF appears promising, driven by a commitment to meet ambitious decarbonisation targets and continuous innovation for a more sustainable aviation industry. • The application of SAF made from bio- residues and CO₂ can achieve lifecycle emissions reduction of up to 92% compared to conventional fossil-derived aviation fuel. • Biogas and CO₂-based industrial process provides advantages regarding the most efficient use of non-fossil carbon from different sources, with high efficiency and optimised costs. • Co-processing of syncrude from renewable and fossil feedstock in a refinery’s existing
Other O pex 8%
Synthesis & processing 12%
Renewable electricity 40%
CO
CO capture 15%
Electrolyser C apex 25%
Significant cost benefits are perceived for the PBtL p athway , consequent to nil e lectrolyser Capex and much lower renewable power and CO capture costs.
Figure 4 Production cost structure for e-SAF pathways 1 hydrotreating/hydrocracking unit is feasible with minimal modifications. • Little or no technology-related risk is foreseen, as all sub-processes are mature and well-proven. • The PBtL technology embodies a circular economy approach with a paradigm shift towards the utilisation of CO₂ and biogas for the production of SAF. With this closed-loop system, the refining industry can greatly reduce its carbon footprint while enhancing SAF supply chain resilience with feedstock diversity without green H₂. • With the present Government’s goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India), the biofuels industry anticipates policy reforms that will facilitate the expansion of new CBG projects nationwide. JNKI’s vision for adopting the innovative PBtL pathway aligns with this goal. • JNKI can integrate the Plasma-Boudouard Reactor and FT units into the full chemical value chain, and drive better Capex and Opex solutions, as well as pivot toward circular SAF production.
VIEW REFERENCES
Ajay Misra ajay.misra@jnkindia.com Pankaj Gupta pankaj.gupta@jnkindia.com
Refining India
9
Powered by FlippingBook