Renewable synfuels via Power and Biogas-to-Liquid pathway An innovative PBtL technology, which produces syngas for the production of sustainable aviation fuel via FT synthesis, has been developed and assessed
Ajay Misra and Pankaj Gupta JNK India Ltd
T he hard-to-abate aviation sector – one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases – urgently needs innovation in the technology pathways currently used for production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). SAF is a critical lever for decarbonising the aviation sector; however, it is not a one-size- fits-all solution. It encompasses a variety of production methods and feedstocks, each with its unique benefits and challenges. Three pathways currently in use at scale are: Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) ASTM D7566 Annex A2: technology fully mature. v Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) ASTM D7566 Annex A5: technology evolving, not fully mature. w Fischer-Tropsch (FT) ASTM D7566 Annex A1: technology fully mature. In this article, we focus on an alternative solution from JNK India Ltd. (JNKI), based on a patented non-catalytic Power and Biogas-to- Liquid (PBtL) technology that produces syngas in a single, three-in-one Plasma-Boudouard Reactor using biogas, CO₂, water and renewable power, without any green hydrogen (H₂). The syngas can be used for the production of SAF via FT synthesis followed by product upgrading. This PBtL pathway, based
electrolysis and reverse water gas shift (rWGS) followed by FT synthesis. At the same time, it is easily scalable through a mere pressure increase; no catalyst or green H₂ is required, and no byproducts are produced. Feedstock challenges, cost drivers, and cost reduction constraints The small quantity of SAF produced in India today is based on the HEFA pathway due to the maturity of its technology and lower costs, followed by a few recently initiated SAF projects based on the AtJ pathway. Supplies of primary feedstock for the HEFA pathway, namely waste animal fats/tallow, oils, and greases, are relatively limited, posing a serious challenge going forward. The current 2024-25 technology-wise breakdown of global SAF production (in operation and under construction) shows 85% capacity based on HEFA pathway, 13% capacity based on AtJ and FT (advanced biofuels) pathway, and 2% capacity based on PtL (e-SAF) pathway. We expect to see more SAF produced globally from AtJ and FT (advanced biofuels) pathways, as well
Advanced biofuels: 30% Long term: 2040-2050
HEFA: 30%
e-S AF : 40%
on plasma pyrolysis of biogas developed by an international company, consumes six times less electricity and requires much lower Capex vis-à-vis the conventional Power- to-Liquids (PtL) pathway, which is based on water
Advanced biofuels: 25% Medium term: 2030-2035
HEFA: 65%
e-S AF : 10%
Advanced biofuels: 13% Current: 2024-2025
HEFA: 85%
e-S AF : 2%
Figure 1 Current, medium-, and long-term outlook of SAF production pathways 1
Refining India
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