The term SAF is used to describe a family of JET FUELS comprised of a blend of conventional jet fuels with non-conventional, more sustainable blending agents. This SAF blend is what is defined as the fully ready drop-in fuel that can be used to replace conventional jet fuel.
Because SAF is a relatively recently adopted term, some companies working in this field may also use the terms bio-jet, renewable jet, bio-kerosene, alternative jet, non-conventional jet fuel, etc., or specifically by the several names in the conversion pathways outlined in ASTM D7566.
Currently there are proven processing pathways to produce SAF.
1.- The Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA-SPK) process, which converts vegetable oils and animal fats into hydrocarbons by deoxygenation and hydro-processing. Blending limit: up to 50%
2.-The Fischer Tropsch (FT) Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK) process that converts coal, natural gas, or biomass into liquid hydrocarbons through an initial gasification step, followed by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Blending limit: up to 50%
3.-Synthetic Iso-paraffin from Hydro-processed Fermented Sugar (HFS-SIP), (formerly referred to as Direct-sugar-to-Hydrocarbon [DSHC]), converts sugars to pure paraffin molecules using an advanced fermentation process. Blending limit: up to 10%
4.-The Alcohol to Jet SPK (ATJ-SPK) pathway starts from an alcohol to produce an SPK (through dehydration of the alcohol to an olefinic gas, followed by oligomerization to obtain liquid olefins of a longer chain length, hydrogenation, and fractionation). This pathway is intended to eventually cover any C2-C5 alcohol feedstock; at present, it only covers the use of iso-butanol and ethanol. Blending limit: up to 50%
Benchmark has been following the evolution of the SAF market. In the past, for any of these pathways to economically compete with hydrocarbon-based JET FUEL, the price of oil needed to be above $ 90 per barrel; however, with the incorporation of incentives such as Low Carbon Fuel Standards credits, Carbon Offsets, CO2 Sequestration and others, the economics are changing rapidly in favor of SAF.
It’s important to point out that the technologies are proven, and production is a function of competitive price per SAF gallon.
Germany invented and utilized several of these pathways to produce aviation fuel during WW 2 out of desperation and lack of access to oil.
Indirect Fischer–Tropsch ("FT") technologies were brought to the US after World War 2, and a 7,000 barrels per day plant was designed by HRI, and built in Brownsville, Texas. The plant represented the first commercial use of high-temperature Fischer–Tropsch conversion. It operated from 1950 to 1955, when it was shut down when the price of oil dropped due to enhanced production and huge discoveries in the Middle East.
The company believes that the most competitive pathway to develop SAF is to hydro-process Esters and Fatty Acids. We can further improve the production process by introducing cost effective renewable thermal energy and improved management of superheated steam.
The challenge becomes the sourcing of the vegetable oils as feedstock to manufacture SAF.
Benchmark owns a patent for removing oil from fibrous material. We envision capturing and processing rotational and cover crops such a camelina, pennycress, hemp, and others that have high oil content, maximized with the improved Benchmark oil extraction processes.
As a result, the new cost per gallon of SAF using vegetable oils can be very competitive.
For additional information, please contact the company.
