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Published in:
2025 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
13. Techno-economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production
Authors : Luis Felipe Ramírez Verduzco, Judith Esperanza Cruz Ramírez, Myriam Adela Amezcua-Allieri
Published in: Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland
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Abstract
The chapter explores the growing need for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector. It provides an in-depth analysis of the techno-economic and life cycle assessments of SAF production, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges associated with transitioning to biofuels. The text delves into the various feedstocks and conversion technologies used in SAF production, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, alcohol-to-jet (ATJ), hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), synthesized isoparaffins (SIP), and catalytic hydrothermolysis (CHJ). It also examines the environmental impacts and techno-economic implementation of producing aviation biofuel from different feedstocks and technologies. The chapter discusses the policies, regulatory requirements, and initiatives aimed at promoting the adoption of SAF, as well as the market analysis and demand forecasting for biofuels. Additionally, it provides a detailed cost breakdown and evaluation of capital and operating expenses for SAF production, highlighting the factors that influence its feasibility and sustainability. The text also explores the minimum selling price (MSP) and net present value (NPV) associated with SAF production, offering insights into the economic viability and potential returns on investment. Furthermore, it discusses the internal rate of return (IRR) and the challenges and opportunities in producing SAF, making it a comprehensive resource for those seeking to understand the intricacies of SAF production and its potential impact on the aviation industry.
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Abstract
Countries worldwide are actively developing and implementing updated policies related to sustainable energy transition. The need to transition to biofuels with a low-carbon footprint is growing due to global efforts to replace fossil fuels incrementally with other sources, such as biofuels, including those for aviation. Aviation fuels refer to petroleum-based fuels or blends of petroleum and synthetic fuels used to power aircraft. To decrease emissions, airlines can transition from petroleum-based fuels to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) states that SAF could help airlines cut emissions by 65%, achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050. However, the production of aviation fuels has significant environmental and techno-economic impacts that need to be considered.
The techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of SAF production evaluate the feasibility and profitability of producing SAF from different feedstocks and process technologies, along with its environmental and social impact. Scientists and engineers are developing and optimizing conversion technologies and manufacturing strategies, while the state of the art in TEA and LCA for SAF is evolving. Currently, there are key areas of research and development. One critical area focuses on the development of advanced feedstocks and conversion technologies. This includes exploring the use of nonfood crops such as algae or cellulosic waste biomass and developing more efficient and cost-effective conversion processes, such as pyrolysis or gasification.
Another area of research involves enhancing process efficiency and economics. This includes optimizing feedstock selection, evaluating different biorefinery concepts, and reducing energy and water consumption. Additionally, there is growing interest in integrating SAF with other industries, such as power or chemical conversion, to take advantage of economies of scale and reduce costs.
Evaluating the economic and environmental sustainability of SAF is a crucial area of research, and there are ongoing efforts to improve the assessment methodologies and metrics used to evaluate these factors. The development of advanced feedstocks and conversion technologies is critical to the success of SAF, as is evaluating the environmental and social impact of the production process. The use of nonfood crops such as algae or cellulosic waste biomass can help increase the sustainability of SAF and decrease the reliance on food crops. The efficient and cost-effective conversion of these feedstocks into SAF is also an area of intense research. Pyrolysis or gasification, for example, can be used to convert feedstocks into SAF.
Optimizing feedstock selection and evaluating different biorefinery concepts can improve process efficiency and reduce costs. Reducing energy and water consumption during the production process is also critical. Integrating SAF with other industries, such as power or chemical conversion, can help reduce costs and take advantage of economies of scale. This approach can help increase the sustainability of the production process and make SAF more economically viable. To ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of SAF, ongoing research is focused on improving the assessment methodologies and metrics used to evaluate these factors. The development of advanced feedstocks and conversion technologies, as well as the evaluation of the environmental and social impact of the production process, is critical to the success of SAF.
