Work Package 5

WP5 aims to provide a comprehensive economic and environmental assessment of SAF production routes, with findings contributing to the broader goal of identifying viable, sustainable turbine fuels. The work includes comparison of the production potential, economic viability, and environmental impacts of current fossil fuels against emerging alternatives.

The activities within WP5 included a literature study on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production routes, a case study on methanol-to-jet (MTJ) SAF production, and another on SAF production from slurry hydrotreatment of pyrolysis oils and lignin.

Activity 1: Involving a PhD student at LTU, a comprehensive review analyzed the technoeconomic performance of SAF production. This study highlighted that integrating SAF production into existing biorefineries could reduce costs. The research pointed out challenges in current Techno-economic Analysis (TEA) methodologies, especially in treating by-product credits, which can significantly influence cost estimates. The analysis underscored the route-specific impacts of various TEA variables on the Minimum Jet Fuel Selling Price (MJSP), with particular sensitivity in the Fischer Tropsch (FT) route to Total Capital Investment (TCI).

Activity 2: Focused on the MTJ SAF production, including upstream and downstream processes. A systems model was developed to derive mass and energy balances, helping estimate production costs. The model considered the recirculation of unreacted methanol and the utilization of produced gases as substitutes for fossil gas. The economic assessment highlighted the significant role of renewable methanol production costs, suggesting that concepts with lower electricity usage could yield the lowest total costs.

Activity 3: Scheduled for Q2/Q3 2024, this activity will evaluate the pyrolysis oil and lignin tracks, with plans to leverage synergies with other projects for experimental data sharing.