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Innovative technologies are revolutionizing waste management by transforming plastic waste into sustainable jet fuel. This breakthrough process not only tackles the growing plastic pollution crisis but also provides a cleaner, eco-friendly alternative to traditional aviation fuels. By converting non-recyclable plastics into valuable energy sources, this innovation supports global sustainability goals, reduces carbon emissions, and promotes a circular economy. It marks a significant step forward in both waste reduction and the future of green aviation.
A revolutionary approach has been devised to produce ethylbenzene — a vital component for enhancing sustainable aviation fuels — from waste polystyrene, a durable plastic commonly found in everyday products. This development marks a major step toward reducing the aviation industry’s dependence on fossil fuels.
A recent publication in ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering highlights this cost-effective method and its potential environmental benefits.
Aromatic hydrocarbons, essential for fuel system performance, are often insufficient in fuels derived from non-petroleum sources like waste fat, oil, grease, or plant biomass. These compounds ensure proper lubrication of mechanical parts and prevent leaks by swelling seals during operation, as explained by Hong Lu, a research scientist at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Ethylbenzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon typically sourced from fossil fuels, now has a sustainable production pathway that could accelerate the shift to sustainable jet fuels.
Government agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture, have outlined strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of traditional aviation fuels. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge sets ambitious production goals: 3 billion gallons of domestic sustainable aviation fuels annually by 2030 and 35 billion gallons per year by 2050.
Current aviation fuel standards mandate that sustainable aviation fuels blended with fossil-derived fuels must include at least 8.4% aromatic hydrocarbons to ensure compatibility with existing aircraft infrastructure. While this requirement enhances the safety and functionality of the fuel mix, it significantly limits the proportion of sustainable fuels, which typically contain only about 0.5% aromatic hydrocarbons.
“Blends currently consist of 20% to 30% sustainable fuels mixed with 70% to 80% conventional jet fuel,” Lu noted. The slow adoption of sustainable fuels is partly due to the need for adequate aromatic hydrocarbons, along with other critical factors like volatility, acidity, moisture content, and freeze point.
Ethylbenzene was chosen for its lower soot production compared to other highly aromatic compounds. Polystyrene, a plastic rich in hydrocarbons and widely available in waste streams, was selected as the raw material.
The U.S. generates approximately 2.5 million metric tons of polystyrene annually, most of which ends up in landfills, Lu explained.
Through thermal pyrolysis, polystyrene was heated to break down the polymer into a styrene-rich liquid. This liquid underwent hydrogenation to produce crude ethylbenzene, which was then distilled to achieve 90% purity.
When incorporated into sustainable aviation fuels, the ethylbenzene derived from polystyrene performed nearly as well as its fossil fuel counterpart. Additional purification could further enhance its performance.
Preliminary cost analysis revealed that producing ethylbenzene from waste polystyrene is more economical than crude oil-based production. A lifecycle analysis also demonstrated a 50% to 60% reduction in carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel-derived ethylbenzene.
The research team aims to refine this additive further, potentially increasing the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels in the industry.
This study received support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research program and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com
Source: SciTechDaily
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