Wedoany.com Report on Feb 24th, the technology for converting ethanol into aviation fuel is becoming a significant direction in the field of sustainable energy, with Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) or Ethanol-to-Kerosene (ETK) being key pathways. Ethanol molecules are larger, making them suitable for producing the heavier kerosene fractions required for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), while methanol is more suitable for gasoline production. 
Traditional bioethanol is primarily produced through the fermentation of sugar-containing crops such as corn, sugarcane, or wheat, but this may occupy agricultural resources. To address this challenge, there is a global effort to find non-food sources of ethanol, such as producing it by capturing carbon from industrial emissions. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also provides energy solutions.
The U.S. company LanzaTech has developed a Carbon Capture and Transformation (CCT) process that uses acetogenic bacteria to convert carbon monoxide-rich syngas or steel production flue gas into ethanol. Blast Furnace Gas (BFG) and Basic Oxygen Furnace Gas (BOFG) are ideal feedstocks, which can replace their use for combustion or power generation. The produced ethanol is then converted into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through LanzaJet's proprietary ETJ process.
Lifecycle analysis of LanzaTech's process shows that producing ethanol by capturing industrial emissions can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, especially when the feedstock would otherwise have been combusted. This technology has been successfully demonstrated in places like New Zealand and China, for example, at steel plant facilities in Shanghai and Caofeidian, with an annual production capacity of 300 tons, and has been expanded to a biorefinery in Georgia, USA.
The conversion of ethanol to kerosene involves steps such as dehydration and oligomerization: ethanol is first dehydrated over a zeolite catalyst to produce ethylene, which then undergoes oligomerization to form longer hydrocarbon chains. Finally, hydrotreatment removes oxygen atoms, followed by fractionation to separate gasoline, diesel, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) fractions. Optimizing process conditions can improve economic viability, supporting the aviation industry's transition towards a greener future.
