Roadmap for sustainable aviation biofuels for Brazil — A Flightpath to Aviation Biofuels in Brazil

Bio-based jet fuels are projected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to play a major role in meeting greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Recent literature has identifi ed promising pathways for biojet fuel production, including several pathways approved by the ASTM International. Despite the importance of this topic, only a few studies have examined the fi nancial metrics of biojet production, and different assumptions make it diffi cult to compare results. This paper evaluates and compares the fi nancial viability of six key biojet fuel production pathways using appropriate biomass feedstocks. The pathways were analyzed from a technical and fi nancial perspective, utilizing a common discounted cash fl ow approach and Monte Carlo analysis, considering internal (e.g. scale-up to commercial scale) and external (e.g. oil price) uncertainties. The hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids technology with oil feedstock had the most promising fi nancial results, with an internal rate of return of over 26% and a 70% probability of exceeding the minimum attractive rate of return (MARR = 15%) even under the most pessimistic scenario. The next most attractive pathway was catalytic hydrothermolysis, which had favorable fi nancial performance, but only under a scenario that assumed an oil price range of $93 to $140 per barrel. Pyrolysis and gasifi cation with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis presented high fi nancial risk under an oil price range of $50 to $93 per barrel and low technical development scenarios, whereas the alcohol-to-jet and direct-fermentation-to-jet technologies were found to be unlikely to achieve the MARR for any of the scenarios.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Financial analyses of potential biojet fuel production technologies

MacLean

Saville

2017

“…In terms of biomass feedstocks, past studies have focused on evaluating the land requirements for bioenergy production without threatening food production and preserving the ecosystem . In this case, Brazil's extensive experience in bioenergy and its wide availability of resources make it a potential player . This study therefore develops a methodological framework to assess the techno‐economic and environmental potential of biojet production applied to a case study in Brazil that could also act as a biofuel exporter.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential for biojet production from different biomass feedstocks and consolidated technological routes: a georeferencing and spatial analysis in Brazil

Carvalho

Silva

Szklo

et al. 2019

This paper assesses the biojet fuel production potential in Brazil. It evaluates feedstock availability by applying a georeferencing analysis, and determines the cost-effectiveness and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of selected production routes throughout their entire life cycle. This study identifies and locates Brazilian hotspots in terms of bioenergy availability and proximity to the main sites of fuel consumption and handling in the country. Findings show that the biomass availability for each crop in the hotspots would be sufficient to feed the biojet conversion plants proposed in this study. The biojet production potential in the hotspots would represent 48% of the country's jet fuel consumption in 2014, allowing the current certificated 50% blend with conventional fuel. The major biomass hotspots are close to airport and fuel logistic basis. However, even with a US$ 200.tCO -1 2 tax, hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) biojet is far from being competitive with petroleum-based jet fuel, whereas the Fischer-Tropsch synthetic paraffinic kerosene (FT-SPK) route may produce a competitive biojet. One possible pathway to incentivize biojet fuel production in Brazil would be, first, to implement carbon taxes that would allow the development of smaller plants. Then, with technological learning and larger production scales, it would be possible to reduce or even eliminate the carbon taxes.

Techno‐economic assessment of biorefinery technologies for aviation biofuels supply chains in Brazil

Alves

Valk²,

Jong

et al. 2016

Production of aviation biofuels has been strongly encouraged by the volatility of oil prices and environmental concerns. Brazilian society, companies, and government are taking a step forward in the production of renewable jet fuel from biomass feedstocks largely available in the territory. This study evaluated the use of different feedstocks (sugar crops, oil crops, and lignocellulosic biomass) for co‐production of biojet fuel and higher value‐added products in a biorefinery platform. The co‐production of biofuels and biochemicals in a biorefinery context was demonstrated to be economically feasible. The main cost drivers of such a platform are feedstock biomass cost, selling price of the biochemicals, investment costs, and key process‐inherent parameters such as conversion yields, obtained fermentable sugars, or oil content in the feedstock. Sugarcane was the most promising feedstock for a biorefinery in the region of Minas Gerais, while soybean was the most promising feedstock for a biorefinery in the region of Rio Grande do Sul, despite its higher uncertainty. Succinic acid was the most promising chemical intermediate for biopolymers industry due to its relatively high market value, unique market opportunity as a substitute of conventional petrochemicals, and forecast for future growth. Ethanol‐to‐jet (ETJ) and hydro‐processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) were the most attractive biojet fuel production routes in the present study. Scenarios for co‐production of biofuels and biochemicals in Brazil present large uncertainties and high financial risk, mainly due to the use of second‐generation feedstocks, and the introduction of new technologies and products. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd