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DOE OSTI · 3364921

Advancing technologies for lignin-based jet fuel production in aqueous phase

Rawat, Shivam [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)]·Kumar, Adarsh [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)]·Ma, Shuaishuai [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)]·Yang, Zhibin [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)]·Gieleciak, Rafal [Natural Resources Canada, Devon, AB (Canada). CanmetENERGY]·Tan, Eric C. D. [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000291102410)·Heyne, Joshua [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)]·Wang, Hongliang [China Agricultural University, Beijing (China)]·Bhaskar, Thallada [CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI), Bhopal (India)]·Yang, Bin [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)]
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Abstract

Integrating lignin into a cellulosic ethanol plant for the co-production of lignin-based jet fuel (LJF) in aqueous phase offers a significant opportunity to boost operational efficiency, economic viability, carbon conversion, and the overall sustainability of biofuel and chemical production. LJF is lignin-structure-based jet fuel blendstocks primarily composed of alkyl-substituted mono-, bi-, and tri-cyclohexanes. It exhibits high energy density, potential for low emissions, and favourable blend characteristics that comply with drop-in specifications. An overview of lignin feedstock, catalytic processes, LJF chemical compositions, fuel properties tests, and techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) indicate that (1) the reactivity of lignin plays a crucial role in its structure transformation to LJF molecules; (2) catalytic processing of lignin to LJF can occur through a simultaneous depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation process, bypassing the intermediate step of producing and upgrading lignin-derived oil; (3) LJF's uniqueness molecules making it more promising for high energy content and low emission jet fuel properties for next generation sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); and (4) TEA and LCA demonstrate that LJF is not only potentially cost-effective but also offers favourable carbon footprint compared to other SAFs. In conclusion, this review highlights the most recent advancements in LJF technology, along with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in fulfilling its potential.

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09 BIOMASS FUELS29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMYcycloalkanesfuel propertieshydrodeoxygenationlife cycle assessmentligninlignin-based jet fueltechno-economic analysis

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Rawat, Shivam [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)], Kumar, Adarsh [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)], Ma, Shuaishuai [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)], Yang, Zhibin [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)], Gieleciak, Rafal [Natural Resources Canada, Devon, AB (Canada). CanmetENERGY], Tan, Eric C. D. [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000291102410), Heyne, Joshua [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)], Wang, Hongliang [China Agricultural University, Beijing (China)], Bhaskar, Thallada [CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI), Bhopal (India)], Yang, Bin [Washington State University, Richland, WA (United States)]. 2026-07-01. Advancing technologies for lignin-based jet fuel production in aqueous phase. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2026.177150

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09 BIOMASS FUELS subject29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY subjectcycloalkanes subjectfuel properties subjecthydrodeoxygenation subjectlife cycle assessment subjectlignin subjectlignin-based jet fuel subjecttechno-economic analysis subject

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