IIT Jodhpur Researchers Transform Waste Biomass into Bio-Jet Fuel  

A novel technique for creating bio-jet fuel from biomass derived from plants has been discovered by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur.

This discovery may provide the aviation industry with more reasonably priced and ecologically friendly fuel sources, which might have a huge effect on the energy sector.

The IIT Jodhpur team successfully addressed a long-standing challenge in the aviation industry by creating a cost-effective solution. In order to create bio-jet fuel, they used a readily available iron-based catalyst (Fe/Silica-Alumina), non-edible oils, and waste biomass.

The global aviation industry is one of the most energy-intensive in the world, requiring more than 800 million liters of fuel every day, making it one of the largest consumers of petroleum-based fuels.

However, unlike ground transportation or buildings, the aviation industry needs help transitioning to renewable energy sources with existing technology.

Research in the Sustainable Energy and Fuels journal suggests that plant-based bio-jet fuels could be a cost-effective and greener substitute for conventional petroleum fuels, resulting in a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

This study is significant as it focuses on creating aviation fuel using an abundantly available catalyst made of Fe/SiO2-AI2O3, which resembles natural clay. The trigger can be reused up to 10 times (and even more than 50 cycles) under mild reaction conditions and low hydrogen pressure, making it suitable for bio-jet fuel production.

The research findings are promising, mainly due to the catalyst’s firm acidity and unique texture achieved through gentle processing conditions like low hydrogen pressure without solvents.

IIT Jodhpur’s Department of Chemistry Professor Dr. Rakesh K. Sharma recognizes this extraordinary accomplishment and said it has potential to improve efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector.