Buchun Si

Abstract The aviation industry faces a formidable challenge in transitioning to carbon-neutral flight without compromising the rigorous performance standards of jet engines. While hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of wet waste offers a transformative pathway for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, its potential remains hindered by biocrude quality and the environmental burden of the aqueous phase (HTL-AP).

Abstract Valorization of wet biowaste into sustainable aviation fuel presents a promising opportunity to decarbonize the aviation industry. While hydrothermal liquefaction of food waste produces high energy content biocrude oil, its complex composition introduces challenges for achieving drop-in fuel properties. This research demonstrates a pathway from food waste-derived biocrude to sustainable aviation fuel through single-stage hydrotreating using cobalt molybdenum catalyst.

Abstract Food waste is an underdeveloped source for production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Now, there is no certified conversion process of food waste for SAF by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). We report the use of zeolite-supported molybdenum carbide nanocatalysts in upgrading biocrudes, produced from food wastes through HTL, into SAF precursors.