The team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur has successfully developed an iron-based catalyst (Fe/Silica-Alumina) that is abundantly available. This catalyst has been used in the production of bio-jet fuel, utilizing non-edible oils and waste biomass. Their breakthrough solves a long-standing industry challenge, making the manufacturing process of bio-jet fuel economically viable. The development of this catalyst offers the potential for cheaper and cleaner fuels, leading to transformative changes in the energy sector. The project was led by Dr. Rakesh K Sharma, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at IIT Jodhpur, along with his PhD scholar, Mr. Bhagirath Saini. Their research has revolutionized the production of bio-jet fuel from plant-based biomass.
The global aviation sector has an immense daily fuel demand, exceeding 800 million liters. This sector heavily relies on petroleum-based fuels and is known for its high energy consumption. Unlike other industries like ground transportation or residential and commercial buildings, the aviation industry faces challenges in transitioning to renewable energy sources using existing technologies. However, the plant-based sustainable bio-jet fuels proposed by the researchers at IIT Jodhpur could offer a competitive alternative to traditional petroleum fuels. These bio-jet fuels have the potential to contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The research conducted by IIT Jodhpur was prominently featured on the cover page of the Sustainable Energy & Fuels journal, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, London. The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SE00144J.
The present study holds significant importance in the development of aviation fuel under mild reaction conditions, characterized by low H2 pressure and high reusability of the Fe/SiO2-Al2O3 catalyst. This catalyst, inspired by the structure of natural clay, has emerged as a successful outcome of research conducted by Prof. Sharma's team. The catalyst demonstrates excellent reusability for up to 10 cycles (and even performs well for more than 50 cycles) in the production of bio-jet fuel. These results are particularly promising, considering the catalyst's high acidity and unique textural properties, all achieved under relatively mild process conditions, including low H2 pressure and solvent-free conditions. The research is supported by the Department of Biotechnology through the DBT PAN-IIT Center for Bioenergy.
Speaking about the significance of the research, Dr. Rakesh K Sharma, Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Jodhpur, said, “What is really impressive about our work is the unprecedented bio jet fuel selectivity from biomass using earth-abundant reusable heterogeneous iron catalyst under mild conditions. The process shows not only increased efficiency but also decreased emissions of greenhouse gases in the airline sector.”
The future scope of the developed sulfur-free and highly dispersed non-noble metal-based catalyst for bio-jet fuel production is promising. Scaling up the catalyst production and optimizing the manufacturing process for commercial-scale applications is a potential avenue. Further research can focus on process optimization to enhance catalytic activity, selectivity, and conversion efficiency, considering factors such as temperature, pressure, and reaction time.
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