Alberta Biojet Initiative (ABI): Upgrading of University of Alberta's LTH technology to Biojet

Lead Proponent

The University of Alberta

Project Background

Dr. Bressler’s group at the University of Alberta developed and patented the Lipid-to-Hydrocarbon (LTH) technology, which converts lipid feedstocks such as waste materials from restaurants and rendering industries into chemicals and solvents, as well as drop-in naphtha (gasoline) and distillate (diesel) fuels.

In collaboration with Alberta Innovates, CanmetENERGY Devon, the Edmonton International Airport, FORGE Hydrocarbons, Future Energy Systems, and Prairies Economic Development Canada, this project aimed to advance the development of the made-in-Canada LTH technology to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Project partners focused on supporting commercialization of the LTH technology, expanding its product portfolio, and improving its process efficiency.

Two SAF production pathways were developed. The first pathway focused on modifying a standardized approach currently utilized for the production of SAF (the catalytic isomerization pathway). The second pathway focused on the optimization and deployment of a novel patented process developed by the Bressler lab (the reactive gases pathway).

Results

The catalytic isomerization pathway was implemented at both laboratory and pilot scale to produce hydrocarbons. New catalysts were tested at continuous operation for over 1000 hours. Liquid products were analyzed for a range of physical and chemical properties (density, freezing point, elemental composition, boiling point distribution, hydrocarbon type analysis, etc.) to evaluate isomerization catalyst performance. Reaction parameters were modified to achieve additional improvements in the catalytic isomerization process. Selected product samples were distilled to obtain hydrocarbons in the jet fuel range; these samples were tested against standard specifications for Jet A and Jet A-1 and were found to meet key aviation fuel specifications.

The reactive gases pathway was tested at laboratory scale in batch and continuous mode (up to 0.2 kg/h). This pathway achieved positive results by increasing the amount of branched hydrocarbons in the liquid product. Branched hydrocarbons are of crucial interest to the aviation industry as they provide jet fuels with desirable properties such as a lower freezing point. The product was tested against a range of properties and was also found to meet the specifications for aviation fuel.

While this project investigated two separate pathways, the researchers involved determined that future work should focus on coupling both pathways. This would merge the benefits of both approaches, resulting in the greatest yield of hydrocarbons in the jet range.

Other significant outcomes of this highly collaborative project include training staff on new lab protocols, safety features, and product analyses, and the development of an analytical suite for testing biofuel properties, which is accessible to both internal and external users.

Benefits to Canada

In addition to supporting the training of highly qualified personnel, this project developed new pathways to produce SAF from waste oil feedstock, and evaluated their economic viability and environmental impact. This knowledge was disseminated at several conferences and published in peer-reviewed journal articles. The execution of this project also enabled collaborations between multiple institutions at different levels, including provincial and federal governments, paving the way for future collaborations for broader implementation.

The project team estimated that future commercialization and broad market uptake of this technology could achieve GHG reductions of up to 0.94 mega tonnes of CO₂e/year.

Next Steps

The SAF produced during the project achieved the range of properties mandated for Jet A fuel. These results will support the development of FORGE’s plant in Sombra (ON), and expect to be leveraged in other projects including for a potential SAF plant in Edmonton, for which an MOU between FORGE and the Edmonton International Airport has been signed.

The project has also received support from Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) and the government of Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund. Over the next several years, this funding will enable technology optimization and scale-up for commercial deployment through FORGE Hydrocarbons and other industrial partners.