A novel integrated pathway for Jet Biofuel production from whole energy crops: A Jatropha curcas case study

Highlights: • Whole-fruit of Jatropha curcas is processed into jet fuel in novel integrated system. • The System implements 5 integration techniques to enhance jet fuel yield and cost. • 49 wt% of Jatropha fruit is converted into liquid fuels, with 65% jet fuel selectivity. • An increment of 88% of jet fuel yield is obtained by utilising the whole-fruit. • A minimum selling price of 0.445 $/kg of jet fuel is achieved below market price. The production of 'Jet Biofuel' has been identified as a promising strategy to mitigate the carbon footprint of the aviation sector. During the past decade, the commercial production of Jet Biofuel has attracted the attention of airline companies and governments across the globe. However, achieving a competitive production cost and sustainable Jet Biofuel remains a challenge. In this regard, various feedstocks have been tested for this purpose, where the vast majority have not complied with sustainability and feasibility expectations. Although not fully utilised in the Jet Biofuel industry, Jatropha curcas has emerged as one of the most promising feedstocks for Jet Biofuel production, since it is non-edible and is able to grow in non-arable lands with minimal water and energy requirements. This study presents a novel integrated pathway that utilises all parts of Jatropha fruit to produce a cost-effective Jet Biofuel using conventional hydroprocess, gasification, Fischer-Tropsch and reforming technologies. Different integration techniques are employed, including waste valorisation, by-products incorporation, as well as water, heat and power integration. The effect of various operating parameters on the products' characteristics and yields has been evaluated. The model is validated against literature experimental data and demonstrates promising results. Whereby, 49 wt% of Jatropha fruit is converted into liquid fuels, with a Jet Biofuel selectivity of 65%, which represents an increment of almost 88% of Jet Biofuel yield compared to processing Jatropha oil alone. Furthermore, the system developed is power and water self-sufficient. The proposed pathway significantly lowers the production cost of Jet Biofuel below the market price of conventional Jet-A fuel for the base year of analysis, achieving a minimum selling price of 0.445 $/kg.