Honeywell’s technology converts ethanol-to-SAF

Honeywell announced an innovative ethanol-to-jet fuel (ETJ) processing technology that allows producers to convert corn-based, cellulosic, or sugar-based ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Demand for SAF continues to grow but the aviation industry is challenged by limited supplies of traditional SAF feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste oils, says the release.

A 2021 life-cycle analysis by the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory reported that ethanol-to-jet fuel conversion, combined with other technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration (CCUS) and smart farming practices, can result in negative GHG emissions compared to petroleum-based jet fuel, the release said.

SAF plants using Honeywell’s technology can be modularised off site enabling lower installed costs and faster, less labour-intensive installation compared to job site construction, the release said. Petroleum refiners and transportation fuel producers can also benefit from Honeywell’s ETJ design that is purpose-built to enable conversion of current or idle facilities into SAF production plants, potentially maximising use of existing sites for SAF production to meet the growing market demand.