US scientists have developed a new method for converting high-strength organic wastewater into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The method uses methane-arrested anaerobic digestion (MAAD) technology to convert high-strength organic wastewater into volatile fatty acids, which can be upgraded to SAF. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory stated that the cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel could reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the aviation industry by up to 70%.
According to researchers, Argonne laboratory’s life cycle and techno-economic models were used to analyze the environmental impacts and economic viability of the SAF.
Carbon-rich wastewater from breweries and dairy farms was used as a feedstock for the technology instead of conventional sources such as oil, fat, and grease. The wastewater streams are rich in organics, and treating them with traditional wastewater treatment methods is carbon-intensive.
Though lactic acids limit the production of SAF from volatile fatty acids, The Argonne MAAD technology overcame this challenge.