Life-Cycle Assessment of Bio-Jet Fuel Production from Waste Cooking Oil via Hydroconversion

Abstract

A life-cycle assessment of bio-jet fuel from waste cooking oil (WCO) produced by hydrotreatment was performed and compared with petroleum-derived jet fuel. This study aimed to evaluate the sustainability and find out the bottleneck restricting the development of WCO-based jet fuel production. The carbon intensity of the WCO-based bio-jet fuel was 63.7% lower compared to the conventional jet fuel, and the proportion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by hydrogen in the WCO was 18.7%. The feedstock stage proportion of GHG emissions of first-, second-, and third-generation biofuels increased. A sensitivity analysis found that the transportation distance of WCO was more sensitive to GHG emissions, and it is important to develop a detailed plan for feedstock collection. A scenario analysis was also performed according to China’s energy structure and hydrogen sources. Although the electric power structure derived from renewable energy will increase GHG emissions in the immediate future, it will eventually reduce emissions due to technical progress by 2050. The preparation of jet fuel from WCO can not only recycle waste but can also contribute to emission reduction for the aviation industry, which is a potential sustainable and feasible aviation fuel route.