Geo Announces BRL 15 Million for Pilot Production of Aviation Biokerosene
(Millena Brazil/EPBR) Biotechnology company receives approval from Finep to finance part of the project; initial production will be 660 liters per day in biogas plants — The biotechnology company Geo Biogás & Tech will invest BRL 15 million in a pilot plant for the production of aviation biokerosene in biogas generation units in Paraná. The demonstration project will have an initial manufacturing capacity of 660 liters per day.
The goal is to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from sugarcane waste from biogas projects, such as vinasse and filter cake.
The mechanism proposed by Geo uses the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) route, where hydrogen is produced by the biogas vapor generated in the biodigestion process, not requiring an external source of green hydrogen (H2V) electrolysis, making the route less costly in terms of energy consumption.
In partnership with the State University of Maringá (UEM), Geo received support from the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep) as co-executor of the initiative.
According to the company, the research that concludes the viability of the plant is unprecedented in the country and may encourage the production and sale of SAF by the sugar and alcohol industries.
This year, the company joined forces with the Crivellaro group to generate biomethane using industrial waste . With an investment of R$ 70 million, the plant should start operating in 2023, in São Paulo.
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In addition to the route that will be used by Geo, there are others that can also be considered to produce the biofuel, such as Hydrotreatment of Vegetable Oils (HVO) and Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ).
Among the challenges for the energy transition is the safety and autonomy of aircraft for traveling long distances. Currently, aviation fuels have their own specifications for regulation, with strict rules to be followed by companies and manufacturers committed to achieving neutralization by 2050. READ MORE