Hydroprocessing of lipids: An effective production process for sustainable aviation fuel

Renewable lipids can be converted into jet fuel-range alkanes via catalytic hydrotreatment, and many researches have been conducted over the past few decades. Relevant specification for Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (HEFA-SPK) has been approved by American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM), and lipids-derived aviation fuel has been used in the commercial flights because of its obvious advantages in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. This paper introduces production processes for sustainable aviation fuels by hydroprocessing of lipids. First, the properties of lipids and their pretreatment methods are introduced. Hydrotreating catalysts, including supported single/bimetallic catalysts, metal sulfide catalysts, metal oxide catalysts, metal carbide and nitride catalysts, are introduced by category, and their catalytic mechanism in the hydroprocessing of lipids is discussed. In addition, several major commercial production technologies and techno-economic evaluations for the production of bio-aviation fuel from lipids are introduced. Finally, major challenges and promising prospects are also pointed out for the future development of conversion of lipids to aviation fuels.