In an effort to advance sustainable aviation, researchers from TNO and Fraunhofer UMSICHT have developed innovative methods to produce biofuel from biomass feedstocks, focusing on converting five-carbon saccharide fractions from lignocellulosic biomass into jet fuel. The aim is to demonstrate these technologies at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3-4, making them viable for future industrial applications.
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21 November 2024
The report, "Valorisation of Light Oxygenates Present in Aqueous Side Streams via Aqueous Phase Reforming", details Johnson Matthey’s research on converting oxygenates in aqueous side streams to hydrogen (H2) through aqueous phase reforming (APR). This work involves testing various model aqueous feeds and catalysts to optimise APR efficiency.
21 November 2024
The HIGFLY project aims to develop advanced technologies for producing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) using hemicellulose C5 sugar streams from lignocellulosic biorefineries. Researchers from ifeu have evaluated the sustainability performance of the HIGFLY process through environmental, economic, and social assessments.
24 October 2024
The HIGFLY Final Conference, held at Eindhoven University of Technology on September 20th, 2024, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the advancements and prospects in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biofuel technologies. The event showcased the outcomes of the HIGFLY project, which focused on creating high-quality aviation fuels derived from sustainable biomass feedstocks through innovative catalytic processes.
7 June 2024
HIGFLY researchers are exploring innovative techniques to enhance the purification process of biofuels. A part of this process is the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) and supported liquid membranes (SLM) as a means of purifying jet fuel precursors, specifically furfural and bio-oxygenates.
7 June 2024
One of the main objectives of the HIGFLY project is to demonstrate a scalable technology for biofuel production from furfural and bio-oxygenates derived from sustainable biomass feedstocks.
SkyNRG’s HIGFLY project: addressing challenges in unlocking the potential of lignocellulosic biomass
20 February 2024
Scaling up production capacity for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): How the ReFuelEU Mandate stimulates the implementation of advanced biobased pathways for SAF production post-2030.
19 February 2024
In 2024, the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sector is experiencing a transformative phase, driven by key legislative agreements and technological advancements. This article explores the dynamic landscape of SAF, drawing insights from recent developments, market outlooks, and global trends.
19 February 2024
This HIGFLY project´s research into the design of a catalytic process for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of condensed intermediates aims to streamline and enhance the production of oxygen-free fuel samples for jet fuel applications.
19 February 2024
Furfural is the primary jet fuel precursor and building block within the HIGFLY concept. The existing methodologies employed for converting biomass feedstocks into furfural exhibit notable inefficiencies in resource utilisation, substantial costs, and high energy consumption. These methods result in a yield of less than 50% of the potential value and a complete loss of cellulose and lignin.
19 February 2024
One primary goal within the HIGFLY project is to minimise the energy consumption involved in producing sustainable aviation fuel. This objective is pursued by optimising various stages of the process, focusing on enhancing the efficiency of reactor technologies, catalysts, solvents, and membranes.
3 July 2023
Structured catalysts and reactors have become one of the most important and commercially significant applications of reactor engineering and industrial catalysis. They can help to efficiently process large fluid flows with minimal pressure drop and can reduce hot/cold spots in reactors caused by issues such as uneven heating and cooling, poor mixing, catalyst deactivation and limitations in mass transfer rates.
3 July 2023
Furfural is a valuable chemical that can be produced from biomass and is commonly used as a building block in the synthesis of various chemicals such as solvents and pharmaceuticals. However, the production of furfural from biomass-derived sugars becomes challenging due to the complexity of the feedstocks and the low selectivity of the process, where sub-products are largely formed. One possible solution to overcome this challenge is the use of solid acid catalysts.
3 July 2023
The condensation of furfural and bio-based oxygenates is an important aspect of the HIGFLY process as it has the potential to produce value-added chemicals and fuels from products following the dehydration of hemicellulose (C5) sugars. This process involves the reaction of furfural with various bio-based oxygenates, such as alcohols and ketones, to form a range of products, and requires the examination of several factors, including the choice of catalyst, reaction conditions, and the desired products.
23 June 2023
The HIGFLY project aims to accelerate the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and increase its share in the EU market by improving the cost effectiveness and energy efficiency of obtaining hydrocarbons in the kerosene range from abundant, sustainable feedstocks.
23 June 2023
The GLAMOUR project aims to develop a process that converts waste bio-based feedstock such as crude glycerol
27 September 2022
HIGFLY researchers are aiming to make their technologies flexible enough to efficiently process a variety of feedstocks to mitigate any potential supply chain issues and ensure that the technologies remain relevant in the face of changing agricultural, biological residue and biorefinery landscapes.
20 September 2022
Representatives from the HIGFLY project participated in the Sustainable Places Conference 2022. The conference was a hybrid event held online and in person in Nice, France between 6th – 9th September.
26 July 2022
Although the current innovations proposed in HIGFLY are most relevant to the aviation fuel sector, the technologies and materials being developed can also contribute to other sectors and be adapted to produce an array of products supplying precursors and ingredients for the bio-chemical, pharmaceutical and bio-plastic industries to name but a few.
26 July 2022
Furfural is the main jet fuel precursor and building block in the HIGFLY concept. Current methods to convert biomass feedstocks into furfural are extremely resource inefficient, costly and energy intensive, yielding less than 50% of the potential value and lead to a complete loss of cellulose and lignin.
26 July 2022
Current bio-based alternatives for jet fuel (HVO/HEFA) rely on scarce and geographically dispersed feedstocks, such as used cooking oil and animal fats, that cannot cover the fuel demand and sustainability targets of the aviation sector. The HIGFLY project will develop the next generation of technologies to produce advanced renewable jet fuels from abundant and sustainable biomass feedstocks.
15 June 2022
HIGFLY consortium members met face-to-face for the first time on June 9th – 10th 2022 for the month 18 General Assembly Meeting on the campus of project leaders Eindhoven University of Technology.
30 May 2022
The HIGFLY process uses C5 sugars that can be produced in biorefineries using lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock
6 April 2022
The HIGFLY project is now an official member of the Biorefine Cluster Europe.
14 February 2022
One of the HIGFLY project´s main objectives is to reduce the energy consumption of sustainable aviation fuel production by targeting unit operations throughout the process ranging from more efficient reactor technologies and catalysts to designer solvents and membranes. Furthermore, the aim is for a more circular process using solvents of natural origin, specifically, combinations of natural compounds called deep eutectic solvents (DES). A DES forms when two solids liquify upon mixing at moderate temperatures and the mixture remains liquid at room temperature which enables it to be used as a solvent.
7 February 2022
On February 3rd 2022, the HIGFLY consortium members gathered together for a Feedstock Workshop led by Susanne Köppen
26 January 2022
Between 12th – 13th January 2022 the HIGFLY General Assembly Meeting for Month 12 gathered all members of the HIGFLY
24 March 2021
Eight partners from academia and industry came together to achieve a decarbonized transport sector in Europe. HIGFLY will contribute to a greener aviation sector.
21 March 2021
Aviation biofuel technologies need to be develop and commercialized to significantly increase the availability of low carbon sustainable aviation fuel.
22 February 2021
The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy will guide the EU transport system for the next four years towards its green and digital transformation