Australian researchers find eucalyptus-based fuel would save more emissions for aviation biofuel

September 21, 2016 |

In Australia, researchers from the Australian National University said in a new study eucalyptus-based fuel would initially be more expensive than fossil fuels to make on a mass scale, but would produce significantly less net carbon emissions. “If we could plant 20 million hectares of eucalyptus species worldwide, which is currently the same amount that is planted for pulp and paper, we would be able to produce enough jet fuel for five per cent of the aviation industry,” said Dr Carsten Kulheim from the ANU Research School of Biology.

The study examines how to boost production of monoterpenes to obtain industrial scales of jet fuel from plants. This includes selecting appropriate species, genetic analysis, advanced molecular breeding, genetic engineering and improvements to harvesting/processing of the oils.

Certain monoterpenes commonly found in eucalyptus oils such as pinene and limonene, can be refined through a catalytic process, resulting in a fuel with energy densities suitable for jet fuel.

Turpentine from pine trees is another potential source of these monoterpenes, but pines grow more slowly than eucalypts.

Category: Research

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