Researchers seek to expand supplies of SAF by producing more from agricultural sources

In the Isle of Man, Tech Explore reported that Professor David Chiaramonti, an expert in energy systems and power generation at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy, wants land that is unused, marginal and degraded to produce clean fuels for jets.

The fuels would come from oilseed plants such as Camelina sativa and replace kerosene, a fossil fuel that traditionally powers aircraft. 

Chiaramonti led a research project that aimed to increase supplies of the only type of sustainable aviation fuel currently available: hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids, known collectively as HEFA. Called BIO4A, the project wrapped up in mid-2023 after five years.

Chiaramonti believes camelina, which is also known as false flax and grows in countries including Italy and Spain, can help overcome this bottleneck without impinging on crops grown for food, the report added.

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