University of Kentucky researchers launch MSW to SAF project

In Kentucky, the University of Kentucky has launched a pioneering research initiative that seeks to turn everyday trash into high-quality sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

Titled “Surface Enhanced Smart Preprocessing of Municipal Solid Wastes for Year-Round Supply of Conversion-Ready Feedstocks,” the study aims to address excessive landfill waste. The project is a collaborative effort involving a multi-institutional team, including researchers from Iowa State University, Idaho National Laboratory, Red Rock Biofuels and Wasatch Integrated Waste Management.

Spanning 36 months, the initiative aims to:

·      Develop novel blending and densification strategies to improve the stability and convertibility of waste plastics with biomass feedstocks.

·      Implement mechanical separation methods to remove inorganic contaminants from MSW.

·      Create a rapid, nondestructive 3D imaging technology for comprehensively characterizing MSW fractions.

·      Use deep learning-based predictive models to guide preprocessing strategies and optimize feedstock quality.