Revolutionizing biofuel production, UC Riverside researchers unveil a breakthrough in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Overcoming the lignin challenge in biomass, their innovative CELF pretreatment, featuring tetrahydrofuran (THF), enhances carbon extraction efficiency.
With THF derived from biomass sugars, the method yields up to 75.9 gallons of aviation fuel per ton of poplar wood—double that of conventional processes. Notably cost-effective, the study reveals a break-even price of $3.15 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, transforming lignin into a valuable resource.
This game-changing approach promises environmentally friendly, economically viable alternatives, marking a significant leap toward carbon-neutral aviation.
