LIGNOJET - Renewable aviation fuel from lignin
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | INNVENTIA AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 050 000 |
| Project duration | October 2014 - December 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
In the LignoJet project, production of lignin-oil through combined catalysed depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation is researched. The goal is to produce a lignin-oil with 10%wt O-content that is miscible with fossil feedstock and used as a precursor for bio-jet fuel production in an oil refinery. The feedstock investigated was kraft lignin from softwood and eucalyptus black liquor separated through ultrafiltration and precipitation per the LignoBoost technology. LignoBoost lignin without fractionation was used for comparison.
Expected results and effects
An oil yield of up to 85% is obtained with 20% O-content. A Ni-catalyst was selected. No advantages were found as a result of fractionation. Eucalyptus and softwood lignin-oil have similar properties. The concept is simplified by omitting ultrafiltration. The lignin-oil is suitable for e.g jet fuel; it is liquid at room temperature, insoluble in water, stable, storable and mixable with other oils without precipitation. Hydrotreatment generates a mixture with boiling point < 300ºC, suitable for jet-fuels. High blend levels are possible. Production cost is about 770 ?/tonne or 26 ?/GJ.
Planned approach and implementation
The project has been carried out in five technical and one coordination work packages. WP1 and WP3 have focused on production of lignin in pilot and demo scale. The produced lignin and data have been used in the experiments in WP4 to produce lignin-oil. The data from WP1, 3 and 4 has then together with Innventia´s process model of Brazilian pulp mill been used for a conceptual design and techno-economic evaluation. The technical data from WP1, 3, 4 and 5 has in turned been used in WP6 together with external information to set up a strategy for implementation. The project has fulfilled its goals.