By Scout Nelson
Corn has long been used as a feedstock for renewable fuel production through ethanol, but its use in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) faces challenges related to production costs, infrastructure, and fuel performance requirements.
Producing SAF from corn currently requires converting corn into ethanol and then upgrading the ethanol into aviation fuel. This process is expensive, and the infrastructure needed for ethanol-to-SAF conversion remains limited.
Another limitation is that ethanol-based aviation fuel cannot be used as a standalone jet fuel. It must be blended with conventional jet fuel because it lacks the density and chemical properties required for independent use in aircraft.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota are exploring a new approach that could increase corn's role in the SAF market. The project focuses on developing a specialized yeast strain that can convert corn-derived glucose into a customized mixture of lipids and hydrocarbons.
The resulting material, known as "designer biocrude," is intended to provide the density and fuel characteristics needed for aviation applications. It could also be processed using existing infrastructure already used to convert vegetable oils, waste oils, and fats into SAF, potentially reducing investment costs.
The research uses a yeast strain called Yarrowia lipolytica, which is known for efficiently converting glucose into lipids. Scientists are engineering the yeast to produce specific amounts of lipids and a hydrocarbon called a-bisabolene to achieve the desired fuel properties.
If successful, the technology could create a new pathway for corn-based sustainable aviation fuel. Rather than replacing existing ethanol production, it could complement the current industry by helping supply the components needed for fully renewable aviation fuels.
Photo Credit: getty-images-n-sky
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Corn