Consider the following materials :
- 1. Agricultural residues
- 2. Corn grain
- 3. Wastewater treatment sludge
- 4. Wood mill waste
Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel ?
1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
1, 3 and 4 only
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2024
1. Agricultural residues: Residues like corn stover, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, etc., are lignocellulosic materials that can be converted into SAF through various biochemical or thermochemical processes like gasification followed by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, or cellulosic ethanol converted to jet fuel.
2. Corn grain: While controversial from a food security perspective, corn grain can be fermented into ethanol, which can then be converted into SAF via the alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) pathway. This is a recognized method for producing SAF, although its sustainability is debated depending on the criteria used (e.g., land use change).
3. Wastewater treatment sludge: The organic content in sewage sludge can be utilized as a feedstock for SAF production through processes such as hydrothermal liquefaction or gasification.
4. Wood mill waste: Forestry residues, sawdust, wood chips, and other wood waste from sawmills and logging operations are lignocellulosic feedstocks similar to agricultural residues and can be converted into SAF.
All listed materials are potential feedstocks for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel.