The report provides a detailed analysis essential for establishing a biokerosene production plant. It encompasses all critical aspects necessary for biokerosene production, including the cost of biokerosene production, biokerosene plant cost, biokerosene production costs, and the overall biokerosene production plant cost. Additionally, the study covers specific expenditures associated with setting up and operating a biokerosene production plant. These encompass production processes, raw material requirements, utility requirements, infrastructure needs, machinery and technology requirements, manpower requirements, packaging requirements, transportation requirements, and more.
Biokerosene is a sustainable aviation fuel derived from renewable feedstocks like vegetable oils, animal fats, waste oils, and biomass through processes such as hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). It is mainly utilised in civil and military aviation. It functions as a drop-in fuel, certified for blending up to 50% with conventional Jet A-1 kerosene. It enables airlines to power commercial flights and reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by 50-90% without engine modifications.
Biokerosene's market growth depends on stringent regulatory pressures, such as CORSIA and EU mandates requiring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends up to 50%, along with government incentives like tax credits and subsidies that spur production investments. Additionally, corporate ESG commitments from airlines, driven by investor and consumer demands for reduced emissions, further boost market demand amid rising global air travel, mainly in Asia-Pacific and North America.
Technological advancements in processes like HEFA, Fischer-Tropsch, and co-processing lower costs using waste feedstocks, while fossil fuel price volatility enhances biokerosene's long-term competitiveness. However, high production expenses, 2-8 times fossil jet fuel, from feedstock processing and low yields, impact industrial biokerosene procurement. Furthermore, feedstock scarcity from waste oils, biomass, or residues competes with biofuels, demanding sustainable sourcing and traceability.
Raw Material for Biokerosene Production
According to the biokerosene production plant project report, the various raw materials for biokerosene production include biomass like jatropha, camelina, or rapeseed oils.
Production Process of Biokerosene
The extensive biokerosene production cost report consists of the following major industrial production process:
- Production from vegetable oils: The production process of biokerosene from vegetable oils begins with sourcing biomass like jatropha, camelina, or rapeseed oils, followed by pretreatment through crushing, degumming, and refining to produce pure triglycerides. The dominant HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) process then hydrotreats these at 300-350 degree Celsius via hydrodeoxygenation, decarboxylation, and decarbonylation to form straight-chain paraffins. Finally, the process is followed by isomerisation and selective cracking to produce biokerosene.
Properties of Biokerosene
Biokerosene has physical and chemical properties closely matching Jet A-1 specifications (ASTM D1655), enabling drop-in blending up to 50% without engine modifications. Its density ranges from 0.75-0.84 g/cm³ at 15 degree Celsius, kinematic viscosity from 1.0-8.0 mm²/s at -20 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius, and freezing point below -40 degree Celsius to -47 degree Celsius, ensuring reliable flow in high-altitude conditions. The flash point exceeds 38 degree Celsius for enhanced safety, while the net calorific value surpasses 42.8 MJ/kg, often reaching 43-46 MJ/kg in bio-derived hydrocarbons. It comprises linear paraffins (iso- and n-alkanes, C8-C16), cycloalkanes, and aromatics under 25%, with low sulfur (<15 ppm), nitrogen, and metals achieved through hydroprocessing. Additionally, blends with bio-components like HEFA-derived fuels maintain low ash, water content (<0.3 vol%), and high energy density, with higher iso-paraffin content improving cold flow properties over fossil kerosene.