Jet fuel production from multiple feedstocks: Technological pathways, catalytic breakthroughs, techno-economic feasibility, challenges, and future perspectives

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a key strategy in the aviation industry to cut carbon emissions and reduce global environmental impacts. This review examines jet fuel production using various potential feedstocks, along with their corresponding production, including hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, alcohol-to-jet (ATJ), catalytic hydrothermolysis (CH), and algal lipid-based fuels. It also discusses technologies for creating synthetic jet fuels in line with the American Society for Testing and Materials standards (ASTM D7566, 2024). The HEFA-based fuels, made by hydrotreating triglycerides from oil-rich biomass, are feasible in the near term with lifecycle emissions reductions of over 80%. Catalysts (such as cobalt and iron) are common for FT, catalysts (Pt, Pd, Ni, and Mo) show excellent activity in HEFA selectivity. HZSM-5 is cost-effective for ATJ. In future, efforts between industries and government policy are required to make bio-jet fuel a viable, large-scale solution for aviation decarbonization.