A drop of oil reflects the direction of environmental technology innovation and development
The National Development and Reform Commission and the Civil Aviation Administration of China recently held a launching ceremony for the application of sustainable aviation fuels in Beijing. Since September 19, 12 flights have officially begun to be filled with sustainable aviation fuels.
Sustainable aviation fuels are one of the important solutions for the aviation industry to reduce carbon emissions. About 99% of the civil aviation industry's carbon emissions come from jet fuel consumption from aviation flight activities. Sustainable aviation fuels are not only compatible with existing facilities and equipment, but also have the advantage of significant carbon reduction effects throughout the life cycle. It is estimated that sustainable aviation fuels can reduce emissions by more than 70% during the entire life cycle, and some biomass raw materials can reduce emissions by more than 85%.
The development and innovation of sustainable aviation fuels involves cross-cooperation in many fields such as chemistry, engineering, and biology. In the cooperation process, guided by the concept of sustainable development, scientific and technological innovation at the basic level of each discipline must consider environmental protection goals, and ultimately these will be applied to the field of aviation emission reduction to achieve green development. Therefore, the development of sustainable aviation fuels not only demonstrates the innovative capabilities of environmental science and technology in integrating basic disciplines, but also reflects the huge potential of promoting environmental protection through interdisciplinary cooperation.
There are many methods to produce sustainable aviation fuels. The most commonly used one is the Oil Hydroprocessing Process (HEFA), which mainly uses raw materials containing fatty acids such as animal and vegetable oils and waste oils to convert the fatty acids in the oils into hydrocarbons through high-pressure hydrogenation. Substances, forming a molecular structure similar to that of fossil aviation fuels, and through fractionation to obtain fuel that meets aviation standards. Waste edible oil can also be made into fuel oil through hydroprocessing, which is the so-called "gutter oil turning into fuel." Another common method is Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FT), which converts biomass or waste such as domestic waste, agricultural residues, industrial waste, etc. into syngas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen through pyrolysis or gasification, and then generates liquid fuel through catalytic reactions. In addition, there are methods of converting ethanol, butanol and other alcohols produced by biological fermentation into olefin compounds through chemical reactions and then refining them into aviation fuels, as well as direct liquefaction and conversion of biomass such as plant residues and agricultural waste through thermochemical reactions. Methods to liquid fuel, etc.
Sustainable aviation fuels involve a wide range of fields and a long industrial chain. They can clearly reflect the high-tech attributes in all aspects, clearly reflecting the characteristics of ecological and environmental scientific and technological innovation that requires joint innovation at all basic scientific and technological levels. This not only promotes the low-carbon transformation of the aviation industry, but also stimulates technological progress and industrial transformation in many fields.
For example, in the field of raw material development, non-food biomass such as algae, forestry waste, and crop residue, and urban waste such as agricultural waste, and industrial waste can all develop and produce sustainable aviation fuels. In the field of process engineering, sustainable aviation fuel hydroprocessing promotes the improvement and development of green hydrogen technology. The development of new catalysts can also improve reaction efficiency, reduce energy consumption, extend equipment life, and reduce waste generation. In the field of gasification technology, improved gasification technology can convert complex raw materials such as lignocellulose and garbage into syngas at lower temperatures and in shorter time, while reducing the generation of by-products. At the same time, sustainable aviation fuels involve cross-innovation in multiple disciplines such as biotechnology and chemical processes. Through genetic engineering, enzyme engineering and advanced catalyst development, the production process of sustainable aviation fuels has become more efficient. This interdisciplinary technological integration has brought more potential technological breakthroughs.
Ecological and environmental science and technology have no independent basic disciplines, but are oriented to solving environmental problems, integrating the methods, achievements and experiences of various basic disciplines and proposing solutions. Therefore, innovation in environmental science and technology not only relies on an accurate understanding of environmental issues, but also requires the concept of sustainable development to lead interdisciplinary cooperation. Each basic discipline promotes innovative development in its own fields with the goal of environmental protection and applies the latest research results to environmental protection. In practice. In this way, inter-disciplinary synergy can provide more comprehensive and effective solutions to environmental problems, so that innovative results can solve environmental problems and promote green development.
A drop of oil from sustainable aviation fuel not only reflects the direction of environmental science and technology innovation and development, but also reflects the beautiful vision of realizing harmonious coexistence between man and nature through scientific and technological innovation and development.
