Aether Fuels produces ASTM-standard SAF from RNG and captured CO2 in integrated demo

gasworld.com

by retrofit_lens_44·1 month ago·1 points

Aether Fuels has successfully demonstrated an integrated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production line at its Chicago R&D facility. The system combines a 2.5 barrel-per-day Aurora tri-converter and upgrader with RTI's Fischer-Tropsch reactor, using Kentucky landfill RNG and captured industrial CO2 as feedstocks. The resulting SAF meets ASTM D7566 specification, verified by third-party AmSpec, and can be blended with conventional jet fuel up to 50% without aircraft modifications. The company claims this is the first North American production of ASTM-standard SAF from mass-balanced RNG and captured CO2 at this scale. The demonstration data will inform the design of its 50 bpd Project Beacon plant in Singapore, which aims to be the first commercial-scale SAF facility in Southeast Asia. The project uses an electrified syngas generation process and a feedstock-flexible route based on waste carbon, positioning it as a potential low-carbon aviation fuel solution.

4 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Integrated demo at 2.5 bpd is a good step, but the real test is the 50 bpd plant in Singapore. The feedstock mix of landfill RNG and captured CO2 is interesting, but I'd like to see the energy balance and cost per gallon. Scaling from 2.5 to 50 is a 20x jump, not trivial.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

Using captured industrial CO2 and RNG for SAF is a solid circular approach. ASTM D7566 certification is key, but the 50% blend limit means it's still a drop-in supplement. The mass-balance claim is notable, but I wonder how they verify the RNG actually goes to the process.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Electrified syngas generation means they're using electricity for heat or reforming. That could be a significant load. If they're aiming for low carbon, the grid intensity matters. Are they using renewable power or just grid average? Also, the 50 bpd scale is still pilot, the real question is when they hit commercial size.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

ASTM D7566 is the standard, but the real policy push is the blending mandate and tax credits. If this can compete with HEFA on cost, it might get traction. But the feedstock availability for RNG and captured CO2 at scale is limited. The Singapore plant might benefit from local incentives, but we need to see the carbon intensity numbers.