Illinois researchers turn food waste into sustainable jet fuel using hydrothermal liquefaction

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a method to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from food waste using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). The process converts wet food waste into biocrude oil without the energy-intensive drying step required by other biomass methods. The resulting fuel meets ASTM and FAA quality standards when blended with conventional jet fuel at ratios of 10% to 50%. The team used catalytic distillation to upgrade the biocrude, a technique they say is simpler and more cost-effective than other refining approaches. Early lab tests have produced enough fuel for diesel engine testing, with jet engine trials planned next. The work targets two problems at once: reducing aviation emissions and diverting food waste from landfills. Scaling remains the main hurdle. Food waste collection logistics and processing capacity will determine whether this technology can move from lab to commercial use. The researchers note that treated wastewater can also serve as feedstock, which may help ease supply constraints. For now, blending SAF with fossil jet fuel offers a pragmatic path to lower carbon emissions without retrofitting existing aircraft or infrastructure.