Room: Yangtze 1
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 09:00 - 10:00 CEST
Session code 3CO.3
Assessing integrated biorefineries concepts
Case Studies on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production in Brazilian Ethanol Facilities via Biomass Gasification and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
Short Introductive summary
The conversion of biomass into liquid biofuels, particularly Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), is a key strategy for mitigating the environmental impacts of hard-to-abate sectors, such as aviation. Despite its strategic role, the commercial deployment of technologies like Gasification and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (GFT) still faces technical challenges and high capital costs, as evidenced by recent project pauses and shutdowns. Given the capital-intensive nature of GFT, this study investigates potential integration scenarios with sugarcane-based ethanol production—a well-established technology in Brazil. The aim is to identify synergies between the two processes and opportunities to improve biomass conversion efficiency and reduce costs. The results show that the integration of GFT into sugarcane-based ethanol mills offers a promising route for expanding SAF production by leveraging existing infrastructure and biomass resources. Nonetheless, the findings underscore the need to address challenges related to feedstock pricing, competition with other uses, and economies of scale, to ensure feasibility.
Presenter
Tassia JUNQUEIRA
Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory, BRAZIL
Presenter's biography
Senior Researcher and Head of Sustainability at the Biorenewables Laboratory (LNBR), part of the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), leading research on bioeconomy and renewable energy through process design and socio-economic and environmental impact assessment.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
M.F. Chagas, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, BRAZIL
E.R. Morais, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, BRAZIL
T.L. Junqueira, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, BRAZIL
Session reference: 3CO.3.2