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Sustainable Aviation Fuel Achieved by Converting Wastewater Into Biofuel

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel Achieved by Converting Wastewater Into Biofuel
New research spotlights novel Argonne technology that creates a cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation industry by up to 70%. Image by Shutterstock/Scharfsinn.

By Kaia Paul

80% of sewage is emptied into our oceans every day. This wastewater — fraught with toxic pathogens, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics — is deadly to aquatic wildlife. While companies have previously tried to clean sewage with carbon-intensive treatment methods, there are not enough resources to purify all sewage water. With toxic waste constantly filling sewers, most get dumped out into rivers and oceans. However, scientists are pointing towards a new direction in the skies: converting wastewater into eco-friendly aviation fuel.

Current plane emissions release copious amounts of carbon into our environment. Killing two birds with one stone, scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory are recycling our overabundant wastewater into an eco-friendly aviation fuel. 

Energy systems analyst Taemin Kim stated, "wastewater streams are rich in organics, and it is carbon-intensive to treat them using traditional wastewater treatment methods… Using our technology, we are not only treating these waste streams but making low-carbon sustainable fuel for the aviation industry.”

In contrast to conventional wastewater treatment methods, Argonne’s team utilizes methane-arrested anaerobic digestion (MAAD) to convert sewage into aviation fuel. Specifically, they implement an electrochemical separation method to extract organic compounds from the wastewater. The organic materials are then broken down by bacteria. As these microorganisms perform anaerobic digestion, the harmful waste is turned into butyric and lactic acid, which is then converted into sustainable aviation fuel.

Argonne’s cost-efficient and eco-friendly biofuel is projected to reduce plane emissions by 70%. With further funding, researchers expect that 100% of commercial jets will use this biofuel by 2050. Their discovery offers promising alternatives to pollutant technology, recycling wastewater, saving aquatic life, and reducing carbon emissions.