Portable Production of High Quality Liquid Fuels including SAF from Low-Value Biomass in Advanced Basing Zones

R. Kozak
Atlantic Biomass, LLC, Maryland, United States

Keywords: Foward deployed fuels, low-value biomass, SAF, mproved hydrolysis, ball milling

In order to meet new US defense strategies based on the forward deployed US Marine doctrine, high quality liquid fuels will be required at dispersed locations often beyond un-supported tanker delivery. In addition, the US has established Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) production goals of 3 billion gallons by 2030 and 35 billion gallons by 2050. To meet these two important goals, portable systems able to quickly and economically convert low-value indigenous biomass crops and residuals into high quality fuels will be needed. Atlantic Biomass, LLC, in conjunction with their university partners, has developed a one-step, portable ball milling/enzyme hydrolysis process that does not require pretreatment to produce ethanol and SAF. This one-step hydrolysis process has been tested on biomass from crops including perennial switchgrass. This system could transform the production of renewable fuels by greatly increasing the availability of low-value feedstocks and lowering production costs. Further development and implementation of the system would allow dispersed biomass growers using the same portable equipment to supply high density feedstocks to centralized ethanol and SAF units. This system could benefit US and international growers trying to survive on marginal lands while also meeting important US national defense requirements.