Vol. 59 No. 4 (2022)   Carbon Neutral
Technical Papers

Demonstration Activity of the Bio-Jet Fuel Contributing for the Carbon Neutrality in the Aviation Industry

YASUHIRO YAMAUCHI
KATSUHIKO SHINODA
TAKATOSHI YAMASHITA
ICHITARO TANABE
YASUHIKO KOJIMA
TAKUYA MIZUNO

Having set the target limit increase of CO2 emissions after 2021 for the decarbonization of the aviation industry, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) proposes, as the main measures, the introduction and spread of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF includes the bio-jet fuel (BJF) produced by biomass gasification technology combined with Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. Between 2017 and 2021, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), in collaboration with JERA Co., Inc. (JERA), Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), built a pilot plant for the biomass gasification and FT synthesis process to produce BJF and conduct combustion and engine tests. The produced BJF was used in a flight by Japan Airlines (JAL). Our biomass gasification technology is an energy conversion technology that plays a part in energy transition. Using this technology, we will provide solutions for decarbonization in the aviation industry.