The specialists at “Gazprom Neft – Industrial Innovations” technology center have developed Russia’s first low-carbon aviation fuel, SAF fuel based on esters and fatty acids and able to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from air travel by up to 80%.
The technology developed in St. Petersburg is based on the synthesis of esters from renewable raw materials using hydrogen. Used cooking oil and animal fats were used as raw materials. These were used to produce bio-components comparable to traditional jet fuel in terms of performance, but have a lower carbon footprint. Tests have shown that the new composition fully complies with the international environmental standards and can be used for medium and long-haul flights.
Launching of SAF is continuation of Gazprom Neft’s comprehensive program of development of low-carbon solutions for transport. Earlier, the company was the first in Russia to start refueling ships with environmentally friendly biofuel. Now, the accumulated knowledge and engineering expertise have made it possible to move on to the next stage: the production of a new generation of aviation fuel.
“Work on creation of a fully domestic SAF fuel was carried out at Gazprom Neft’s research center, which combines research and analytical laboratories, facilities for modeling new technical processes, and pilot plants for testing technologies. The project involved highly qualified employees engaged in the development of unique solutions and products at the intersection of oil refining and other industries and sectors of the economy,” said Mikhail Nikulin, head of at “Gazprom Neft – Industrial Innovations” technology center.
Gazprom Neft’s partner in the production of low-carbon motor fuels is the Association of Specialists and Enterprises in Oil and Fat Waste Processing. It provides collection and processing of vegetable raw materials, forming a resource base for a large-scale production of bio-components.
