Would You Fly in a Plane Powered by Pig Poop?

Alternatives to the current fuel used to power planes have been explored for decades, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and creating cleaner air. Immediately, the thought that comes to mind when considering alternatives is the use of plant oil to power cars, accompanied by the distinct French fry smell. The use of plant oil to power cars, accompanied by the distinct French fry smell. But what if pig excrement were used instead? Would you fly in a pig-poo powered plane?

Currently, the process of creating jet fuel from pig poop eliminates the smell associated with the waste from pigs. The goal is to use carbon-based organic matter, of which Earth has excessive amounts. While pig poop may seem like an unusual option, small studies have proven it to contain all the necessary components to create a synthetic aviation fuel. Consequently, pigs may prove to be the key needed to help decrease greenhouse gases caused by plane travel in the upcoming years.

Yes, Pig Poop Is Being Transformed Into Synthetic Aviation Fuel

Today, planes are powered by specialized petroleum-based fuel. Not only is the fuel expensive, but it is also harmful to the planet. As a result, alternatives have been explored for years. One of the most promising appeared to be plant-based oils. However, using plants to make fuel competes with the world’s food supply. Consequently, plant-based oils may not be able to create enough jet fuel to be a sustainable option.

One thing that there is a never-ending supply of is pig poop. The waste has been used in some countries as biofuel. But now, that excrement can be transformed into aviation fuel, reducing the waste on Earth and decreasing carbon dioxide and other byproducts that have led to the global warming crisis in recent decades.

The U.S. Department of Defense has sponsored a grant via BioMADE, a Manufacturing Innovation Institute, to create jet fuel from pig fecal matter. The $600,000 project is being spearheaded by Prathap Parameswaran, recipient of the Fornelli Engineering Professorship and associate professor of civil engineering at Kansas State University’s Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. Parameswaran will be working with both Iowa State University and the Quasar Energy Group to bring the concept of turning pig poop into aviation fuel to reality.

“Synthetic aviation fuels are a strategic resource for the U.S. Department of Defense,” Parameswaran explains to K-State Today. “While there are other ways to turn waste into fuel, many rely on federal incentives or are inefficient. The use of anaerobic membrane reactors shows real potential as a promising platform; it just needs to be piloted effectively.”

Turning pig waste into jet fuel on a large scale, theoretically, would have an incredibly positive impact on the planet. But just how is this feat going to be accomplished?

How Pig Poop Is Transformed Into Synthetic Aviation Fuel

The process of turning pig poop into aviation fuel relies on the use of anaerobic membrane reactors. The anaerobic membrane reactors are the same as those used in wastewater treatment plants to break down waste. In those cases, the organic matter is converted into biogas. In the case of pig excrement, however, the organic matter is being turned into jet fuel instead.

Before being turned into synthetic aviation fuel, the waste is “separated and purified.” It is then that the organic matter begins the process of being transformed via “ketonization and hydrodeoxygenation.” According to Parameswaran, the goal of the current study is to prove that the anaerobic membrane reactors will work in the way they are believed to, which could lead to a major transformation in the fuel used to fly aircraft in the near future.

“Our role in this project is to validate the use of anaerobic membrane reactors as a platform for transforming these waste products, including fats, oils and greases, into biomanufactured aviation fuel precursors,” Parameswaran explains to K-State Today. “We are essentially running pilot-scale production of this novel technology, while conducting the vital research and development to validate its versatility and scalability.”

Turning the excess organic matter found around the globe into fuel is not only a novel concept but also necessary for the future of the planet. This is why many have been toying with the concept for years and are now taking it seriously to reach a goal that is only a few years away.

Why Synthetic Aviation Fuel Is Being Produced

Synthetic aviation fuel is being created in response to the Sustainable Fuel Grand Challenge. The challenge has set out to decrease the amount of “conventional” aviation fuel significantly by 2030 and to meet 100% of domestic aviation fuel demand with sustainable alternatives by 2050.

To meet this challenge, the following standards need to be met:

• A minimum of a 50% reduction in life cycle emissions compared to conventional fuel

• 3 billion gallons per year of domestic sustainable aviation fuel by 2030

• 35 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel to satisfy 100% of domestic demand by 2050

The problem with creating synthetic aviation fuel in the past was that there was not the right combination or correct percentage of essential hydrocarbons. But thanks to using pig poop and other substances, it appears that scientists are on the right track to meeting their goal within the next five years.

Other Substances Being Used To Create Synthetic Aviation Fuel

It is not only pig waste that is being considered to create aviation fuel. Human waste has been making headlines for the last several years as an alternative to traditional aviation fuel as well.

Scientists from the United Kingdom’s Firefly, a green company spin-off from Green Fuels, has created jet fuel from human poop. The fuel, which to date has only been made in small batches, has been proven to create a 90% smaller footprint than the fuel used to fly planes currently.

The company plans to produce synthetic fuel on a larger scale once an application for the “fuel qualification process” is approved. The goal is to have a facility operational before 2030, producing over 10 million gallons of synthetic jet fuel annually.

Another substance being considered to create synthetic aviation fuel is plastic. If this were to come to fruition, it would be a huge step in not only decreasing carbon emIf this were to come to fruition, it would be a huge step in not only decreasing carbon emissions but also reducing the amount of plastic found in landfills.

Polystyrene is the plastic being used in studies to create a synthetic aviation fuel. Created nearly 95 years ago, the flexible plastic is one that many recognize on prepackaged foods. While the plastic can be recycled, there is no excellent way to separate it from the larger plastics that can also be recycled. Consequently, it winds up in landfills, waiting to biodegrade for hundreds of years.

Scientists from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, have discovered a method to convert the 2.5 million metric tons of polystyrene disposed of in landfills annually into aromatic hydrocarbons, a key component of traditional aviation fuel. This not only reduces carbon emissions from aviation fuel but has also proven to be a cheaper method of producing it.

By utilizing both organic products and plastics, it may be possible to realistically meet the Sustainable Fuel Grand Challenge by 2030. If this is done, it will be a significant step forward in reducing carbon emissions and making the planet a healthier place, while still maintaining the current level of aviation travel.

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