Integration of bio-JP-10 synthetic route from furfuryl alcohol

Abstract

In recent years, numerous methods have been reported for the preparation of bio-jet fuel. However, the cost remained the most vital determinant for the practical application of these methods. In 2019, our research team reported a synthetic process for bio-JP-10 fuel. It was suggested the production cost of bio-JP-10 fuel can be greatly reduced to $2547/ton that is significantly lower than the market price (∼7091 US$/ton) of fossil energy-based JP-10 fuel. However, energy consumption constituted as much as 42 % of the bio-JP-10 fuel production cost. In the present work, the initial 1,3-cyclopentanediol concentration in the dehydration step of the original route was amplified by six-fold by the optimization of solvent. Upon further optimization of reaction conditions, higher than 80 % cyclopentadiene carbon yields were achieved. Furthermore, a tandem reaction process involving the dehydration, Diels-Alder reaction and hydrogenation steps was developed, eliminating the need to separate the products. Both innovations considerably enhanced the production efficiency of bio-JP-10 fuel. Following the process simulation and energy balance of Aspen Plus 11, the energy consumption cost of bio-JP-10 fuel can be reduced by 67 %.