Rotas tecnológicas para produção de combustíveis sustentáveis de aviação a partir da energia verde da cana-de-açúcar

Abstract

Air transport plays a strategic role in global mobility of people and goods and relies on different types of aircraft engines that predominantly use fossil-based aviation kerosene. This dependence contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and represents a major environmental challenge for the aviation sector. In this context, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) have emerged as an alternative to reduce emissions while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure and propulsion systems. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a bibliographic review of technological pathways for SAF production from renewable feedstocks, highlighting the potential of sugarcane in the Brazilian context. The study addresses conversion routes such as Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), responsible for producing hydrocarbons such as Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK), as well as processes aimed at obtaining Synthetic Iso-Paraffins (SIP), emphasizing their compatibility with conventional aviation fuel. The results indicate that the sugar-energy sector presents significant potential for SAF production due to the wide availability of feedstock, high agricultural productivity, and a well-established biofuel industry infrastructure. Thus, the development of these technological pathways may contribute to the decarbonization of aviation and to the expansion of renewable fuels in the air transport sector.