The American airline industry can get some respite from its carbon emissions challenges, with two US companies significantly improving the process of converting wood waste into sustainable aviation fuel.
Honeywell announced on Thursday that it signed an agreement with USA BioEnergy to implement its Experion PKS Distributed Control System at USABE’s $2.8 billion Texas Renewable Fuels Bon Wier biorefinery.
According to a press release, Honeywell’s automation solution will support the Texas Renewable Fuels plant’s central control and safety operations, ensuring optimal performance, reliability and safety.
The system’s real-time data acquisition, monitoring, and control capabilities can revolutionize the complex processes of converting wood waste into SAF.
The release claims that the solution will enhance operational efficiency and help USA BioEnergy achieve its production targets with minimal downtime, leading to reduced airline emissions and more sustainable commercial flights.
“Our selection of Honeywell’s Experion DCS and safety systems for our planned Bon Wier facility was a strategic decision to ensure we operate with the highest efficiency and safety standards,” said USA BioEnergy CEO Nick Andrews in a statement.
Last November, USA BioEnergy signed a 20-year offtake agreement with Southwest Airlines Co. under which the airline may purchase up to 680 million gallons of neat – or unblended – SAF.
Once blended with conventional jet fuel, the SAF could produce an equivalent of 2.59 billion gallons of net-zero fuel and avoid 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the offtake agreement term.
“Honeywell’s industry-leading automation and safety solutions will be at the forefront of USA BioEnergy’s SAF facility and will help play a meaningful role in advancing the future of aviation,” said Pramesh Maheshwari, president of Honeywell Process Solutions in the statement.
Honeywell helped pioneer SAF production with its Ecofining process, which has produced the fuel commercially since 2016.
The company now offers solutions across various feedstocks to meet the rapidly growing demand for renewable fuels, including SAF.
In addition to Honeywell Unicracking and Ecofining, the company’s renewable fuels portfolio includes ethanol-to-jet technology and eFining, which converts green hydrogen and carbon.
Also Read:
