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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #288331

Title: Development of HRJ fuel from Brassica in rotation with wheat for the Western U.S.

Author
item Isbell, Terry
item Long, Daniel
item Archer, David
item LUPTON, STEVE - Honeywell Uop, Llc
item Gore, Michael
item Jenks, Matthew
item TOMLINSON, TERRY - Aecap, Llc
item Steiner, Jeffrey

Submitted to: Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2012
Publication Date: 11/12/2012
Citation: Isbell, T., Long, D.S., Archer, D.W., Lupton, S., Gore, M.A., Jenks, M.A., Tomlinson, T., Steiner, J.J. 2012. Development of HRJ fuel from Brassica in rotation with wheat for the Western U.S. [abstract]. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference. p. 29.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The aviation industry has expressed a strong interest in the development of renewable jet fuel from oilseed crops within the U.S. to supplement its fuel needs and provide a smaller carbon footprint for its industry. The USDA/NIFA identified objectives within its recent BRDI grant program/proposal to address the challenges for the advancement of feedstocks to provide raw materials for Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ) fuel. In response, the USDA/ARS successfully assembled a project team to evaluate the potential to optimize each sector of the feedstock supply change for Brassica rotations within the Western U.S. wheat belt. This project is organized around six objectives: Objective 1: Genetically improve feedstocks to enhance oil yield and quality stability across varying western U.S. production conditions and compatibility with hydro-treated renewable jet (HRJ) fuel conversion processes; Objective 2: Provide regionalized strategies to integrate sustainable oil seed production into existing land uses in ways that increase farm profitability and rural economic opportunities, while providing biofuel refiners dependable supplies of high quality feedstocks; Objective 3: Develop cost-effective processes to remove feedstock oil impurities and identify co-product market opportunities to decrease HRJ fuel production costs and increase system profitability through value-added income streams; Objective 4: Lower HRJ production costs by optimizing: (a) conversion technology for genetically improved oilseed feedstocks and pre-treatment requirements, and (b) operational settings to genetically plant oils enhanced for conversion and processing efficiency; Objective 5: Develop analyses to provide strategic guidance addressing the uncertainties of expanded oilseed-based HRJ fuel production on select economic, social, and environmental indicators of sustainability; and Objective 6: Align participant and stakeholder interests along the supply chain to promote effective development of partnerships for creating new rural economic development opportunities centered on HRJ fuel production. This presentation will provide an overview of research that has begun on this four year project.