UPSC Prelims 2024 Question:

Consider the following materials

1. Agricultural residues
2. Corn grain
3. Wastewater treatment sludge
4. Wood mill waste
   
   

Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

Explanation:

• • Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) aims to reduce the environmental impact of aviation by using renewable or waste-based resources.
  • SAF is a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint. Depending on the feedstock and technologies used to produce it, SAF can reduce life cycle GHG emissions dramatically compared to conventional jet fuel. Some emerging SAF pathways even have a net-negative GHG footprint.
  • An estimated 1 billion dry tons of biomass can be collected sustainably each year in the United States, enough to produce 50–60 billion gallons of low-carbon biofuels. These resources include:

• Corn grain

• • • Oil seeds
    • Algae
    • Other fats, oils, and greases

• Agricultural residues

• • • Forestry residues

• Wood mill waste

• • Municipal solid waste streams
  • Wet wastes (manures, wastewater treatment sludge)
  • Dedicated energy crops.
    
    

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: Economics | Sustainable Development and Growth