SAFIRE - Development of Sustainable Aviation and Low Carbon Fuels

This project aims to advance Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) as scalable alternatives to conventional jet fuel, positioning Qatar as a leader in aviation decarbonization. Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, requiring innovative solutions to meet international climate goals. The SAF pathway focuses on a direct dimethyl ether (DME) conversion route, co-fed with refinery hydrocarbon cuts to compensate for limited CO₂ from direct air capture and to generate longer hydrocarbons. This enables the production of jet-fuel-range molecules in fewer steps, reducing both CAPEX and OPEX while achieving up to 50% lifecycle emission reductions compared to kerosene, aligning with the CORSIA minimum 10% reduction threshold in greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Complementary pathways include valorization of biomass, solid waste, wastewater, DAC-derived CO₂, and other sustainable carbon sources. Byproducts such as captured CO₂, unconverted hydrocarbons, and oxygenates will be utilized for chemical recycling. Single-use plastics will be repurposed into carbon-neutral fuels and specialty chemicals, while methane pyrolysis will provide sustainable hydrogen for SAF synthesis. The LCAF pathway targets ≥10% emission reductions in petroleum-derived jet fuels via refinery-integrated carbon loops. This includes Direct Flue Gas Electrolysis (DFGE) for hydrogen generation, point-source and atmospheric CO₂ capture, and low-temperature methanation to produce green methane. System integration, AI-driven decision support systems (DSS), and sustainability assessments ensure optimized design, pathway selection, and long-term viability. Together, SAF and LCAF provide cost-effective, scalable, and climate-aligned fuel solutions.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)