MATERIALS HANDLING
SAF MANAGING PRODUCTION
How a new technology is indispensable for managing SAF production for airlines
Above: CatTracker temperature profi ling (radial) T
he aviation industry faces a pressing need to decarbonise, with Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(SAF) emerging as a key solution. However, SAF production presents signifi cant challenges, including optimising complex catalytic processes and ensuring consistent product quality. This is where real- time, monitoring with a technology such as the Daily Thermetrics CatTracker becomes indispensable, according to the company.
THE CHALLENGE OF SAF PRODUCTION SAF production typically involves upgrading existing refi nery infrastructure to process renewable feedstocks like used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste. This often entails integrating a variety of new catalytic processes, such as hydroprocessing and isomerisation, into existing refi nery operations.
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www.engineerlive.com These processes are intricate, with
numerous variables impacting catalyst performance and product quality. These variables include: Feedstock variability: Renewable
feedstocks can exhibit signifi cant variations in composition, impacting catalyst activity and selectivity. Catalyst deactivation: Catalysts
gradually lose activity owing to coking, poisoning, and sintering, necessitating adjustments to operating conditions. Product specifi cations: Stringent
quality standards for SAF, including carbon content, energy density, and freezing point, must be consistently met.
THE ROLE OF THE DAILY THERMETRICS CATTRACKER The Daily Thermetrics CatTracker provides real-time, in-situ monitoring of catalyst performance within refi nery reactors. It employs embedded temperature sensors to measure precise temperature profi les along the catalyst bed.
HOW THIS TECHNOLOGY IS CRITICAL FOR SAF PRODUCTION: Early detection of catalyst deactivation: By continuously monitoring temperature profi les, CatTracker Technology can detect subtle changes indicating catalyst deactivation, such as: Hotspots: Localised temperature increases owing to decreased catalyst activity, potentially leading to reactor damage or runaway reactions. Temperature gradients: Changes in the temperature profi le along the catalyst bed, signaling variations in catalyst activity or fl ow distribution.
EARLY DETECTION HELPS FLEXIBILITY Early detection allows for proactive adjustments to operating conditions, such as increasing feed fl ow rates or implementing regeneration procedures, maximising catalyst lifetime and minimising downtime.
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