Fuelling jets with biowaste
Faced with lower fuel supply and higher carbon emissions, the aviation industry’s future depends on finding alternative energy sources. UTS researcher Dr Wei Wei is working to turn biowaste into sustainable jet fuel.
Dr Wei Wei. Photo: Kevin Anastacio.
Dr Wei’s ground-breaking work aims to cut the industry's reliance on fossil fuels, offering a powerful solution to keep planes in the sky while slashing carbon emissions.
"By exploring biowaste for renewable jet fuels, we can significantly reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. Our technologies transform waste into valuable resources, creating a more sustainable future," says Dr Wei.
A key area of Dr. Wei's research is developing cutting-edge technologies to enhance gaseous energy (e.g., CH4 and H2) recovery from biowaste through overcoming the low degradability of biowaste."In addition to utilizing the carbon source, I also sought to recover nitrogen from biowaste, aiming to produce N2O as a potential waste-derived gaseous fuel supply. " Dr Wei explains. This approach provides more opportunities to combine waste management and the aviation industry sustainably.
Dr Wei is also tackling the environmental threat of microplastics and nanoplastics, which harm anaerobic microorganisms and reduce energy recovery efficiency. Her research shows that biochar, a carbon absorbent made from pyrolysis, can reduce this toxicity.
"A byproduct of wastewater treatment plants, sludge can be used as the initial feedstock for biochar formation. This not only lowers treatment costs but also transforms waste into functional materials," Dr Wei says.
Dr Wei is committed to optimising biowaste management and treatment plant operations to pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Her goal is to efficiently recover liquid bioenergy from biowaste in a cost-effective, safe, and reliable biotechnology platform, contributing to net-zero emissions and addressing emerging challenges in renewable energy.
Collaborating with industry partners, she aims to implement these sustainable technologies on a broader scale, ensuring a lasting positive impact on the environment and the economy.
Dr Wei Wei is a finalist for the 2024 Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher.
