Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Early-stage TEA/LCA analysis for HEFA, lignocellulosic, and hybrid power-to-liquids (PtL) routes. The focus is on understanding the cost and carbon-intensity behavior of emerging SAF pathways through transparent system boundaries, hydrogen requirements, yield behavior, and energy-intensity drivers.


Scope of Work

  • System-boundary definition for SAF TEA/LCA studies
  • Feedstock modeling across lipid, lignocellulosic, waste, and synthetic routes
  • Hydrogen-intensity analysis and energy-integration implications
  • Carbon-intensity behavior across GWP-20 and GWP-100 time horizons
  • Co-product treatment and allocation frameworks
  • TRL and certification-boundary considerations (ASTM D7566)

Modeling Approach

  1. Boundary Clarity Explicit definition of inputs, outputs, and process scope, ensuring assumptions remain traceable and reproducible.

  2. Yield & Energy-Intensity Drivers Evaluation of conversion efficiencies, material balances, and utility requirements that shape minimum fuel-selling price (MFSP).

  3. Hydrogen Integration Structured sensitivity framing around electrolytic, biogenic, and fossil-integrated hydrogen sources.

  4. Scenario Construction Early-stage scenario design for compatible feedstocks, energy sources, and technology readiness levels.


Representative Work (Anonymized)

  • Analytical support for early-stage SAF concepts integrating direct air capture, biogas upgrading, and hybrid PtL configurations
  • Comparative carbon-intensity modeling for HEFA, FT, and AtJ routes using consistent system boundaries
  • Sensitivity frameworks evaluating hydrogen demand, grid mix, carbon pricing, and co-product crediting

Focus Areas in Development

  • Cross-pathway harmonization frameworks for SAF TEA/LCA studies
  • Structured tools for MFSP drivers across heterogeneous literature
  • Metrics connecting process design choices with certification boundaries

Insight Quantix applies lightweight, defensible modeling structures to support early-stage SAF feasibility, proposal development, and pathway definition.