Reject (Non-Standard) Coconut Fruit for Bioavtur / SAF Production

The international civil aviation organization (ICAO) has included non-standard coconuts on the ICAO positive list – ICAO document – ​​CORSIA Default Life Cycle Emissions Values ​​for CORSIA Eligible Fuels, 6th Edition on October 28 2024. Non-standard coconuts include very small old coconuts, already sprouted, starting to rot or mold and those that are broken. Based on data from a number of research studies, the number of non-standard coconuts in Indonesia is estimated to reach 30% of Indonesia's coconut production. Non-standard coconut is also a potential raw material for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Basically the raw materials sought for SAF bioavtur are pure triglycerides and long chain carbon chains. This is due to the volatility of jet fuel, the preferred components are hydrocarbons in the C10 to C15 paraffin range. Furthermore, to meet the freezing point specifications (-47oC), this paraffin must have many branches to reach this low freezing point. This means that bio-avtur or SAF must have carbon atom bonds or C bonds in the C10-C15 range, and in this range palm kernel oil and coconut oil are most suitable because of the high composition of lauric acid which consists of 12 C atoms.

With the high laurate content in palm kernel oil and coconut oil, the yield will be high because the oil content is in the bio-avtur range, namely C10 - C15. This is different if you use vegetable oil with a longer carbon chain, for example CPO, nyamplung oil or canola / rapeseed oil. If you use long chain vegetable oil, the yield will be small and an extra cracking process is needed to increase the bioavtur or SAF yield.

And because the raw material used for bioavtur / SAF is oil from coconut flesh, the coconut water can be used to produce nata de coco or bottled coconut water, then coconut shells for the production of charcoal, charcoal briquettes or activated charcoal, husk for fuel to produce energy and potassium-rich ash for fertilizer or for planting media (cocopeat) and cocofiber. Meanwhile, coconut cake are used for animal feed.

Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) and Coconut Oil (CCO) for Bio-Avtur (SAF)

Bio-avtur or SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) will be the only decarbonization scenario in the aviation sector for the next few decades. The three leading production processes for SAF production are HEFA, FT and ATJ. And of the three processes, the HEFA process is the most efficient and most competitive at present, predicted to survive until 2030. The raw materials or feedstock for the HEFA process are mainly vegetable oil, used cooking oil, animal fat and so on. The HEFA process has also been approved by ASTM for use as aviation fuel (bio-jet fuel) based on ASTM D7566-14. In 2011 the latest version of the standard was published that allows up to 50% of HEFA aviation fuel products to be added to conventional jet fuel or petroleum-based fuel (avtur). ASTM itself, as an entity, does not have the authority or drive the development or qualification process of a new SAF technology, but only creates a framework, process, and repository that is the basis for the industry to create test methods, specifications, classifications, guidelines, and practices for their own needs.

Bio-avtur or SAF must have characteristics similar to conventional jet fuel so that it can be used anywhere in the world. Jet A fuel is primarily used in the US and jet A1 fuel is used in the rest of the world. The fuels are interchangeable. The main difference between the two types is that Jet A1 has a lower freeze point (-47oC, vs. -40oC) and usually has a static quenching additive (SDA) added to help reduce static buildup in the fuel during flight. Jet A1 is the fuel of choice for intercontinental flights. Given the volatility of jet fuel, the preferred components are hydrocarbons in the C10 to C15 paraffin range. Furthermore, to meet the freeze point specification (-47oC), these paraffins must be highly branched to achieve such a low freeze point. This means that bio-avtur or SAF must have carbon atom bonds or C bonds in the C10-C15 range, and in this range palm kernel oil (PKO) and coconut oil (CCO) are most suitable due to their high lauric acid composition which consists of 12 C atoms.

HVO / HEFA - SPK (Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids-Synthesized paraffinic kerosene) is a renewable paraffin with combustion properties similar to other renewable paraffins such as Fischer-Tropsch fluids, produced by biomass gasification and chemical synthesis. HVO / HEFA can be produced in dedicated facilities producing 100% HVO, or it can be co-processed with fossil fuels in petroleum oil refineries. In co-processing, a bio-based feedstock of typically 5-10% is blended with the fossil feedstock. The HVO / HEFA process in addition to renewable diesel (which is different from biodiesel – FAME) can also be modified to produce bio-avtur / SAF for jet fuel applications. AltAir Fuels supplies HVO / HEFA based SAF and produces approximately 13 million liters per year.

HEFA is produced by hydrogenation and hydrocracking of vegetable oils and animal fats using hydrogen and catalysts at high temperature and pressure. In this hydrotreating process, oxygen is released from the feedstock consisting of triglycerides and / or fatty acids. This will produce straight chain hydrocarbons (paraffins) with various properties and molecular sizes depending on the characteristics of the raw materials and the operating conditions of the process being carried out. With the high lauric content in palm kernel oil (PKO) and coconut oil (CCO), the yield will be high because the oil content is in the bio-avtur range, namely C10 - C15. This is different if you use vegetable oil with a longer carbon chain, such as CPO, calophyllum inophyllum oil or canola oil. If you use vegetable oil with a long chain, the yield will be small and an extra cracking process is needed to increase the yield of bioavtur or SAF.

This conversion usually goes through two stages, namely hydrotreatment followed by hydrocracking/isomerization. This hydrotreatment process is usually carried out at a temperature of 300 -390 C and for triglyceride treatment, propane is usually produced as a by-product. The more hydrogen is added, the less propane is produced. The final product of the straight-chain hydrocarbon can be adjusted according to the type of fuel, for example for bio-avtur or bio jet fuel or SAF, namely by isomerization and the cracking process. The hydrogen used in HEFA production currently mostly comes from fossil sources or blue hydrogen. The catalyst for this can be a simple refinery hydro-processing catalyst. This catalyst can be adjusted to isomerize the paraffin chain to lower the melting point of the product. If necessary, a second isomerization stage is used to carry out this task in order to achieve the required jet fuel cold flow properties, namely Jet A or Jet A-1.

Currently, Pertamina (Indonesia's state-owned oil company) has succeeded in producing bio-avtur or SAF from palm kernel oil or PKO processing, namely refined bleached deodorized palm kernel oil (RBDPKO) called bioavtur J2.4 or containing vegetable oil ingredients in the form of RBDPKO 2.4%. The production of this bioavtur is carried out through the Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) co-processing method and has a capacity of 9,000 barrels per day. The J.24 bioavtur has successfully undergone commercial flight tests on a Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft owned by PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (GIAA) on October 4, 2023. And for the future, apart from the quantity aspect, namely the portion of vegetable oil (PKO) is larger, even the use of other vegetable oils such as coconut oil (CCO), CPO oil, calophyllum inophyllum oil and so on, it is also hoped that the quality of bioavtur will also improve. In addition, there are also plans from other institutions, namely the production of biovatur or SAF from coconut oil in collaboration with Japan.

In the aviation fuel industry, ASTM serves as the international standard for jet fuel quality, and plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). ASTM establishes requirements for criteria such as composition, volatility, fluidity, combustion, corrosion, thermal stability, contaminants, and additives, among others, to ensure that fuels are compatible when blended. ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) is an international organization that develops technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, processes, systems, and services. Jet fuels must meet stringent quality specifications to be eligible for use in the aviation industry.

There are several ASTM standards related to this jet fuel, namely first, ASTM D1655: This is a conventional jet fuel specification that establishes requirements for Jet A and Jet A-1 produced from petroleum. This specification has been used globally by the aviation industry since 1959 to ensure the availability of safe and consistent jet fuel for all aircraft. Second, ASTM D4054: This ASTM standard practice defines the scope of fuel, rig, and engine property testing that should be considered when evaluating new synthetic jet fuels. This practice also describes the overall evaluation process and the important role of engine and aircraft manufacturers in ensuring a good jet fuel safety record is maintained with these new fuels. Third, ASTM D7566 Pathway: As per ASTM D4054, the pathway includes definitions of synthetic jet fuel blending components as defined by: permitted feedstocks; conversion processes and their attributes; and the final characteristics of the pure components. All of this is detailed in both the body of D7655 and its Appendices. The pathway will also define blending requirements.

In order for a new SAF production line to be included in D7566, it must undergo extensive testing to determine the maximum blend ratio with conventional jet fuel and demonstrate that the blend is suitable for its intended purpose. This procedure is outlined in ASTM D4054, ‘Standard Practice for Evaluation of New Aviation Turbine Fuels and Fuel Additives’.

Each batch of jet fuel needs to be certified before it can be used. While conventional jet fuel is certified as D1655 fuel (or a derivative), pure SAF is certified to the stringent specification requirements set out in Appendix D7566 which relates to the SAF production line. D7566 certified SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel to the maximum allowable blend ratio. The blended SAF is then certified to the D7566 blend requirements, and thus automatically receives D1655 certification, making it fully Jet A/A-1 compliant (‘drop-in fuel’) and ready for use in existing jet fuel infrastructure and equipment. In short, ASTM is vital to the aviation fuel industry as it is the basis for international standards for the quality of jet fuels, and SAF in particular.

Reviving the Integrated Coconut Industry Part 7: Production Integration of VCO, Nata de Coco, and Shell Charcoal

Basically the campaign to save the coconut plantation (tree of life) is to revive the integrated coconut industry. Damaged and not maintained of coconut plantations due to lack of funding to maintain and develop it in a sustainable manner.

Bioeconomy is defined as knowledge-based production and uses biological resources or living things to produce products, processes, and services in the economic sector within the framework of a sustainable economic system.

One of the fundamental questions about the integrated coconut industry is why should the coconut business be made in an integrated manner? Why not just process one part of the coconut? In almost all regions coconut is sold in the form of whole coconut without coir. When the raw material is whole coconut, all parts can be processed and become various products. And when only processing one part of coconut as an example of a shell for the production of charcoal and coconut water for the production of nata de coco, then that means only taking waste or byproducts from processing or utilizing the main coconut which in general is coconut meat. This condition is very dependent on the processing or main utilization of the coconut fruit. The same thing is similar to the biomass processing industry such as wood pellets and briquettes originating from sawmill waste or the wood industry. And when all parts of the coconut can be processed, it will be more economical and efficient and no waste will be produced. The combination of these types of coconut processing also determines the level of efficiency and economical production. The efficient use of energy is one of the keys to its success. So if the combination of coconut processing can make energy use efficient, so that the use of external energy can be reduced or even eliminated, then that is the best condition sought.

VCO is quite well known and popular among the people of Indonesia. Some time ago this product exploded in the market and many small industries have sprung up to produce it. Unfortunately this trend only lasted a short time. With the decline in the demand for VCO in the country quite a lot of these producers who close their businesses and switch to other professions. VCO has the main content in the form of lauric acid, which is a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA: Medium Chain Fatty Acid) that has many health benefits. Consuming VCO will also provide instant energy addition, and not be stockpiled in the form of fat. For more clearly read here. Besides being in VCO, lauric acid is also found in palm kernel oil (PKO) and mother breast milk. Palm kernel oil mills (PKO mills or KCP: kernel crushing plants) are not as many as palm oil mills (CPO mills). Many CPO mills do not have kernel processing (KCP) or the palm kernel.

Palm kernel oil (PKO) is also commonly called lauric oil and is a competitor for VCO. This is also the case among competing palm cooking oils and coconut cooking oils. Some parties may be more interested in VCO because it comes from coconuts, whereas PKO comes from palm oil and is currently undergoing a bad campaign from Europe, although this could be part of a trade war. Coconut oil from copra has also experienced the same thing. Indonesia, which has historically been the largest producer of copra, has subsequently its coconut industry been destroyed due to a trade war with soybean oil in the United States.

As for the export market, besides requiring better specifications or quality, it is also generally required to be accompanied by organic certification. Organic certification is something that is not easy especially for small businesses. Information from the APCC (Asia Pacific Coconut Community) that the Philippines is the largest producer of VCO at present even though the area of coconut plantations is still below Indonesia with export volumes continuing to grow. It was noted that the Philippines' VCO exports in 2006 were 461 tons, then nine years later, in 2015 it increased to 36.3 thousand tons. The coconut industry in the Philippines is also more developed than in Indonesia, this is evident from the many export commodities from coconut products. The Philippines exports 30 kinds of coconut products while Indonesia only has 14 kinds of products.

The combination of integrated coconut processing that can be combined with VCO production is the production of nata de coco and coconut shell charcoal. VCO production can be done on a medium scale so that the coconut shell produced is also not so much that the production of charcoal with carbonized furnace in batch is sufficient. The heat lost or wasted from the carbonization process can then be taken again and used to cook coconut water in the production of nata de coco. In addition, if the nata de coco is sold in ready-to-consume form, the nata de coco needs to be cooked at least 3 times so that it becomes soft and clean. Cooking can also use waste heat from the carbonization process. The production of nata de coco will be competitive and more profitable because it does not need to use external thermal energy such as LPG.

Eco-Tourism with Palm Oil Plantation Part 2

Even though the palm oil plantation is the largest in the world, reaching more than 12 million hectares and consumes processed palm oil products everyday, namely cooking oil, there are still many who do not know that the palm cooking oil used originally came from palm fiber and not from palm fruit meat or palm kernel. The majority still thinks that oil from palm oil is the same as oil from coconut, that is, from the meat of the fruit. Although oil from palm fruit can also be produced, namely palm kernel oil or PKO (palm kernel oil), but the amount is small, which is only about 10% of CPO and its use is also not for cooking oil, but for cosmetics, soap, oleochemicals and sources of vegetable fats . One of the highlights of palm kernel oil is its high lauric acid content, and this is almost the same as coconut oil. In addition to the two ingredients above lauric acid is also found in mother breast milk. And lauric acid has many health benefits, for more details, please read here. Currently palm kernel oil is also more widely used than coconut oil as a source of lauric acid.

Meanwhile, what is called palm oil is identical oil derived from its husk (mesocarp fiber) which is also commonly called CPO (crude palm oil). CPO is the most produced oil from the processing of palm oil fruit or fresh fruit bunches (FFB). When we hear about palm oil mills, this is also identical to CPO mills, although PKO mills are also palm oil mills, for reasons as above. CPO mills are also far more in quantity than PKO mills, this is because not all CPO mills have PKO mills. So that the kernel produced from the CPO mill is sent to the PKO mill to be processed into oil (PKO). At present almost 1000 palm oil mills or CPO mills are in Indonesia, a very large number and should be familiar with Indonesian people in general. But apparently there are still many people and even students who do not know the potential of Indonesia.

The palm oil business in Indonesia also contributes quite significantly to the country at around 3% of GDP so that it also receives a lot of support from the government. In addition, the development of palm products is also very open and Indonesia is still underdeveloped, with the indication that the exported products are still dominated with CPO or crude palm oil, while exports should be in the form of downstream products ready for consumption or at least intermediate products so as to provide more added value big for Indonesia. If these conditions can be understood so that various development strategies are carried out both from the upstream sector, namely the plantation sector to the downstream sector, namely the processing industry, the contribution of this business for the country will be even greater. For example the palm oil business in Malaysia has contributed to around 7% of Malaysian GDP.

 If the Indonesian people understand the problem above, it will be easier to find a solution. Insha Allah. Students should be introduced to the palm oil business in Indonesia both from upstream to downstream so that in time it can be expected to map out the problem as well as provide a solution. The strategic palm oil industry in Indonesia should be well introduced to future generations so that their future role in this industry can be continued and added. Environmental-based educational tourism to plantations and palm oil mills as an initial medium to introduce this potential to them.