Advanced instrumentation for biofuels and e-fuels production
The world is moving fast towards a sustainable energy future. As industries and governments set ambitious decarbonisation targets, biofuels and e-fuels have emerged as critical enablers for cleaner transport, aviation and industrial operations.
Every stage of the production processes, from feedstock handling to advanced synthesis, relies on precise control of temperature, pressure, level and flow measurement.
Key pathways in renewable fuel production
Key production pathways include hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), biomass-to-liquids (BtL), e-fuels, ethanol-to-jet (EtJ) and methanol-to-jet (MtJ).
HEFA and HVO fuels are produced from feedstock handling and pretreatment to hydrotreating, isomerisation and fractionation, offering a direct replacement for fossil diesel and jet fuel. Customers benefit from fuels that work seamlessly in existing engines, deliver excellent cold flow and combustion properties and help meet sustainability targets. WIKA’s instrumentation ensures safe, efficient operation and maximises uptime by providing precise process control in demanding environments.
Biomass-to-liquids (BtL) fuels are produced by converting organic materials – such as agricultural residues, wood chips or municipal waste – into liquid hydrocarbons through gasification and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. This process yields high-quality synthetic fuels, including diesel and jet fuel, that are compatible with existing engines and infrastructure. BtL fuels offer a sustainable pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilising renewable feedstocks and supporting the circular economy. Advanced instrumentation ensures precise process control and safety throughout the complex conversion steps.
E-fuels or electrofuels, also known as RFNBO = “renewable fuels of non-biological origin”, are synthetic fuels produced by combining green hydrogen (from renewable electricity via electrolysis) with captured carbon dioxide. Through processes such as Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, these inputs are transformed into liquid fuels like synthetic diesel, gasoline or jet fuel. E-fuels are drop-in solutions that can decarbonise transport and industry, leveraging existing logistics and engine technologies. Their production enables the storage and transport of renewable energy, supporting the energy transition and climate targets.
Ethanol-to-Jet (EtJ) fuel is produced by upgrading ethanol – typically derived from biomass – into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The process involves dehydration of ethanol to ethylene, oligomerisation to longer hydrocarbons and hydrogenation to meet jet fuel specifications. EtJ fuels are compatible with current aircraft engines and infrastructure, offering a renewable alternative that helps reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. This pathway supports the use of diverse feedstocks and contributes to energy security and sustainability goals.
Methanol-to-jet (MtJ) fuel is created by converting methanol, which can be produced from renewable syngas or captured CO₂ and green hydrogen, into jet fuel through a series of catalytic steps: gasification, electrolysis, methanol-to-olefins, oligomerisation and hydrogenation. MtJ fuels meet stringent aviation standards and can be produced from a wide range of sustainable sources, including biomass and e-fuels. This pathway enables the integration of renewable carbon and hydrogen into the aviation sector, advancing decarbonisation efforts.
Each pathway presents unique challenges in process control, safety and efficiency, requiring precise instrumentation at every stage. Inaccurate or unreliable measurements can lead to safety risks, reduced yields and costly downtime.
But achieving these goals requires more than just new fuels – it demands precision, reliability and innovation at every step of the value chain.
That’s why leading producers trust WIKA. Our advanced instrumentation ensures optimal process control, regulatory compliance and long-term operational excellence. WIKA’s advanced instrumentation portfolio is engineered to meet the demands of biofuel and e-fuel production, from feedstock handling and pretreatment to hydrocarbon synthesis, hydrotreating, isomerisation, fractionation and gasification.
