๐ Q.15 IAS Prelims 2024โ Environment (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)๐งท Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
๐ The Question:
Consider the following materials:
- Agricultural residues
- Corn grain
- Wastewater treatment sludge
- Wood mill waste
Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
โ Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
โก Lightning Classroom Explanation:
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a low-carbon liquid fuel used in aviation that can reduce lifecycle COโ emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
SAF is feedstock-agnostic and can be produced from a wide spectrum of biogenic and waste-based sources, including:
- ๐พ Agricultural residues (crop stalks, straw)
- ๐ฝ Corn grain (through alcohol-to-jet pathways)
- ๐ฐ Wastewater treatment sludge (wet waste conversion routes)
- ๐ฒ Wood mill waste & forestry residues
All four listed materials fall under approved biomass and waste feedstocks used globally for SAF production.
Hence, all four statements are correct.
๐ง Curiosity Raiser:
๐ SAF made from waste streams can turn pollution liabilities into aviation fuel assets.
๐ Enrich Notes (UPSC Edge):
- SAF pathways include: HEFA, FT-SPK, ATJ, PtL
- Non-food & waste feedstocks are preferred to avoid food vs fuel debate
- SAF is a key pillar of net-zero aviation by 2050
๐๏ธ IAS Monk Whisper:
โThe future of flight may rise not from oil wells, but from what we once called waste.โ