Lyudmil Valkov
Chemical engineering
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Graduation date: Spring 2026
FURI | Spring 2025
Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Plastic Waste with Solvent Co-Processing for Bio-Oil Production and Upgrading to Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising method for converting plastic waste into bio-oil, which can be upgraded into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This study investigates the impact of co-processing plastics with various solvents to optimize bio-oil yield and quality. Preliminary cost analysis suggests HTL-based SAF production could be more economical than Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) in the long term, as it utilizes non-food waste feedstocks and operates at lower hydrogen demand levels. While HEFA dominates commercial SAF production, HTL offers a scalable alternative with reduced feedstock constraints. Future work should focus on catalytic upgrading to enhance fuel properties and commercial viability.
Mentor: Shuguang Deng
It’s hip to be square.
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