Comparison of Fuel Properties of Alternative Fuels from Insect Lipids and Their Blending with Diesel Fuel

• DOI: 10.3390/su17104295
• Publication Date: 2025-05-09T10:18:51Z
• Authors: Ji Eun Lee; Hyun Sung Jang; Yeo Jin Yun; Young Cheol Yang; Jung Hee Jang

Drop-in fuels are renewable alternatives that can be integrated into an existing fuel infrastructure without modification. Among these, fuels synthesized from hydroprocessed renewable lipids have garnered significant attention owing to their compatibility with petroleum-based diesel. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of hydrodeoxygenated insect oil (HIO), derived from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens; BSFL), as a renewable drop-in fuel for a diesel blend. The optimal growth conditions for BSFL were studied to maximize lipid production, and the extracted insect oil was subjected to hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) via catalytic reaction. The HIO was blended with commercial diesel at ratios of 5–30%, and its fuel properties were compared with commercial diesel. A detailed fuel property analysis was conducted for the 5% blend to evaluate its suitability as a diesel fuel. Characterization of the blended fuels’ physicochemical properties was carried out to assess the potential of insect-derived fuels for diesel applications.