British chemicals firm Johnson Matthey has unveiled a new technology that allows for the conversion of captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in collaboration with energy company bp.
Aviation carbon. Credit: SevenStorms Photography / Pexels
Credit: SevenStorms Photography / Pexels (License: CC0)
Dubbed the "HyCOgen" project, the reverse water gas shift tech turns the two gases into carbon monoxide, which is then blended with additional hydrogen to form a synthetic gas, which itself is turned into synthetic crude oil through the use of Fischer Tropsch technology.
Read more: Rolls-Royce completes flight with 100% sustainable aviation fuel
The company claims as much as 95% of the captured CO2 can be converted into SAF using the technologies and suggests it could be scaled up for industrial use.
The global aviation sector currently accounts for around 12% of carbon emissions, and the race is on to bolster decarbonisation efforts in the wake of a number of countries, including the US, setting strict goals to reach net-zero emissions flights over the coming decades.
It is likely this SAF conversion technique could be a temporary solution to lower emissions and create a buzz around reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the aviation sector.
Arguments have been raised about whether or not synthetic fuels such as synthetic crude oil are truly more environmentally friendly than traditional oil and gas.
“Given the challenges associated with new propulsion technologies and airport infrastructure, plus the long asset life of aircraft, there are significant hurdles in moving from hydrocarbon-based aviation fuel to alternatives such as battery electric or hydrogen", said Jane Toogood, sector chief executive for Johnson Matthey.
Read more: Airbus and Rolls-Royce SAF feasibility study shows early signs of promise
The company completed its first flight using SAF generated through similar technologies back in December.
A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft flew over 100 passengers from Chicago to Washington DC with 1890 litres of 100% drop-in SAF powering one engine, while the other used the same volume in conventional fuel.
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