Turning Hydrogen and CO2 Into Aviation Fuel: UOP eFining by Honeywell

New technology latest in a series of announcements by aviation companies determined to reduce carbon emissions.

Here’s a post by Energy World that includes:

• Honeywell’s UOP eFining technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 88% compared to conventional jet fuel.
• The process involves using green hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce lower-carbon aviation fuel, addressing the need for more environmentally friendly fuels in the aviation industry.
• This innovation is a significant step in the effort to tackle carbon emissions from aviation, which account for 2-3% of total emissions.

The process of producing this lower-carbon fuel, otherwise known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), is as follows:

• Green Hydrogen Production:
  • Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, using renewable energy and water. This process involves splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources.
    
• Carbon Dioxide Capture:
  • Carbon dioxide is captured from industrial smokestacks, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
    
• Methanol Production:
  • The green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide are combined to produce lower-carbon methanol. This process involves reacting the hydrogen with the carbon dioxide to form methanol.
    
• Fuel Production:
  • The methanol produced is then converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or other fuels, such as e-methanol, which can be used in various applications like maritime transport or internal combustion engines.

Here are some advantages that come along with using this type of fuel instead of traditional fuels:

• Lower Carbon Footprint:
  • SAF cuts lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional petroleum-based jet fuel. This substantial decrease in emissions aids in achieving the aviation industry’s environmental and sustainability objectives.
    
• Renewable Energy Source:
  • Green hydrogen is used here for the production of SAF, making the entire process more sustainable.
    
• Carbon Capture and Utilization:
  • Carbon dioxide captured is used in SAF production, decreasing CO2 emissions and promoting a more circular economy.
    
• Drop-in Fuel:
  • SAF is chemically identical to traditional jet fuel and can be used in existing aircraft engines without any modifications, making it a practical and immediate solution for reducing emissions.
    
• Long-term Sustainability:
  • The use of SAF supports the aviation industry’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and helps in achieving a more sustainable future for the sector.

Overall, the production of SAF from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional aviation fuel, which is critical for the aviation industry to meet its climate goals.

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Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:

1. Hydrogen And Sustainable Aviation Fuel For Air Travel – Decarbonization:
   • Examines the aviation industry’s efforts to decarbonize through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen, highlighting challenges in storage and infrastructure for hydrogen’s use in short flights and drones.
2. Liquid Hydrogen Flight Tests of H2Fly: Replacing Jet-A Kerosene – This article discusses H2Fly’s successful ground-based tests for liquid hydrogen aircraft fueling, aiming to replace Jet-A kerosene with a zero-carbon alternative for green aviation.