UK-based multinational Johnson Matthey, which specializes in sustainable chemicals and technologies, recently launched a unique development that enables the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from carbon dioxide and green hydrogen.
The HyCOgen process is combined with the FT CANS Fischer Tropsch technology, which the company underwent development in collaboration with energy company bp, and offers an integrated and cost-effective, scalable solution for efficiently and cost-effectively producing sustainable aviation fuel from renewable energies.
«HyCOgen, Johnson Matthey’s Reverse Water Gas Shift technology, is a catalyzed process for converting green hydrogen and CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO), which combines with additional hydrogen to form synthesis gas, a critical component in the manufacture of fuels and chemicals. Integration with FT CANS technology provides a highly scalable, optimized, end-to-end process that converts more than 95% of CO2 into high-quality synthetic crude oil. This synthetic crude oil can be transformed into sustainable direct fuel products including aviation fuels, renewable diesel, and naphtha,» states the company’s press release.
Furthermore, this development adds to the portfolio of sustainable solutions that different industry players have been introducing over the last few years. Although there are several companies that are working on aircraft propulsion based on green hydrogen, which does not emit toxic gases into the environment, the use of PAS is, in principle, one of the main tools to decarbonize operations in the short term.
According to Jane Toogood, Managing Director for the sector at Johnson Matthey, «Given the challenges associated with new propulsion technologies and airport infrastructure, as well as the long life of aircraft, there are major obstacles to moving from hydrocarbon-based aviation fuel to alternatives such as battery electric or hydrogen. This is where Johnson Matthey’s long-standing expertise and market-leading position in synthesis gas generation technology can play a critical role, by providing solutions that enable the production of sustainable direct fuels that can be deployed today.»
Sustainable aviation fuels used today can achieve up to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. While no scheduled commercial flights are yet operated with 100% PBS, PBS – when mixed with conventional fossil fuel – is compatible with today’s aircraft, as well as vehicles and existing infrastructure at airports worldwide.
