Using sunlight to produce unlimited renewable kerosene
Since the first successful synthesis of "solar" jet fuel, the EU-funded SOLAR-JET project has made significant strides in demonstrating a full-scale process that uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce renewable kerosene. This marks a major step forward in the future of aviation, signaling an imperceptible but powerful revolution in sustainable fuel production. The technology not only paves the way for cleaner air travel but also opens up possibilities for generating other types of fuels, such as diesel, gasoline, or even hydrogen, in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Leading research institutions from both academia and industry, including ETH Zurich, Bauhaus-Luftfahrt, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), ARTTIC, and Shell Global Solutions, are actively exploring concentrated solar energy-driven thermochemical pathways. These efforts have led to the development of innovative solar reactor technologies that enable the production of liquid hydrocarbon fuels for sustainable transportation. The potential of this approach is vast, with implications that could reshape the entire energy landscape.
"The growing environmental concerns and supply security issues have pushed the aviation industry to seek alternative fuels that can replace conventional jet fuels," said Dr. Andreas Sizmann, coordinator of the Bauhaus aviation project. "With the first proof-of-concept demonstration of 'Sun' kerosene, the SOLAR-JET project has taken a crucial step toward the real-world development of sustainable aviation fuels."
Direct production of renewable kerosene using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
The SOLAR-JET project showcases a groundbreaking process that converts carbon dioxide and water into syngas—hydrogen and carbon monoxide—using sunlight and high-temperature redox reactions involving metal oxides. This syngas can then be transformed into kerosene through the Fischer-Tropsch process, offering a clean and renewable alternative to traditional jet fuel.
"Solar reactor technology offers higher radiative heat transfer and faster reaction kinetics, which are essential for maximizing the efficiency of converting solar energy into fuel," explained Aldo Steinfeld, lead professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. "This innovation is key to making the process more viable on a larger scale."
Although solar-powered redox reactions for producing syngas are still in the early stages of development, companies like Shell are already investing in scaling up the process to turn syngas into kerosene. This combined approach presents a promising solution for a safe, sustainable, and scalable supply of renewable aerospace fuel. Additionally, kerosene produced via the Fischer-Tropsch method is already approved for commercial use in aviation.
"Using concentrated solar energy to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels is a very interesting and novel approach," said Hans Geerlings from Shell. "While individual steps of the process have been demonstrated, they haven’t yet been fully integrated into a complete system. We’re excited to collaborate with the project partners to advance this research further."
The SOLAR-JET project, officially launched in June 2011, was funded by the European Union for four years. The first phase focused on proving the technical feasibility of producing solar kerosene. In the next phase, researchers will work on optimizing solar reactors and assessing the economic viability of scaling up the technology. The outcomes of this initiative are expected to push the boundaries of sustainable fuel production in Europe, driving innovation and supporting the transition to a greener future in aviation and beyond.
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