Circular fuels

01.07.2023 - 30.06.2027
Research funding project

The project focuses on the utilization of solar thermal and electric energy to power the thermo-chemical conversion of carbon-based waste streams including residual biomass and municipal wastes (forest residues, kraft lignin, agro-biomass, used wood, etc.) for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The project will study options to reduce the European dependence on biomass imports for SAF production, enable the pro-cessing of mainly domestic carbon-based wastes and ensure stability and security of energy supply. The target is to build the world’s first energy system consisted of an innovative pilot-scale fast pyrolysis continuous reactor with groundbreaking conversion efficiency, heated by concentrated solar power, and supplied by clean hydrogen from a state-of-the-art electrolyzer powered by photovoltaic solar power. The developed system will have a high upscaling potential, excellent global efficiency, ultralow environmental impact, and the highest security. The pilot scale reactor will bring significant cost reductions (CAPEX and OPEX/toe) in aviation fuels production, increase conversion efficiency and highly reduce the environmental impact in the fuel production stage. The developed SAF will be investigated and characterised with respect to thermo-physical, mechanical and storage behavior, as well as with respect to its combustion performance to ensure excellent compatibility of produced SAF with the current fleet of aircrafts.

People

Project leader

Institute

Grant funds

  • European Commission (EU) DESTINATION 3 – SUSTAINABLE, SECURE AND COMPETITIVE ENERGY SUPPLY Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility HORIZON II-Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness Frameworkprogramme HORIZON EUROPE European Commission Call identifier Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply (HORIZON-CL5-

Research focus

  • Sustainable and Low Emission Mobility: 20%
  • Sustainable Production and Technologies: 60%
  • Modeling and Simulation: 20%

Publications