Case
AAU researchers develop climate-friendly aircraft fuel
Case
AAU researchers develop climate-friendly aircraft fuel
Source: dr.dk
Aalborg University, in collaboration with Steeper Energy ApS among others, are now taking steps to build a new plant to convert sewage sludge, wood residue and organic household waste into crude oil.
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The difference between the fuel used today and the one we make is simply that it is sustainable. It can go straight into the aeroplane, truck or ship.
Technology takes time
The system works by exposing the wet organic material to heat and pressure and thus mimicking the processes known from the formation of oil in nature. Nature takes millions of years, but under artificial conditions, oil can be made in half an hour and then refined into diesel, petrol or jet fuel at a refinery.
The technology is called HTL – hydrothermal liquefaction – and it has already been used at a test centre at Aalborg University for several years. However, it takes a long time to bring technology from the laboratory into reality, which is why it will only be ready for larger scale operations in coming years.
Biomass is used inappropriately today
The new HTL plant is expected to be ready in 2024, and depending on the material received, it will be able to deliver a CO2 reduction of 80% compared to fossil fuels.
The artificial crude oil is particularly interesting in relation to heavy transport such as planes, trucks or ships because there is currently no other alternative.
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It is possible to mix organic materials into fossil fuels, but they only represent a small proportion and they have a number of adverse effects.
We use a lot of biomass in our energy sector today, but we’re really using it in the wrong way. We need to use the biomass where there are no other alternatives.
Electric planes are not an alternative in the short term
He mentions a requirement within the EU that a certain amount – around 5% – of the diesel must be plant oil.
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Unfortunately, this has had the effect that plant oil production has skyrocketed, and thus huge areas of forest are being cut down in Malaysia and Indonesia. If you could replace that 5% with sustainable bio oil, you could prevent this. That would be huge.
The project also involves the energy company OK and a number of local partners such as Aalborg Municipality and Aalborg Forsyning.
Foto: Henrik Egholm, Steeper Energy
