Revolutionary solar tech turns air into jet fuel
Fuel production typically involves using nonrenewable resources and contributing to environmental pollution. However, the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) has developed a groundbreaking technology for producing aviation fuel, which could transform aviation into a more environmentally friendly industry.
Imagine fuel created from the air. ETH Zurich has built a system that produces aviation fuel from natural resources. Last year, the first small-scale tests took place on the roof of the Swiss Institute of Technology.
Currently, experiments are being conducted on a much larger scale. In Spain, an installation consisting of 169 solar panels, each with a diagonal of about 3 metres, has been constructed. These panels reflect sunlight towards the reactor located on a 15-metre tower at the facility's centre. The reactor obtains approximately 190 megajoules of thermal energy from the Sun.
Fuel from air and water
This energy is used to produce synthesis gas from CO2 and water sourced from the atmosphere. The GTL (gas to liquid) process allows it to be converted into liquid fuel. Although burning it emits CO2, the emissions balance is zero because the emitted carbon dioxide is absorbed throughout the process.
This technology promises solutions for aviation and energy production. Unfortunately, it is still in the experimental stage and not ready for large-scale market implementation.
However, there is significant potential, as fuel can be produced from resources more readily available than traditional fossil fuels.
The future of aviation
The current barrier is efficiency. The installation's work cycle lasts 50-60 minutes, allowing for 8-9 cycles per day when sunlight conditions are favourable.
During its nine days of operation, slightly more than 5,000 kilograms of fuel were produced, which corresponds to only about an hour of flight for large aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or C-17 Globemaster.
Nevertheless, airlines hope this technology will be commercialized. Swiss International Air Lines and Lufthansa Group are collaborating with Synhelion, which will be responsible for commercializing this innovative technology.
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