Production of synthetic renewable aviation fuel from CO2 and H2

Project Information

TAKE-OFF

Grant agreement ID: 101006799

DOI

10.3030/101006799

Project closed

EC signature date 8 December 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 December 2024

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 5 340 538,75

EU contribution

€ 4 998 788,25

Coordinated by

NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - TAKE-OFF (Production of synthetic renewable aviation fuel from CO2 and H2)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

TAKE-OFF is an industrially driven project that will be a game-changer in the cost effective production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from CO2 and hydrogen. Due to their strict criteria in terms of physical and chemical properties, the aviation sector is highly limited in the number of options for meeting sustainability goals.
The unique TAKE-OFF technology is based on conversion of CO2 and H2 to SAF via ethylene as intermediate. The consortium partners are working to deliver a highly innovative process which produces SAF at lower costs, higher energy efficiency and higher carbon efficiency to the crude jet fuel product than the current benchmark.
The overall objective of TAKE-OFF is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for the production of the next generation renewable fuel for the aviation sector. This includes developing and optimizing catalyst and reactor technology to increase overall conversion energy efficiency and decrease cost, steering to a lower engine-out emission fuel by composition optimization and demonstrating the entire technology chain under industrial conditions:1) Increased performance in terms of energy efficiency; 2)Lower cost; 3)Lower engine out emissions

The majority of the European consumers are aware of the climate burden induced by air transport of passengers and goods. Many consumers are willing to pay extra if the impacts from air transport can be reduced. These consumers are however left with one single choice, carbon offsetting. Carbon offsetting which to most consumers initially appeared as decent idea, has over the year achieved a somewhat mixed reputation, since first of all the carbon savings induced by carbon offsetting will only be achieved in distant future, where humanity might have passed the climate tipping point and several cases of climate offsetting frauds have been reported by various media. These two central issues related with air transport fueled by conventional jet fuel, leaves the climate conscious consumers with little choice, which over time will move consumers from air transport to other less climate burdensome ground based transport forms. Slower movement of goods and people will clearly have social impacts potentially affecting both individual and companies. TAKE-OFF will provide the air transport industry with alternative fuels meeting the requirements of the ever more climate conscious consumers.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The literature report and review paper about direct synthesis of light olefins from CO2 and the report on the synthesis of nickel supported catalyst for oligomerization process were issued by CNRS. Next to this, extensive experiments were performed on the direct conversion of CO2 and on the oligomerization process. TNO worked on and issued the design documentation for the scale up SIENNA and the reactor for MTO process. This was followed by extensive testing campaigns on SIENNA concept and also on the direct conversion of CO2 in strong collaboration with CNRS. RWE issued the basis of design of the site specifications and MPW worked on engineering documentation for the demo and extensive safety assessments. The MeOH demo was developed. For the techno-economical and environmental assessment, SDU issued the conceptual models for TAKE-OFF technologies and also for the alternative routes. CVE issued the Communication and Dissemination plan, the project visual identity including the website, and the Exploitation strategy. To cover the project management responsibilities, TNO worked on and issued the project execution plan, the data management plan and the meeting plan.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

TAKE-OFF technology route and the proposed technology development and demonstration provides the unique opportunity to increase the competitiveness of a next generation technology for producing sustainable aviation fuel, by cost reduction (36% decrease compared to Fischer-Tropsch) and increasing overall efficiency (25% increase in carbon efficiency compared to Fischer-Tropsch). By improving the properties related to fuel competitiveness, much more high level goals can be addressed such as strengthening the growth of industrial companies by innovation, safe-guarding the aviation sector, enabling flying for future and climate conscious consumers and leading the way for the next generation of delocalized plants producing sustainable aviation fuel.
Improvement of the environmental performance (100% reduction in sulfur components compared to conventional jet fuel) for sustainable aviation fuel technology leads to long term impacts such as improvement of air quality, minimizing the effect of global warming and societal aspects such as lower mortality rate and lower future health cost. TAKE-OFF will provide the air transport industry with alternative fuels meeting the requirements of the ever more climate conscious consumers and hence provide the industry with an option to maintain its current market share, number of employees and contributions to the global economy without compromising future climate goals.

TNO setup used for MTO Process.