Circular Fuels consists of seven closely related work packages that are closely interlinked.
The project is managed in seven work packages, covering technical aspects and supporting the project with coordination, communication and dissemination tasks. Circular Fuels has successfully completed the first phase of the project by kicking- off several activities with relevant preparatory experimentation.
Process modelling and optimization is used to estimate the energy and materials consumption for the whole process. We have already developed the fast pyrolysis simulation model and following this, the hydrotreating and removal of unwanted oxygen from the bio-oil will be modelled. We have also developed a process model to produce green hydrogen in water electrolysis. A parametric study of the whole process is in progress.
We are also already developing a completely new experimental solar heat driven pyrolysis reactor using computational fluid dynamics simulation as the tool in close collaboration between partners. The reactor is already being built in CNRS-PROMES. The thermal behaviour and temperature distribution inside the reactor, along with various other parameters were studied and optimized. We are also modelling and analysing solar PV panel driven water electrolysis system operation and exploring potential preliminary solutions to enhance the efficiency of solar panel based -electrolyzer systems.
Pyrolysis and refining process development based on a state-of-the-art bench scale pyrolysis experiments of demolition wood have been performed. This allows studying the effects of process temperature and residence time on product yields (oil, gas, and char). We have already developed and tested preliminary catalysts for making the reactions faster and optimizing the product composition.
As an important contribution of the project, we are testing also how the fuel burns in jet engines and how the fuel interacts with sealings and other critical components. This is a crucial aspect for jet engine safety. We are using state of the art experimental and numerical flow simulation methods. For example, combustion and compatibility studies are carried out in high-pressure and atmospheric small combustion rigs. Various chemical reaction mechanisms were evaluated to be able to predict the behaviour in realistic flight conditions.
To be able to understand the sustainability of the new aviation fuel production pathway, we are carrying out a broad feedstock assessment and process upscaling analysis. This includes feedstock data and provides a comprehensive database and geospatial mapping of available feedstocks for each EU-27 member state. The assessment covers the availability of wheat straw, rye straw, demolition wood, and pinewood sawdust until 2050. Based on the availability of the four feedstocks preliminary estimations of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production potential has been calculated for each EU member state for the years 2023, 2030, and 2050.
