|
|
Scientists turn CO2 into
jet fuel
Researchers may have found a way to reduce
the environmental impact of air travel in situations when electric aircraft and
alternative fuels aren’t practical. Wired reports that Oxford University
scientists have successfully turned CO2 into jet fuel, raising the possibility
of conventionally-powered aircraft with net zero emissions.
The technique effectively reverses the
process of burning fuel by relying on the organic combustion method. The team
heated a mix of citric acid, hydrogen and an iron-manganese-potassium catalyst
to turn CO2 into a liquid fuel capable of powering jet aircraft.
The approach is inexpensive, uncomplicated
and uses commonplace materials. It’s cheaper than processes used to turn
hydrogen and water into fuel.
There are numerous challenges to bringing
this to aircraft. The lab method only produced a few grams of fuel — you’d
clearly need much more to support even a single flight, let alone an entire
fleet. You’d need much more widespread use of carbon capture. And if you want
effectively zero emissions, the capture and conversion systems would have to run
on clean energy.
The researches are talking with industrial
partners, though, and don’t see any major scientific hurdles. It might also be
one of the most viable options for fleets. Many of them would have to replace
their aircraft to go electric or switch fuel types. This conversion process
would let airlines keep their existing aircraft and go carbon neutral until
they’re truly ready for eco-friendly propulsion.
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.