Summary:
Our project aims to produce low-carbon synthetic aviation jet fuel using renewable energy from waste agricultural and forestry biomass and captured CO2. An integrated chemistry and engineering approach will be implemented towards high selective and efficient jet fuel production.
Funder: EPSRC
Reference Number: EP/N009924/1
Grant: £1,800,517
Duration: January 2016- December 2019
Project Partners: Heriot-Watt University, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh
Academic and Industrial Partners: Johnson Matthey, Future Blends Ltd, Centre for Process Innovation Limited, China Huaneng Group, Lu’An Ltd
Official Website: https://lcjf.hw.ac.uk or Click on the project logo to visit their website!
Description
Greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry have increased by 6%, requiring the development of novel technologies for low-carbon aviation fuels through the employment of novel processes. Reducing CO2 emissions from the transport sector is thus expected to impact heavily on the global economy and quality of life. This project supports the UK’s transition to a low carbon future, and consequently, increases the robustness of the UK economy. The project outcomes will contribute to achieving the UK’s ambitious and legislated target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions of 80 % by 2050. The technologies developed in this project (gasification of biomass and CO2 co-valorisation) are indeed critical to meet the UK energy and environmental demands, as well as ensuring the security of supply.
The UK has the largest aerospace sector in Europe (£50 billion and c.1 million jobs), and development of a domestic industry for sustainable fuels production could generate a Gross Value Added of up to £480 million in 2030 and support up to 4,400 permanent jobs, as well as over 1,000 jobs could be generated in global exports. Gasification of waste biomass is a key enabler for the transition to the sustainable energy required to meet the UK’s 2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The combination of CCS and biomass gasification could deliver 130 TWh/year, i.e. 10 % of future national energy demand. Moreover, CCS could create 25,000 jobs in the UK, with a value > £10 billion/year by 2025.
Visit the project’s website for more information.
Project Updates:
22 February 2018- Internal Progress Meeting