Drop-in fuels from sunlight and air

Schäppi R, Rutz D, Dähler F, Muroyama A, Haueter P, Lilliestam J, Patt A, Furler P, Steinfeld A (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Nature Nature Research

Book Volume: 601

Pages Range: 63-68

Journal Issue: 7891

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04174-y

Abstract

Aviation and shipping currently contribute approximately 8% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions, with growth in tourism and global trade projected to increase this contribution further^1–3. Carbon-neutral transportation is feasible with electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries, but is challenging, if not impossible, for long-haul commercial travel, particularly air travel⁴. A promising solution are drop-in fuels (synthetic alternatives for petroleum-derived liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel) made from H2O and CO2 by solar-driven processes^5–7. Among the many possible approaches, the thermochemical path using concentrated solar radiation as the source of high-temperature process heat offers potentially high production rates and efficiencies⁸, and can deliver truly carbon-neutral fuels if the required CO2 is obtained directly from atmospheric air⁹. If H2O is also extracted from air¹⁰, feedstock sourcing and fuel production can be colocated in desert regions with high solar irradiation and limited access to water resources. While individual steps of such a scheme have been implemented, here we demonstrate the operation of the entire thermochemical solar fuel production chain, from H2O and CO2 captured directly from ambient air to the synthesis of drop-in transportation fuels (for example, methanol and kerosene), with a modular 5 kWthermal pilot-scale solar system operated under field conditions. We further identify the research and development efforts and discuss the economic viability and policies required to bring these solar fuels to market.

Authors with CRIS profile

Johan Lilliestam

Involved external institutions

Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ) / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich

Switzerland (CH) Universität Potsdam

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Schäppi, R., Rutz, D., Dähler, F., Muroyama, A., Haueter, P., Lilliestam, J.,... Steinfeld, A. (2022). Drop-in fuels from sunlight and air. Nature, 601(7891), 63-68. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04174-y

MLA:

Schäppi, Remo, et al. "Drop-in fuels from sunlight and air." Nature 601.7891 (2022): 63-68.

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