المملكة: KAUST and Aramco researchers set the highest record efficiency in converting carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), in cooperation with The study, published in the scientific journal ChemCatalysis, uses a chemical catalyst capable of converting carbon dioxide into long-chain hydrocarbons suitable for aviation fuel uses. The system achieved unprecedented efficiency in converting carbon dioxide into heavy hydrocarbons that fall within the range of aviation fuel.
About 75% of the resulting liquid formed compounds that meet the requirements of aviation fuel, while the catalyst maintained stable operating performance for more than 1,000 continuous hours under reaction conditions, which is an essential element for the feasibility of industrial application.
The aviation sector is seen as one of the sectors whose carbon emissions are difficult to reduce, due to its reliance on high-density liquid fuels. Energy.
While sustainable aviation fuel reduces emissions on long-haul flights, producing it efficiently from captured carbon dioxide remains a technical challenge, as many current routes tend to produce lighter hydrocarbons that evaporate easily, do not have the energy density required for aircraft engines, or require Multiple processing stages.
Employing machine learning techniques
To overcome this challenge, the research team employed machine learning techniques to systematically explore and analyze complex experimental conditions. This resulted in the identification of an unconventional, copper-rich formulation of a chemical catalyst that outperformed more commonly used formulations in previous studies.
This formulation also demonstrated a greater ability to direct the reaction towards the production of molecules within the range of aviation fuel, which enhanced the conversion of carbon into usable components of aviation fuel rather than the formation of less valuable byproducts.
To verify the suitability of this formulation for use in the production of sustainable aviation fuel, the liquid product underwent development processes that included hydrogenation and distillation. The results showed that the developed fuel met basic preliminary screening criteria consistent with ASTM D4054 specifications, including flash point, volatility characteristics, and energy content.
Enhancing Performance Levels
Professor Jorge Gascón, Professor of Chemical Engineering at KAUST, said: "This work demonstrates how data-driven solutions can accelerate the discovery of chemical catalysts. By combining machine learning with high-throughput experiments, we have been able to reach unprecedented levels of performance in direct CO2 conversion."
The researchers noted that reaching the commercial application stage will require further expansion of the operating scope, in addition to conducting technical and economic evaluations and completing the necessary certification procedures.
However, these results set a new performance standard in the field of direct carbon dioxide conversion, and enhance efforts to develop low-carbon fuel solutions for sectors whose emissions are difficult to reduce.
In addition to the memorandum of understanding under which Aramco invested in KAUST to establish "Super research center" (Super Center), this result reflects the ongoing commitment of the two national institutions to enhance research and development and accelerate energy technologies and clean energy innovations in the Kingdom.
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