Decision to install small-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production test rig for further development of CO₂ to SAF synthesis technologies
-The next stage of world-class synthesis technology development-
IHI Corporation together with the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²)(*1), a research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, has been working on the development of technology for the synthesis of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)(*2). The decision has now been taken to proceed to the next stage of development, and a test rig(*3) to verify the process of synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons from SAF raw materials, CO2 and hydrogen, will be installed on the ISCE² campus by September. Small-scale testing on the above rig with an injection rate of 100 kg CO2 per day is scheduled to start by the end of the year.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a long-term goal of net zero aircraft CO2 emissions by 2050, and it is envisaged that many conventional fossil-based aviation fuels will be replaced by SAF. In response to this need, IHI is developing catalysts and building efficient processes to produce SAF directly from CO2 and hydrogen.
IHI and ISCE² have previously developed a novel catalyst for SAF synthesis in 2022, which was confirmed to have world-class performance in laboratory tests. The performance and durability of this catalyst will now be evaluated in the newly installed test rig. In addition, both parties will further optimize the operating conditions of the synthesis plant and acquire reactor data to verify the entire process.
In order to realize environmentally friendly, economical carbon neutrality for the aviation sector, IHI continues to promote the development of efficient and stable SAF production technologies.
(*1) Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²)
A*STAR has established a research institute to support Singapore’s sustainability goals. Known as the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE², pronounced “I-S-C-E-squared”), the institute advances R&D in areas such as low-carbon technologies, carbon life cycle assessment, sustainable materials and green manufacturing processes using the latest digitalization and automation tools.
(*2) Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Since CO2 emissions emitted from sustainable aviation fuel throughout its lifecycle ranging from the production or collection of feedstocks and manufacturing to combustion are much lower than those from conventional fuels and it can be utilized by using the existing infrastructure with no change, efforts to promote the use of SAF across the world are gaining momentum.
(*3) Rough dimensions of the bench scale test facility: 5.7 m wide, 3.5 m deep, and 4.4 m high
<Relevant Press Release>
-March 10, 2022-
IHI and A*STAR sign MOU to launch Joint Centre for Research and Development –Accelerating technology development such as Carbon Recycling that contributes realization of sustainable society-
https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2021/technology/1197684_3368.html
<Relevant Paper>
IHI Engineering Review Vol.57 No.1(2024)
Catalytic Conversion of CO₂ to Lower Olefins and SAF for Sustainable Materials and Fuel Production
https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/technology/techinfo/contents_no/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2024/03/20/Vol57No1_07.pdf