Technology

The carbon cycle shows, how we can produce unlimited renewable fuels without releasing more CO2 from fossil sources into the atmosphere.

• Recycling CO2 from air and biogenic sources

  In the first step, CO2 is extracted from the air using innovative direct air capture (DAC) systems. Together with recycled CO2 from biogenic waste gas streams, which will initially complement the CO2 supply, it is one of the main feedstocks for the second process step.

• Creating renewable, synthetic crude

  In the second process step, syngas is produced from CO2 and water by using renewable electricity. This can be achieved either via high-temperature co-electrolysis or via a technology combination of low-temperature electrolysis for hydrogen production coupled with a Reverse-Water-Gas-Shift reactor.

  The syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide is then converted into hydrocarbons of different chain lengths in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor under the influence of pressure, temperature, and catalysts. A synthetic, renewable crude oil equivalent is produced. The waste heat generated during synthesis is captured as steam and can be used as input for the co-electrolyzer to increase process efficiency or district heating.

• Refining to sustainable aviation fuel

  In the third process step, the renewable synthetic crude can be refined to the products of choice, such as kerosene, diesel, petrols, waxes and other chemicals. However, chemistry provides some limitations in the achievable fractions. At Norsk e-Fuel, we are optimizing our processes and products for the aviation industry, where we believe it to be most needed. As such, we are able today to transform 70-80% of our products into e-Kerosene, which can be used in existing infrastructures and abides by the ASTM norms.

• Using the e-Fuel and releasing the CO2 into the atmosphere

  In the fourth step, the sustainable aviation fuel is transported to the airport. In the combustion engine of the plane, the carbon included in the fuel gets released back into the atmosphere. At this point, we close the cycle when we again capture the CO2 by DAC. Including steps 1-4, the process is entirely circular and enables unlimited renewable transportation without releasing more CO2 from fossil sources into the atmosphere.

• Innovative state-of-the-art approach

  The production route via the low-temperature electrolyzer for hydrogen production and the Revers-Water-Gas-Shift reactor for syngas production is based on well-known and proven technology units which will lower the technological risk that is inherent to all first-of-a-kind industrial projects. And while the technologies are scaled, ready-to-use and reliable, they offer great potential for technological improvements. In addition, they are available on the market today in larger quantities and allow us to scale up production quickly.

• Cutting-edge approach

  The process based on high-temperature co-electrolyzer for syngas production in one singular step allows us to produce e-Fuels at higher efficiencies. This is not only important to reduce the electricity need and respective environmental impact, but also for the economic impact. Less electricity means lower costs of production, which again leads to lower prices for the e-Fuels.