A team of scientists from Oxford University have found a way to make airplane fuel from carbon dioxide, in what has been described as ‘significant social progress’.
Jet fuel is currently generated by using oil extracted from the ground, as a result of which aircraft contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the Aviation Environment Alliance, airplanes represent around 10% of total CO2 in the UK, with the number just rising as air traffic continues to rise globally.
In addition to releasing CO2, airplanes also emit NOx, soot and water absorption, resulting in a net warming effect that virtually doubles the effects of global warming. on planes compared to CO2 alone.
according to Science News, previous attempts to convert carbon dioxide into fuel have relied on catalysts made of relatively expensive materials.
However, the team at Oxford University was able to capture CO2 from the air and convert it to fuel using cheap iron catalysts. The process negates the need to extract oil from the ground, making it carbon neutral.
The researchers, led by Professor Peter Edwards, were able to convert the highly stable CO2 back into fuel using chemical reaction powered by an iron-based construction engine at low temperature and adding hydrogen.
Writing in the magazine Nature Communication, the team expressed the idea that the process could ‘reduce carbon dioxide emissions but also produce renewable and sustainable jet fuel’.
Edwards spoke about the progress made by the Post online, says it could put Britain at the forefront of a new green industry.
This is a very exciting development that could be a trend, the most important advancement in my four-decade career.
While the research is still at an early stage, Edwards said it could be scaled up in two or three years to generate a large amount of jet fuel.
Our vision is for the world to see that captured CO2 can be used as an energy carrier to enable sustainable aviation.
With government support this would encourage a new synthetic air fuel manufacturing industry in the UK. This progress enables post-Brexit Britain to lead the world in climate change, increase our science base and enhance our reputation.
These scientific advances must now lead to innovative technology and innovation. We must not miss this opportunity.
Edwards explained that the team is in talks with UK businesses to set up a pilot demonstration of plants using the new method.