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Scientists at the University of Oxford have made a breakthrough by creating jet fuel from an alternative source: carbon dioxide (CO2). Like those that are electric or powered by hydrogen, this approach aims to further decrease dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions from aircraft.
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According to a report by Wired, the method used by university researchers effectively reverses the process of burning fuel by relying on the organic combustion method. The team accomplished this technique by heating a mixture of citric acid, hydrogen, and iron-manganese-potassium catalyst, which in turn would convert CO2 into a liquid fuel capable of powering vehicles such as airplanes.
Additionally, the Oxford University researchers added that this approach is inexpensive, straightforward and based on common materials. So much so that it is claimed to be cheaper than the processes used to convert hydrogen and water into fuel.
However, in its current state, the newly discovered method is only capable of producing a few grams of CO2-based jet fuel, which is less than ideal for fully propelling an aircraft in a single flight. Suffice it to say, the process will take an extended amount of time to produce enough fuel for an entire fleet and multiple voyages.
Because of this, the researchers are in talks with industrial partners to propose the use of CO2 jet fuel as a temporary zero-emission alternative for airlines. This allows companies to continue to use their existing aircraft until they are ready to adapt to new green propulsion technologies.
(Source: University of Oxford United Kingdom / Cabling | Header image: Kehan Chen / Getty Images)
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