Free translation and writing : Dr. Franyi Sarmiento, Ph.D., Inspenet, April 4, 2022.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an innovative technology that produces liquid hydrocarbon fuels exclusively from sunlight and air, for the first time worldwide, demonstrating the entire chain of thermochemical processes under real field conditions. The new mini solar refinery is located on the roof of the ETH Machine Laboratory building in Zurich.
ETH researchers have developed a solar plant to produce synthetic liquid fuels that, during combustion, release as much CO 2 as that previously extracted from the air for its production. CO 2 and water are extracted directly from the ambient air and split using solar energy. This process produces syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is later processed into kerosene, methanol, or other hydrocarbons. These direct fuels are ready for use in existing global transportation infrastructure.
Aldo Steinfeld, Professor of Renewable Energy Carriers at ETH Zurich, and his research group developed the technology. “This plant demonstrates that carbon-neutral hydrocarbon fuels can be produced from sunlight and air under real field conditions,” he explained. “The thermochemical process uses the entire solar spectrum and takes place at high temperatures, which allows fast reactions and high efficiency.” Research facility in the heart of Zurich advances ETH research towards sustainable fuels.
The solar mini-refinery on the roof of ETH Zurich demonstrates that the technology is feasible, even under the prevailing weather conditions in Zurich. It produces about one deciliter of fuel per day. Steinfeld and his group are already working on a full-scale test of their solar reactor on a solar tower near Madrid, which is taking place under the EU sun-to-liquid project called_hecha. The tower solar plant is presented to the public today in Madrid at the same time as the Zurich mini-refinery.
The next goal of the project is to scale the technology for industrial implementation and make it economically competitive. “A solar plant covering an area of one square kilometer could produce 20,000 liters of kerosene a day,” said Philipp Furler, Synhelion’s CTO and a former PhD student in Steinfeld’s group. “Theoretically, a plant the size of Switzerland, or a third of California’s Mojave Desert, could meet the kerosene needs of the entire aviation industry. Our goal for the future is to efficiently produce sustainable fuels with our technology and thereby mitigate global CO2 emissions.”
ETHZ Source and Photo : https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2019/06/pr-solar-mini-refinery.html
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