(Berlin) – The Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) is funding the development of a novel process technology for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with an initial tranche of €3,1 million. The project, called "Methanol-to-SAF" (M2SAF), involves the chemical company BASF SE, the steel giant Thyssenkrupp AG, the Austrian oil and gas company OMV AG, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and ASG Analytik Service AG, which specializes in fuel analysis. The project is scheduled to run for 2,5 years, and the consortium will receive a total of €5,2 million in funding for this period.
Methanol from green hydrogen
The starting point of the project is methanol from CO2 and green hydrogen. According to the information, the production process should “cause only minimal additional CO2 emissions and offer a high degree of integration into existing production facilities”.
SAF could be used as a “drop-in” fuel without changes to the engines and infrastructure. What all current SAF types have in common, however, is that they are used in a mixture with conventional kerosene. However, depending on the production route, the addition is usually limited.
In addition to catalyst development, process development, system integration and the design of a demonstration system, the project of the five companies also includes “techno-economic and ecological analysis as well as accompanying support in the certification and analysis of the new aviation fuels”.
The consortium
BASF Process Catalysts is responsible for catalyst development and supply at M2SAF. Thyssenkrupp Uhde is responsible for developing the technology, optimizing the process steps in terms of reaction control and efficiency, integrating the individual processes into an economical and sustainable overall process, and designing the demonstration plant, including determining the costs of a commercial plant.
OMV wants to develop into “an integrated provider of sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials with a strong focus on circular economy solutions”. The company sees Sustainable Aviation Fuels as an extension of its existing fuel offering. In the M2SAF, the DLR, in turn, evaluates, among other things, the approvalability of the fuels produced and the manufacturing process.
Federal government position paper
At the Berlin International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in June, the German Federal Government presented cross-departmental proposals for climate-neutral aviation in a position paper . A four-stage funding program is intended to cover the entire development cycle, from basic research on climate-neutral fuels to the promotion of propulsion systems and equipment. The overarching goal is "the climate-neutral aircraft manufactured, operated, and maintained" with hybrid and electric propulsion systems based on "modern hydrogen technologies." European legislation on aviation fuel also mandates the use of sustainable aviation fuels by 2030.
Photos
DLR is working with an industrial consortium on a new process for the industrial production of sustainable aviation fuel from methanol. © DLR
