A Novel Catalytic Route for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production from Green Hydrogen and Direct CO2 captured from the Atmosphere

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a promising alternative to conventional fossil-based jet fuel, offering a "drop-in" solution compatible with existing aviation infrastructure. Among various SAF production pathways, the electro-jet (e-jet) route, produced from CO₂ and renewable hydrogen, has emerged as one of the most promising approaches. This pathway leverages the vast availability of CO₂ and renewable energy sources, aligning with global decarbonization goals and advancing technological readiness. In our previous work, we identified a significant opportunity within SAF production to streamline the process by directly converting dimethyl ether (DME) to jet fuel. This innovative approach eliminates the need for traditional multi-step transformations, which typically involve conversion to light olefins, oligomerization, and hydrotreatment. By bypassing these steps, our method enhances process efficiency, reduces operational complexity, minimizes energy consumption, and reduces carbon emission because it uses CO2 from the atmosphere.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)