Towards carbon-neutral and clean propulsion in heavy-duty transportation with hydroformylated Fischer–Tropsch fuels

Simon Voelker, Niklas Groll, Marvin Bachmann, Leonard Mueller, Marcel Neumann, Theodoros Kossioris, Paul Muthyala, Bastian Lehrheuer, Marius Hofmeister, Andreas Vorholt, Katharina Schmitz, Stefan Pischinger, Walter Leitner () and André Bardow ()
Additional contact information
Simon Voelker: RWTH Aachen University
Niklas Groll: RWTH Aachen University
Marvin Bachmann: RWTH Aachen University
Leonard Mueller: RWTH Aachen University
Marcel Neumann: RWTH Aachen University
Theodoros Kossioris: RWTH Aachen University
Paul Muthyala: RWTH Aachen University
Bastian Lehrheuer: RWTH Aachen University
Marius Hofmeister: RWTH Aachen University
Andreas Vorholt: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion
Katharina Schmitz: RWTH Aachen University
Stefan Pischinger: RWTH Aachen University
Walter Leitner: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion
André Bardow: JARA-ENERGY

Nature Energy, 2024, vol. 9, issue 10, 1220-1229

Abstract: Abstract Clean transport requires tailored energy carriers. For heavy-duty transportation, synthetic fuels are promising but must fulfil the key challenges of achieving carbon neutrality while reducing air pollution and ensuring scalability through compatibility with existing infrastructure. Here we show that hydroformylated Fischer–Tropsch (HyFiT) fuels composed of optimized alkane–alcohol blends simultaneously address these challenges. First, the design of the HyFiT fuel process flexibly closes the carbon cycle by employing biomass or carbon dioxide as feedstock, while being scalable through mature technologies. Second, fuel testing shows that HyFiT fuels comply with global fuel standards. Material compatibility is demonstrated for two standard sealing materials, enabling the retrofit of today’s vehicle fleets. Third, vehicle testing shows that HyFiT fuels substantially reduce combustion-induced particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Fourth, a well-to-wheel life cycle assessment finds that HyFiT fuels enable the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, showing simultaneously a favourable profile in other environmental parameters. HyFiT fuels can thus complement electrification for heavy-duty transportation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01581-z

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