The United States Navy announced that the test flight of the aircraft using fuel produced from seawater was successful. The technology is based on a process that extracts carbon dioxide and hydrogen from water, and then converts it into a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
True, we are talking only about a small radio-controlled model of the P-51 Mustang aircraft from the Second World Won. However, the successful demonstration demonstrates the potential of the technology to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) from seawater and convert them into liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
The new technology, called GTL, uses a special Cation Electrolyte Exchange Module (E-CEM) that removes CO2 from seawater with an efficiency of 92% and simultaneously produces H2. The resulting gases are then converted to liquid hydrocarbons using a metal catalyst.
Until now, such technologies have only been demonstrated in laboratory processes that produce a few milliliters of fuel. Scientists from the NRL have managed to scale the technology for the first time, moreover, they declare that in the future it can be used in the fleet, in fact on an industrial scale.
Carbon dioxide is one of the richest carbon sources on earth. Moreover, the concentration of CO2 in the ocean is 140 times higher than in the air. It should be noted that 2-3% of carbon dioxide is dissolved in water in the form of carbonic acid, 1% in the form of carbonate, and the remaining 96-97% are bound in the form of bicarbonate.
During the process, GTL, CO2 and H2 are converted to hydrocarbon molecules. In the first stage, the iron-based catalyst achieves a carbon dioxide conversion efficiency of up to 60% and reduces unwanted methane production in favor of long-chain unsaturated hydrocarbons (olefins). These hydrocarbons serve as the building blocks for the production of industrial chemicals and fuels.
In a second step, the olefins are converted to a liquid containing C9 to C16 hydrocarbon molecules. This fluid is suitable for replacing the oil base in turbine fuels, including aircraft ones.
The forecasted price of jet fuel produced using GTL technology is in the range of $ 0.8 - $ 1.6 per liter. This is an acceptable cost, even if you discard the benefits of eliminating the costly supply chain to transport fuel to remote regions.
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GTL plant is scalable: adding modules allows for increased fuel production
Navy officials say the breakthrough is "a game changer." According to the developers, the GTL technology will be commercially viable in the next 7-10 years. Scientists are currently trying to make a more powerful plant that can produce large amounts of fuel.
If the GTL project is successfully completed, it will be possible to provide fuel to remote naval bases and ships, in particular, nuclear aircraft carriers, which can independently provide their air group with fuel. This will significantly increase the autonomy and combat stability of aircraft carrier strike groups.
