Power to Liquid Technology (eSAF)

In a nutshell, eSAF, like all SAF pathways, is compatible with jet engines and offers a similar performance to fossil fuels. eSAF
is a synthetic fuel derived from renewable energy. Renewable electricity generated from hydro, solar or wind power is the low-carbon
energy of the future. However, we already know that electric-powered flight will only be possible for short-haul journeys in the
foreseeable future due to the weight of the batteries required. For larger aircraft and long-haul flights electricity needs to be converted
into a synthetic fuel.
One option is to convert electricity into hydrogen, which can then be used as an aviation fuel. The problem here is that hydrogen
has an energy-density-per-unit volume that is one quarter of traditional jet fuel1, so a redesign of much of the aircraft from the
propulsion system to fuel storage is necessary, as are changes to airport and refuelling infrastructure.
This is where eSAF derived from power-to-liquid (PtL) technology comes in. Renewable electricity (from sources such as solar,
hydro or wind) is used to break water into its components of hydrogen and oxygen via an electrolysis process. Carbon dioxide
captured from the air, or from biogenic or industrial sources, together with this hydrogen are then converted to carbon monoxide a nd
water through the reverse water gas shift process. Using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis technology, more hydrogen and carbon
monoxide is converted into a wax – a sort of synthetic crude oil that can be upgraded to different fuels, including eSAF. Legislation
currently allows us to use FT technology to blend eSAF up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.
TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL
PtL can be produced from concentrated renewable CO 2 sources using established industrial processes with relatively high
technology readiness levels. While individual processes have been applied on a large-scale, PtL full system integration is recently
progressing due to demonstration plants in Iceland, Finland, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Norway. A demonstration plant for PtL
jet fuel will be built in Stade (Germany) by 2021/2022. Improved processes for carbon capture from air and high-temperature
electrolysis, which are at industrial scale demonstration level in Canada and Norway currently, could increase the production potential
and efficiency, respectively. PtL jet fuel is drop-in capable. The ASTM jet fuel standard allows for a 50% blend of Fischer-Tropsch
synthetic fuel. A further increase of the blending quota is technologically possible. PtL via the methanol pathway is not yet approved.
Power-to-liquids (ptl): sustainable fuels for aviation (icao.int)
SL Parameter Remarks Justification
No (Out of 10 )
1 Cost/Commericial Benefit

00

To be commercially viable and competitive with conventional jet fuel, eSAF needs to be
produced at low cost. At the moment eSAF is still in the development stage and is considerably
more expensive to produce and purchase - it can currently be eight times the cost of
conventional jet fuel and two to three times the cost of SAF made from HEFA or municipal solid
waste (MSW)2.There’s still of course a long way to go for eSAF.
2 Range
eFuels or eSAF are ready-now solutions that are compatible with existing engines and systems.
This saves time and eliminates costs associated with new infrastructure or complicated
processes.
Honeywell UOP eFining™ Technology – Methanol to Jet

3 Co2 Reduction 1. The carbon neutrality of eSAF originates from the fact that the fuel only emits when burnt
as much carbon as was input into the production process from direct carbon capture or
existing emissions from other industrial sectors. Nearly 88% reduction in green house gases
shown in the figure below. Renewable Fuels Milestone: 50 Facilities to Power the Future of
Fuels (honeywell.com) Podcast Episode (buzzsprout.com) 3:42 sec
2. eFuels start from carbon dioxide that is already above-ground, while conventional fuels
emit carbon into the atmosphere that was once stored underground.
Honeywell UOP eFining™ Technology – Methanol to Jet
4 Storability It can be easily stored, transported and distributed using existing infrastructure.
What is eSAF | News and views | Air bp
5 Ease of Integration It can be easily stored, transported and distributed using existing infrastructure.
What is eSAF | News and views | Air bp
6 Endurance eFuels or eSAF are ready-now solutions that are compatible with existing engines and systems.
7 T/W This saves time and eliminates costs associated with new infrastructure or complicated
processes.
8 Payload carrying capacity Honeywell UOP eFining™ Technology – Methanol to Jet

9 Aircraft Size No resizing required What is the Fisher-Tropsh synthesis? - Inside Renewable Fuels
(youtube.com)
10 Transferability (to other It can be easily stored, transported and distributed using existing infrastructure.
aircrafts/propulsion/engine What is eSAF | News and views | Air bp
systems) No technology changes required
What is the Fisher-Tropsh synthesis? - Inside Renewable Fuels (youtube.com)

Honeywell UOP eFining™ Technology – Methanol to Jet eFining is the term of eSAF used by Honeywell