Mohsen Moradi

In efforts to reduce the impact of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, green hydrogen and captured CO2 have recently become key components in producing a range of synthetic chemicals, including e-kerosene, a sustainable aviation fuel. E-kerosene can be blended with conventional jet fuel to decrease its carbon footprint. Although e-kerosene can reduce CO2 emissions in a closed cycle, the current methods for e-kerosene production are prohibitively expensive, mainly due to the high cost of water electrolysis. This study has developed a techno-economic model to analyze the effects of different processes used to produce E-kerosene. The findings indicate that several parameters affect the cost of E-kerosene, including the type of electrolyzer and the pathways used to convert CO2 and hydrogen into kerosene-range molecules, such as Fischer-Tropsch or methanol-to-jet. The results also show that the operating cost of electrolyzers has a notable contribution to the cost of E-kerosene, highlighting that the cost of renewable electricity is a crucial factor in determining E-kerosene’s price. Process intensification techniques, such as the co-electrolysis of CO2 and H2O in solid oxide electrolyzers to produce syngas directly, can eliminate the need for the reverse water-gas shift reaction. This could reduce the cost of e-kerosene. However, achieving this cost reduction depends on lowering the capital and operational costs associated with co-electrolysis in solid oxide cells, as well as increasing their lifespan. Similarly, developing efficient catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch reaction using a CO2 and H2 mixture could reduce the cost of e-kerosene by eliminating the need for reverse water-gas shift reaction. With predictions of lower prices for renewable electricity and advancements in solid oxide electrolyzer technology, the cost of e-kerosene may become competitive with conventional kerosene under optimized conditions by 2050.