eFuels and co-production: the connection between road transport and e-kerosene
How the co-production of eFuels can support the use of e-kerosene in aviation
The debate on defossilising the transport sector often focuses on individual solutions for specific areas. In aviation, e-kerosene is frequently discussed as a possible option because electrifying aircraft currently presents technical and economic challenges. However, providing sufficient quantities of e-kerosene requires consideration of the entire fuel market, particularly road transport.
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Co-production: inseparable production of different fuels
Refinery-based fuel production is a technical co-production process in which several products are created simultaneously from one raw material. Whether in the processing of fossil crude oil or synthetic crude oil substitute (syncrude) – different fuels are always produced in refineries:
- Diesel fuel
- Gasoline (petrol)
- Kerosene
- Other by-products
This co-production is due to technical reasons and cannot be fully controlled, meaning that a mix of different fuels is always produced. Even specialized plants can only increase the proportion of individual products to a limited extent.
FT syncrude and MTG processes: the key to sufficient e-kerosene production
Synthetic fuels can be produced using different processes, particularly Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FT syncrude) and the methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) process. Both offer the potential to produce synthetic fuels on a large scale.
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FT-Syncrude)
- Process: A synthetic crude oil is produced from hydrogen and carbon monoxide by means of catalytic reactions.
- End products: This crude oil is further processed in refineries, producing various fuels such as e-kerosene, e-diesel and e-gasoline.
- Advantages: Flexibility in the choice of raw materials (e.g. use of biomass, waste materials or COâ‚‚) and high product quality.
Methanol-to-gasoline (MTG)
- Process: Production of methanol from renewable hydrogen and COâ‚‚, which is then converted into synthetic fuels.
- End products: Mainly e-gasoline, but also by-products such as e-kerosene and e-diesel.
- Advantages: Direct conversion of methanol into fuels and existing infrastructure can be used.
Synergies between the two processes for sufficient e-kerosene production
- Co-production: Both processes yield several fuels as co-products.
- Sufficient quantities: Using FT syncrude and MTG processes in parallel to produce synthetic fuels for road transport also yields quantities of e-kerosene as co-products.
- Optimisation: Combining the two processes can increase efficiency and the yield of the fuels required.
Therefore: The supply of larger quantities of e-kerosene is closely linked to the production of synthetic fuels for other areas of transport.
Economic synergies through a holistic approach
- Cost reduction through economies of scale: Large-scale production of eFuels for road transportation leads to economies of scale that reduce production costs for all fuels, including eKerosene.
- Investment incentives: A larger market for eFuels increases the attractiveness for investors, which accelerates the expansion of production capacities.
- Secure demand: The inclusion of road transportation will ensure stable and high demand for all co-products.
Regulatory framework conditions as a success factor
Appropriate political measures are needed to realize these synergies:
- Recognition of eFuels in road traffic: Legal approvals and subsidies for eFuels in road traffic create a market for the co-products.
- Mandatory blending quotas: Mandatory quotas for blending eFuels into fossil fuels increase demand and promote production.
- Technology-neutral strategies: Instead of focusing exclusively on electromobility, an open technology policy should be pursued that also takes eFuels into account.
Summary: the role of eFuels in the transport sector
The production of e-kerosene cannot be considered in isolation. The technical process of co-production yields different fuel products when synthetic fuels are manufactured for various applications. The availability of e-kerosene is therefore closely linked to the production of other synthetic fuels.
Conclusion:
- Interdependence of fuels: e-kerosene, e-diesel and e-petrol are technically and economically interconnected.
- A holistic approach is required: Transforming the transport sector can involve different technologies and applications.
- Policy action is needed: Regulatory frameworks can significantly influence the market ramp-up and availability of synthetic fuels for aviation.
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