FA864924P0467

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase II

Critical Compound Synthesis for Onsite Aviation Fuel Production from Carbon Dioxide

The U.S. Air Force relies on a steady flow of accessible and abundant operational energy to deliver airpower anywhere in the world, at a moment s notice. With that comes a complex and sometimes vulnerable supply chain that can create logistical and operational challenges and risks for the warfighter. Yet, for the foreseeable future, the DoD will remain dependent on energy-dense liquid fuels. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) offer a low-carbon, traditional-fuel alternative to meet operational requirements, while also providing environmental benefits. However, not all SAFs are equivalent. Some are partial formulations that require offsetting blending components to meet the stringent property requirements for fully formulated fuels. Others require additional energy-intensive production and refinery processes before being transported to the end-user. Many depend on a complex and geography-dependent supply chain that also requires blending with fossil fuels. While these SAFs address some climate concerns, they do not improve military logistics and supply chain concerns and, in some cases, could even exacerbate these issues. Air Company s transformational technology enables on-site fuel production from resources readily available nearly anywhere in the world carbon dioxide captured from the air or point sources, and water, and offers a potential solution to the operational risks posed by fuel supply chains, while also reducing fossil fuel dependence. Our technology can produce all components of a 100% drop-in SAF compliant with ASTM standards, offering a solution to the blending and feedstock challenges. Additionally, the ability to produce our SAF at decentralized locations as part of a modular conversion system presents a great strategic advantage for the Air Force fuel supply chain. Achieving this goal will require detailed engineering, process design, and development including catalyst development, reactor design, process synthesis, separation units, control strategies, fuel blending logistics, and scale-down, system integration/packaging. Herein we propose aromatic-specific CO2 hydrogenation catalyst design, development, and optimization as well as 100% drop-in fuel sample production that can further lay the groundwork for both commercialization and DAF end user needs. Adaptation of the proposed commercial solution for defense purposes to meet Government end user needs will be evaluated from a process (integrated CO2-to-jet process) perspective as well as from end product (SAF) perspective.

The goal of phase II is to continue the R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding is based on the results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the project proposed in Phase II.

AFX244-DPCSO1

F2D-10741

X24.4

Meghan Scott