Scientists from the University of Sydney have innovated a process for turning methane emissions into green jet fuel.
The researchers have created a chemical process that utilises plasma to generate sustainable fuel from methane gas emitted by landfill sites.
This novel approach not only creates green fuel to help decarbonise the aviation industry but also helps curb harmful emissions from landfills, creating a circular approach.
The innovation highlights Australia’s determination to combat greenhouse gas emissions, with the nation recently joining the US, EU, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in signing the international methane mitigation agreement.
Professor PJ Cullen, lead author from the University of Sydney, highlighted the significance of the breakthrough: “Globally, landfills are a major emitter of greenhouse gases, mainly a mixture of CO2 and methane. We have developed a process that would take these gases and convert them into fuels, targeting sectors that are difficult to electrify, like aviation.”
“Modern landfill facilities already capture, upgrade and combust their gas emissions for electricity generation. However, our process creates a much more environmentally impactful and commercially valuable product.”
Global methane emissions
Data from the International Energy Agency suggests that methane is a significantly more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.
The concentration of methane gas in the atmosphere is around 2.5 times higher than pre-industrial levels and is increasing.
Waste emissions and burning fossil fuels generate a considerable amount of methane gas.
Impacts of landfills and aviation on greenhouse gas emissions
Currently, the aviation sector produces 3% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions, with landfills contributing 10–20 million tonnes of greenhouse gases annually.
The University of Syndey’s closed-loop solution to create green jet fuel represents a paradigm shift to decarbonise both industries.
Creating green aviation fuel
To create green jet fuel, the plasma process initially extracts methane gas from a landfill site, also known as a methane well, using a shaft-like mechanism.
Professor Cullen highlighted the simplicity of the process, stating that it precisely captures the required composition.
They explained that non-thermal plasma, an electricity-driven technology, can excite gas at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure.
This approach enables the conversion of gas into value-added products – jet fuel – by inducing plasma discharge within forming gas bubbles.
Notably, the process operates without heat or pressure, minimising energy consumption and aligning well with renewable energy sources.
