RockFuel produces carbon-neutral fuels from waste plastics and coal, which are profitable, clean, sustainable, and ready to power national energy security.
In the race to tackle climate change, many solutions fall short of achieving carbon-neutral or ‘Real Zero’ emissions. RockFuel Innovations is a climate tech start-up that is addressing this challenge with its patented Green Energy technologies that deliver what it terms ‘True Net Zero’ fuels made from underground coal or polymeric (plastic) waste. These unique innovations unlock vast clean energy resources while avoiding the environmental drawbacks of mining, combustion, or carbon capture and storage (CCUS).
RockFuel’s technologies and processes deliver True Net Zero fuel solutions that are direct fossil fuel replacements, which are profitable, scalable and proven. These RockFuel carbon-neutral fuels are chemically identical to those used in combustion engines for transport (air, maritime, road and rail), along with providing a reliable base-load carbon-neutral energy supply for industry and the built environment via the national electrical grid. Also, RockFuel solutions deliver energy security using domestic natural resources or waste plastics while protecting our climate from harmful emissions and helping prevent our sea and air temperatures from rising further.
With scalable, proven systems that have already been tested and independently verified, RockFuel is now calling on governments, cleantech investors, energy providers, industrial players and academic institutions to collaborate and deploy these technologies across Europe, Australasia, North America and beyond. The UK (with an estimated £150tr in underground coal resources) and Australia (with vast coal basins) are ideally positioned to lead large-scale deployments of the True Net Zero fuels process of underground coal beds – along with all countries with significant coal reserves. All nations can harness the power of RockFuel’s waste management solution to turn waste plastics into carbon-neutral fuels. Both systems developed by RockFuel are True Net Zero as a minimum and deliver carbon-negative capabilities if further process steps are included.
RockFuel’s True Net Zero Clean Energy Solutions address a key part of the Net Zero Energy Transition that is largely unaddressed currently, in respect of scalability and profitability: direct fossil fuel alternatives for fossil fuels. Combustion engines can be transformed into True Net Zero engines with these RockFuel synthetic fuels.
Integral to these synthetic fuels production is RockFuel’s Carbon Neutral Lime Kiln, which efficiently produces quicklime (CaO) while capturing CO₂ emissions, unlike traditional lime kilns. Powered by renewable energy, the system collects over 500 cubic metres of CO₂ per cubic metre of limestone processed, storing it for reuse in the RockFuel’s unique Carbon Neutral processes.
1. Carbon-neutral fuel from underground coal beds
RockFuel’s first major energy breakthrough uses a process of directional drilling to access deep underground coal seams without mining. This transforms them into clean, synthetic fuels (including kerosene, petrol, diesel, gas and LNG), plus True Net Zero Hydrogen and Fertilisers. By reacting hot carbon dioxide (generated from RockFuel’s advanced Limekiln) with the underground coal beds, the system produces a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane suitable for aviation, shipping, transport, electricity generation, and gas grid applications – and more.
What makes this process True Net Zero is its integral carbon loop, a carbon reabsorption cycle. The CO₂ released during the combustion of resultant fuels is absorbed by calcium oxide (CaO), a by-product of the same limekiln process. When placed in marine environments, the CaO absorbs more carbon than it produces (in its making), tipping the balance towards carbon-negative energy production. Furthermore, the electrolysis of hot CO₂ from the limekiln converts it into commercially beneficial solid carbon and Carbon Neutral Oxygen.
Economically, the process is hugely compelling: 33% operating profit, 26% ROI by Year 4, and viable at pre-pandemic fuel prices. With patents already secured, the process is ready for deployment at scale.
2. Turning polymeric waste into clean fuel
RockFuel’s second energy innovation addresses one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems: plastic waste. The RockFuel True Net Zero Plastics-to-Fuel process converts polymeric waste into clean-burning, carbon-neutral fuels and gases. It does so using a novel configuration of existing technologies together with RockFuel’s core technology to ensure minimal emissions and maximum energy recovery, which is a transformative carbon-neutral waste-to-energy technology.
By diverting plastics from landfills and oceans, this system helps resolve the global plastic waste crisis while simultaneously reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Synthetic Fuels from Waste Plastic produced through this method can be used in domestic, industrial, energy and transport sectors.
This process also boasts strong economic fundamentals. It creates energy-rich, marketable fuel products from low-cost or negative-cost feedstocks (waste), offering high-margin opportunities. Scalability is built into the system’s design, making it adaptable for industries of all sizes. The waste management sector can use RockFuel’s unique True Net Zero Plastics-to-Fuel process to improve its profitability while simultaneously reducing harm to our Climate and natural environment.
Why RockFuel matters now
The global energy sector urgently needs scalable, dependable clean energy alternatives that use domestic resources for energy security and reduce the impact of polluting waste. RockFuel addresses this demand with processes that:
• Deliver decarbonisation innovations that are commercially viable now
• Provide True Net Zero fuels that are direct fossil fuel alternatives
• Provide reliable base load power from carbon-neutral electricity and gas
• Use no rare earth metals or politically sensitive imports
• Operate on small land footprints, yet can scale according to demand
• Takes no fresh water from the environment
These make the RockFuel solutions especially attractive to nations with deep coal reserves or high plastic waste burdens. The UK, with an estimated £150tr in underground coal resources, and Australia, with vast coal basins and advanced waste recycling sectors, are perfectly placed to benefit immensely from these RockFuel processes. Many other countries worldwide can also reach their decarbonisation goals more quickly by adopting these RockFuel innovations.
Collaboration opportunities
RockFuel Innovations Ltd is actively inviting partnerships with:
• Governments committed to energy independence and emissions reduction
• Energy providers needing reliable, clean fuel sources
• Energy and mining exploration firms seeking to pivot towards clean fuel production
• Waste management firms seeking to improve their climate credentials and profitability
• Investors seeking profitable climate tech opportunities
• Universities and research bodies exploring carbon recycling and synthetic fuels
RockFuel’s technology also pairs seamlessly with green hydrogen production and emerging CO₂-utilisation industries such as carbon fibre and carbon black. Collectively, we can accelerate the circular economy and reduce emissions to benefit our collective future, alongside harnessing the economic advantage of these profitable RockFuel innovations.
Join the transition to real zero
With two proven innovations and a clear path to scalable deployment, RockFuel offers a game-changing proposition for the global energy landscape. By turning plastic waste and underused resources into carbon-neutral energy, RockFuel enables nations and industries to meet climate targets while delivering energy security.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 22nd edition of our quarterly publication.
