INERATEC implements key upgrading step for synthetic fuels

Within the P2Fuels project, CENA Hessen, together with several partners, is investigating how products from the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis can be further processed into e-kerosene. A major milestone has now been reached: project partner INERATEC has implemented a central upgrading step – known as isomerization – at its Power-to-Liquid plant “ERA ONE” located in the Frankfurt-Höchst industrial park.

With this additional upgrading step, Fischer–Tropsch products are specifically processed to meet the technical requirements for use in aviation. The objective is to produce synthetic aviation fuels that are drop-in compatible, meaning they can be used with existing infrastructure and today’s aircraft engines and can be mixed with fossil kerosene.

From a chemical perspective, isomerization converts linear hydrocarbons from the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis into branched molecules. The step implemented within the project demonstrates how such upgrading processes can be realized as part of a holistically considered Power-to-X value chain.

The P2Fuels project is part of the Kopernikus Projects and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) with approximately EUR 8 million. The project is co-financed by the Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas (HMWVW) with around EUR 210,000.

More about the project: https://www.cena-hessen.de/en/projects/p2fuels/