Closed-carbon pathway for sustainable road mobility By closing the carbon loop from capture to fuel tank, synthetic fuel technologies show how emissions can be transformed from a liability into an asset
Nabeel Ataimisch ZCT Solutions GmbH
W ithin the industrial sector, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted through flue gas streams and released into the atmosphere is widely recognised as the major driver of anthropogenic climate change, accounting for a substantial share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, CO₂ is also a chemically valuable carbon source. When captured and combined with renewable hydrogen and/or biofuel, it can serve as a feedstock for synthetic hydrocarbon fuels. This research demonstrates that industry leadership cannot be achieved by relying solely on combustion units or traditional physical treatment methods. Conventional combustion and physical methods are being replaced with advanced chemical conversion and treatment techniques. Combustion systems remain integral to many industrial processes, continuously emitting flue gases into the atmosphere, of which CO₂
In the European Union, policies such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation have established targets and mandates to increase the use of renewable fuels and reduce GHG emissions in the transport sector. These regulations create market demand for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) by requiring fuel suppliers and aviation operators to progressively incorporate sustainable alternatives into their fuel mix. System overview: From combustion to capture The Power-to-Liquid (PtL) pathway consists of four primary stages: CO₂ capture. Green hydrogen production. Fuel synthesis. Refining and distribution. Ultimately, the significance of CO₂-derived fuels lies in their conceptual shift. Carbon is no
constitutes the biggest component. Capturing CO 2 and using it for the production of synthetic fuels, or efuels, which combine CO 2 with renewable hydrogen, will have a significant impact on the decarbonisation of the transport sector. This sector encompasses all kinds of transportation, including air and marine transport, as well as cars and trucks.
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Figure 1 Annual change in energy-related CO2 emissions, 1900-2024: Source: IEA: www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/annual-change-in- energy-related-co2-emissions-1900-2024
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