Methanol to jet

Zeolite ZSM-5 is a catalyst for commercial production of alkenes or gasoline from methanol.

A separate process for production of heavier hydrocarbons (jet and diesel) from alkenes with the same catalyst has been demonstrated.

LTU has patented a catalyst with higher stability and lower diffusion resistance and shown that this results in greater lifetime and higher yield of heavy hydrocarbons under gasoline synthesis.

In the project, a completely new process is developed for production of heavier hydrocarbons directly from methanol with the new catalyst that seems optimal for the purpose. Only a light hydrogenation is necessary to arrive at jet fuel.

The technique is potentially very effective and flexible, as both methanol and jet fuel can be produced with high yield and sustainable methanol can be produced from many feedstocks and it is possible to also produce gasoline or diesel. Production costs and climate impact will be estimated to illustrate the competitiveness of the technique.