Rethinking the future of aviation

How does biomass gasification work?

Harvesting and Sorting

In the forest, trees are harvested and separated into several fractions based on their optimal use. Large diameter logs are sawn to construction wood, while thinner logs become pulp chips that are used for paper production. Residuals such as tops and branches, which cannot be utilized for these purposes, can be repurposed into wood chips for fuel production.

Another sustainable biomass feedstock is bark, which is a by-product from pulp mills and saw mills. By-using residuals more efficiently we maximize the value and utility of each harvested tree, contributing to the transformation of the aviation industry without increased forest harvesting.

Pretreatment at the SAF Plant

The SAF facility, co-located with a pulp and paper mill, receives the wood residuals. These materials are dried to remove excess moisture and prepared for further processing. This critical step ensures the residuals are optimized for gasification, transforming raw material into a viable feedstock for SAF production.

Gasification: Unlocking the Building Blocks

The pretreated wood chips are fed into a gasifier, where they undergo a high-temperature process in a controlled environment. Here, the biomass is converted into syngas—a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. This syngas serves as the fundamental building block for synthesizing SAF in subsequent steps.

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Turning Waste into SustainableAviation Fuel (SAF)

Collection and Gathering

Waste materials are collected from various sources, including households, industries, and businesses. The various types of wastes are transported to sorting facilities.

Engineered Feedstock

At the sorting facility, waste undergoes a mechanical process to separate reusable materials. Metals are extracted for recycling, plastics suitable for reprocessing are removed, and many organic or biodegradable components are sorted for biogas production or other uses.The remaining waste—primarily non-recyclable plastics and biomass—is processed into a mixed feedstock tailored for energy conversion.

Gasification: Transforming Waste into Syngas

The engineered feedstock is fed into a gasifier, where it undergoes high-temperature treatment in a controlled environment. This process converts the waste into syngas, a mix of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. This syngas serves as the fundamental building block for synthesizing SAF in subsequent steps.

Adding Hydrogen

Optimizing the Feedstock

To maximize Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, it's crucial to to efficiently utilize carbon atoms from the feedstock. Without adding hydrogen, a significant portion of the carbon would remain unused. By introducing hydrogen (H₂), more carbon atoms are captured and converted into fuel, increasing the output and ensuring a more sustainable and efficient use of the feedstock.

Producing Green Hydrogen

Hydrogen is produced sustainably through a process called electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. For the hydrogen to be truly green, the electricity must come from renewable sources like hydropower, wind, or solar. In Sweden, the electricity grid is nearly 100% fossil-free, thanks to renewable energy and nuclear power. This makes it an ideal region for producing green hydrogen with minimal environmental impact.

Electrolysis: Powering Green Hydrogen

Electrolysis involves passing an electric current through water to separate it into hydrogen and oxygen. This process is efficient and produces no direct emissions. The resulting green hydrogen is a key ingredient for enhancing SAF production.

Enhancing SAF with Hydrogen

The hydrogen produced through electrolysis is added to the syngas created during gasification. This addition allows more carbon atoms to be captured and converted into SAF, significantly boosting the fuel yield and making the entire process more sustainable.