Syzygy and RTI International Look to Produce Sustainable Fuel From Methane, CO2

Syzygy Plasmonics, a company focused on decarbonization in the chemical industry, and RTI International have signed an agreement to demonstrate sustainable fuel production by converting carbon dioxide and methane into low-carbon-intensity fuels that can replace petroleum-based jet fuel, diesel and gasoline, according to a Jan. 24 news release from Syzygy.

The two organizations will conduct the research, sponsored by Equinor Ventures and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, at RTI’s facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

The sustainable fuels produced are expected to quickly achieve cost parity with today's fossil fuels, according to Syzygy.

The project combines all-electric chemical reactors from Syzygy with the Fischer-Tropsch capabilities of RTI International.

Testing is planned for a period of six months, with results from the demonstration to be used to build a technoeconomic analysis for constructing a commercial-scale Syzygy e-fuels plant.

"This demonstration will be the first of its kind and represents a disruptive step in carbon utilization. The sustainable fuels produced are expected to quickly achieve cost parity with today's fossil fuels," said Syzygy CEO Trevor Best. "Integrating our technology with RTI's Fischer-Tropsch synthesis system has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon intensity of shipping, trucking, and aviation without requiring major fleet modifications. By making minor adjustments in the process, we also expect to produce sustainable methanol using the same technology."

The full production pathway at the pilot scale includes multiple electrified DMR reactors that will consume 27 tons of CO₂ per year and produce 6,100 gallons of e-fuels. At commercial-scale this technology is expected to utilize millions of tons of CO₂ per year to produce sustainable fuels, according to Syzygy.