To-SYN-fuel project implements a new integrated process to produce synthetic fuels

The H2020 To-Syn-Fuel project aims to demonstrate a sustainable process able to transform waste biomass such as dried sewage sludge into renewable liquid fuels and hydrogen. The Thermo-Catalytic Reforming TCR® is implemented in a new process integrated with hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technologies to convert a wide range of residual biomass into three main products: H2-rich synthesis gas, biochar and a liquid bio-oil that can be upgraded to green fuels capable of being used directly in automotive internal combustion engines without modification, as they fulfil EN fuel standards. In this project, the operational capacity of TCR® is designed for up to 500 kg per hour of sewage sludge at a water content of 5-15 %. The main purpose of this unit is the long-term operation of a pre-commercial demonstrator. This is the final step of development before the technology reaches full commercial scale. This integrated unit is ready to operate from summer 2021 for up to 5,000 hours of operation and for the production of more than 200,000 liters of biocrude oil. By the end of the project the TCR®/PSA/HDO technology will have been validated at TRL-7 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment) and the business plan and environmental/social sustainability analysis for the technology will be complete.