TNO’s TAKE-OFF project results in two hydrogen-based routes toward SAF
In the TAKE-OFF project, TNO demonstrated how captured CO₂ can be combined with renewable hydrogen to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), offering a promising solution for reducing aviation emissions. Hydrogen is a key feedstock in two complementary conversion routes. The direct route converts CO₂ and H₂ straight into light olefins in a single step, while the indirect route first produces methanol and dimethyl ether before forming light olefins, currently providing higher selectivity and process control. After four years of research, the TAKE-OFF team successfully produced a full litre of aviation fuel from CO₂ and hydrogen as proof of concept. The resulting fuel meets the physical requirements needed for future certification and generates four times less soot than conventional kerosene. In addition, aromatics and sulfur compounds are almost completely absent, leading to significantly lower NOx, SOx, and particulate emissions. This not only improves air quality but also reduces the climate impact of aircraft condensation trails, marking an important step toward cleaner and more sustainable air transport.
