Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Novel hydrogen storage form: a jet fuel made from crop residues
Feb 01 2025
One of the major pit-falls of hydrogen fuel has been its difficulty to store - that is, until a recent experiment in mixing it with agricultural waste (lignin) to create a relatively clean jet fuel.
An international team of scientists led by Washington State University (WSU) has developed a groundbreaking method for storing and releasing hydrogen using lignin-based jet fuel. This innovative discovery, recently published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, could significantly advance sustainable energy production by offering a stable and efficient hydrogen storage solution.
Solving one of the hard problems of hydrogen fuel?
Hydrogen is widely recognized as a high-energy, zero-emission fuel that can support decarbonization efforts across industries. However, its low density and volatile nature pose significant challenges in terms of storage and transport. Conventional hydrogen storage methods require high-pressure tanks or cryogenic systems, which are costly and complex to implement.
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The research team, which includes experts from WSU, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of New Haven, and Natural Resources Canada, has developed a method that chemically binds hydrogen within lignin-based jet fuel in a stable liquid form. This approach eliminates the need for pressurized storage, making hydrogen more manageable and practical for real-world applications.
What is lignin?
The study details how researchers leveraged chemical reactions to produce aromatic carbons and hydrogen from lignin jet fuel. Lignin, a natural polymer found in plants, has been the focus of sustainable fuel development due to its abundance and renewable nature. The ability to store hydrogen within this bio-derived fuel marks a significant step toward integrating hydrogen into existing energy infrastructures.
“This new, lignin jet fuel-based technology could enable efficient, high-density hydrogen storage in an easy-to-handle sustainable aviation fuel, eliminating the need for pressurized tanks for storage and transport,” said Bin Yang, a professor at WSU and lead researcher on the project.
Yang’s lab at WSU has previously pioneered a continuous process that transforms agricultural waste into lignin-based jet fuel. Experiments indicate that this fuel not only enhances engine performance but also reduces harmful aromatic compounds present in traditional jet fuels. The integration of hydrogen storage capabilities further expands the fuel’s potential impact on sustainable transportation.
Decarbonising aviation?
By demonstrating the viability of storing hydrogen within lignin-based fuels, the study paves the way for broader applications in clean energy and mobility. The ability to combine hydrogen’s energy potential with a sustainable aviation fuel offers a promising route for reducing carbon emissions in air travel and other sectors reliant on liquid fuels.
“This innovation offers promising opportunities for compatibility with existing infrastructure and economic viability for scalable production,” Yang explained. “It could help create a synergistic system that enhances the efficiency, safety, and ecological benefits of both sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen technologies.”
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What's next for this technology?
Building on these findings, WSU researchers are partnering with scientists at the University of New Haven to develop an AI-driven catalyst that can further optimize the hydrogen storage and release process. The goal is to make the reaction more efficient and cost-effective, ensuring that the technology can be widely adopted in the energy sector.
This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and its Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office. Their ongoing investment in hydrogen research highlights the growing importance of alternative fuels in achieving global sustainability goals.
As scientists continue to explore innovative ways to integrate hydrogen into modern energy systems, this discovery represents a major leap toward overcoming storage challenges and realizing hydrogen’s full potential as a clean energy source.
To read the study, click here.
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