Imagine a machine that takes organic waste or wood scraps and turns them into clean fuel for ships and factories. It works like a high-tech refinery that squeezes almost every bit of carbon out of the waste to avoid pollution. By adding a bit of green hydrogen, it creates a fuel that can either be piped into the gas grid or used in heavy engines.
Heavy industries like shipping and steel cannot easily switch to electricity and face high costs for renewable fuels. Current biomass-to-fuel processes are often inefficient and too expensive to be competitive.
A TRL7 demonstrator combining indirect gasification with sorption enhanced DME synthesis (SEDMES) and methanation to produce rDME and SNG.
If you are a shipping fleet operator dealing with strict carbon emission limits — this project developed a way to produce renewable rDME that meets ISO 16861 standards. This allows you to switch to a low-carbon fuel for hard-to-electrify vessels. The process aims for a production cost of 0.6-1.0 /kgDME.
If you are a steel manufacturer dealing with high heating costs and carbon taxes — this project developed a flexible production system for synthetic natural gas (SNG). It uses industrial waste and biomass to provide a renewable heat source. This helps decarbonize sectors where electricity is not a viable option.
If you are a waste processor dealing with expensive disposal of organic residues and solid industrial waste — this project developed a conversion technology that turns these wastes into fuel. It increases conversion efficiency by 15% compared to older methods. This transforms a waste cost into a revenue stream from renewable fuels.
The renewable fuel production cost is estimated at 15-25 euros/GJ, depending on green hydrogen addition, while rDME specifically is targeted at 0.6-1.0 /kgDME.
The project is demonstrating the process at TRL7, with a long-term goal of deploying 250 units of various sizes by 2050.
Based on available project data, the project focuses on delivering a demonstrator and a commercial plant design, but specific licensing terms are not listed.
The produced rDME is designed to meet the ISO 16861 standard and comply with REDIII regulations.
The project produces SNG suitable for gas grid injection and rDME for transport and industrial heating, allowing for mid-term application in existing energy systems.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven, with 64% of the 11 partners coming from the industrial sector, including 3 SMEs. This strong industrial presence, spanning 7 European countries, suggests a high focus on commercial viability and practical deployment rather than purely academic research.
Contact TNO (Netherlands) as the project coordinator.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for the SEDMES technology.
