Aircela has introduced a system designed to produce gasoline using air, water, and renewable electricity. The company was founded in 2019 in New York City and describes its approach as a way to create carbon neutral fuel that can work with existing engines and fuel infrastructure.
The system operates in three primary stages. Carbon dioxide is first captured directly from ambient air using a water based potassium hydroxide solution. Hydrogen is then generated on site through electrolysis powered by renewable electricity. The captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen are combined to produce methanol, which is converted into gasoline through a methanol to gasoline catalytic process.
The machines are designed to operate as individual standalone units or connected as part of larger arrays. According to the company, a single machine operating continuously is designed to capture around 10 kilograms of carbon dioxide per day and produce about one gallon of gasoline. The distributed design is intended to support use in residential environments, commercial settings, and locations where conventional fuel delivery may be challenging.
The company reports that the produced gasoline is compatible with existing engines, can be dispensed like conventional fuel, and may be blended with standard gasoline. The machines are intended to run on renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. Aircela states that the carbon released when the fuel is burned is the same carbon previously captured from the air, aligning the system with its carbon neutral objective.
Aircela continues development and field deployment efforts while preparing for staged availability in the coming years.
Learn more information on their official website here.
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