Monday 26 July 2021
Tenneco explores synthetic fuels for climate-neutral transportation
US automotive components and equipment manufacturer Tenneco is exploring the use of synthetic fuels (e-fuels) to help the industry transition to climate neutral transportation.
The company is using its powertrain expertise in improving vehicle fuel efficiency and reducing emissions to explore e-fuels, considered a viable near-term solution to further maximise efficiency and minimise the carbon footprint of internal combustion engines (ICE).
Under the NAMOSYN project - supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research - Tenneco is partnering with academic and industry experts to examine the technical possibilities and commercial feasibility of synthetic fuels as a key technology to help the transition transition towards climate neutral mobility.
The company believes synthetic fuels for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks or marine applications can play an important role in achieving near-zero emissions mobility by using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power to create a closed CO2 cycle.
They can be used in gas and diesel engines with only minor modifications for most of e-fuels and in blends with conventional fuels.
Dr Steffen Hoppe, Director Global Technology for piston rings and cylinder liners at Tenneco´s Powertrain business group in Burscheid, Germany said: “It is widely acknowledged that solutions must be found to reduce a vehicle's carbon footprint. In addition to light vehicles, internal combustion engines are also popular in trucks, marine propulsion, construction equipment and agricultural machinery.
“Regardless of the differing opinions when full electrification will be reached, any technology that we can adopt now that enables a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, or even CO2-neutral operation of the IC engine, will be an essential contributor to the timely achievement of climate targets. We are excited to be an active part in the development of this type of technology.”
