bp-JM Fischer-Tropsch Technology

Winner: 2021 Dalton Division Horizon Prize

For the development of new catalyst and reactor technology for transforming municipal solid waste to sustainable fuel.

Celebrate bp-JM Fischer-Tropsch Technology

#RSCPrizes

A UK-based team of scientists and engineers from bp and Johnson Matthey have collaborated to create bp-JM Fischer-Tropsch Technology – a renewable route to sustainable aviation fuels created from municipal solid waste – otherwise known as household waste.

The waste, which would otherwise be sent to landfill and decompose to form methane, will first be separated from any recyclable items before being converted to syngas and used to make sustainable aviation fuel, which burns cleaner and with fewer particles.

The team developed a new catalyst formation – using concepts from fundamental inorganic chemistry, optimising cobalt dispersion and molecular interactions – as well as a new carrier for the catalyst that increases its surface area and removes the heat given off during the reaction.

The fuel will initially be deployed by Fulcrum BioEnergy in Nevada from late 2021, with plans to open further plants across the US and Europe. Once operational, the plant – the first of its kind in the US – is expected to convert approximately 175,000 tons of household waste into approximately 11 million gallons of fuel each year – the equivalent of fuel needed for more than 180 transatlantic return flights.

It is a vital step in the transition to low carbon fuels in the transportation industry – one of the most challenging sectors to adapt due to the energy density needed in aircraft and heavy-duty vehicles that is currently unmet by renewable technologies.

Chemistry has helped us to pioneer a technology that creates clean fuels by converting household waste into aviation fuel. This marks a vital step towards positively impacting road transport and aviation emissions as we approach Net Zero 2050.

The team

See full team

Rob Baker, Process Engineer, Johnson Matthey
Simon Carter, Analytical Scientist, bp
Jilliann Clapp, Process Chemist, Johnson Matthey
Rob Clarke, Process Engineer, bp
Jay Clarkson, Process Chemist, Johnson Matthey
Andy Coe, Process Engineer, Johnson Matthey
Sian Davies, Analytical Scientist, bp
Richard Mercer, Process Chemist, Johnson Matthey
Simon Parry, Process Chemist, bp
Roy Partington, Process Chemist, bp
James Paterson, Process Chemist, bp
Mark Peacock, Analytical Scientist, bp
Richard Pearson, Process Engineer, Johnson Matthey
Michele Pesa, Commercial Manager, bp
Laurence Reed, Process Chemist, bp
Tegan Roberts, Process Engineer, bp
Neil Sainty, Process Chemist, bp
Kay Sullivan, Analytical Scientist, bp
Paul Ticehurst, Commercial Manager, Johnson Matthey
Matthew Turnbull, Process Engineer, bp
Christiana Udoh, Process Engineer, bp
Jon Wilson, Analytical Scientist, bp

Q+A

Dr James Paterson, principal chemist at bp in Hull

What was your role within the team?

I’m part of bp’s applied sciences team and we work on new processes, innovations and opportunities to support our sustainable goals as we approach Net Zero 2050.

Within the team I help to create a new catalyst system to convert CO and H2 into fuels such as jet fuel. I need to understand all the aspects of the science we study and understand how to make it work at lab scale and commercial scale.

What different strengths did different people bring to the team?

It’s a collaborative project and we’ve been working together for quite some years – it’s very much a joint project. We bring different skill sets, with bp focusing on the catalyst and fundamental science and Johnson Matthey bringing reactor knowledge and innovation. Together we make a good team with complimentary skills.

How do you see this work developing over the next few years / what is next for this technology?

Chemistry has helped us to create a clean technology and clean fuels compared to current options. The technology is hugely exciting and will be used commercially. It is so exciting to see the lab technology scale up to commercial use in the plant. The scale of household waste converted into aviation fuel is vast and is a big step forward towards positively impacting road transport and aviation emissions, among others.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Chemistry is a great place to be. I’ve had the freedom to explore and innovate while working on vital research. Being able to work in a multi-disciplinary team with chemists and engineers means that we can get projects to scale and see them in action. It also means that every day I’m learning something new about the catalyst and how to make it work better.

What motivates you?

It’s been exciting and inspiring to see the technology come to fruition after being involved from the very start at lab scale through to real life use. It’s also inspiring to be working on a project that fits closely with bp’s strategy towards reducing emissions and becoming a net-zero carbon company by 2050. It’s great to play my part in this.

What's the importance of collaboration in the chemical sciences?

Our work was built on a strong collaboration between bp and Johnson Matthey which benefitted from complementary knowledge and skills for the catalyst design and process development.  We also have a number of projects with other research groups and universities and the collaborations are vital to maximise the potential of an opportunity and bring new approaches to a problem. This includes accessing techniques and capabillities in analytical chemistry and working with experts in their fields to maximise the learnings we can get from the work we do.

What does good research culture look like or mean to you?

A good research culture needs space to innovate as well as time to solve business questions. At bp I am lucky to have that space to deliver project deliverables as well as space to innovate and try something new or different. 