AN INGENIOUS rider has revealed how he powered his beloved Harley-Davidson motorcycle using a new type of gasoline.
Aldo Steinfeld, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, has tested out a sustainable fuel that could feasibly replace fossil fuels.
The synthetic fuel, created using cutting-edge technology by Synhelion, a company co-founded by Steinfeld, uses solar energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbon-neutral fuel.
Steinfeld was then able to fuel up his bike and embark on a world first journey powered by this special gasoline.
The fuel is created at a plant near Dusseldorf, in Germany, which uses an dozens of mirrors to concentrate sunlight on a “receiver” that sits atop a large tower.
Biomass, which is mostly agricultural waste, and water are fed into a reactor in the tower, which then uses sunlight to create a chemical reaction for the synthesized gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
A series of chemical reactions then liquefies it into liquid hydrocarbons.
Speaking to National Geographic, Synhelion co-founder and co-CEO Philipp Furler said the idea is to produce “renewable fuels, such as solar jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline, which can directly replace fossil fuels and are fully compatible with conventional internal combustion engines, aircraft engines, and existing global fuel infrastructure.”
Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide during their production, as well as when they’re used, but this solar gasoline works by taking water and carbon dioxide, and reverting it back with renewable energy into a synthetic fuel.
Furler added: “Our renewable solar fuels are nearly carbon dioxide-neutral, emitting only as much carbon dioxide as was used to produce them.”
He also says their fuel “delivers the same range and engine performance as fossil gasoline.”
The proof is in Aldo Steinfeld and his Harley-Davidson, which, one Sunday morning, was taken for a ride along the shores of Lake Zurich powered by the solar gasoline.
“The ride was smooth and uneventful in the best sense – the Harley-Davidson performed as usual, powered by our solar gasoline,” says Synhelion spokesperson Carmen Murer.
She added: “The moment when the engine roared to life with solar fuel for the very first time was very emotional.”
Steinfeld himself said the ride was “a dream come true.”
Over the coming months and years, Synhelion plans to fuel different types of vehicles in public demonstrations.
“It wasn’t about proving that the fuel works – we already know it does as it is fully compliant with national and international gasoline standards,” Furler said.
“It’s about creating a truly special moment.
“We wanted to enjoy this milestone, celebrate Aldo’s lifelong dedication to science, and see him have fun riding his motorcycle powered by the very technology he helped pioneer.”
Synhelion’s goal is to produce 110,000 tons of fuel a year by 2030 and roughly a million tons by 2033.
While less than the approximately 385 million tons of jet fuel consumed annually, Synhelion’s aim is to contribute roughly half of Europe’s synthetic aviation fuel demand by 2040.
Jonathan Scheffe, a mechanical engineer at the University of Florida who’s not involved with this solar fuel research, added: “This historic demonstration marks a significant milestone, showcasing the first-ever industrial-scale production of sustainable fuels from water and carbon dioxide.”
He added that the advantage of solar fuel is that it can easily replace traditional fuels without major retrofits to machines.
“This breakthrough has far-reaching implications, with potential applications not only in the light-duty transportation sector, such as the Harley-Davidson showcased here, but also in the heavy-duty shipping and aviation sectors, which will require highly energy-dense liquid fuels for the foreseeable future,” Scheffe said.
What happens if you put the wrong fuel in your tank?
Dwanye Saunders, the owner of Genuine Automotive & Diesel in Austin, Texas, said the common mix up isn't as dire as people think.
He told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview there are things drivers should look out for at the pumps to avoid putting the wrong fuel in your tank, and what to do if it happens.
The first thing he noted is that most gas stations make it very difficult to fill a gas-powered car with diesel. At the pumps, size does matter.
“The nozzle for the diesel pump is usually much bigger than a gasoline pump,” he said.
“So, it’s pretty hard to put diesel in a gas tank, it’s actually easier to accidentally put gasoline in a diesel engine.”
If the wrong fuel type is used, drivers will know right away, as the engine will run incredibly rough before shutting off. When that happens, it’s important to not try and start the vehicle again, as it pushes the fuel further into the system. Forcing the wrong fuel through an ill-equipped engine can cost thousands in repairs, or even merit an engine replacement.
Instead, it’s best to have your vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic, where they’ll begin repairs.
“A good mechanic would drain the fuel tank and flush the lines with fresh gasoline, maybe run some fuel system cleaner through it and it’s usually not detrimental,” said Saunders.
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