Sydney NSW, Australia - April 30, 2024

Researchers at the University of Sydney have pioneered a chemical process utilizing plasma technology, potentially revolutionizing the aviation industry by converting methane emissions from landfills into sustainable jet fuel.

Lead author Professor PJ Cullen from the University of Sydney’s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering emphasized the transformative potential of the process, stating, “Globally, landfills are major emitters of greenhouse gases. We have developed a process that would harness these gases and convert them into fuels, particularly targeting sectors like aviation that are challenging to electrify.”

The process entails extracting methane from landfill sites through methane wells, followed by its conversion into valuable fuels using non-thermal plasma technology. Unlike conventional methods, this approach operates at low temperature and atmospheric pressure, reducing energy consumption and facilitating compatibility with renewable energy sources.

By leveraging plasma technology to induce plasma discharge within gas bubbles, the process efficiently transforms methane into high-value products, offering a more environmentally impactful and commercially viable alternative to conventional landfill gas utilization methods.