An innovative rider has disclosed how he fueled his cherished Harley-Davidson motorcycle using a novel gasoline variant.
Aldo Steinfeld, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, has experimented with a sustainable fuel that has the potential to replace fossil fuels.
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The synthetic fuel, developed using advanced technology by Synhelion, a company co-founded by Steinfeld, harnesses solar energy to transform water and carbon dioxide into carbon-neutral fuel.
Steinfeld was then able to fuel his bike and set out on a ground-breaking journey powered by this unique gasoline.
The fuel is produced at a facility near Dusseldorf, in Germany, where numerous mirrors concentrate sunlight on a ‘receiver’ located atop a tall structure.
In the tower, biomass, primarily agricultural waste, and water are introduced into a reactor that utilizes sunlight to instigate a chemical reaction for synthesizing gas comprised of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
This sequence of chemical reactions subsequently converts it into liquid hydrocarbons.
Speaking to National Geographic, Synhelion co-founder and co-CEO Philipp Furler remarked that the goal is to create “renewable fuels, such as solar jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline, which can seamlessly replace fossil fuels and are completely compatible with standard internal combustion engines, aircraft engines, and existing global fuel infrastructure.”
While fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide during their production and usage, this solar gasoline operates by harnessing water and carbon dioxide and recycling it with renewable energy into a synthetic fuel.
Furler also stated: “Our renewable solar fuels are nearly carbon dioxide-neutral, releasing only as much carbon dioxide as was used in their production.”
He added that their fuel “provides the same range and engine performance as fossil gasoline.”
The proof lies in Aldo Steinfeld and his Harley-Davidson, which one Sunday morning took a trip along the shores of Lake Zurich fueled by the solar gasoline.
“The ride was smooth and uneventful in the best way – the Harley-Davidson performed as expected, powered by our solar gasoline,” remarked Synhelion spokesperson Carmen Murer.
She noted: “The moment the engine roared to life with solar fuel for the first time was incredibly emotional.”
Steinfeld described the ride as “a dream come true.”
In the following months and years, Synhelion intends to fuel various types of vehicles in public demonstrations.
“This was not about proving the fuel works – we are already aware it does as it meets national and international gasoline standards,” Furler explained.
“It’s about creating a genuinely special moment.
“We aimed to celebrate Aldo’s lifelong commitment to science and see him enjoy riding his motorcycle powered by the very technology he helped to develop.”
Synhelion aims to produce 110,000 tons of fuel annually by 2030 and about one million tons by 2033.
While this is less than the approximately 385 million tons of jet fuel consumed each year, Synhelion hopes to supply roughly half of Europe’s synthetic aviation fuel demand by 2040.
Jonathan Scheffe, a mechanical engineer at the University of Florida who is not involved in this solar fuel research, added: “This historic demonstration signifies a major milestone, showcasing the first-ever industrial-scale production of sustainable fuels from water and carbon dioxide.”
He further stated that the advantage of solar fuel is its compatibility with traditional fuels without the need for significant alterations to machinery.
“This breakthrough holds significant implications, with potential applications not only in light-duty transportation, like the featured Harley-Davidson, but also in heavy-duty shipping and aviation, which will continue to require highly energy-dense liquid fuels for the foreseeable future,” Scheffe emphasized.
What happens if you put the wrong fuel in your tank?
Dwanye Saunders, owner of Genuine Automotive & Diesel in Austin, Texas, stated that the common mix-up isn’t as severe as most believe.
He told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview that there are certain indicators drivers should be aware of at the pumps to avoid using the incorrect fuel, and what steps to take if it occurs.
The first thing he mentioned is that most gas stations make it challenging to fill a gas-powered vehicle with diesel. At the pumps, the size matters.
“The diesel pump nozzle is typically much larger than a gasoline one,” he explained.
“Hence, it’s quite difficult to fill a gas tank with diesel; it’s actually easier to accidentally put gasoline in a diesel engine.”
If the incorrect fuel type is used, drivers will notice immediately, as the engine will run extremely poorly before shutting down. When this happens, it’s essential not to attempt restarting the vehicle, as it would push the fuel further into the system. Forcing the wrong fuel through an incompatible engine can lead to costly repairs or even necessitate an engine replacement.
Instead, it’s advisable to have your vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic, who will start the repair process.
“A competent mechanic would drain the fuel tank and flush the lines with fresh gasoline, possibly running some fuel system cleaner through it, and usually, it’s not detrimental,” noted Saunders.
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