Audi e-diesel Audi is making a step further in the development of CO2-neutral fuels. The company announced that a new plant, based in Dresden, Germany, has initiated the production of high-quality synthetic fuel. The diesel is made from water, CO2 and green power, so there is no need for mineral oil. This is actually great success for Audi, since it advances with its environmental program significantly.

In this program, partner of the automaker is Dresden energy technology corporation "sunfire". It is also plant operator and uses green power to create liquid fuel. As mentioned, for this process the only raw materials needed are CO2 and water. The first material comes straight from a biogas facility and it is extracted from the ambient air.

The development of Audi e-diesel promises fuel based on CO2 that will literally have no impact on the climate. The use of CO2 as a raw material is also an opportunity for other industries.

But how the production of Audi e-diesel happens? It features several steps. In the first one, water is heated up and then broken down into hydrogen and oxygen. In two further steps, the hydrogen reacts with the CO2 under pressure and at high temperature. As a result of the reaction we have liquid called blue crude.

At last, the blue crude can be refined in order to turn-up into the end product Audi e-diesel. As a synthetic fuel, it is free from sulfur and aromatic hydrocarbons. This fuel is also suitable for combination with fossil diesel or for a use as a fuel in its own. And everything sounds very promising, doesn't it?

Source: Audi