Research Projects

The rise in anthropogenic CO₂ emissions demands novel pathways for its utilization and mitigation. CO₂ is viewed as a waste product due to its limited utilization, but its high oxygen content makes it a potential oxidizer for certain reactive materials. Metal fuels offer higher energy densities than hydrocarbons and do not emit greenhouse gases during combustion. Recent studies have shown that metal combustion in CO₂ not only produces usable energy but also forms valuable metal oxides that can be converted back to metals in a closed-loop cycle, offering a circular and sustainable energy vector. This approach merges CO₂ utilization, metal-based energy carriers, and renewable fuel cycles, addressing both energy storage and emission mitigation challenges. The scientific objective behind this project is to develop an innovative approach for CO₂ valorization through metal combustion-reduction cycles and investigate the thermodynamics and kinetics of the process along with reactor design and cyclical feasibility. The study would focus on reactive, abundant, and low-cost metals of high energy density such as iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and calcium (Ca), that can undergo exothermic combustion in CO₂ environment to yield high-grade heat energy, metal oxides, and CO through the reaction, Metal (M)+CO₂→MOx+CO+Heat. Metal oxides (MOx) can be reduced back to metals using renewable energy, hydrogen, or biomass-derived reductants, while the CO produced in this process can be utilized in fuel cells or for direct combustion for energy. The experimental study proposed here involves a lab-scale combustion reactor design (vertical PFR-type) with controlled CO₂ and metal flow, metal selection based on thermodynamic favorability and commercial availability, the use of thermocouples and gas analyzers (GC) for real-time monitoring of temperature, CO, CO₂, N2 and other gases, metal oxide characterization using SEM, XRD, TGA, and BET analysis, and metal oxide reduction using H₂ or syngas to regenerate metals from oxides. The experiments will help determine oxidation and reduction kinetics in a tubular furnace reactor, evaluate energy input and output, and assess gaseous product concentration. The study would also involve modelling and simulation of the oxidation and reduction processes using software such as Ansys Chemkin Pro and Aspen Hysys/Plus to develop a tool to determine optimal process parameters for high CO₂ conversion and energy efficiency and for economic analysis. Upon the completion of the proposed experimental and modelling studies and achieving the anticipated objectives, this technology can provide carbon-neutral power while consuming CO₂ as an oxidizer, integrating combustion with carbon circularity.