Chemical looping systems towards a low carbon future

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Commitment to the 2°C warming scenario and a low carbon future demands the advancement of various technologies. In order to offset the conventional fossil-fuel-based energy production, low carbon energy technology must be included in the mix of renewables and energy conversion schemes. A novel approach to producing low carbon energy through coupling biomass utilization and chemical looping systems is proposed. Biomass, an abundant and renewable source of feedstock, is a potential producer of carbon-neutral energy. Canada is a major exporter of wood pellets to Europe. Developing technologies to fully utilize biomass strengthens economic and social values in Canada. ******The seasonability and variability of biomass as feedstock demands process flexibility. This is attained through chemical looping systems, which allow decouping of subreactions and chemical intermediates and inherent separations of products. For example, chemical looping combustion, an indirect combustion of gaseous fuel, applies metal oxides as a source of oxygen, and allows separation of CO2 from the rest of flue gas. Developing a low carbon energy production system requires understanding fundamental chemical reaction engineering combined with process design. In this program, various chemical looping systems are investigated, based on the expertise gained through past projects and current opportunities for pilot-scale concept testing. ******The novelty of the approaches noted above resides in coupling fundamental reaction modeling with reactor design and process modeling, in order to integrate components and critically examine processes which can advance the development of low carbon energy production systems. ******This proposal represents an exceptional prospect for training highly qualified personnel. Facilities available through the Ellis lab, the UBC campus (through the Campus as a Living Lab, and Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility), and the Technology Commercialization and Innovation Centre (through the Carbon Capture and Conversion Institute) are all directly accessible to the trainees, creating a unique and highly relevant training opportunity to nurture our next generation of engineers and leaders who will make considerable impact in Canada and internationally towards a low carbon future.