Energy efficient approaches for sustainable fuels

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The alarming greenhouse gas emissions levels and the disastrous consequences of extreme weather events triggered significant scientific R&D endeavours. This research is part of the efforts made for carbon footprint reduction by rethinking some of the most energy -intensive industrial operations. it is based on process intensification principles, so the gained knowledge and technological development could lead to efficient, cleaner, and sustainable manufacturing processes. the objective of this research program is to intensify chemical processes by providing energy-efficient approaches to produce green fuels and help move towards continuous processing. The first project to be conducted under this general objective concerns the intensification of dry reforming process by replacing traditional heating (around 900°C) with nonthermal plasma source, that should allow operations at 300°C. The main novelty of this project is related to the designed hybrid-reactor that gives the possibility for interchangeable plasma sources and an in-line monitoring of the interactions between the plasma and the material surface. The gained knowledge from the incorporated in situ analysis techniques is important for both fundamental understanding and scale-up for the industrialization of the catalytic reaction process. The second project to be realized concerns the CO clean-up for H2-rich streams for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). the CO preferential oxidation methof for hydrogen-rich gaz produed for methane reforming, is currently the most effective and promising way to provide clean hydrogen for PEMFC. In accordance with Canadian Government policies, the results of the proposed research will be part of the Canadian strategic infrastructure for energetic efficiency and energy transition, by enabling application of new technologies such as alternate fuels production and alternative- energy-vectors assisted processing.