Clean Energy Capability Portfolio | Clean Fuels |
Thermal Catalytic Energy Conversion
and Waste Treatment
Reactions
Particle and Catalysis Research Group ( PartCat ) have developed a wide range of capabilities in thermal catalysis ranging from carbon dioxide conversion into methane and methanol , dry reforming of methane and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis , to carbon monoxide oxidation and waste pyrolysis . PartCat combines expertise in photocatalysis to develop photothermal systems with enhanced product selectivity and reduced operating temperatures . |
Competitive Advantage • Amongst the highest reported catalytic rates for CO2 conversion into methanol or methane
• Thermal systems can be integrated with photothermal technology to alter reaction selectivity and improve conversion
• Direct harnessing of solar energy can be used as the main energy input for CO2 conversion reactions
Impact • Enabling technology for CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals to support industry decarbonisation
• conversion of waste CO2 ( e . g ., from flue gas ) into value-added chemicals and fuels such as methane and methanol , as well as longer chain hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
• Treatment of carbon monoxide ( CO ) and other polymer waste products associated with solar panels
• CO2 capture and storage in hydrocarbon form
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Capabilities and Facilities • Pressurised reactor and product detection systems for CO2 reduction into methane , CO , and methanol
• Photothermal reactor systems for integrating light into traditional thermal catalytic systems
• Nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation facilities
• Prototype-scale reactor array for scaled-up performance testing
Our Collaborators • CSIRO Energy
More Information Associate Professor Jason Scott
School of Chemical Engineering
T : + 61 2 9385 7361
E : jason . scott @ unsw . edu . au
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• Reduced energy input for CO2 conversion reactions by utilising solar energy to provide heating and catalyst activation |
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Successful Applications |
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• Demonstration scale integrated photo-thermal CO2 reduction system producing methane at a rate of up to 30 L / hour ( SHINE 2.0 system ) |
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• Multiple lab-scale reactor systems enabling light integration for high-rate methane and methanol production , Fischer-Tropsch synthesis , carbon monoxide oxidation , waste plastic pyrolysis / gasification , and methane reforming |