Solar fuels

Our research aim is development and demonstration of solar thermochemical reactors and associated components to produce highly energetic intermediate chemicals for synthesis of liquid fuels. Chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, heat and mass transfer, and mechanical analyses are performed to develop processes and reactor prototypes that will eventually become a part of a sustainable, carbon-neutral and scalable fuel supply system. Experimental characterization of reactors is performed in the Solar Energy Laboratory’s 45 kWe indoor high flux simulator.

Projects

  • Solar water and carbon dioxide splitting via metal-oxide redox cycles
  • Solar thermal gasification of biomass and other carbonaceous materials
  • Co-synthesis of syngas and hydrogen via chemical-looping reforming
  • High temperature heat recovery

 

solar fuels