Zero-carbon hydrogen and electricity production using metal fuels (MeF’s)

Project description

This research work focuses on evaluating the potential of metal powder fuels, with their high energy density, as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for producing zero-carbon hydrogen, electricity, power, heat, and/or steam. Furthermore, the byproduct of combustion—metal oxides—can be regenerated and recycled using renewable energy or sold as a value-added product (e.g., alumina). Pilot-scale testing is currently underway using iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) to generate data for validating process models and advancing the development and de-risking of key technology components. The research also includes bench-scale experiments, combustion and kinetic modeling, as well as techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA) to facilitate the technology’s scaling and deployment. This comprehensive effort is being conducted in collaboration with academic institutions, government laboratories, research organizations, and industry partners.

Project updates from fiscal year 2023-2024

The CanmetENERGY’s 0.3MWth pilot-scale Vertical Combustor Research Facility has been retrofitted to burn metal fuels and currently combustion testing is ongoing. In addition, progress has been made in process and LCA modeling, as well as metal fuels and oxides characterization. A few research agreements with academia, government labs, and technology developers have been signed for collaboration to accelerate technology de-risking.

Metal Powder Combustion Test Run in the Vertical Combustor Research Facility