Dimethyl ether as a potential fuel: synthesis and combustion characteristics
Researcher: Avishai Lerner, alerner@student.unimelb.edu.au, Research Fellow
Dimethyl Ether (DME) is a clean and economical alternative fuel which can be produced from various resources as natural gas, coal or bio mass gas through syngas. DME holds promise as a fuel that can assist in the transition to a low carbon emission future. It can be used in place of, or blended with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and as an excellent diesel fuel substitute. In this project, we are evaluating the technoeconomics of synthesizing DME and also investigating its burning characteristics in internal combustion engines.
Utilisation of carbon dioxide: low temperature methanol synthesis
Researcher: Fan Wu, fanw@student.unimelb.edu.au , PhD candidate
The development of efficient processes for the synthesis of chemicals and fuels from carbon dioxide would provide modern societies with both an alternative to increasingly expensive petrochemical feed-stocks and a means recycling a problematic pollutant. One promising process for this conversion is based on the reaction of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce methanol. The current project is about developing novel catalysts and reaction conditions for CO2 utilization — methanol synthesis.
Utilisation of carbon dioxide: adsorption enhanced methanol synthesis
Researcher: Men Yuhan, cyuhanm@student.unimelb.edu.au , PhD candidate
Methanol synthesis is increasingly seen as an interesting option for storing excess renewable energy. Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis of water using surplus renewable energy and converted, together with CO2, to methanol. This process relies on an effective and cheap catalyst. In this project we are looking at advanced adsorbent/catalyst pairs to adsorb CO2 and simultaneously convert it to methanol in the presence of hydrogen.