Solar Thermal Conversion of CO2 into Valuable Nanomaterials
The project proposes a technology to couple the decarbonation of limestone with the production of carbon nanotubes using a combined electrochemical molten salts reactor system. This lowers the fuel cost of limestone calcination, while also converting the produced CO2 into a high-value product. The approach is energy intensive and its energy consumption may offset the aims of a carbon capture process, which is to reduce the overall environmental impact of limestone calcination through the manufacture of carbon-based products. Therefore, an additional objective of the project is to lower the overall carbon footprint of the process through the utilisation of solar technologies. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)/Photovoltaic (PV) technologies will be used as a source of renewable electrical and thermal energy for the system.