Engineering thermochemistry to cope with challenges in carbon neutrality

Abstract

More than 90% of anthropogenic carbon emissions are from uses of organic carbon resources and carbonate minerals that cannot be abandoned any time soon. In this context, we have realized that the most effective strategy to cope with carbon-neutral challenges is to focus on a few super-emitters, which are all associated with heat-induced or heat-driven thermochemical reactions. To assist in reducing CO2 emissions from these super-emitters, we introduce an emerging interdisciplinary Engineering Thermochemistry (ETC) that focuses on heat-induced/driven thermochemical reactions and their engineering. Combined with some exemplary processes, we demonstrate how and why ETC can play a vital role in innovating CO2 super-emitting processes to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions substantially at the scale of several billion tons. The approaches discussed in this study can help governments and researchers to establish applicable policies and develop practical techniques to meet the challenges of CO2 emission reductions toward a green and carbon-neutral future.