(382s) Holistic Evaluation of Integrated CO2 Capture and Utilization Technologies

The growing energy demand has outpaced fossil fuel-based solutions, leading to increased reliance on processes that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), with CO₂ being a major contributor to global warming and ecological disruption. While various CO₂ capture and conversion technologies have emerged, electrochemical CO₂ reduction (eCO₂R) stands out for its potential for using renewable electricity. However, most eCO₂R systems rely on high-purity CO₂, and scaling up would require an additional separation step, potentially reducing the economic viability of the process.

As a Ph.D. student, I focus on developing integrated systems for capturing CO₂ from flue gas-like streams and electrochemically converting it into value-added products such as ethylene and oxalic acid. My work spans a wide range of solvent systems, including deep eutectic solvents, ionic liquids, and water, and involves detailed catalyst surface engineering and mechanistic studies to achieve selectivity of value-added products up to 70%. By using earth-abundant metals like Pb, Fe, and Cu, these systems offer a practical and scalable approach for CO₂ mitigation at industrial point sources. In parallel, I have applied principles of reaction engineering to address key aspects of process performance, including mathematical modeling of reaction kinetics and mass transfer in carbon capture systems. Currently, I am simulating the long-term operation of an integrated capture and conversion plant to assess critical techno-economic metrics such as material and energy balances, annualized capital investment, and return on investment (ROI). This combined experimental and modeling framework supports the design of efficient, cost-effective CO₂ utilization technologies.

Research Interests

My research interest lies in applying my specialized problem-solving skills, honed in laboratory settings, to overcome challenges encountered during the scale-up of catalytic processes for environmental remediation. In the context of electrochemical CO₂ reduction, I am particularly interested in addressing issues such as enhancing mass transfer efficiency near the catalyst surface, managing electrolyte conditions, and optimizing flow dynamics to mitigate stagnant zones. Additionally, I am enthusiastic about leveraging my expertise in data science to analyze experimental data and uncover meaningful correlations. I am driven by the opportunity to independently innovate and collaborate across disciplines, making meaningful contributions to industrial research and development.