Title:

Thermochemical Hydrogen Production and Reactive CO2 Capture

Speaker:

Dr. Shang Zhai

Affiliation:

Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (with joint appointment in the School of Earth Sciences) at The Ohio State University

When:

Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM   Add to Calendar

Where:

GTMI Building, Room 114

Host:

Peter Loutzenhiser
peter.loutzenhiser@me.gatech.edu

Abstract

Meeting the growing global demand for affordable energy while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from gigaton (109 metric tons) levels to net zero is one of the defining challenges of this century. Thermochemical processes, which underpin large-scale energy operations, are responsible for over 80% of current GHG emissions. To achieve a sustainable future, it is imperative to revolutionize these processes. My research program focuses on developing chemical looping materials and processes to enable net-zero emissions in hard-to-abate sectors through hydrogen production and reactive CO2 capture. We have demonstrated stable syngas production from the two major greenhouse gases, CH4 and CO2, using chemical looping, with high oxygen capacity and durability driven by solid phase transformations involving cerium orthoferrite. Additionally, we have pioneered an ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion process that integrates oxide redox looping with thermal catalysis, dramatically reducing or eliminating the energy required for hydrogen separation compared to conventional ammonia decomposition. Finally, we have developed a novel looping process that captures and mineralizes CO2 from both air and point sources using silicate materials such as steel slag. This approach operates under atmospheric pressure and mild temperatures, requires no acid for silicate dissolution, and produces supplementary cementitious materials alongside clean hydrogen. By leveraging these innovations, our work provides scalable pathways to decarbonizing energy-intensive industries and advancing the transition to a net-zero future.

Biography

Shang Zhai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (with joint appointment in the School of Earth Sciences) at The Ohio State University. He also holds a courtesy appointment with the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Shang Zhai obtained his B.Eng. from Tsinghua University in 2014, and Ph.D. from Stanford University in 2020. Zhai Research Group applies thermal sciences, materials chemistry, and systems engineering to revolutionary sustainable energy technologies.