COMETNANO
Technologies for Synthesis, Recycling and Combustion of Metallic Nanoclusters as Future Transportation Fuels
- Scientific Responsible: Dr. Carlo Beatrice
- Participants: Di Blasio G, Napolitano P, Del Giacomo N, Guido C, Migliaccio M, Fraioli V, Lazzaro M, Di Iorio S, Mancaruso E, Rispoli N.
Settore / Ambito “TRASPORTI”
Period: 2009-2012
Abstract: The specific target of COMETNANO is to systematically investigate the feasibility and propose ways of employing metallic nanoparticles as potential replacement of conventional fuels (i.e. gasoline or diesel), currently utilized by automotive vehicles. COMETNANO is an integrated approach of methallic-nanoparticles synthesis, their controlled combustion in internal combustion engines and regeneration of respective metal-oxydes by renewable means. The main ideas leading to COMETNANO’s research efforts stem from the following beneficial facts:
- Metals, such as Boron, Aluminum or Iron are able to release 2-5 times more energy per unit volume when combusted, in comparison to petrol
- Combustion of nanoparticles, when properly designed, produces virtually no pollutants. The only product obtained is the respective metal oxide.
- Iron oxide particles can be readily reduced to metals when exposed to a hydrogen atmosphere at moderate temperatures (400-450oC). In the case of boron and aluminum oxides, the reduction process becomes somewhat more complex. However it can be achieved by a sequence of reactions that are already established in relevant commercial/large-scale applications. Hence, the fuel has the potential of full recyclability.
Based on the above significant advantages, the main objectives of the COMETNANO project are the following:
- The production of tailor-made metal fuel nanoparticles with controllable combustion rate.
- The utilization of an environmental-friendly way for the regeneration of burned particles (oxides), employing 100% renewable hydrogen produced by solar-thermal dissociation of water in coated monolithic reactors. Under such a concept, metal particles become an energy carrier and a means of converting hydrogen-energy into a medium that can be stored and transported easier and safer.
- The innovative exploitation of low-cost raw materials, such as discarded fractions/wastes or by-products of metal industries, for the production of the initial metallic nanoparticles.
- The introduction of required modifications, based on the existing mature technology of conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs), for the definition of the first metal-fuelled ICE.
- The elimination of NOx emissions by proper combustion tuning.
- The investigation of potential environmental and health dangers stemming from metallic and oxydic nanoparticles and the introduction of basic protection measurements.
The successful implementation of such a concept would have further advantages over the
emerging new fuels/designs that are currently considered as future replacements of conventional
ones. The COMETNANO consortium consists of 5 organizations from 4 E.U. countries, including 2 industrial partners, 2 research Institutes and 1 University.