CLS · RESEARCH AREAS
Connecting fuel conversion, catalysis and clean utilization to explore new pathways for hydrogen, ammonia and future fuels.
The energy transition calls for new fuels and technologies suited to their conversion and use. We study hydrogen, ammonia, natural gas and biomass-derived fuels, asking how molecular structure, reaction conditions and device design jointly affect conversion, energy utilization and product formation. Starting from reaction mechanisms, we connect catalysts, reactors and end-use systems to develop options for industrial heating, transport and distributed energy.
Our published work covers autothermal ammonia decomposition in microchannel reactors, partially cracked ammonia combustion, oxygenated-fuel pyrolysis and hydrogen production, and the effects of fuel composition on soot formation. We combine species measurements, chemical kinetics and numerical simulations to examine interactions between reaction and heat transfer. Building on this work, catalyst development and its integration with reactor design are priorities for future research.
We investigate partial ammonia cracking, hydrogen–ammonia blending and their links to downstream utilization. Key questions concern how cracking ratio, composition and heat supply affect fuel flexibility, flame stability and nitrogen emissions, supporting on-demand hydrogen production and integrated hydrogen–ammonia systems.
Building on our ammonia decomposition microchannel-reactor studies, we plan to investigate catalyst activity, stability and support structure alongside catalytic-layer placement, channel design and heat supply. Connecting material performance with heat and mass transfer will guide compact ammonia crackers for variable loads.
We plan to study thermal and catalytic methane pyrolysis, focusing on the coupling between hydrogen production and solid-carbon formation. Research will address catalyst and reactor design, deactivation by carbon deposition and continuous carbon removal, while exploring control of carbon-black size, morphology and structure to connect hydrogen production with useful carbon products.
Building on studies of alcohols, ethers, esters and other oxygenated fuels, we examine how molecular structure, blending and reaction atmosphere affect pyrolysis pathways, hydrogen and intermediate products. We connect fuel reactivity with pollutant formation to inform the conversion and use of biomass-derived and synthetic fuels.
Future work will emphasize coordinated catalyst and reactor design for ammonia cracking and natural gas pyrolysis, linking material screening, mechanistic analysis, experiments and system optimization. For natural gas pyrolysis, hydrogen efficiency, carbon-product quality and continuous operation will be evaluated together. Our experience in soot formation and nanostructure will support exploration of controlled carbon-particle production and materials applications. We will also explore renewable-electricity and waste-heat integration, assessing energy use and carbon emissions at the system level.
Examines material and channel effects in autothermal ammonia decomposition microchannel reactors, connecting fuel conversion with reactor design.
Studies premixed swirling combustion and NOx emissions of partially cracked ammonia, linking cracking with downstream utilization.
Analyzes reaction mechanisms and hydrogen production during oxygenated-fuel decomposition, supporting thermochemical fuel conversion.
Reviews how oxygenated biofuel additives affect soot formation, connecting molecular composition with cleaner fuel utilization.
Investigates soot nanostructure and oxidation reactivity, providing a foundation for future carbon-particle structure research.
