Metal fuels production for future long-distance transportation through the carbothermal reduction of MgO and Al2O3: A review of the solar processes

The need for sustainable zero-carbon fuels to substitute the conventional fossil in transport field becomes unavoidable overcome depletion of petroleum reserves and global warming. Metal are promising energy-carrying materials that can be regenerated through carbothermal reduction their oxide combustion products. Their use is economically beneficial environmental-friendly when oxides recycled using energy resources. Among various choices, aluminum/alumina magnesium/magnesia couples best candidates combustion/reduction cycles. Thus, following study reviews advanced technologies established alumina magnesia concentrated solar achieve an efficient regeneration metal fuels. In conclusion, 68% Al 96% Mg yields, highly-pure stable micro-sized powders, were achieved by optimizing reactor design reaction operating parameters (pressure, temperature, heating rate, carbon reducing agent, C/oxide content, properties, catalysts, bentonite binder). Further investigations needed improve aluminum formation unwanted Al-oxycarbides by-products.