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Industries such as chemical manufacturing, fertilizer production and hydrogen generation could significantly cut emissions, improve efficiency and lower costs using a newly developed electrified reactor as an alternative to high-temperature industrial processes.

Monash engineers have developed an electrified reactor that offers a sustainable solution for the dry reforming of methane (DRM), a high-temperature process used to make certain chemicals including methanol, ammonia and synthetic fuels. These industries typically rely on fossil fuels to power reactions that reach temperatures above 900°C, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions.

According to the paper published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, the electrified reactor is a significant improvement over traditional methods, which rely on fossil fuel combustion to achieve high temperatures. Powered by renewable energy, the study found the reactor could cut carbon emissions by 60% while boosting efficiency.

Lead researcher Professor Akshat Tanksale, Deputy Director of ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilization and Recycling and Carbon Theme Leader at the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership, said innovations like the electrified reactor were crucial as industries look to decarbonize without sacrificing productivity or profitability.

"Instead of relying on fossil fuel combustion, industries can now power these reactions in a sustainable way, cutting both operational costs and emissions," Professor Tanksale said.

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