CH4-UTILIZATION AND CO2-MITIGATION IN THE METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY VIA SOLAR THERMOCHEMISTRY

The industrial production of metals by carbothermic reduction of their oxides are high-temperature energy-intensive processes that release v ast amounts of greenhouse gases and other pollutants to the atmosphere . A thermodynamic analysis and related experimental studies indicate t he technical feasibility of reducing these emissions by combining the reduction of metal oxides with the reforming of natural gas for the co -production of metals and synthesis gas (as feed stock for methanol pr ocessing). Replacing fossil fuels with solar energy as the source of p rocess heat further reduces CO2 emissions to zero, and upgrades the ca lorific value of the products.