This presentation was originally published in Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering.
- Authors:
- Jinrao GuDening Eric Jia a, Qinwen LiuYu Zhao b, Li Cheng b, Xiaotao Bi c
- a Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, Ontario K0J 1P0, Canada
- b China University of Geosciences, No.29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
- c Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
Abstract:
Driven by global decarbonization goals, fluidization technology is shifting from its traditional petrochemical roots toward sustainable energy and environmental applications. This review offers a snapshot of the evolving role of fluidized beds in the thermochemical recycling of solid waste, low-carbon hydrogen production, renewable bio-crude co-processing, and process electrification via electrically heated fluidized beds. It also highlights advanced interdisciplinary applications, including high-efficiency thermal energy storage and precision surface modification using atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition. Despite their immense potential, the commercialization of those technologies is hindered by operational hurdles, including feedstock heterogeneity, particle agglomeration, rapid catalyst deactivation, and the high cost of green, intermittent electricity. Overcoming those fundamental and practical bottlenecks will require a paradigm shift in technology development and strategic scale-up methodologies to fully realize the sustained role of fluidization technologies in a carbon-neutral future.