Abstract
Iron powder, classified as a metal, serves as a versatile energy carrier and stands as a compelling alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Its appeal lies in its remarkable abundance and wide availability, attributes that position it favorably as a sustainable energy source. Notably, iron-based fuels are characterized by their environmentally benign nature, thus constituting a valuable contribution to the realization of a carbon–neutral future. Given the ongoing concerns surrounding climate change, largely attributed to the combustion of fossil fuels and the subsequent emission of carbon dioxide, iron, with its substantial reserves, emerges as a prospective candidate to address the escalating global energy demands. Owing to its exceptional energy density, iron-based fuel holds the capacity to serve multifarious purposes, encompassing the generation of heat, electricity, and the propulsion of energy facilities and vehicular fleets. The noteworthy energy density of iron renders it an indispensable resource across a spectrum of industries and tools, allowing it to function as a reservoir of considerable potential. Iron powder exhibits the capacity to react with air and water, culminating in the production of both heat and electricity through the conversion of its inherent energy. Within the combustion of each iron particle, this chemical carrier behaves akin to a microreactor emitting heat, with the combustion rate of these particles remaining impervious to the ignition time. Furthermore, the combustion by-products of iron powder can be recycled and seamlessly integrated into clean energy technologies, minimizing carbon emissions. This comprehensive review seeks to provide a thorough assessment of renewable iron-based energy carrier. It will encompass an exploration of our current understanding of these fuels, including their reactivity with atmospheric air and the ignition mechanisms responsible for unleashing the flames of this promising energy source. While iron fuel, in its classification as a metal fuel, holds immense promise for the future energy landscape, its true environmental impact and the overall efficiency of the energy cycle remain subjects of ongoing study. This paper also examined both the practical applications and fundamental aspects of combustion involving iron powders, aiming to establish a comprehensive foundation essential for evaluating prospective metal engine technologies. Anticipated outcomes project energy and power densities of envisioned metal-fueled zero-carbon heat engines to approximate those of existing fossil-fuel-based combustion engines. This compelling similarity positions such engines as an enticing technological prospect for an impending era characterized by low-carbon imperatives.
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The authors would gratefully like to acknowledge the laboratory and financial support from Renewable Energy Research Institute (RERI), affiliated to Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) and Iran National Science Foundation (INSF). Additionally, the authors extend their sincere appreciation to the Mechanical Department of Technology University of Eindhoven, including the professors and dedicated researchers of the Power & Flow group at TU/e.
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Sohrabi, M., Ghobadian, B. & Najafi, G. Toward a sustainable future: utilizing iron powder as a clean carrier in dry cycle applications. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 21, 6891–6910 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05529-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05529-4