Abstract: The net zero goal by 2050 is a cherished dream of all world economies. In achieving the 49000 TWh of energy by 2050 will have 73% of its contribution from renewables. In that hydrogen will have a share of 25%. The new trinity for science will be solar, wind and hydrogen. The leading economies of the world should go for production of green hydrogen in pursuit of the Net Zero goal of the Paris Agreement of 2015. Hydrogen is best suited for converting any biomass and carbon dioxide emanated from different sources, into fuels and chemicals. Hydrogen will also lead, on its own as energy source, to the carbon negative scenario in conjunction with other renewable non-carbon sources such as solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, nuclear or the like. Hydrogenation of biomass leads to many valuable products. So, tomorrow's refineries will be literally carbon dioxide refineries- converting it into hydrocarbons, methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), formic acid, alcohols, syn gas, electricity, hydrogen vehicles, fuel cells, ammonia, and fertilizers, etc. using hydrogen which should be obtained from water splitting. DME is the best replacement for diesel and LPG and the same infrastructure could be utilized. That will lead to carbon-negative economy bringing down the temperature of the globe below 1.5 oC. Today's crude oil-based economy for the manufacture of fuels, chemicals and materials will not have a sustainable future. Faced with the twin challenges of sustaining socioeconomic development and shrinking the environmental footprint of chemicals and fuels manufacturing, a major emphasis is on either converting biomass into low-value, high-volume biofuels or refining it into a wide spectrum of products. Using carbon for fuel is a flawed approach and unlikely to achieve any nation's socioeconomic or environmental targets. In controlling CO2 emissions, hydrogen will play a critical role. Hydrogen is best suited for converting waste biomass and carbon dioxide emanated from different sources, whether fossil or biomass into fuels and chemicals as well as it will also lead, on its own as energy source, to the carbon negative scenario in conjunction with other renewable non-carbon sources. This new paradigm for production of fuels and chemicals not only offers the greatest monetization potential for biomass and shale gas, but it could also scale down output and improve the atom and energy economies of oil refineries. There is also a need to rethink on the ban on single use plastic (SUP) and a new policy is required to encourage general public to pay a deposit on every single article irrespective of size and get it refunded when it is returned which will allow segregation at source. Several hydrogenation reactions can be used to depolymerize or to make fuels from waste plastic and the nasty atoms in the plastic such as Cl, S, N can be converted into HCl, H2S and NH3 and absorbed. Waste plastic is a great source of fuel and chemicals.
Speaker bio:
Professor Ganapati D. Yadav is a highly distinguished, unbelievably prolific and hugely decorated multi-talented engineering scientist in India known for his contributions to Sustainability, Net Zero, Green Hydrogen, Decarbonization, Waste to Wealth covering Green Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology. He holds titles of National Science Chair (GOI) & Emeritus Professor of Eminence and Former Vice Chancellor of Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai having three campuses in India, Mumbai, ICT-IOC Bhubaneswar and Marathwada Jalna. The two additional campuses were his creation and during his tenure ICT received phenomenal funds of INR 1800 Crore. It is a record for any academic leader. Apart from being a great engineering scientist, he is an innovator with 134 Patents, 551 papers, and has guided as a single supervisor 113 Ph.Ds., 153 Masters and 48 Post-docs. He received two honorary doctorates: D.Eng. (NIT-A) and D.Sc. (DYPU Kolhapur). A Wikipedia profile is available on him and there are over 80 video clips on his lectures, addresses and life profile. He is still active in guiding students and transferring technologies to industry. He has been a successful consultant to industry for the past 43 years.
He has received over 150 awards, including the Padma Shri in 2016, and was elected to the US National Academy of Engineering (one among 18 living Indians) and the US National Academy of Inventors (only the second Indian). He has been a successful consultant to many industries and sits as an Independent Director on the boards of limited companies including Godrej Industries, Clean S & T, Meghmani Organics, Bhageria Industries and earlier he served on the board of Aarti Industries for 2 terms. His pioneering work in green hydrogen production and CO2 refineries is internationally acclaimed, with three companies currently pursuing commercialization.
He is a fellow of all Indian science and engineering academies, TWAS, RSC UK, and IChemE, and serves as President of the Indian Chemical Society. His accolades in 2024 include the SASTRA C.N.R. Rao award and the Advantage India Chemical Conclave Award. With an h-index of 70, i10 index of 360 with 18,700+ citations, and over 985 invited & oration lectures, he is recognized as one of Asia's top scientists by Asia Magazine in Singapore. He has served on many committees of GOI, AICTE, UGC, CSIR, DST, DBT, and professional bodies such as CII, FICCI, ICC, etc. He had the honour of addressing 5 convocations of renowned universities. He is now appointed as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Green Hydrogen platform of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India