New technologies are required to meet tomorrow’s need for clean energy
The Kumfer Group conducts fundamental and applied research for innovative combustion solutions

Over 90% of the world’s energy requirements are met by harnessing the power from combustion.  The combustion of fuels provides a multitude of basic modern human needs, including power generation, transportation, home heating and cooking, and it is critical in many industrial processes.  With such far-reaching applications and use, combustion has become inextricably linked to environment.  New challenges are presented to improve performance and further reduce the emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases.

In this group, we study and develop novel combustion technologies to meet our future needs for clean, reliable, and affordable energy.  Research topics include:

  • oxy-combustion for capture of carbon dioxide,
  • integration of energy storage with power plants,
  • application of AI to optimize performance,
  • combustion of engineered renewable fuels,
  • control of gaseous and particulate pollutants,
  • linkages to health effects.

NEWS & EVENTS

September 2022

DOE TO SUPPORT HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM BIOMASS

Prof. Vijay Ramani will lead our new project to develop an electrochemical pump for simultaneous hydrogen purification and compression. Announcement, Project Summary

August 2022

NEW GRANT FOR RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS

Kumfer group is participating in a DOE project led by Prof. Jason He to upgrade biogas using flame-generated adsorbents. News, Announcement & Summary

June 2022

WELCOME MS CANDIDATES

Pragya Parihar & Aakriti Bagla

April 2021

COVID: FILTRATION PROPERTIES OF NOVEL MASKS

Results from studies of sewn and 3D printed masks in press

LEARN ABOUT ENERGY STORAGE

NETL Advanced Energy Storage Initiative Program Project Review Meeting
April 5-6, open to public, register here

March 2021

CHECK OUT OUR NEW SOOT FORMATION MODEL

10.1016/j.combustflame.2021.02.029

January-February 2021

ARTICLES IN PRESS

Pilot-scale testing of direct contact cooler for the removal of SOx and NOx from the flue gas of pressurized oxy-combust.
10.1016/j.cej.2021.128757

Soot formation characteristics in laminar coflow flames with application to oxy-combustion. 10.1016/j.combustflame.2021.01.018

Experimental study and demonstration of pilot-scale, dry feed, oxy-coal combustion under pressure
10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116367

NEWS ARCHIVE