Researchers at Shenzhen University have developed a zero-carbon-emission direct coal fuel cell (ZC-DCFC). Unlike traditional power plants that burn coal to create steam, this system uses an electrochemical process to convert coal's chemical energy directly into electricity. The process involves pulverizing and treating coal before introducing it to an anode chamber. Carbon dioxide produced during the reaction is captured on-site and converted into chemical feedstocks or stabilized as sodium bicarbonate, creating a closed-loop system that avoids atmospheric emissions.
