The process is mainly divided into two phases: extracting the carbon dioxide from the flue gas and then converting it into fuel. The flue gas, which is compressed for volume reduction purposes, is sent to a bubble tower absorber. There, it comes in contact with a potassium hydroxide solution, producing potassium carbonate. After releasing the vapor into the atmosphere, potassium carbonate is directed into a reactor, where it reacts with calcium hydroxide to produce calcium carbonate and potassium hydroxide. The potassium hydroxide is sent through a recycle stream back to the bubble tower absorber, while the calcium carbonate is sent to a furnace to be decomposed into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. Calcium oxide is recycled into calcium hydroxide while the carbon dioxide is sent into the second phase of the process.

CO₂ enters a reactor and undergoes dry reforming in a process that converts methane and CO₂ into synthesis gas, which is a building block for the upcoming Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. The FT process converts the synthesis gas (H₂ and CO mixture) into long-chain hydrocarbons in the presence of metal catalysts. It is also important to note that additional H₂ is supplied for stoichiometric purposes. Most of the alkanes produced can be useful as diesel fuels, which is the main aim of the experiment.

This project did not come without challenges. The research process was hectic, especially when it came to finding the proper reaction rates since there is no abundant literature available. Another issue lied in optimizing this carbon-neutral process in order to make it more economically feasible, especially since it contained some costly sub-processes. In addition, the recent events that occurred late last year and the current global pandemic have not been kind to anyone, especially students. However, this team’s hard-work and determination overcame all the obstacles that got in their way. They were able to cope with the situation and are currently in the final stages of their project.