Fuel Science Pathways for Industrial Decarbonization

The field of fuel science is pivotal to the ongoing pursuit of industrial decarbonization, a crucial element in mitigating the global impacts of climate change. Industrial sectors remain among the highest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, driven by a reliance on carbon-intensive fuels and processes. Significant advances have been made in alternative fuels, fuel conversion technologies, and the integration of renewable resources into industrial applications. However, the transition in industry towards low- and zero-carbon fuels presents persistent challenges, including technical feasibility, economic viability, and infrastructural constraints. Current debates focus on identifying scalable decarbonization strategies, evaluating life-cycle environmental impacts, and balancing energy requirements with sustainability goals. While promising developments in synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and bioenergy offer new opportunities, deeper investigation is needed to provide effective decarbonization trajectories for industries worldwide.This Research Topic explores how advances in fuel science can accelerate deep decarbonization across energy‑intensive industries, such as steel, cement, chemicals, refining, and high‑temperature manufacturing. This Research Topic aims to consolidate emerging scientific and engineering advances that support effective fuel-based decarbonization pathways within industrial contexts.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses fundamental and applied research dedicated to decarbonizing industrial processes through advances in fuel science. By bridging fundamental fuel science with practical engineering and systems analysis, this Research Topic aims to pave the way toward industrial fuel transitions and scalable, affordable pathways to net‑zero.We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Development and integration of low-carbon, sustainable and synthetic fuels for industry• Innovations in advanced biofuels and their integration into industrial applications• Advances in hydrogen production, storage, and application in industrial settings• Sector-specific studies on fuel blending, switching and emissions reduction• Integration and advancement of carbon capture technologies, with CO2 utilization and/or storage, in industrial fuel cycles• Life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of alternative industrial fuels, fuel-switching strategies and integration of carbon capture• Systems integration for accelerating fuel innovation and carbon mitigation strategies • Technological challenges and infrastructural needs for large-scale implementation. Topic editors: Karen N N Finney, Erika Palfi, Maria Elena Diego De Paz Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76131/fuel-science-pathways-for-industrial-decarbonization