Synergistic Optimization and Control of Carbon-Neutral Fuel Production, Storage, Transportation, and Utilization

Carbon-neutral fuels are fuels whose lifecycle carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions—from production and transportation to final combustion—are approximately balanced by the amount of CO₂ captured or absorbed from the atmosphere during their production processes. Although CO₂ is released during combustion, these emissions are considered climate-neutral because the carbon originates from recent atmospheric capture rather than long-term fossil carbon reservoirs. Owing to these characteristics, carbon-neutral fuels are increasingly regarded as important candidates for cleaner combustion and emission reduction in low-carbon energy systems.Representative carbon-neutral fuels include biomass-derived fuels, green hydrogen, green ammonia, and synthetic electro-fuels (e-fuels). Despite growing interest, their practical application remains constrained by factors such as high production costs, limited energy conversion efficiency, challenges in storage and transportation, and incomplete understanding of combustion behavior and pollutant formation. The distinct physicochemical properties of these fuels, compared with conventional fossil fuels, can lead to different ignition characteristics, flame structures, and emission pathways, highlighting the need for systematic experimental and numerical studies.This Research Topic aims to present recent progress in carbon-neutral fuel production, storage, and utilization, with particular attention to combustion characteristics, pollutant formation mechanisms, and emission mitigation strategies. By bringing together contributions across these areas, the Topic seeks to advance fundamental understanding and technological development related to clean combustion and low-emission utilization of carbon-neutral fuels.This Research Topic welcomes contributions including, but not limited to, the following areas:• Advanced production technologies for carbon-neutral fuels with relevance to combustion applications;• Storage and transportation technologies affecting fuel utilization and combustion performance;• Experimental and numerical studies of combustion characteristics of carbon-neutral fuels;• Pollutant formation mechanisms and emission mitigation strategies in carbon-neutral fuel combustion. Topic editors: Zhe Zhao, Stefano Mazzoni Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77687/synergistic-optimization-and-control-of-carbon-neutral-fuel-production-storage-transportation-and-utilization