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Type
Lecture

Clean power generation from the intractable coalfield fires: turning harm into benefit

Event organised by Ingenieurs et Scientifique de France

Date
18 June 2024
Time
18:00 - 19:00 BST (GMT+1)
Location
Royal Thames Yacht Club
60 Knightsbridge
London, SW1X 7LF
United Kingdom

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Overview

Energy production is generally seen as the conversion of a specific resource into usable energy. Ideally, the resource is renewable and the conversion process is free from undesirable by-products’. Nevertheless, this is normally not the case and non-renewable resources and waste seem to always be present either during the manufacture of the conversion system, the actual energy generation, or in the construction of energy storage devices. Thus, energy production always requires a cost-benefit analysis. 

The approach that sees energy production as a cost-benefit analysis enables concepts such as ‘waste to energy’ or ‘resource recovery.’ A powerful example of ‘resource recovery’ pertains to the unusual phenomenon of underground fires. Underground fires represent a massive and uncontrolled energy release that is not utilized, is very difficult to suppress and is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Extracting energy while systemically suppressing these fires is a major technological challenge, but has the potential for significant benefit. At the heart of this technological challenge is the understanding of smouldering combustion.

This presentation discusses the fundamentals of energy recovery from underground fires as well as providing a series of examples of how smouldering combustion has been used effectively for resource recovery.

After the lecture, there will be a networking drinks reception. A £10 contribution is required to attend the lecture and this will include the wine reception. If you would like to participate in these events, please proceed by using the 'book now' button which will enable you to register your interest by emailing [email protected] and you'll be provided with the payment details.  Otherwise, payment can be made by cash or card during your attendance.

Organised by

Ingenieurs et Scientifiques de France British Section

Ingenieurs et Scientifiques de France British Section

The British Section of IESF links Anglo-French engineering and science as part of a global French Learned Society.

Programme

17:30 - 18:00

Tea and coffee

18:00 - 19:00

Lecture

19:00 - 19:30

Lecture ends, followed by a drinks reception

Speaker

Jose Torero

Jose Torero

University College London

professor and head of the department of civil, environmental and geomatic engineering

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Jose Torero

Since 2018, Jose is professor in civil engineering and head of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at University College London. He works in the field of fire safety where he specialises in complex processes and environments. 

He has participated in numerous fundamental research studies that involve complex urban environments, novel architectures, new construction materials, critical infrastructure, aircraft and spacecraft. He has developed novel technologies that use smouldering combustion for the purpose of resource recovery that are currently being used globally.

He has received multiple awards and is a Chartered Engineer (UK) a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK), The Royal Society of Edinburgh (UK), The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (USA), the Institution of Fire Engineers (UK), the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK) and the Combustion Institute.

For more information please contact:

Shelly-Ann Russell