From Emissions to Resources CO₂ Capture, Storage and Utilization, KPR Institute Engineering and Technology, Autonomous Engineering Institution, Coimbatore, India

Report of One Day Seminar

Brief Details about the Programme:

The Institution of Engineers (India) Coimbatore Local Centre organized a One Day Seminar on “From Emissions to Resources: CO₂ Capture, Storage and Utilization” in association with Department of Chemical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology (KPRIET), Coimbatore on 04.08.2026.

Forenoon Session:

Inaugural Session & Keynote Address:

In the inaugural session, Dr J Pradeep Kumar, Honorary Secretary, IEI Coimbatore Local Centre, welcomed the gathering and spoke about the scope and significance of IEI membership along with its various activities. This was followed by the felicitation address by Dr G Surendran, Head of the Department, Department of Chemical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology. An overview of the seminar, including its objectives and thematic focus, was presented by Ms L Dharani, Assistant Professor II, Department of Chemical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology. The chief guest of the event, Er G James Solomon, Managing Partner, Jaas Tekhnologiya, Coimbatore gave the inaugural address. The inaugural function was concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr M Laxmi Deepak Bhatlu, Assistant Professor III, Department of Chemical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Invited Lecture - 1:

The first invited lecture was delivered by Er. James Solomon, Managing Partner, Jaas Tekhnologiya, Coimbatore, on the topic “Carbon Capture Technologies and Processes.” He presented an insightful lecture on the importance of carbon capture technologies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The speaker discussed various innovative approaches to carbon capture, with particular emphasis on indoor carbon dioxide capture systems designed to improve indoor air quality in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. He explained the principles and applications of advanced adsorption materials and carbon capture devices that can effectively remove excess carbon dioxide from enclosed spaces, thereby creating healthier and more sustainable indoor environments. He also highlighted methane enhancement technologies, explaining how captured carbon dioxide can be utilized in methanation processes by reacting with green hydrogen to produce synthetic methane, a renewable fuel that can be used for energy storage and industrial applications. Furthermore, he discussed the role of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in promoting a circular carbon economy by converting captured carbon dioxide into valuable products instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The lecture concluded by emphasizing the significance of integrating carbon capture technologies with renewable energy systems to achieve carbon neutrality and support sustainable industrial development. The session was highly informative and interactive, providing participants with valuable insights into emerging carbon management technologies and their potential applications in future energy and environmental systems.

Invited Lecture - 2:

The second invited lecture was delivered by Dr. B. Uma Maheswari, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, on the topic “Carbon Capture Beyond Mitigation: Resource Recovery and Utilization.” She presented an insightful lecture on innovative approaches to carbon dioxide capture that extend beyond emission reduction and focus on the effective utilization of captured carbon as a valuable resource. The speaker shared the research activities carried out in her laboratory, explaining the techniques employed to capture carbon dioxide from various sources and its subsequent conversion into useful products. She highlighted the utilization of captured carbon dioxide in the production of value-added fertilizers, demonstrating how carbon can be transformed into beneficial agricultural inputs that support sustainable farming practices. In addition, she discussed other potential applications of captured carbon dioxide, emphasizing the concept of resource recovery and the importance of converting industrial emissions into economically valuable products instead of treating them solely as waste. The lecture also stressed the significance of integrating carbon capture technologies with circular economy principles to reduce environmental impact while creating sustainable industrial opportunities. The session concluded by encouraging researchers and students to explore innovative carbon utilization pathways that contribute to climate change mitigation, resource conservation, and sustainable development. The lecture was highly informative and interactive, providing participants with valuable insights into laboratory-scale carbon capture technologies and their practical applications in resource recovery and environmental sustainability.

Invited Lecture - 3:

The third invited lecture was delivered by Dr. S. Mothil, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode, on the topic “CO₂ Utilization in Industrial Applications.” He provided a comprehensive overview of the various industrial pathways for utilizing captured carbon dioxide as a valuable raw material rather than treating it as a waste product. The speaker discussed the conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals, synthetic fuels, polymers, and construction materials through advanced chemical and biological processes. He highlighted the role of carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery, chemical synthesis, beverage carbonation, refrigeration, and the production of specialty chemicals, emphasizing its growing importance in sustainable industrial practices. He also explained the integration of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies with renewable energy systems to produce green fuels and reduce the carbon footprint of industrial operations. Furthermore, he emphasized the economic and environmental benefits of adopting carbon utilization technologies, illustrating how industries can simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate valuable products. The lecture concluded by stressing that effective CO₂ utilization is a key component of the circular carbon economy and plays a significant role in achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable industrial development. The session was highly informative and interactive, providing participants with valuable insights into the emerging industrial applications of carbon dioxide and the future prospects of carbon-based resource utilization.

Invited Lecture - 4:

The fourth invited lecture was delivered by Dr. S. Balasubramanian, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, on the topic “Carbon to Chemicals: Emerging Opportunities for Future Chemical Engineers.” He delivered an insightful lecture on the transformation of carbon dioxide from an environmental pollutant into a valuable chemical feedstock through sustainable conversion technologies. The speaker explained the various catalytic, electrochemical, thermochemical, and biological pathways for converting captured carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals such as methanol, formic acid, urea, dimethyl carbonate, methane, and other industrially important products. He highlighted the emerging role of green hydrogen in carbon dioxide conversion processes and emphasized how carbon utilization technologies contribute to the development of a circular carbon economy. The lecture also focused on the growing opportunities for chemical engineers in the fields of carbon capture, utilization, green process design, catalyst development, renewable energy integration, and sustainable manufacturing. He encouraged students to develop interdisciplinary skills and actively contribute to innovative solutions for achieving carbon neutrality and industrial decarbonization. The lecture concluded by emphasizing that future chemical engineers will play a pivotal role in developing economically viable and environmentally sustainable carbon utilization technologies. The session was highly informative and inspiring, providing participants with valuable insights into emerging research areas and career opportunities in carbon-based sustainable technologies.