FERNANDA SILVA PIMENTA
University of South Florida, PhD Chemical Engineering
Mitchener Doctoral Scholar 2025
Carbon Capture and BioFuels: Unlocking the Energy Potential of Municipal Solid Waste
Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily methane and carbon dioxide. Instead of allowing these gases to escape into the atmosphere, this research explores ways to capture them and convert them into renewable fuels. The study of amine-based CO2 capture and MSW-syngas conversion via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) contributes to the development of sustainable fuels, which align with the transition to a circular economy and cleaner energy sources. Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), we were able to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions of different technologies to produce biofuels. Conventional gas-to-liquid (GTL) technologies face economic challenges, as they are usually only profitable at large scales. To address this point, we are developing catalysts with eggshell distribution used in FTS, that enhance reaction efficiency and product formation. We anticipate that this research will contribute new insights to the development of a cost-effective approach to converting waste into profitable fuel solutions.
Biography
Fernanda Pimenta is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Florida. She obtained her Bachelor’s (2015-2019) and Master’s degrees (2020-2022) in Chemical Engineering in Brazil. Her doctoral research, starting in 2022, is conducted under the guidance of Dr. John Kuhn and Dr. Babu Joseph, and focuses on advancing carbon capture and waste-to-energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and produce sustainable fuels. Beyond her research, Fernanda has demonstrated strong leadership in sustainability initiatives. She reactivated and now serves as president of the Solar Energy Society at USF, a student chapter that promotes solar and renewable energy education while fostering collaboration between students, academia, and the local community.
