Do we emit too much carbon dioxide which is raising the temperature on Earth? Let's use it as fuel!
Do we emit too much carbon dioxide which is raising the temperature on Earth? Let's use it as fuel! Against climate change an alternative way that could convert our emissions into useful energy. A research team from the University of Cincinnati (USA) used a carbon catalyst in a reactor to convert carbon dioxide into methane.
The chemical process itself is not new: long known as the 'Sabatier reaction' by the late French chemist Paul Sabatier, the chemical conversion is exploited by the International Space Station to remove carbon dioxide from the air breathed by astronauts and generate fuel capable of keeping the station in orbit.
So why not do the same here on Earth? On our planet it is sadly known how the increase in greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide, due to human activities, is causing an unsustainable increase in temperatures, which threatens life.
From a problem to a resource
With a process already known but which is now increasingly productive and which promises to become an incredible engine for the sustainable growth of our planet.
The process is 100 times more productive than it was just 10 years ago - explains Wu on this - So we can imagine that progress will come faster and faster. Over the next 10 years, we will have many startup companies willing to commercialize this technique.
The work, for now, is in fact on a laboratory scale, but the results are much more encouraging than the first attempts, so much so that the ISS is already able to use the process.
The group is still experimenting with other "combinations", changing different catalysts to produce not just methane but ethylene, which is used in the production of rubber, synthetic clothing and other products. Everything from what we not only throw away but that pollutes the environment.
Read also: Carbon dioxide levels on Earth have not been as high in the entire history of mankind
© University of Cincinnati
The synthesis of fuel from carbon dioxide becomes even more commercially viable if combined with renewable energy like solar or wind energy, the authors point out.
Right now we have excess green energy that we throw away. We can store this excess renewable energy in chemicals
Researchers argue that the process is scalable for use in power plants which can generate tons of carbon dioxide. And that this is particularly efficient since the conversion can take place right where excess carbon dioxide is produced.
On Earth as on Mars
Advances in the production of carbon dioxide fuel could also make the landing of theman on Mars.
Read also: Diana Trujillo, the woman who led the Perseverance landing on Mars, teaches us to follow our dreams
Right now, if you want to return from Mars, you should carry double the fuel, which is very heavy - explains Wu - And in the future you will need other fuels. So we can make methanol from carbon dioxide and use it to make other materials. Then maybe one day we could live on Mars.
But in the meantime, let's think about saving our planet.
The work was published in Nature Communication.
Sources: University of Cincinnati / Nature Communication
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