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Carbon dioxide recycling
Citation:
GLASER, J. A. Carbon dioxide recycling. CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, 11(3):253-257, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
The recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol and dimethyl ether is seen to offer a substantial route to renewable and environmentally carbon neutral fuels. One of the authors has championed the “Methanol Economy" in articles and a book. By recycling ambient CO2, the authors argue that we do not contribute new GHG to the atmosphere but remove a quantity for a short time period. Methanol is extolled for its combustion characteristics and proved utility as a fuel in internal combustion engines. Syngas sources from the water gas shift reaction are considered as a means of current methanol manufacture. Reaction strategies leading to dimethyl ether and higher molecular weight organics are scrutinized. Hydrogen production is a very important component of the scheme to use CO2. Many of the conversion techniques for hydrogen gas are highly endothermic which leads to energy costs to conduct the conversion. Energy to drive the cycle is derived from available forms of renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and oceans. This carbon neutral cycle perspective requires further elucidation of the connection of the reaction components at production scale. It is good to see established chemists trying to organize solutions to the current fuel crisis.
