New catalyst paves way for carbon neutral fuel

[rangerrebew]

New catalyst paves way for carbon neutral fuel
June 21, 2017 by Robyn Mills
Carbon dioxide

Australian scientists have paved the way for carbon neutral fuel with the development of a new efficient catalyst that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air into synthetic natural gas in a 'clean' process using solar energy.

Undertaken by University of Adelaide in collaboration with CSIRO, the research could make viable a process that has enormous potential to replace fossil fuels and continue to use existing carbon-based fuel technologies without increasing atmospheric CO2.


Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-06-catalyst-paves-carbon-neutral-fuel.html#jCp

[Joe Wooten]

Nothing in the referenced paper talked about how much electricity was needed to produce the methane with the catalysts. Given this was not mentioned, I'd bet the energy poured into creating the methane was higher than the energy content of the produced gasses.

[Elderberry]

Create Hydrogen, capture Carbon Dioxide, and then catalytically combine, driven electrically, into Methane.

Like Methane is a rare commodity?

[EC]

Create Hydrogen, capture Carbon Dioxide, and then catalytically combine, driven electrically, into Methane.

Like Methane is a rare commodity?

Nah. It's just a better storage medium. Hydrogen is a real PITA to store and transport.

[RoosGirl]

Nothing in the referenced paper talked about how much electricity was needed to produce the methane with the catalysts. Given this was not mentioned, I'd bet the energy poured into creating the methane was higher than the energy content of the produced gasses.

You aren't thinking clearly.  They're going to use solar and/or wind power, no need for electricity. :P

[Joe Wooten]

You aren't thinking clearly.  They're going to use solar and/or wind power, no need for electricity. :P

 

Of course! You're right! Using "renewables" negates all energy costs.......Like that diet coke I had with the Reese's cup this morning cancelled out all the calories in the candy.....

[thackney]

I'd bet the energy poured into creating the methane was higher than the energy content of the produced gasses.

Pretty safe bet there, thermodynamics and all that.  Unless they found a way to create a process with greater than 100% efficiency.

[Joe Wooten]

Pretty safe bet there, thermodynamics and all that.  Unless they found a way to create a process with greater than 100% efficiency.

Yep, that's why I made that statement....

[Smokin Joe]

Nah. It's just a better storage medium. Hydrogen is a real PITA to store and transport.

True that. I worked with FID detectors for years. Great machines when they work right, but the H₂ was a PITA.