Engineers develop an efficient process to make fuel from carbon dioxide

Tech Xplore ^ | 30 Oct 2023 | David L. Chandler

[DUMBGRUNT]

researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed an efficient process that can convert carbon dioxide into formate, a liquid or solid material that can be used like hydrogen or methanol to power a fuel cell and generate electricity.

...However, the researchers expect it to be scalable so that it could provide emissions-free heat and power to individual homes and even be used in industrial or grid-scale applications.

These crystals have an indefinite shelf life, remaining so stable that they could be stored for years, or even decades, with little or no loss. By comparison, even the best available practical hydrogen storage tanks allow the gas to leak out at a rate of about 1 percent per day, precluding any uses that would require year-long storage, Li says.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Time to start saving your slightly used CO2, for later reuse!

Maybe an associated use for the mercaptans?

[Mark]

WITCHCRAFT!

[Blueflag]

Thermodynamic reality defied!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

LOL...

1. CO2 —> C + O2
2. C + H2 —> CH4
3. Burn the CH4 in combustion turbines: CH4 + O2 —> H20 + CO2
4. GoTo #1.

Yep, makes perfect sense. Can I get a $10 million grant?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"crystals"

I knew it! It's ALWAYS crystals.

[Nateman]

Formate has one Hydrogen atom added to CO2 . I suggest this instead : 4H + CO2 = CH4 + O2. CH4 is Methane or natural gas.

[DUMBGRUNT]

—”WITCHCRAFT!”

“Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”

That would be way too easy and cost too much.

[itsahoot]

But if we go green where will we get the CO₂?

[Jeff Chandler]

Plus or minus net energy?

[curious7]

Could be useful for refueling on Mars.

One process for reaction product of water, one process for oxy, with CH4 product for each. If it scales up, that is. And the xeno-greenies don’t protest releasing water or oxy into the Martian environment.

[LegendHasIt]

Formates, huh!?!?!

I’m gonna get rich off my Ant mines.!!!!! Woo Hoo!

[rightwingcrazy]

"Engineers develop an efficient process to make fuel from carbon dioxide"

[DuncanWaring]

They’ll never admit it, but this has to consume a lot of energy, more than that available from the “fuel” produced.

[Toddsterpatriot]

I can't think of a bigger waste of time, energy and money.

I'm willing to do a study.

$100 million to start should work nicely.

[dsrtsage]

Great, suck all the CO2 out of the atmosphere and starve the worlds vegetation

[Toddsterpatriot]

The tree can’t give 10% to the big guy.

[Still Thinking]

Don’t scoff! These are the guys that brought us the water-fueled ICE engine! 🙄

[Honorary Serb]

New!!!!

[Blue Highway]

There’s no free lunch.... libs: but we’re hungry

[Eleutheria5]

You mean global warming is off? Awwwwww....