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Scientists convert untreated factory exhaust into carbon monoxide
Scientists convert untreated factory exhaust into carbon monoxide
Scientists have converted carbon dioxide from untreated industrial exhaust into carbon monoxide, without separating and purifying the gas first, according to a study published in Nature. The system uses specially designed organic…
The Story in Brief
Scientists have converted carbon dioxide from untreated industrial exhaust into carbon monoxide, without separating and purifying the gas first, according to a study published in Nature. The system uses specially designed organic electrolytes that reduce interference from oxygen and hydrogen during the reaction. It worked with gas containing as little as 1% carbon dioxide.
The University of Adelaide says the researchers ran the process for more than 100 hours using simulated flue gas containing 15% carbon dioxide and 8% oxygen. The system converted the gas into carbon monoxide with almost complete selectivity, consuming 30.7 gigajoules per tonne produced. Carbon monoxide is used to make synthetic fuels and other chemicals. A solar-powered version reached 5.5% solar-to-fuel efficiency.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that this has solved industrial carbon emissions would be premature. The study used simulated exhaust and produced a useful feedstock, not a complete replacement for cutting emissions at source. At the same time, dismissing carbon utilisation as mere laboratory work would also be lazy, given the 100-hour run. The real test is whether performance and costs hold in operating steel, cement and power plants over thousands of hours.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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