the article seems to think so, but of course a lot of articles had hyped particular developments with a lot of promise and they fizzled or went nowhere. Hopefully this will be different.
Yes, but it would be a net zero assuming the process of converting the CO2 to ethanol doesn't require any additional energy input. Whereas burning fossil fuels releases 'new' CO2 into the atmosphere.
Scientists Accidentally Discover Efficient Process to Turn CO2 Into Ethanol
The process is cheap, efficient, and scalable, meaning it could soon be used to remove large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.
What, it doesnt make me thinner and more attractive?
Yes, but it would be a net zero assuming the process of converting the CO2 to ethanol doesn't require any additional energy input. Whereas burning fossil fuels releases 'new' CO2 into the atmosphere.
But if you haven't reduced the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere you haven't done anything to affect global warming. Not to be a total jerk here but if you don't remove the carbon you haven't really accomplished anything useful.
But if you haven't reduced the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere you haven't done anything to affect global warming. Not to be a total jerk here but if you don't remove the carbon you haven't really accomplished anything useful.
If the ethanol created from this cycle is replacing gasoline from fossil fuels, then while you're not reducing CO2, you're not increasing it either. So you are helping to achieve the larger goals.
But if you haven't reduced the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere you haven't done anything to affect global warming. Not to be a total jerk here but if you don't remove the carbon you haven't really accomplished anything useful.
If the ethanol created from this cycle is replacing gasoline from fossil fuels, then while you're not reducing CO2, you're not increasing it either. So you are helping to achieve the larger goals.
The overpotential (which might be lowered with the proper electrolyte, and by separating the hydrogen production to another catalyst) probably precludes economic viability for this catalyst...
but it's clear the researchers see a path forward with more research.
Also, while on this thread most have speculated that the ethanol could be used for traditional combustion, the articles don't necessarily go that route. It would seem that this could be useful in converting excess energy into a fuel for storage (as opposed to say, a TESLA wall battery?). The idea suggested is that renewable energy sources might be more efficient if they could store the excess energy as ethanol, so the impact would be less on whether the ethanol is burned in order to "smooth out" the energy supply from renewable sources.
In other words, it might be more efficient to use than a battery (and cheaper too) but might produce more greenhouse gasses (who knows?).
Anyway, that's my take after a careful read of the literature. Thanks for the link, I found it very interesting.
here is the reduction of CO2, not so much the generation of ethanol.
Finding a way to reduce CO2 emissions and get some energy back is a big plus, helping to offset the cost of reducing greenhouse gases. I don't think the intent was to build ethanol generation plans to scale, but I could be wrong.
Link - ( New Window )
Yes, you do. But If the using CO2 to make the fuel, it's a neutral from a CO2 standpoint.
Yes, but it would be a net zero assuming the process of converting the CO2 to ethanol doesn't require any additional energy input. Whereas burning fossil fuels releases 'new' CO2 into the atmosphere.
The process is cheap, efficient, and scalable, meaning it could soon be used to remove large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.
What, it doesnt make me thinner and more attractive?
Dont think so. They said it was in the 60s percent range for efficiency. You're talking about a 100% efficient closed loop.
Quote:
don't you get CO2? Link - ( New Window )
Yes, but it would be a net zero assuming the process of converting the CO2 to ethanol doesn't require any additional energy input. Whereas burning fossil fuels releases 'new' CO2 into the atmosphere.
But if you haven't reduced the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere you haven't done anything to affect global warming. Not to be a total jerk here but if you don't remove the carbon you haven't really accomplished anything useful.
The press was wrong to imply scalabiltiy
But if you haven't reduced the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere you haven't done anything to affect global warming. Not to be a total jerk here but if you don't remove the carbon you haven't really accomplished anything useful.
If the ethanol created from this cycle is replacing gasoline from fossil fuels, then while you're not reducing CO2, you're not increasing it either. So you are helping to achieve the larger goals.
Quote:
But if you haven't reduced the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere you haven't done anything to affect global warming. Not to be a total jerk here but if you don't remove the carbon you haven't really accomplished anything useful.
If the ethanol created from this cycle is replacing gasoline from fossil fuels, then while you're not reducing CO2, you're not increasing it either. So you are helping to achieve the larger goals.
That's a fair point.
Yes, so it is about as close to a self propulsion machine as one could get.
but it's clear the researchers see a path forward with more research.
Also, while on this thread most have speculated that the ethanol could be used for traditional combustion, the articles don't necessarily go that route. It would seem that this could be useful in converting excess energy into a fuel for storage (as opposed to say, a TESLA wall battery?). The idea suggested is that renewable energy sources might be more efficient if they could store the excess energy as ethanol, so the impact would be less on whether the ethanol is burned in order to "smooth out" the energy supply from renewable sources.
In other words, it might be more efficient to use than a battery (and cheaper too) but might produce more greenhouse gasses (who knows?).
Anyway, that's my take after a careful read of the literature. Thanks for the link, I found it very interesting.
Finding a way to reduce CO2 emissions and get some energy back is a big plus, helping to offset the cost of reducing greenhouse gases. I don't think the intent was to build ethanol generation plans to scale, but I could be wrong.