Green Technology

Chemistry Professor Gabriele Centi, from the University of Messina in Italy, is researching chemical process techniques, such as catalysis, to convert the CO2 generated from combustion back in fuel.  This would lower the amount of greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.  ...

...   "When hydrocarbon fuels are burned, they produce water and carbon dioxide (CO2). The technique, developed by researchers at the University of Messina, effectively reverses the process, creating hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide and water. "   ...

Via MSN UK: Greenhouse gas reused as petrol

Gabriele Centi, of the University of Messina, is the coordinator of IDECAT.  IDECAT is an EU-financed Network of Excellence on catalysis.  The organization's objective is the creation of a European Research Institute on Catalysis, the reference body for European catalysis research.  Around 40 research labs from 17 bodies in 12 countries are associated with IDECAT.  IDECAT wants to strengthen the introduction of nanoscience concepts and technologies in catalysis with the aim of designing radically new catalysts and extending the use of knowledge on catalysis to new area of application - among others: sensors, advanced smart materials, coatings and energy.

Microchemical reaction systems are being evaluated for conversion of CO2 into fuel.  ...

Via Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Carbon Dioxide Conversions in Microreactors (pdf) : "NASA's In Situ Resource Utilization program is seeking novel methods for conversion of atmospheric CO2 to fuels during manned missions to Mars. Two possible methods for these conversions include Sabatier methanation and the reverse water-gas shift (WGS) reaction. The applicability of these reactions in microreactors is discussed. "

Another research group has a chemical catalysis pathway to polymers using CO2 as a raw material.  ...

Sweet and environmentally beneficial discovery: Plastics made from orange peel and a greenhouse gas: "By using their catalyst to combine the limonene oxide and CO2, the Coates group produced a novel polymer -- called polylimonene carbonate -- that has many of the characteristics of polystyrene, a petroleum-based plastic currently used to make many disposable plastic products.  The Coates research team is particularly interested in using CO2 as an alternative building block for polymers. Instead of being pumped into the atmosphere as a waste product, CO2 could be isolated for use in producing plastics, such as polylimonene carbonate. "

Australia is evaluating alternatives for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration, such as storing CO2 underground.  ...

SECURING AUSTRALIA'S ENERGY FUTURE (PDF): "A set of technologies involves capturing carbon dioxide as part of electricity generation or other industrial processes and storing it deep underground in either depleted petroleum reservoirs or saline aquifers (known as geosequestration).  These technologies could substantially lower emissions from coal and gas electricity generation. Some of the basic technology for achieving this exists. Technologies for separating carbon dioxide from natural gas, for example, are proven and the petroleum industry routinely reinjects gas into active oil fields to increase production. "

Solar alchemy turns fumes back into fuels: "The researchers chemically reduced CO2 to produce eight and nine-carbon hydrocarbons using a catalyst of particles of platinum and palladium confined in carbon nanotubes. These hydrocarbons can be made into petrol and diesel. "

Via University of Queensland, Australia: UQ trial project turns Greenhouse gas into useful product: "The environmentally friendly project aims to convert unwanted Greenhouse gases into methanol, a valuable chemical feedstock/solvent for manufacturing formaldehyde, acetic acid and dimethyl ether. "

DOE: Catalytic Methane Decomposition for CO2-Free Hydrogen Production: "To realize a greenhouse gas-free hydrogen economy, CO2 must be sequestered or not produced. This catalytic route offers a promising path for economical, environmentally sound production of hydrogen without production of CO2. "