Highly Effective Method for Converting CO2 Into Methanol - Polidicks

[quote]Researchers have been looking for a way to convert carbon dioxide into methanol in a single step using energy-efficient processes for years. "In the presence of oxygen, methanol combustion produces CO2 and water," explained Professor Fontaine. "Chemists are looking for catalysts that would yield the opposite reaction. That would allow us to slash greenhouse gas emissions by synthesizing a fuel that would reduce our dependence on fossil fuels." The catalyst developed by Frédéric-Georges Fontaine and his team is made of two chemical groups. The first is borane, a compound of boron, carbon, and hydrogen. The second, phosphine, is made up of phosphorus, carbon, and hydrogen. "Unlike most catalysts developed thus far to convert CO2 into methanol, ours contains no metal, which reduces both the costs and toxic hazard of the catalyst," added the chemistry professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. [...] The only downside of the operation is the price tag. "Our approach to creating methanol is highly effective from a chemistry standpoint, but for now the process is expensive," explained Professor Fontaine. "It takes a lot of energy to synthesize hydroborane, which makes it more expensive than methanol. We are working on ways to make the process more profitable by optimizing the reaction and exploring other hydrogen sources."[/quote] [url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130620111230.htm[/url]

Make it ethanol and we'll talk.

[QUOTE=Riller;41122719]Make it ethanol and we'll talk.[/QUOTE] What? You don't like a little blindness to go with your hard drink of choice? Posh.

Obligatory now we'll never hear about it again post.

[QUOTE=Riutet;41122751]Obligatory now we'll never hear about it again post.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE] The only downside of the operation is the price tag. "Our approach to creating methanol is highly effective from a chemistry standpoint, but for now the process is expensive,"[/QUOTE] If we never hear from it again, here's the answer why. No "miracle-science" has ever not been heard of again if it was cheap, easy and efficient. Most articles just only talk about the two upsides and not one downside. This one actually bothers to answer what currently is a hurdle to overcome.

Methanol already makes a better fuel than gasoline. an alky car won't ever overheat, so you don't have to focus much at all on cooling. Alcohol also provides more power, so a smaller engine can be used without a loss of power. Makes for plenty of weight and cost savings.

Ethanol damages an engines fuel system if left sitting for a relatively short period of time. If left unused for as little as two weeks, my motorcycle will have clogged jets and residue pileup on the bottom of the float bowl. [editline]20th June 2013[/editline] On top of that, i have also noticed a shorter gasket lifespan when using gasoline containing ethanol.

[QUOTE=TheDon;41123117]Ethanol damages an engines fuel system if left sitting for a relatively short period of time. If left unused for as little as two weeks, my motorcycle will have clogged jets and residue pileup on the bottom of the float bowl. [editline]20th June 2013[/editline] On top of that, i have also noticed a shorter gasket lifespan when using gasoline containing ethanol.[/QUOTE] Alcohol is corrosive, but engines can be built around that knowledge. Use delrin in place of rubber, aluminum in place of steel, and give areas of high-friction a nickel boron coating

Aren't most engines though made out of aluminium?

[QUOTE=nomad1;41123281]Aren't most engines though made out of aluminium?[/QUOTE] sometimes, but cheaper or older engines tend to be mostly cast iron

Just about every modern motorcycle you come across has an aluminum cylinder/head/casing, so that isnt a worry. And nikasil coatings are done on all of my bikes. Still doesn't stop my carburetor from getting clogged up.

[QUOTE=TheDon;41123334]Just about every modern motorcycle you come across has an aluminum cylinder/head/casing, so that isnt a worry. And nikasil coatings are done on all of my bikes. Still doesn't stop my carburetor from getting clogged up.[/QUOTE] The carb can be built around this knowledge too, it's not like the engine is the only part that could possibly be altered.

[QUOTE=butre;41123395]The carb can be built around this knowledge too, it's not like the engine is the only part that could possibly be altered.[/QUOTE]I am aware of that. However there is nothing to stop fuel from being stagnant. Even in fuel injectors, gasoline can clog up the filter and injector. The best way to prevent these kinds of problems is to use ethanol-free gasoline. The problem stems from the type of gas mixture used, not the engine itself.

Oh sweet. I can convert to this when gasoline runs out and never have to give a damn about electric cars. Most excellent. Let's get the process cheap, set up massive refineries, and put a V8 in every driveway!

[QUOTE=butre;41122797]Methanol already makes a better fuel than gasoline. an alky car won't ever overheat, so you don't have to focus much at all on cooling. Alcohol also provides more power, so a smaller engine can be used without a loss of power. Makes for plenty of weight and cost savings.[/QUOTE] Well, methanol has a lower energy density than petrol (less than half, in fact), so it'd require either more frequent fuel stops or larger fuel tanks. It's also incredibly toxic, so car crashes could be nasty if a tank of methanol is splashed all over the road, or if a fuel storage tank leaks into ground water.