Search and development of alternative ways of getting fuel is a long time. And despite significant advances, many new methods often remain unprofitable. But recently, according to the publication, Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences “Science in Siberia”, Novosibirsk experts of the Institute of catalysis im. G. K. Boreskov was able to create the technology of recycling atmospheric carbon dioxide and water into synthetic gas fuel.
In the production of the first fuel through the electrolysis of water turns hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen released into the atmosphere, and the hydrogen interacts with carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst, and the resulting methane. For collection of carbon dioxide from the air, the researchers used the potassium carbonate, which impregnated porous carrier based on alumina. Then the material is sent into the reactor where the catalyst is Nickel or ruthenium. In the reactor the porous medium had to be heated to give carbon dioxide, which is mixed with the previously obtained in the electrolysis of hydrogen. As noted by researcher of Institute of catalysis Jeanne Veselovskaya,

“The peculiarity lies in the fact that carbon dioxide is proposed to take directly from the air instead of absorbing smoke from thermal power plants operating on hydrocarbon fuels. The developed material showed good results in comparison with others. Speaking about the novelty of our work, the development of which was given a grant from the RSF, it should be noted the fact that potassium carbonate interacts with carbon dioxide in the air. This fact is well known and is not open to us. Sorbents on the basis of potassium carbonate was also studied previously. However, use of these materials for sorption of carbon dioxide from the air almost wasn’t”.

The resulting fuel can be used for space heating or fueling vehicles. The technology allows to produce methane gas where is the generator, powered by alternative energy source. It will be very valuable in remote areas where fuel because of the characteristics of the terrain to deliver difficult and expensive.

Source: newsworld.co