ORNL Develops process to turn CO2 Into Ethanol

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flynfrog
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006, 22:31

ORNL Develops process to turn CO2 Into Ethanol

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https://www.ornl.gov/news/nano-spike-ca ... ly-ethanol

Pretty cool accident discovery.
The team used a catalyst made of carbon, copper and nitrogen and applied voltage to trigger a complicated chemical reaction that essentially reverses the combustion process. With the help of the nanotechnology-based catalyst which contains multiple reaction sites, the solution of carbon dioxide dissolved in water turned into ethanol with a yield of 63 percent. Typically, this type of electrochemical reaction results in a mix of several different products in small amounts.
“By using common materials, but arranging them with nanotechnology, we figured out how to limit the side reactions and end up with the one thing that we want,” Rondinone said.
Given the technique’s reliance on low-cost materials and an ability to operate at room temperature in water, the researchers believe the approach could be scaled up for industrially relevant applications. For instance, the process could be used to store excess electricity generated from variable power sources such as wind and solar.

rjsa
rjsa
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Re: ORNL Develops process to turn CO2 Into Ethanol

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And what's the energy balance?

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flynfrog
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006, 22:31

Re: ORNL Develops process to turn CO2 Into Ethanol

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I have no idea. It doesn't look like it was part of there study. I think they are in see if it's even possible phase.



The paper is here:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 01169/full

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Zynerji
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Re: ORNL Develops process to turn CO2 Into Ethanol

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Lol, i sold several of these researchers their cell phones!

Tons of the ORNL guys used to come into my Radio Shack for stuff. Awesome to see a breakthrough like this so close to home!