We submit this information, from Japan, as further evidence that the technologies both to convert our abundant coal into needed liquid fuels and plastics manufacturing feed stocks, and to recycle the Carbon Dioxide by-product of our coal-use industries into similar valuable products, is real, substantial and, even, in certain circles, well-known and understood.
Herein is more illustration of how focused and detailed effort is being applied to improve the productivity and efficiency of Carbon Dioxide recycling. It is, perhaps, gratuitous to note that Methanol, as can be produced from CO2, is a valuable and useful organic chemical. It can be used as a liquid fuel itself, or employed as a raw material for plastics manufacture; or, through at least one commercial process, be converted into gasoline.
The excerpt:
"Title: Methanol Synthesis by Catalytic Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide on CuO-ZnO-Al2O3 and CuO-ZnO-Al2O3-Ga2O3-MgO Catalysts
Author: HIRANO MASAKI(Kansai Electr. Power Co., Inc., Tech. Res. Cent.) IMAI TETSUYA(Mitsubishi Heavy Ind., Ltd., Hiroshima Res. & Dev. Cent.) YASUTAKE TOSHINOBU(Mitsubishi Heavy Ind., Ltd., Hiroshima Res. & Dev. Cent.) KURODA KENNOSUKE(Mitsubishijukogyo Purantojigyose)
Journal: Kagaku Kogaku Ronbunshu
Abstract: The purpose of the study is to develop a practical catalyst for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol by hydrogenation."
We've truncated the Abstract deliberately to excise a lot of technical jargon and chemical formulae. We invite our readers of a more technical bent to open the link and investigate further. The gist of it is this: These Japanese researchers were working to optimize the conditions of temperature, pressure and catalyst type to achieve to optimum yield of Methanol, from Carbon Dioxide, in the shortest time, with the least amount of energy input, and the longest catalyst life, possible.
Simply put: Carbon Dioxide can be effectively recycled into useful products. These Japanese researchers were making the process more efficient and more profitable.
Beats the heck out of stuffing all our coal plants' CO2 down geologic storage rat holes, or taxing those coal plants, through Cap & Trade, out of existence, doesn't it?