WV Coal Member Meeting 2024 1240x200 1 1

Taiwan Recycles CO2

 
 
We submit this technical article, from Taiwan, as additional confirmation of the facts that, not only can Carbon Dioxide, as arises from our varied uses of coal, be recycled on an industrial basis into other useful and profitable materials, such as herein, again, the valuable liquid fuel, and gasoline and plastics raw material, Methanol; but, that the technologies to accomplish such transmutations are well-known around the world, except, apparently, in the coal-producing regions of the United States. 
 
The excerpt:
 
"Synergistic Catalysis of Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation into Methanol
 
Authors: Wang, J.B.; Lee, H.K.; Huang, T.J
 
Affiliations: Department of Chemical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC;
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC

Source: Catalysis Letters, Volume 83, Numbers 1-2, October 2002 , pp. 79-86(8)

Abstract:

Methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide hydrogenation was studied over ceria/gamma-alumina- and yttria-doped ceria (YDC)/gamma-alumina-supported copper oxide catalysts to seek insight into the catalysis at metal–support interfaces. It was found that, in comparison with Cu/gamma-Al2O3, the Cu/CeO2/gamma-Al2O3gamma-Al2O3 catalysts exhibited substantial enhancement in activity and selectivity toward methanol formation. The extent of enhancement was augmented by increased ceria loading on gamma-alumina and with increased yttria doping into ceria. The enhancement is inferred to result from the synergistic effect between copper oxide and surface oxygen vacancies of ceria." and Cu/YDC/

We won't attempt getting into the esoterics of "ceria" and "yttria" catalyst doping. However, we note the "enhancement ... (of) ... methanol formation" from Carbon Dioxide. In other words, we know how to do it. We know how to reclaim and recycle Carbon Dioxide into products of value; and, we're getting better at it.

Makes a lot more sense, doesn't it, than trying to drill a deeper, and more expensive, rat hole to pump it all down; or, than attempting to tax our coal-use industries out of existence for co-producing it