Japan Recycles CO2 with Methane

January 14, 2010

ScienceDirect - Catalysis Communications : Effective methane reforming with CO2 and O2 under pressurized condition using NiO–.

We continue to follow up on our assertions that both CO2 and Methane, rather than being dangerous greenhouse gasses, are, instead, valuable raw material resources; both of which can be co-produced as useful "side benefits" of our coal use and coal extraction industries.

Herein, The University of Tokyo confirms the validity of developments reported by Penn State University, whereby the supposed greenhouse pollutants, Methane and Carbon Dioxide, can be combined and, in catalyzed reactions, produce for us more complex, and more useful, hydrocarbons.

The Abstract is sparse, and we submit this report only to confirm that development is ongoing, and process improvements are being made, that will enable us to profitably recycle both Carbon Dioxide and Methane.

Brief comment follows:

"Effective methane reforming with CO2 and O2 ... using NiO–MgO and fluidized bed reactor

Keiichi Tomishige, Yuichi Matsuo, Yasushi Sekine and Kaoru Fujimoto

Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Japan

November 2000

Abstract

"Circulation of NiMgO catalyst particles in the fluidized bed reactor gave much higher CH4 conversion in methane reforming with CO2 and O2 under pressurized condition than the case of the catalyst without moving in the fixed bed reactor. In addition, circulation of the catalyst particles in the fluidized bed reactor inhibited carbon deposition which is the serious problem in methane reforming."

Interestingly, they don't specify what products arise from this technique. But, a safe bet is that, as in Penn State's "Tri-reforming", they are higher hydrocarbons that can serve quite useful purposes.

The real point is: Carbon Dioxide and Methane aren't worthless pollutants we have to waste time and money on trying to get rid of. They are, instead, like Coal, quite valuable, even precious, raw material resources we should invest time and money into figuring out how to use more wisely, more profitably.

These Japanese researchers herein, through report of their efforts, confirm their knowledge of that fact.

Others, too, recognize the value of Methane and, as we continue to document, have been, and are continuing, to refine methods for producing it directly from both Coal and Carbon Dioxide.