Influence of Gas Feed Composition and Pressure on the Catalytic Conversion of CO2 to Hydrocarbons Using a Traditional Cobalt-.
We have reported and documented the development, by the United States Department of Defense and some of their corporate proxies, most notably United Technologies and Hamilton Standard, of processes whereby Carbon Dioxide can be recovered from the atmosphere, or from seawater, and then be converted, via hydrogenation reactions, into hydrocarbon fuels.
We have also reported on the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research, and their development of Coal, and other Carbon-source, conversion technologies.
Herein, the US Navy and the University of Kentucky, together, report that Carbon Dioxide can be transformed into higher hydrocarbons, as we have from other sources documented to be feasible, using variations of the already-known technologies for converting synthesis gas, derived from Coal, into liquid fuels.
Some unfortunately extended, but irresistible, editorial comment follows excerpts from:
"Conversion of CO2 to Hydrocarbons Using Traditional Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst
Date: June 2009
Authors: Robert Dorner, et. al.
Affiliations: Naval Research Laboratory, DC, and Center for Applied Energy Research, Lexington, KY
Abstract: The hydrogenation of CO2 using a traditional Fischer−Tropsch catalyst for the production of valuable hydrocarbon materials is investigated. The ability to direct product distribution was measured as a function of different feed gas ratios of H2 and CO2 (3:1, 2:1, and 1:1) as well as operating pressures (ranging from 450 to 150 psig). As the feed gas ratio was changed from 3:1 to 2:1 and 1:1, the production distribution shifted from methane toward higher chain hydrocarbons. This change in feed gas ratio is believed to lower the methanation ability of Cobalt in favor of chain growth, with possibly two different active sites for methane and C2−C4 products. Furthermore, with decreasing pressure, the methane conversion drops slightly in favor of C2−C4 paraffins. Even though under certain reaction conditions product distribution can be shifted slightly away from the formation of methane, the catalyst studied behaves like a methanation catalyst in the hydrogenation of CO2."
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What we really need to take from this is: They can already efficiently make Methane from CO2. Paul Sabatier and Europe's Nobel Committee showed us all how to do that way back in 1912. They are, herein, trying to steer away from Methane, so that they can make even more of the Paraffins, which are also being produced, from which liquid fuels, like gasoline and jet fuel, can be more easily refined.
Left un-addressed is the fact that, once they have the Methane, made from CO2, such Methane can be further reacted, "tri-reformed", as per the technology so far explained most thoroughly, as documented in the West Virginia Coal Association R&D archives, by Penn State University, with even more Carbon Dioxide to synthesize even more higher hydrocarbons.
Not only that, but, as we have earlier documented, it is basic Coal liquefaction, i.e., "Fischer-Tropsch", technology, as above, which can be utilized in a synergistic way to recycle Carbon Dioxide.
Coal conversion industry can enable Carbon Dioxide recycling.
When, do you suppose, someone will put all of that information together publicly, and thereby put merciful bullets into the heads of the deceptive monstrosities of Cap&Trade taxation and oil field Sequestration? Both of which, it should now be clear, are nothing more than insidious vampires; leeches designed and intended to feed off of our vital Coal-use industries, and by extension, off of every US citizen resident in US Coal Country; and, as well, off of every US citizen reliant on Coal-based energy.
We resist the urge we have in the past succumbed to, to deride at greater length the concepts of Cap&Trade and Sequestration, and the motivations of the people who promote them. The plain facts of the matter should speak loudly, and clearly, enough:
Carbon Dioxide, as herein, can be and should be viewed and treated as a valuable raw material resource, a potentially-precious by-product arising, in a small way relative to natural sources of emission such as volcanism, from our varied and profitable uses of Coal.
Our Coal-use industries should be rewarded for producing Carbon Dioxide for us.
