We have, over the long course of our reportage, made numerous reports of, and made numerous references to, the extraordinary body of Carbon Dioxide recycling technology and science that has been established at the University of Southern California, by their resident Nobel Laureate, George Olah, and his colleagues.
Some examples, in no particular order, include:
West Virginia Coal Association | California Patents CO2 Recycling | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 7,608,743 - Efficient and selective chemical recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products; October 27, 2009; George Olah and G.K. Surya Prakash; Assignee: University of Southern California; Abstract: An efficient and environmentally beneficial method of recycling and producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning powerplants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by chemical or electrochemical reduction secondary treatment to produce essentially methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products";
West Virginia Coal Association | California Converts Power Plant CO2 to Methanol | Research & Development; concerning: "US Patent Application 20060235091 - Efficient and Selective Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol; October, 2006; George Olah and Surya Prakash, CA; (No assignee named.)Abstract: An environmentally beneficial method of producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning powerplants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by electrochemical reduction produces formic acid acid and some formaldehyde and methanol mixtures. The formic acid can be used as source of carbon as well as hydrogen to produce methanol, dimethyl ether and other products";
West Virginia Coal Association | Southern California Recycles More CO2 | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 5,928,806 - Recycling of Carbon Dioxide into Methyl Alcohol; July, 1999; George Olah and Surya Prakash, California; (No separate Assignee of Rights is specified.); Abstract: A regenerative electrochemical cell system based on a fuel cell to oxidize methyl alcohol or other oxygenated hydrocarbons coupled with a regenerative cell to reduce carbon dioxide to form oxygenated hydrocarbons is disclosed. Methods to reversibly interconvert oxygenated hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, to recycle carbon dioxide produced as a by-product of industrial processes, and to store and release electrical and chemical energy are also disclosed"; and:
March, 2011, CO2-to-Methanol US Patent Awarded | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 7,906,559 - Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol and/or Dimethyl Ether; March, 2011; George Olah and Surya Prakash; Assignee: University of Southern California, Los Angeles; Abstract: The invention discloses a method of converting carbon dioxide to methanol and/or dimethyl ether using any methane source or natural gas consisting of a combination of steam and dry reforming ... with subsequent conversion of the CO and H2 mixture exclusively to methanol and/or dimethyl ether".
In plain truth, the genius and productivity of Olah and his USC colleagues, especially Surya Prakash, who seems the co-inventor most often, but not the only one, named in the Olah patents for Carbon Dioxide recycling processes, exceeds to some extent our, sadly limited, grasp; and, consequently, our ability to accurately and fully compile and report their work to you.
Further, we have just uncovered a fairly recent technical development, originating in Olah's University of Southern California's Carbon Dioxide think tank, that has direct applicability to the efficient use of our abundant Coal in the generation of electrical power.
We'll follow up on that development in a separate report to follow, perhaps, due to some unrelated personal challenges that now loom immediately before us, in a matter of weeks.
And, that, barring future developments of outstanding nature, or now unexpected aid and assistance from outside sources, will be our final submission concerning the Carbon Dioxide utilization technology that has been established by Olah and his colleagues at USC.
There is, simply, too much of it, with too many technical details, for our limited little group to adequately and thoroughly report and describe.
Herein, preparatory to that final report, we do an injustice to George Olah and his academic colleagues; and, to anyone genuinely interested in the fact that the Carbon Dioxide byproduct of our essential use of Coal in the generation of electrical power is a valuable raw material resource; a resource which we can profitably harvest and then convert into anything, quite literally anything, we now mortgage our nation to the alien powers of OPEC for the supply of.
We submit a collection of even more Carbon Dioxide recycling technologies developed at USC, by Olah and his collaborators, with only a semblance of order, and minimal commentary, which, hopefully, will illustrate for you how deep and how thorough their understanding is there, as it should be here, in US Coal Country, of how CO2 is a precious commodity, a basic compound that lends itself to chemical recombination, so that a wide variety of hydrocarbons essential to the functioning of our economy can be synthesized from it.
As excerpted from the initial link in this dispatch, with additional links and excerpts inserted and appended:
"United States Patent 7,704,369 - Electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide ... for Production of Methanol
Date: April, 2010
Inventors: George Olah and Surya Prakash, CA
Assignee: University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Abstract: An environmentally beneficial method of producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning power plants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by an electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode in one cell compartment and a metal cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution comprising methanol and an electrolyte of one or more alkyl ammonium halides, alkali carbonates or combinations thereof to produce therein a reaction mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen which can be subsequently used to produce methanol while also producing oxygen in the cell at the anode.
Claims: An environmentally beneficial method of producing methanol by recycling and reductive conversion of any available source of carbon dioxide, which comprises: providing a divided electrochemical cell comprising an anode in a first cell compartment and a metal cathode electrode in a second cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution or aqueous methanolic solution of an electrolyte of one or more alkyl ammonium halides, alkali carbonates or combinations thereof; recycling carbon dioxide from an existing source into the second cell compartment; electrochemically reducing the recycled carbon dioxide and solution in the second cell compartment to produce therein a reaction mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas; and obtaining the carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas of the reaction mixture from the second cell compartment and directly reacting the reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst to produce methanol while also producing oxygen in the first cell compartment at the anode to benefit the environment by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide
Summary and Discussion: The invention relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for producing methanol by reductive conversion of an available source of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning power plants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. The method includes electrochemically reducing the carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode in one cell compartment and a metal cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution or aqueous methanolic solution and an electrolyte of one or more alkyl ammonium halides, alkali carbonates or combinations thereof to produce therein a reaction mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen which can be subsequently used to produce methanol while also producing oxygen in the cell at the anode."
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If the above sounds familiar, it should. It is a variation of the "Syntrolysis"-type technology developed and expounded by our USDOE, among others, wherein Carbon Dioxide and H2O, whether in the form of Steam, or, as herein, liquid Water, are "co-electrolyzed"; a process which can directly form alcohols, most especially Methanol, and other compounds, especially blends of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen hydrocarbon synthesis gas, as seen in:
West Virginia Coal Association | Chicago Recycles CO2 to Methanol | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,609,441 - Electrochemical Reduction of Aqueous Carbon Dioxide to Methanol; 1986; Assignee: Gas Research Institute, Chicago; Abstract: A method of producing methanol from carbon dioxide is set forth. A solution of carbon dioxide in an aqueous solvent having electrolyte dissolved therein is electrolyzed utilizing a molybdenum cathode. Faradaic efficiency is generally quite high and without detectable corrosion. Claims: A method of producing methanol from carbon dioxide (which comprises) electrolyzing a solution of carbon dioxide in an aqueous solvent having an electrolyte therein and utilizing a cathode which comprises molybdenum to produce methanol"; and:
More USDOE CO2 "Syntrolysis" | Research & Development; concerning: "Co-Electrolysis of Steam and Carbon Dioxide for Production of Syngas; Fifth International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference; 2007; Idaho National Laboratory, USDOE; and Ceramatec, Inc., Utah; Abstract: A research project is underway at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to investigate the feasibility of producing syngas by simultaneous electrolytic reduction of steam and carbon dioxide ... . Syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, can be used for the production of synthetic liquid fuels via Fischer-Tropsch processes".
Another related USC Carbon Dioxide recycling technology is disclosed by the earlier:
"United States Patent: 7378561 - Producing ... Synthetic Hydrocarbons from Carbon Dioxide and Water
Date: May, 2008
Inventors: George Olah and Robert Aniszfeld, CA
Assignee: University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Abstract: A method for producing methanol and dimethyl ether using the air as the sole source of materials is disclosed. The invention relates to a method for separating the water (i.e., the moisture in the air) and carbon dioxide content of atmospheric air for their use in the subsequent production of methanol, dimethyl ether and derived synthetic hydrocarbons as products. The method includes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water under conditions sufficient to produce methanol and/or dimethyl ether. Methanol and/or dimethyl ether can be used as fuel or fuel additives or further converted to synthetic hydrocarbons and their products. Carbon dioxide is captured on a suitable absorbent, preferentially polyethyleneimine supported on nano-structured fumed silica. The process can also involve hydrogenation with hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water obtained from the air or from any other water source. Methanol can be dehydrated to produce dimethyl ether or further processed to produce synthetic hydrocarbons, polymers, and products derived from them by other known methods."
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We'll leave our excerpts with just a reproduction of the Abstract. If anyone "out there" is genuinely interested in how we can make such seemingly-desirable things as "synthetic hydrocarbons" and "polymers" out of nothing but the Carbon Dioxide and Water contained in atmospheric air, we suppose they will be motivated enough to check out the full Disclosure on the United States Government's official US Patent and Trademark Office web site, as accessible via the imbedded link.
Another Olah and company CO2-recycling process is disclosed by:
"United States Patent: 7608743 - Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol (and) Derived Products
Date: October, 2009
Inventors: George Olah and Surya Prakash, CA
Assignee: University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Abstract: An efficient and environmentally beneficial method of recycling and producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning powerplants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by chemical or electrochemical reduction secondary treatment to produce essentially methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products."
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Keep in mind, that, as via the ExxonMobil "MTG"(r) process, Methanol can be efficiently converted into Gasoline; and, "dimethyl ether", though a gas at standard conditions of temperature and pressure which can serve in some applications as a substitute for propane, can, as well, with some relatively minor vehicle modifications, be utilized as substitute Diesel fuel.
The themes of the above are repeated in:
"United States Patent: 7605293 - Efficient ... Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol
Date: October, 2009
Inventors: George Olah and Surya Prakash, CA
Assignee: University of Southern California
Abstract: An environmentally beneficial method of producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning powerplants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by electrochemical reduction produces formic acid acid and some formaldehyde and methanol mixtures. The formic acid can be used as source of carbon as well as hydrogen to produce methanol, dimethyl ether and other products."
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We've previously documented the potentials for converting CO2 into "formic acid", as above, in addition to Methanol; and, the potential utility of formic acid, in:
Japan Converts CO2 to Formic Acid | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 7,479,570 - Process for the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide; 2009; Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency; Abstract: Carbon dioxide and water are mixed with an organometallic complex (of varied and specified compositions). This makes it possible to directly reduce carbon dioxide in water. Claims: A reducing process of carbon dioxide, comprising mixing carbon dioxide and water with an organometallic complex ... so as to reduce carbon dioxide so that formic acid or alkali salt thereof is formed"; and:
West Virginia Coal Association | England Improves Coal Liquid Hydrogenation with Formic Acid | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,313,852 - Catalysts; 1982; Assignee: Coal Industry Limited, London; Abstract: A hydrotreating catalyst which is resistant to carbonaceous deposits and is particularly useful for hydrotreating coal-derived liquids, is molybdenum or tungsten disulphide ... . The catalyst can be made by absorbing molybdenum or tungsten trisulphide onto the active carbon support and reducing the trisulphide to the disulphide. (And) wherein the reduction is effected using ... formic acid (or) sodium formate".
And, Olah and Aniszfeld had even earlier emphasized that the only raw materials we need to, via Methanol, synthesize hydrocarbons, can be extracted from the atmosphere, in:
"United States Patent: 7459590 - Producing Methanol ... from Carbon Dioxide and Water
Date: December, 2008
Inventors: George Olah and Robert Aniszfeld, CA
Assignee: University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Abstract: A method for producing methanol and dimethyl ether using the air as the sole source of materials is disclosed. The invention relates to a method for producing methanol by removing water from atmospheric air, obtaining hydrogen from the removed water, obtaining carbon dioxide from atmospheric air; and converting the carbon dioxide under conditions sufficient to produce methanol. Thereafter, the methanol can be dehydrated to produce dimethyl ether or further processed to produce synthetic hydrocarbons, polymers, and products derived from them."
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Now, believe it or not, without even counting the one USC Carbon Dioxide utilization technology with direct application to our use of Coal in power generation, which we mentioned above and which we will in the near future document for you, the above, and the others we reported earlier, aren't all of the CO2 utilization and recycling technologies devised by Nobel Laureate Olah and his colleagues at the University of Southern California.
Clearly, they have the attitude there which should be the attitude adopted by everyone even moderately concerned with the issue in US Coal Country, which is:
Carbon Dioxide, both as it is arises, in only a small way, relative to natural sources of emission, such as volcanoes, from our varied, productive and essential uses of Coal in the generation of electrical power, and, as it exists naturally as a component of the environment around us, is a valuable raw material resource.
We can, as demonstrated more than thoroughly herein, and as confirmed by our expert United States Government Patent Examiners, profitably reclaim Carbon Dioxide and convert it into a range of valuable and nearly precious compounds; products that can serve both as almost direct replacements for typical liquid hydrocarbon fuels and as the raw materials from which we can easily synthesize a wide variety of other, more conventional hydrocarbons.
It seems far, far past time the truth of that reached us, here, in the heart of US Coal Country, before one more red cent was spent on OPEC oil; and, certainly before a single red cent was squandered on specious and predatory scams, like Cap & Trade taxation and/or the subsidy of Big Oil's secondary petroleum scrounging in depleted natural petroleum reservoirs through mandated Geologic Sequestration.