United States Patent: 7605293
As we chronicled in our recent report:
West Virginia Coal Association | California July 2012 Efficient CO2 to Methanol | Research & Development;
primarily concerning: "United States Patent 8,212,088 - Efficient and Selective Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol, Dimethyl Ether and Derived Products; Date: July 3, 2012; Inventors: George Olah and G.K. Surya Prakash; 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";
a small cadre of geniuses at USC, the University of Southern California, led by Nobel Laureate George Olah, have been almost furiously at work over the past decade, and more, demonstrating, beyond a shadow of a doubt, whether we negatively-conditioned troglodytes want to accept the fact or not, that:
We can reclaim and chemically recycle the Carbon Dioxide byproduct of our "fossil fuel burning powerplants", with the results being liquid hydrocarbon fuels and other valuable "derived products".
They have been, and are, so thoroughly establishing that fact at USC, in so many different ways, that it's almost as if they're saying:
"Hey, look! We can convert Carbon Dioxide into valuable hydrocarbons - all while we're standing on our heads, juggling golf balls with our feet, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer through soda straws!"
Seriously, Nobel Laureate George Olah, we assure you, and we don't care if you did ace your fireboss exam on the first try, is smarter than you and your embarrassingly nerdy younger brother, who's president of his high school's math club, put together.
Probably, it would do us all some good to start paying a little attention to what he's been telling us.
Unfortunately, even we, here, who are always anxious to hear what he has to say concerning the fact that we could, if we wanted to, start pumping the recycled fumes that come out of our Coal-fired power plants' smoke stacks into the gas tanks of our cars, rather than buying more toe rings for the OPEC sheiks' harem girls to get the stuff to do that with, sometimes miss a few things.
One of the technologies we catalogued in our above-cited report concerning "US Patent 8,212,088 - Efficient and Selective Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol, Dimethyl Ether and Derived Products" was that which we brought to your attention a little more than a year ago, in:
West Virginia Coal Association | Southern California Recycles More CO2 | 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, 2009; Inventors: George Olah and Surya Prakash; Assignee: The 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".
And, again, in passing, we must note that Methanol, though a serviceable automotive fuel in it's own right, can, via ExxonMobil's "MTG"(r), "Methanol-to-Gasoline", process, among others, be converted into Gasoline. And, Dimethyl Ether, DME, though it, too, can be similarly converted into Gasoline, can, as it is, serve as a direct replacement, odd as it might seem, for both Diesel fuel and Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG.
They do, as we understand it, use Coal-derived DME as a substitute for LNG, and cook with it on gas stoves in China.
In any case, with our apologies for the oversight, we just realized that, precisely one week before issuance of "United States Patent 7,608,743 - Efficient and Selective Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol, Dimethyl Ether and Derived Products", Olah and Prakash, at USC, had been awarded, as excerpted from the initial link in this dispatch:
"United States Patent 7,605,293 - Efficient and Selective Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol, Dimethyl Ether and Derived Products
Patent US7605293 - Efficient and selective conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, dimethyl ... - Google Patents
Date: October 20, 2009
Inventors: George Olah and G.K. 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 powerplants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by electrochemical reduction produces formic 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.
(Note that the terminology and structure of this patent is closely-similar to that of the almost-immediately subsequent "United States Patent 7,608,743". It was suggested to us that the primary difference in the two technologies is that the process of our subject herein, "United States Patent 7,605,293", relies on an initial conversion of the Carbon Dioxide into Formic Acid, in a fashion similar or conceptually related to that seen in our report of:
West Virginia Coal Association | United Technologies Converts CO2 to Formic Acid | Research & Development; concerning both:
"United States Patent 4,921,585 - Electrolysis Cell and Method of Use; 1990; Assignee: United Technologies Corporation; Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved solid polymer electrolysis cell for the reduction of carbon dioxide. The improvement being the use of a cathode having a metal phthalocyanine catalyst which results in the suppression of the formation of hydrogen during the reduction process and the subsequent improved conversion efficiency for carbon dioxide.(and) an improved electrolysis cell useful in the production of oxygen and the reduction of carbon dioxide. (I)t is intended as a primary use that the electrolysis cell be used with water as the fuel. This would permit the electrolytic decomposition of water to form oxygen ... while supplying the hydrogen ions for the carbon dioxide reduction. The improvement comprises the selection of the cathode material (which) will improve the conversion efficiency of carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen ions to organic compounds. The most prevalent reaction is the reduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid"; and:
"The Electrochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide into Methanol: The Formic Acid Reduction Step; 1984; Naval Weapons Research Center, China Lake, CA; Abstract: Various studies have shown that the electrode reduction of CO2 in water using metal electrodes yields formic acid as the main product. Recent publications have generated conflicting claims regarding the further reduction of formic acid to methanol using TiO2 electrodes";
with the process our subject herein, "United States Patent 7,605,293", seeming to definitively settle those "conflicting claims regarding the further reduction of formic acid to methanol".)
Claims: An environmentally beneficial method of reducing the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere by recycling carbon dioxide and producing methanol using a reductive conversion of an available source of carbon dioxide that is present in or would otherwise be discharged into the atmosphere, which method comprises:
(A) reducing the carbon dioxide under conditions sufficient to produce a reaction mixture containing formic acid with concomittant formation of formaldehyde and small amounts of methanol and methane, followed, without separation of the reaction mixture, by a treatment step conducted under conditions sufficient to convert the formaldehyde to formic acid and methanol; or:
(B) augmenting the reaction mixture of (A) by reacting the formaldehyde with some of the formic acid as a hydrogen source, without separation of the reaction mixture, into methanol, and by reacting some of the formic acid with methanol to form methyl formate, followed by catalytically hydrogenating the methyl formate under conditions sufficient to form methanol; or:
(C) generating carbon monoxide from the carbon dioxide through a high temperature reaction with carbon, reacting the carbon monoxide with methanol produced in (A) under conditions sufficient to form methyl formate, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the methyl formate under conditions sufficient to form methanol.
The method ... wherein the carbon dioxide is obtained from an exhaust stream from fossil fuel burning power or industrial plant, or a source accompanying natural gas, and the carbon dioxide obtained from such sources is reduced by catalytic, photochemical or electrochemical reduction.
The method ... wherein the available carbon dioxide source is the atmosphere and the carbon dioxide is obtained by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide onto a suitable adsorbent followed by treating the adsorbent to release the adsorbed carbon dioxide therefrom (and) wherein the adsorbent is treated by sufficient heating to release the adsorbed carbon dioxide.
The method ... wherein the carbon dioxide is first reduced to carbon monoxide with carbon, reacted subsequently with methanol produced in step (A) to obtain methyl formate, and then catalytically hydrogenating the methyl formate to produce methanol.
The method ... wherein the hydrogen needed for the hydrogenation of methyl formate is obtained by decomposing at least some of the formic acid from the reaction mixture.
The method ... which further comprises dehydrating methanol under conditions sufficient to produce dimethyl ether.
The method ... which further comprises heating dimethyl ether in the presence of an acidic-basic or zeolitic catalysts to form ethylene or propylene.
The method ... which further comprises converting ethylene or propylene either to higher olefins, synthetic hydrocarbons or aromatics and their products, for use as feedstocks for chemicals or as transportation fuels.
The method ... which further comprises hydrating ethylene or propylene to form ethanol or propanol.
The method ... wherein the dimethyl ether is used as a substitute for natural gas and LPG for heating purposes for households or industrial use.
The method ... which further comprises preparing an improved diesel fuel by mixing sufficient amounts of dimethyl ether with conventional diesel fuel.
The method ... which further comprises preparing transportation fuel by adding methanol to gasoline with the fuel having a minimum gasoline content of at least 15% by volume.
The method ... which further comprises utilizing the methanol or dimethyl ether as convenient energy storage and transportation materials in order to minimize or eliminate the disadvantages or dangers inherent in the use and transportation of LNG or LPG.
Description and Background: Hydrocarbons are essential in modern life. Hydrocarbons are used as fuel and raw material in various fields, including the chemical, petrochemical, plastics, and rubber industries. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are composed of hydrocarbons with varying ratios of carbon and hydrogen, and is non-renewably used when combusted, forming carbon dioxide and water. Despite their wide application and high demand, fossil fuels present a number of disadvantages, including the finite reserve (and) alternative sources of energy are needed.
One such alternative frequently mentioned is hydrogen, and the so-called "hydrogen economy." Hydrogen is beneficial as a clean fuel, producing only water when combusted. Free hydrogen, however, is not a natural energy source, and its generation from hydrocarbons or water is a highly energy-consuming process.
Hydrogen is also not a convenient energy storage medium because it is difficult and costly to handle, store, transport and distribute. As it is extremely volatile and potentially explosive, hydrogen gas requires high-pressure equipment, costly and non-existent infrastructure, special materials to minimize diffusion and leakage, and extensive safety precautions to prevent explosions.
It was suggested that a more practical alternative is methanol. Methanol, CH3OH, is the simplest liquid oxygenated hydrocarbon, differing from methane (CH4) by a single additional oxygen atom. Methanol, also called methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a colorless, water-soluble liquid with a mild alcoholic odor, and is easy to store and transport.
Methanol is not only a convenient and safe way to store energy, but, together with its derived dimethyl ether (DME), is an excellent fuel. Dimethyl ether is easily obtained from methanol by dehydration and is an effective fuel particularly in diesel engines because of its high cetane number and favorable properties.
Methanol and dimethyl ether can be blended with gasoline or diesel and used as fuels, for example in internal combustion engines or electricity generators.
Closely related and derived from methanol, and also a desirable alternative fuel is dimethyl ether. Dimethyl ether (DME, CH3OCH3), the simplest of all ethers, is a colorless, nontoxic, non-corrosive, non-carcinogenic and environmentally friendly chemical that is mainly used today as an aerosol propellant in spray cans, in place of the banned CFC gases. DME has a boiling point of -25 C, and is a gas under ambient conditions. DME is, however, easily handled as liquid and stored in pressurized tanks, much like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The interest in dimethyl ether as alternative fuel lies in its high cetane rating of 55 to 60, which is much higher than that of methanol and is also higher than the cetane rating of 40 to 55 of conventional diesel fuels. The cetane rating indicates that DME can be effectively used in diesel engines. Advantageously, DME, like methanol, is clean burning, and produces no soot particulates, black smoke or SO2, and only very low amounts of NOx and other emissions even without after-treatment of its exhaust gas.
Currently, DME is exclusively produced by dehydration of methanol. A method for synthesizing DME directly from synthesis gas by combining the methanol synthesis and dehydration steps in a single process has also been developed.
DME is also a potential substitute for LNG and LPG for heating homes and in industrial uses.
Methanol as indicated provides a number of important advantages as transportation fuel. Contrary to hydrogen, methanol does not require any energy intensive procedures for pressurization or liquefaction. Because it is a liquid at room temperature, it can be easily handled, stored, distributed and carried in vehicles.
Methanol is also an attractive source of fuel for static applications. For example, methanol can be used directly as fuel in gas turbines to generate electric power. Gas turbines typically use natural gas or light petroleum distillate fractions as fuel. Compared to such fuels, methanol can achieve higher power output and lower NOx emissions because of its lower flame temperature. Since methanol does not contain sulfur, SO2 emissions are also eliminated. Operation on methanol offers the same flexibility as on natural gas and distillate fuels, and can be performed with existing turbines, originally designed for natural gas or other fossil fuels, after relatively easy modification.
In addition to use as fuels, methanol and methanol-derived chemicals have other significant applications in the chemical industry. Today, methanol is one of the most important feedstock in the chemical industry. Most of the 32 million tons of annually produced methanol is used to manufacture a large variety of chemical products and materials, including basic chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetic acid, MTBE (although it is increasingly phased out for environmental reasons), as well as various polymers, paints, adhesives, construction materials, and others. Methanol is also a feedstock for chloromethanes, methylamines, methyl methacrylate, and dimethyl terephthalate, among others. These chemical intermediates are then processed to manufacture products such as paints, resins, silicones, adhesives, antifreeze, and plastics. Formaldehyde, produced in large quantities from methanol, is mainly used to prepare phenol-, urea- and melamine-formaldehyde and polyacetal resins as well as butanediol and methylene bis(4-phenyl isocyanate) (MDI; MDI foam is used as insulation in refrigerators, doors, and in car dashboards and bumpers). Formaldehyde resins are predominantly employed as an adhesive in a wide variety of applications, e.g., manufacture of particle boards, plywood and other wood panels.
(And, note: All of the Carbon Dioxide consumed in the making of Methanol, according to the process of our subject herein, "United States Patent 7,605,293 - Efficient and Selective Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol, Dimethyl Ether and Derived Products", wherein such CO2-derived Methanol was directed into any of the applications specified above, would be forever, and profitably, "sequestered".)
In producing basic chemicals, raw material feedstock constitutes typically up to 60-70% of the manufacturing costs. The cost of feedstock therefore plays a significant economic role. Because of its lower cost, methanol is considered a potential feedstock for processes currently utilizing more expensive feedstocks such as ethylene and propylene, to produce chemicals including acetic acid, acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethylene glycol, styrene, and ethylbenzene, and various synthetic hydrocarbon products. For example, direct conversion of methanol to ethanol can be achieved using a rhodium-based catalyst, which has been found to promote the reductive carbonylation of methanol to acetaldehyde with selectivity close to 90%, and a ruthenium catalyst, which further reduces acetaldehyde to ethanol.
(Thus, if we want Ethanol, we don't have to squander valuable farm land and food crops to make it. The Ethanol can be produced from conversion of the Methanol synthesized from Carbon Dioxide.)
Conversion of methanol to olefins such as ethylene and propylene, also known as methanol to olefin (MTO) technology, is particularly promising considering the high demand for olefin materials, especially in polyolefin production. The MTO technology is presently a two-step process, in which natural gas is converted to methanol via syn-gas and methanol is then transformed to olefin. It is considered that methanol is first dehydrated to dimethyl ether (DME), which then reacts to form ethylene and/or propylene. Small amounts of butenes, higher olefins, alkanes, and aromatics are also formed.
(Polyolefin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; The above potentials for "polyolefin production", as a review of the article from the Wikipedia will reveal, have rather staggering implications for the manufacture of a lot of things we take for granted now in our daily lives; things which contribute greatly in a less obvious way to our economic enslavement to OPEC through the demand for "petrochemicals".)
There is also a methanol to gasoline (MTG) process, in which medium-pore zeolites with considerable acidity, e.g., ZSM-5, are used as catalysts. In this process, methanol is first dehydrated to an equilibrium mixture of dimethyl ether, methanol and water over a catalyst, and this mixture is then converted to light olefins, primarily ethylene and propylene. The light olefins can undergo further transformations to higher olefins, C3-C6 alkanes, and C6-C10 aromatics such as toluene, xylenes, and trimethylbenzene.
(Concerning the immediately above, see our reports of:
ExxonMobil "Clean Gasoline from Coal" | Research & Development; concerning: "Methanol to Gasoline (MTG): Production of Clean Gasoline from Coal; So Advanced, Yet So Simple"; and:
Mobil Oil Coal to Methanol to Gasoline | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,447,310 - Production of Distillates through Methanol to Gasoline; 1984; Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation;
Abstract: A process for producing a wide slate of fuel products from coal is provided by integrating a methanol-to-gasoline conversion process with coal liquefaction and coal gasification. The coal liquefaction comprises contacting the coal with a solvent under supercritical conditions whereby a dense-gas phase solvent extracts from the coal a hydrogen-rich extract which can be upgraded to produce a distillate stream. The remaining coal is gasified under oxidation conditions to produce a synthesis gas which is converted to methanol. The methanol is converted to gasoline by contact with a zeolite catalyst. Solvent for coal extraction is process derived from the upgraded distillate fraction or gasoline fraction of the methanol-to-gasoline conversion".)
Summary: The invention relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for producing methanol by reductive conversion of an available source of carbon dioxide. A first embodiment includes the steps of reducing the carbon dioxide under conditions sufficient to produce a reaction mixture containing formic acid with concomittant formation of formaldehyde and small amounts of methanol and methane, followed, without separation of the reaction mixture, by a treatment step conducted under conditions sufficient to convert the formaldehyde to formic acid and methanol.
A second embodiment includes the steps of augmenting the reaction mixture of the process of the first embodiment by reacting the formaldehyde with some of the formic acid as a hydrogen source, without separation of the reaction mixture, into methanol, and by reacting some of the formic acid with methanol to form methyl formate, followed by catalytically hydrogenating the methyl formate under conditions sufficient to form methanol.
(The additional step of "catalytically hydrogenating the methyl formate", which, as is confirmed in other of our reports, actually greatly increases the amount of Methanol which can be made from Carbon Dioxide relative to other, more direct CO2 hydrogenation technologies, does seem to require Hydrogen above and beyond what can be supplied by the "formic acid", which is itself consumed in the formation of "methyl formate" from the initial Methanol.
There are numerous, efficient ways to generate such supplemental Hydrogen, such as that seen in:
More NASA Hydrogen from Water and Sunlight | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,051,005 - Photolytic Production of Hydrogen; 1977; Assignee: United Technologies Corporation; Government Interests: The invention described herein was made in the course of a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Abstract: Hydrogen and oxygen are produced from water in a process involving the photo-dissociation of molecular bromine with radiant energy at wavelengths within the visible light region. A process for producing hydrogen from water which comprises: forming a water-halogen gas mixture, dissociable in the presence of radiation in the visible spectrum; irradiating the water-halogen gas in mixture with radiation in the visible spectrum, forming the corresponding hydrogen halide and oxygen; separating the hydrogen halide from the oxygen; (and) processing the hydrogen halide to effect the release of hydrogen therefrom. (And) wherein the source of radiation is sunlight. The present invention involves a process for the production of hydrogen from water utilizing radiant energy within the visible light spectrum in a series of low-temperature photolytic or thermal reactions".
There are many others, as we have documented and as we will further document as we go along. The point being, that, if we do need a little Hydrogen to make all of this work, we can get it via processes that consume only environmental energy and Water. The need for Hydrogen shouldn't in any way be seen as a genuine obstacle. )
A third embodiment includes the steps of generating carbon monoxide from the carbon dioxide through a high temperature reaction with carbon, reacting the carbon monoxide with methanol produced by the process of the first embodiment under conditions sufficient to form methyl formate, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the methyl formate under conditions sufficient to form methanol.
(Concerning the above "carbon monoxide from the carbon dioxide through a high temperature reaction with carbon", see, for just one example:
Germany 98% Pure Carbon Monoxide from Coal, CO2 and O2 | Research & Development; concerning: "Carbon Monoxide from Coke, Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen; Hydrocarbon Process(US); 1986; Research Organization: Lurgi GmbH, Frankfurt (Germany); Abstract: Many valuable organic chemicals-both as intermediate or final products-can be made from high purity carbon monoxide (CO). In order to provide a source of inexpensive CO for the above syntheses, a very attractive new scheme has been developed. According to this concept merely two process steps are required to convert coke to high purity CO. The purpose of the first process step is to gasify coke using a mixture of CO2 and O2 as gasification agent while the second one serves to remove sulfur compounds and residual CO2";
wherein a second route of Carbon Dioxide utilization and consumption can be added to that of the process of our subject, thus maximizing CO2 consumption, perhaps through the use of some of our abundant Coal, as in "gasify coke using a mixture of CO2 and O2".)
In any embodiment, the carbon dioxide can be conveniently obtained from an exhaust stream from fossil fuel burning power or industrial plant ... .
With decreasing oil and gas reserves, it is inevitable that synthetic hydrocarbons would play a major role. Thus, methanol-based synthetic hydrocarbons and chemicals available through MTG and MTO processes will assume increasing importance in replacing oil and gas-based materials. The listed uses of methanol is only illustrative and not limiting.
The disclosed new efficient production of methanol from industrial or natural carbon dioxide sources, or even from the air itself, provides the needed raw material for replacing the diminishing fossil fuel through the METHANOL ECONOMY process. The conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol necessitate significant energy, which can be, however, provided by any energy source including offpeak electric power of fossil fuel (e.g., coal) burning power plants, ... or any alternative energy sources (solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, etc.). As indicated, energy generated, however, must be conveniently stored and transported. The reduction of CO2 to methanol allows storage and transportation of energy in a convenient liquid product (i.e., methanol) more convenient, economical and safe than volatile hydrogen gas. Methanol and/or dimethyl ether are efficient fuels in internal combustion engines or in direct oxidation methanol fuel cells (DMFC as well as raw materials for olefins, synthetic hydrocarbons and varied products. The present invention greatly extends the scope of the utilization of carbon dioxide for the production of methanol and/or dimethyl ether from natural or industrial sources, even from the air itself."
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Olah and Prakash go on at some considerable length in exposition of the benefits of converting Carbon Dioxide, through Formic Acid, into Methanol and Dimethyl Ether, and the other "Derived Products"; but, they are short on the details of the initial CO2 "electrochemical reduction" step that produces the Formic Acid in the first place.
Our above citation of "United States Patent 4,921,585 - Electrolysis Cell and Method of Use; 1990; Assignee: United Technologies Corporation" is one example of such a technology and process; another can be seen in our report of:
Japan Converts CO2 to Formic Acid | Research & Development | News; 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. 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. The present invention relates to a reducing process of carbon dioxide with an organometallic complex, and in particular, relates to a reducing process of carbon dioxide in water under mild conditions".
And, so important has such an initial conversion of Carbon Dioxide and Water into Formic Acid come to be seen by the folks who, God bless 'em, concern themselves with such things, that newer and even more efficient means of accomplishing that synthesis have been developed even subsequent to the issuance of "United States Patent 7,605,293 - Efficient and Selective Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol, Dimethyl Ether and Derived Products".
We'll have more on all of that in reports to follow, especially since Olah and friends out at USC have a whole bundle of similar and related CO2-recycling technologies in the works, which we'll do our best to get to in the due course of time.
The point of it all, though, is, yet again:
Carbon Dioxide, as it arises in only a small way, relative to natural sources of emission such as volcanoes, from our use of Coal in the generation of genuinely economic electrical power, is a valuable raw material resource.
As confirmed herein by a Nobel-winning scientist and our US Government, we can reclaim Carbon Dioxide from whatever convenient source, and, then, via an efficient process that lends itself to being driven by environmental energy or waste industrial process heat, convert that Carbon Dioxide, and Water, into first, Formic Acid, and, then, through Formic Acid, into the valuable Alcohol, Methanol, the substitute Diesel fuel, Dimethyl Ether, and, some "Derived Products", which can include, via, for one example, ExxonMobil's "MTG"(r) process, Gasoline.
