Danish researchers turn CO2 emissions into a major gas resource



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Engineers from the University of Aarhus will convert the CO 2 harmful greenhouse gas into an ecological gas in the natural gas network

With the Petrochemical Giant Danish Haldor Topsøe and several companies, researchers from the Department of Engineering has developed a technology capable of converting CO 2 and water into methane gas through electricity [19659002] If this energy comes from wind energy, the gas will have an even lower climate impact.

– This is a very promising technology, which is not just CO 2 neutral. In the manufacturing process, we consume CO 2 thus reducing our emissions and thus the climatic impact, "says Christian Dannesboe, PhD student in the university's engineering department. Aarhus, in a press release. 19659005] Conversion of Carbon Dioxide

The technology consists in converting CO 2 and water into methane by two chemical processes. First, the water is cleaved in oxygen and hydrogen by means of so-called high temperature electrolysis

Then, hydrogen and CO 2 are converted to methane by a catalytic process.

Electrical efficiency of electrolysis between 96-100 percent, while the pilot plant has an overall efficiency of approx. 80%.

During the catalyst, heat is generated, but it can be used elsewhere in the process of evaporation of water during electrolysis. But researchers are working tirelessly to reduce heat loss in the pilot plant that operates since 2016 at the Aarhus University of Foulum

CO 2 may be a resource

The method of transformation of CO 2 has a particular potential in the biogas sector, since biogas consists of approx. 50% methane and 40% CO 2 as well as a number of residual products

When the gas will be used on the natural gas network, the CO 2 will be removed

– We have ready technology and it is effective on a large scale. If we choose to establish electrolysis and high temperature catalysis upgrades in all our factories in Denmark, we could immediately cover 10% of our total energy consumption with sustainable gas. " , explains Christian Dannesboe

. 2 Biogas production at the other research institution of the University at Fulum near Viborg. But in the long run, it is possible that the method could also recycle the CO 2 of air pollution in cities.

– We must consider carbon dioxide as a valuable resource that we can not afford. escape in the atmosphere. In the long term, we can improve our air purification technologies, capture pollutants from metropolitan areas and use it for the production of pure methane, "explains the PhD student.

He points out that the greatest advantage lies in the displacement of CO 2 since the technology can not compete with the price of natural gas from the ground.

The group behind the pilot plant believes that the technology will be ready to be completed in a few years. 19659002] The current plant can produce 10m 3 methane gas per hour, and is supported by the Danish Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP).

The article was first published on Ing.dk.

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