Can We Afford to Waste Carbon Dioxide? Carbon Dioxide as a Valuable Source of Carbon for the Production of Light Olefins

Abstract

Concerns about climate change have increased the amount of activity on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as one of the solutions to the problem of rising levels of CO(2) in the troposphere, while the reuse of CO(2) (carbon capture and recycling; CCR) has only recently received more attention. CCR is focused on the possibility of using CO(2) as a cheap (or even negative-value) raw material. This Concept paper analyzes this possibility from a different perspective: In a sustainable vision, can we afford to waste CO(2) as a source of carbon in a changing world faced with a fast depletion of natural carbon sources and in need of a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy? One of the points emerging from this discussion concerns the use of CO(2) for the production of olefins (substituting into or integrating with current energy-intensive methodologies that start from oil or syngas from other fossil fuel resources) if H(2) from renewable resources were available at competitive costs. This offers an opportunity to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy into the chemical production chain, and thus to improve resource efficiency in this important manufacturing sector.

Worldwide innovations in the development of carbon capture technologies and the utilization of CO2

“…ref. 4,[152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159]. Active catalysts are available for coupling carbon dioxide with energy-rich unsaturated substrates such as epoxides, 13 butadiene or acetylene.…”

Thermodynamic Constraints for the Utilization of CO2

“…New CO 2 utilization reactions could increase the amount of carbon dioxide fixed by CCU, but the potential share of fixed CO 2 to emitted CO 2 is limited. Centi et al [14] estimated the maximum potential of chemical CO 2 conversion to only 0.005 % of the global emissions. Nevertheless, CCU could at least constitute a small contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation.…”

Kinetics of CO2 Hydrogenation to Hydrocarbons over Iron–Silica Catalysts

“…[1,2] The utilisation of an inexpensive and environmentally harmful waste product such as CO 2 is attractive as it can not only produce useful products but also help to aid the reduction of atmospheric CO 2 release. Studies both into the environmental [3] and economic [4,5] feasibilityo f this process have been undertaken ands how that while not currently viable,t he process holds much promise and research into the area should "not be delayed". [5] The hydrogenation of CO 2 ,c ould also serve to address one of the main challengeso fr enewable power generation, the intermittency of supplyw ith no real control over how much power is produced and when.T he conversion of CO 2 to hydrocarbonsi sapotential solution to this problem as it allowsa ny excess energy produced to be convertedt oastable chemical energy vector with an established demand and distribution system already in place.…”