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Cyclical Emissions – Creating Methane from Carbon Dioxide

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A new process that enables scientists to create methane from Carbon Dioxide could revolutionize the market, allowing manufacturers to create closed-loop carbon systems. The process uses electrochemistry and advanced mathematical models to directly convert captured CO2 into useful methane. Here's what you need to know.

Carbon dioxide is a harmful greenhouse gas that is one of the main causes of global warming and other environmental issues. Scientists have come up with many methods to combat the effects of CO2 on the environment. From reducing emissions, promoting clean energy, and even creating carbon taxes, the goal has always been to decrease CO2's detrimental effects.

Carbon Capture Systems

The concept of capturing carbon has become more popular over the last 5 years. These systems remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it. There are many ways in which engineers have accomplished this task. Most use some chemical reaction to isolate CO2 from other gases and then convert it into other chemicals that hold value.

These concepts have proven successful but are still in their infantile stages with most remaining expensive and lacking scalability. For this technology to become truly impactful, it will need to be scaled up to an industrial level, enabling it to provide the best results for the community.

Multistep Process

Another major setback to the most common forms of carbon capture today is that they can require multiple steps. Each step can take time and require very specific processes. In most instances,  the first step is to capture and collect the CO2. From there, each system will conduct its process to complete the conversion. Each chemical reaction adds to the time, complexity, and overall costs.

Dangerous Chemicals

Many of the most popular carbon capture options in the market today rely on chemical reactions. These systems have harmful byproducts that offset the benefits a bit. Dangerous chemicals need to be stored, transported, and discarded in a specific manner, adding to the overall cost per pound of captured carbon.

Cyclical Emissions Study

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society titled “Integrated Carbon Dioxide Capture by Amines and Conversion to Methane on Single-Atom Nickel Catalysts” delves into a new methodology that reduces energy requirements and could be self-powered. The study explains a method that converts CO2 into methane safely.

Source - Journal of the American Chemical Society

Source – Journal of the American Chemical Society

This development is a major milestone, as carbon dioxide is one of the main byproducts of burning methane. Scientists have long sought to create a closed carbon loop. this term refers to a system that can leverage its byproducts to continue operations. Specifically, the paper details how they successfully achieved carbamate conversion to methane.

In the paper, CO2 was captured using an amine scrubbing solution. The carbamate was then fed through a nickel-based catalyst, which featured nickel atoms laid out in a specific pattern based on advanced mathematical models.

Cyclical Emissions Test

To test if the conversion was complete, the engineers employed a variety of high-end research tools including an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron microscopy (EM). These devices revealed that the conversion was completed successfully and CO2 was converted into Methane.

The engineers leveraged density functional theory (DFT) calculations as part of their approach. These models allowed them to better predict through mapping the best electron layout and disbursement. Additionally, the engineers integrated a computational hydrogen electrode (CHE) model to calculate reaction-free energies. It was also instrumental in determining the exact proton-coupled electron transfer steps involved in each reaction.

Cyclical Emissions Results

The results demonstrated that the single-atom nickel (Ni) dispersed on gold (Au) created CH4 as the primary product. It showed that the team succeeded in converting CO2 to methane and tracking each step of the process. The goal now is to improve efficiency to maximize the energy production of each closed loop.

Cyclical Emissions Benefits

This research brings several benefits to the market. For one, the new method streamlines the capture and conversion of Carbamate into a useful product, Methane. The process is fast and doesn’t create harmful or useless byproducts. Additionally, it doesn't require massive amounts of electricity.

Low Energy

According to the researchers, this new method provides the lowest energy possible requirements for those seeking carbon capture and conversion. The electrochemical reactions are efficient and less expensive than alternatives and can be conducted on-site.

Single Step Process

Another benefit of this new carbon capture and conversion method is that it combines every step into one process. Uniquely, the carbon is captured and converted in one step. This approach reduces complexity, improves stability, and offers much greater transparency.

Researchers

Tomaz Neves-Garcia led the study conducted at The Ohio State University. Additionally,  Quansong Zhu, Robert Baker, Liane M. Rossi, Mahmudul Hasan, Robert E. Warburton, Jing Li, and Hailiang Wang from Yale University are listed as co-authors of the study. Now the team seeks to scale their process to service the industrial sector.

Companies that Could Benefit from the Cyclical Emissions Research

Several companies could improve their bottom line if they integrate this research into their business models. These companies already operate in the carbon capture or natural gas ecosystem and have put extensive energy and effort into creating unique products to help serve this market.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD)

Air Products and Chemicals Inc (APD +0.33%) was founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1940  by a local entrepreneur named Leonard Parker Pool. At the time, the company was focused on manufacturing small generators for use during WWII. Following the completion of the war, the company committed to expanding its offerings and products.

Over the last 80 years, Air Products and Chemicals Inc. has become a globally recognized gas provider. The company has a vibrant history in the US and international markets. Its focus on service and large enterprise-grade clientele has helped the company to secure massive returns and expand operations.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD +0.33%)

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. received numerous accolades along its journey to becoming one of the most popular options for manufacturers seeking methane gas. In 2008, it was listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index as a top-performing stock.

Today, APD shows strong YTD gains due to a combination of factors including advancements in its processes, smart business management, and increases in methane use. If APD could integrate this technology into its business model it could reduce manufacturing costs significantly. Currently, APD has a market cap of $73.961B and is showing positive gains for the year.

Delta CleanTech Inc. (OTC)

Canadian-based chemical impact reduction firm, Delta CleanTech Inc. entered the market seeking to improve the current carbon capture technology in place. The company quickly gained notoriety due to its unique features and services. Businesses can leverage Delat CleanTech’s expertise to reduce their CO2 and other harmful emissions.

The company has several impactful products available today. For example, the Delta Reclaimer enables companies to purify solvents. Additionally, the company currently offers a product called MethanatorRX which can safely break methane down into harmless products. The company also offers a CarbonRX service which allows businesses to maximize the use of their carbon credits.

Other Carbon Capture Systems Worth Knowing

Thankfully, the Ohio State Researchers behind the cyclical emissions study are not alone in their quest to try and save the environment by reducing CO2. Here are some other interesting ways that have the potential to significantly reduce C02 emissions moving forward.

Electrochemical Reactor

A team of engineers led by  RICE University introduced the world's first room-temperature direct air capture device. This reactor can direct air capture carbon without leaving any byproducts. Like the OSU team, their electrochemical process does away with amine-based sorbets like sodium and potassium hydroxide.

Interestingly, the byproduct of this process was found to be hydrogen, another very useful chemical that can power the same processes. Additionally, the elimination of heat and additional chemicals improves the sustainability of this approach and makes it universally applicable.

Future

The future of carbon capture technology is bright. These systems have taken a spotlight on the battle against pollution. The team's unique approach and ability to create methane from CO2 is revolutionary on many levels. For one, it helps scientists better understand the benefits and downsides of closed-loop systems and how to improve these areas to enhance performance.

Cyclical Emissions Conclusion

You have to give it to the OSU team behind this research. Scientists have dreamed of closing the carbon loop in a way that could prove to be beneficial for everyone. Now, your pollution could get recycled back into power, and the emissions cycle begins. As such, you can expect to see more focus on capturing CO2, alongside thermal reduction policies and campaigns.

Learn about other cool environmental projects today.

David Hamilton is a full-time journalist and a long-time bitcoinist. He specializes in writing articles on the blockchain. His articles have been published in multiple bitcoin publications including Bitcoinlightning.com

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