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Utilizing Carbon Dioxide |
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by Adam Zhou | 26-07-2018 00:41
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Global warming, as many of you may know, is the observable atmospheric and ocean temperature rises, but as some of you may not know, out of the 13 warmest years since 1880, 11 of them were in the range of 2001-2011. Temperature will continue to rise in the coming years as well.
Impacts are very multi faceted. The melting of ice caps can then lead into a rise in sea water levels. This is followed by a loss of habitats, extinction in severe cases. Other points of focus are the increase for extreme weather patterns, decrease in food supplies, flooding, etc. All in all, this interconnectedness is sure to impact us humans and our health as well. Fossil fuels are undoubtably a major cause. But the thing is, we can't just immediately stop burning fossil fuels because we need the energy it produces to go about with our everyday lifestyles. Renewable energy is a possibility, however, the presence of the chemical industry is still unavoidable. It is a mandatory process is our ubiquitous products that we use everyday, and so far, there is no alternative for those. Therefore, we must utilize carbon dioxide in another manner. Carbon capture and storage is something especially prominent. However, when looking at this holistically, the scale of impact is pretty minimal. Therefore, we must think of another solution. And there is already something used quite often in the scientific scheme of things. Catalysts are substances that alter rates of reactions without being consumed in the reaction. It typically involves a series of intermediaries and various transformations facilitated through heat and is then regenerated through a cycle. The good thing about this is that the amount is very minimal in relation to the substrate and can thus be extremely efficient. To put this into perspective, 0.0001 - 1% is relation that we're looking at. Integrating a catalyst can be used to convert carbon dioxide into valuable materials, incorporating reactive substances like transition metals. by changing what is around the catalyst, we can change the properties of the catalyst as well. Overall, this is proof that we can make commodity chemicals from carbon dioxide.
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3 Comments
Hello Adam
It is true that in reality it isn't possible to cut every single fossil fuel energy. So alongside with a alternative energy solution as a long term figure, a complementary one that could alleviate this current situation is needed. Catalyst is a very interesting thing at it contributes to reactions in small amounts but are separated when the whole reaction is done. If this could be developed in to the level at which we can use in daily lives it would be of most help!
Thanks for sharing :)
Posted 29-07-2018 10:38
Hi Adam!
I completely agree with the fact that the world will continue to witness a gradual but impounding increase in temperatures, but what strikes me with the odds of not understanding why we haven't shifted to renewable resource completely bathles me.
The alternative use of catalyst is a good idea, because as you said, it just accelerates the reaction without altering the chemical properties. I do hope that this solution gets greater airspace so as to be initiated in future respect.
Great report!
Posted 26-07-2018 18:58
This can be one of the ways to utilize carbon but can it be possible in every nations to do so?? I doubt if it can be affordable?
Posted 26-07-2018 14:13