CONVERSION PROCESSES OF CARBON DIOXIDE INTO USEFUL CHEMICALS Elizabeth Osadare, Shanelle Bryant, Ariel Taylor, and Emmanuel Dada (Faculty Advisor) Department Of Chemical Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446
Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the key contributor to greenhouse effect and one of the leading detrimental gaseous compounds that our planet faces. This project focuses mainly on the conversion processes of CO2 into useful chemicals like urea, ethanol and electro fuels. Technologies involved in combustion processes and how captured CO2 serves as feedstock for the production of useful chemicals [2] are discussed. The conversion processes are sustainable route of utilization of CO2 leading to reduction of negative global impact of CO2 on the planet. [2]. Aspect requiring further research interest is high selectivity for reaction via catalyst needed for higher conversion rate of carbon dioxide into desired chemical products. An extensive research on the conversion processes particularly in the pilot scale area is recommended.
Background An increase in the CO2 emissions between 1990 and 2017 correspond to increase in energy usage due to economy growth and industrialization. Though there are many natural sources of CO2 emission, but the largest source of it is from human-related activities amongst which fossil fuel combustion process is the major contributor. In 2017, CO2 gas emission was approximately 82% of all the greenhouse gases (GHG) released through human activities in the US alone as described in the Figure 1 below. In general, human activities give rise to the global CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere thereby altered the earth’s carbon cycle and result in climate change and global warming. [5]
Figure 1. (a): Global greenhouse gas emissions by economic sectors.[6] (b): U.S. Greenhouse gas emission in 2018.[7]
Aim This research focuses on the conversion processes of captured CO2 as a direct, indirect or co-reactant feedstock for the production of urea, methanol, dimethyl ether (DME) and synthetic liquid fuels amongst many useful chemical products.
Acknowledgements R&I’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR and Undergraduate Medical Academy, Prairie View A&M University.
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POSTERS AND REPORTS
This concept describes commercializatio n potentials and various ways for utilizing the captured CO2 as chemical feedstock [10]
This concept describes the hypothetical hydrogenation of captured CO2 and the use as a feedstock for the synthesis of synthetic liquid fuels. long chain hydrocarbons (HC) [1]
