[billnotgatez]

If we make the assumption that we need to reduce Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere, I propose we increase the Carbon Dioxide utilization rather than decrease the Carbon Dioxide production. Therefore, I have started this thread to discuss this topic.

This could be done by recycling the Carbon dioxide at the rate of creation or sequestering.


I will post some ideas and I hope others will as well, plus everyone is allowed to critique.

[billnotgatez]

One Idea is to create as much Biomass as possible from the Carbon Dioxide and use that Biomass as fuel. Therefore we would be recycling the Carbon Dioxide.

[Arkcon]

As I'd heard it, some of the best methods of sequestering CO2 is through the grwoth of coral.  Growing more terrestrial biomass, ie, forests, only delays the problem -- even if humans never burn such biomass, forest fires are a cyclical phenomena, and will re-release the CO2.  That said, coral growth is inhibited by other polution, and by rising sea temperatures.  My question is:  we provide the CO2, is the enough calcium for a massive growth of corals?

[enahs]

I am working on making catalysts that can active carbon dioxide and so it can then be used as a source of carbon in making polymers (it would not be the only source, just "free" extra carbon). After all, it is a natural products of so many chemical reactions, it is not a pollutant but a renewable resource!

It has been done since the ~1950's; it just requires crazy high temperature and pressure that it is not feasible. Hopefully I will change that. And screw the environment, even if I can get just a fraction of a cent for every pound of plastic sold that was made by using my catalysts.....can you say money?

Also, these plastics are biodegradable. They are not suitable for everything, but a good bit of what we use plastics for.

[billnotgatez]

enahs - we all hope it works

[billnotgatez]

1)Creating biomass and burning it and creating it and burning it (…) does not add to the problem it is just a recycling of the carbon.


2)Would Sodium Carbonate work? rather than calcium

[billnotgatez]

The coral thing reminded me that someone has suggested we convert our oxides to carbonates wherever possible, which sounds energy intensive.

[billnotgatez]

This seems like and obtuse approach but here goes.

Convert Carbon Dioxide to Carbon and Oxygen using energy that is not photosynthesis. Possibly using the heat from a nuclear reaction. That way you can sequester the carbon as a solid rather than freezing Carbon Dioxide and hoping it stays frozen. You could locate these nuclear plants were they would be least offensive to the people. Possibly on ships similar to the nuclear aircraft carries. Actually if we are good enough at it we could use the carbon as clean coal and stop mining, thus reducing the input of new Carbon Dioxide from underground sources.

Thoughts?

Regards,
Bill

[Arkcon]

One of the problems with sequestering carbon as biomass was, once we've grown a large forest, the risk of it suddenly catching fire accidentally, releasing all that CO2 we've sequestered.  I suppose the mass of pure carbon suggested poses a similar risk.  There are a lot of "ifs" and "buts" in that, however.

[billnotgatez]

The Carbon could be spread out in small deposits so it would be less of a problem.

<Grin On> Maybe coal deposits were carbon storage for dinosaurs. <Grin Off>

[408]

There are iron-based catalysts that can be used to turn CO2 into ligandized CO which can be used in further synthesis as a 1 carbon synthetic feedstock.