Oct 14 2016
A research team from Ghent University developed an innovative concept to convert CO2 into valuable products. The new process, coined “super-dry” methane reforming, intensifies CO2 conversion, so the prestigious scientific journal Science reports.
Left to right: Guy Marin, Vladimir Galvita, Christophe Detavernier, Lukas Buelens, Hilde Poelman. (Credit: Ghent University)
An important cause of global warming is carbon dioxide (CO2) production, due to the increase of the oil, gas and coal consumption. Can we do something useful with this tremendous amount of CO2?
A research team from Ghent University, led by Dr. Vladimir Galvita, developed an innovative concept to convert CO2 into valuable products. The new process, coined “super-dry” methane reforming, intensifies CO2 conversion, so the prestigious scientific journal Science reports.
A mile stone
The new concept uses two important greenhouse gases, methane (CH4) and CO2, and aims at maximizing CO2 conversion. Compared to existing technologies, three times more CO2 can be converted into carbon monoxide (CO), an interesting building block for fuels and chemicals.
Moreover, it offers high flexibility, both in gas feed as in process conditions, while using earth abundant and cheap materials such as iron, calcium, and nickel. With this novel concept, the Ghent scientists have delivered a true champion in CO2 conversion.