The research team from the University of Cambridge developed a solar -powered reactor with the ability to directly remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
“What happens if instead of pumping CO2 down to the ground, we create something useful from it? CO2 is a harmful greenhouse gas, but can be converted into useful chemicals without contributing to The part of global warming, “the main author of the research, Dr. Sayan Kar from the Yusuf Hamied chemistry Department of Cambridge University. New research has been published in the magazine Nature Energy, Interesting Engineering On February 14, reported.
Different from traditional carbon seizures and storage methods, requiring significant energy inputs and long -term underground CO2 storage, the new reactor does not use energy from fossil fuels. Inspired by photosynthesis, the team designed a system to maintain operation without external energy, cable or battery.
The reactor runs by solar energy takes CO2 directly from the atmosphere, storing it in specialized filters at night like a water -sucking sponge. During the day, the reactor converts CO2 into Syngas synthesis – an important ingredient for the production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals and fuels – through a chemical reaction that occurs when CO2 is heated. The process does not emit back to the environment.
The reactor has a semiconductor powder to welcome ultraviolet light to provide energy for the conversion process, and a mirror that helps to focus sunlight to increase performance. The new device eliminates CO2 storage and transportation, which makes it easier to expand the scale than previous solar carbon seeping technologies.
“If this device is produced on a large scale, we can solve two problems at the same time: remove CO2 from the atmosphere and create a clean option to replace fossil fuels,” Kar said.
The team found that the potential for large application in chemical and pharmaceutical industry, where synthetic gases can be used to produce many essential products without exacerbating climate change. With the new reactor, individuals and communities can also produce fuel themselves. This will be very useful in remote areas that are difficult to access the grid and fossil fuel.