Making fuel from carbon dioxide involves first using renewable energy to capture CO2 and then using a second step to convert it into a usable fuel like methanol or synthetic hydrocarbons. Efficient methods include direct, single-step catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 cap C cap O sub 2𝐶𝑂2 and hydrogen, or integrated systems that combine capture and conversion to lower costs and energy loss, often using renewable electricity to split water for hydrogen production.

Making fuel from carbon dioxide involves first using renewable energy to capture CO2 and then using a second step to convert it into a usable fuel like methanol or synthetic hydrocarbons. Efficient methods include direct, single-step catalytic hydrogenation of 

CO2 cap C cap O sub 2

𝐶𝑂 2 and hydrogen, or integrated systems that combine capture and conversion to lower costs and energy loss, often using renewable electricity to split water for hydrogen production. 

Step 1: Capture carbon dioxide 

Direct air capture: -

Use a solvent or chemical process to capture CO2 cap C cap O sub 2 𝐶𝑂 2 directly from the atmosphere.

Industrial capture: -

Capture CO2 cap C cap O sub 2 𝐶𝑂2 from the flue gas of industrial facilities like power plants.

Integrated systems: -

Combine capture and conversion in a single system. For example, a patented solvent captures CO2 cap C cap O sub 2 𝐶𝑂 2 and transports it directly to a reactor, eliminating separate steps like releasing and compressing the gas. 

Step 2: Produce hydrogen 

Use renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydro power, to perform electrolysis, which splits water (H2O cap H sub 2 cap O𝐻 2𝑂) into hydrogen (H2 cap H sub 2 𝐻2) and oxygen (O2 cap O sub 2 𝑂2). 

Step 3: Convert 

          V CO2 cap C cap O sub 2 𝐶𝑂 2

and hydrogen into fuel Catalytic hydrogenation: ,-

Combine the captured CO2 cap C cap O sub 2 𝐶𝑂2 and hydrogen gas in a reactor with a catalyst to produce various fuels.

Single-step process: -

New multi-functional catalysts can directly convert CO2 cap C cap O sub 2𝐶𝑂 2 and hydrogen into longer hydrocarbon chains, such as those found in aviation fuel or gasoline. This is more efficient than older, two-step methods that first produce carbon monoxide.

Methanol production: -

Another approach converts CO2 cap C cap O sub 2𝐶𝑂 2 into methanol, a widely used chemical that can also be a fuel.

Electro-catalysis: A more recent method uses an electrochemical process to convert CO2 cap C cap O sub 2𝐶𝑂 2 into a more easily handled intermediate, like a liquid metal bicarbonate, and then into format salts.

    These can be stored and used later in fuel cells or other applications. 

Efficiency and benefits 

Reduced cost: -

Integrated systems and new catalysts are lowering the cost of producing carbon-neutral fuels.

Carbon neutrality: -

When powered by renewable energy, this process can create carbon-neutral fuels. The CO2 cap C cap O sub 2 𝐶𝑂2 released when the fuel is combusted was previously captured from the air or industrial sources, making the process carbon-neutral in a cycle.

Energy efficiency: -

Using direct, single-step conversion processes and integrated systems improves overall energy efficiency. 

MJF Lion ER YK Sharma