Eventually, after considering different methods of reducing CO2 emissions, we decided to focus on researching how to reduce our dependance on fossil fuels. This could be achieved by converting waste products back into useful fuels, namely converting carbon dioxide back into a fuel, so that the efficiency of fossil fuels could be increased.
Electrolysis
The process of electrolysis in order to produce different fuels from CO2 takes many variations. One such variation is the electrolysis of CO2 and H2O to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide which can be combined accordingly to make ‘liquid fuels’. One way this can be achieved is by using a concentrated photovoltaic (cell) to concentrate sunlight onto a panel which converts the energy into high voltage electricity. The electricity is then used in two separate electrolysis processes, one to split CO2 and the other to split H2O.
The issue with this specific method of converting CO2 to fuels, however, is that certain parts of the process require very high temperatures, which means more electricity is needed and therefore cost is higher. What makes this further redundant is that CO2 is released from power stations to produce this electricity. The fact that CO2 is stable and very unreactive also means that more energy is required to be able to split the CO2 in order to acquire more useful substances.
The issue with this specific method of converting CO2 to fuels, however, is that certain parts of the process require very high temperatures, which means more electricity is needed and therefore cost is higher. What makes this further redundant is that CO2 is released from power stations to produce this electricity. The fact that CO2 is stable and very unreactive also means that more energy is required to be able to split the CO2 in order to acquire more useful substances.
Extremophiles
Extremophiles that live in the depths of the ocean are able to live under very high pressure and in pitch blackness. What scientists have found out is that these microorganisms have adapted to be able to produce or attain energy and fuel, all without the use of photosynthesis. Some have adapted to make use of energy of chemicals from inside volcanic vents.
Pyrococcus furiosus, an extremophile known for its high tolerance of heat, can be genetically modified to be able to feed on carbon dioxide at lower temperatures and then produce useful substances such as fuels. What is more is that the fuel created by this genetically modified pyrococcus furiosus is carbon neutral, meaning that that the amount of carbon dioxide released is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide taken in by the microorganism.
Despite the success in creating fuels using these extremophiles, it should be noted that complex genetic modification is required to make these microorganisms convert CO2 to fuels instead of using energy and time to grow, so it may take time to perfect this process.
Pyrococcus furiosus, an extremophile known for its high tolerance of heat, can be genetically modified to be able to feed on carbon dioxide at lower temperatures and then produce useful substances such as fuels. What is more is that the fuel created by this genetically modified pyrococcus furiosus is carbon neutral, meaning that that the amount of carbon dioxide released is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide taken in by the microorganism.
Despite the success in creating fuels using these extremophiles, it should be noted that complex genetic modification is required to make these microorganisms convert CO2 to fuels instead of using energy and time to grow, so it may take time to perfect this process.