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Carbon dioxide 'sponge' could ease transition to cleaner energy
Phys.org ^ | 8/9/2015 | staff

Posted on 08/10/2014 8:34:01 PM PDT by Titus-Maximus

A sponge-like plastic that sops up the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) might ease our transition away from polluting fossil fuels and toward new energy sources, such as hydrogen. The material—a relative of the plastics used in food containers—could play a role in President Obama's plan to cut CO2 emissions 30 percent by 2030, and could also be integrated into power plant smokestacks in the future.

The report on the material is one of nearly 12,000 presentations at the 248th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

"The key point is that this polymer is stable, it's cheap, and it adsorbs CO2 extremely well. It's geared toward function in a real-world environment," says Andrew Cooper, Ph.D. "In a future landscape where fuel-cell technology is used, this adsorbent could work toward zero-emission technology."

CO2 adsorbents are most commonly used to remove the greenhouse gas pollutant from smokestacks at power plants where fossil fuels like coal or gas are burned. However, Cooper and his team intend the adsorbent, a microporous organic polymer, for a different application—one that could lead to reduced pollution.

The new material would be a part of an emerging technology called an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), which can convert fossil fuels into hydrogen gas. Hydrogen holds great promise for use in fuel-cell cars and electricity generation because it produces almost no pollution. IGCC is a bridging technology that is intended to jump-start the hydrogen economy, or the transition to hydrogen fuel, while still using the existing fossil-fuel infrastructure. But the IGCC process yields a mixture of hydrogen and CO2 gas, which must be separated.

(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: co2
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To: Titus-Maximus

I wonder what they do with all the plastic when it is used up. Turn it into plastic shopping bags and fine us for them?


21 posted on 08/10/2014 9:33:46 PM PDT by ModelBreaker
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To: Titus-Maximus
Yeah..there are already these CO2 sponge thingys called "trees". Millions of them around...all over the world. Pretty cool how they work. What they do is soak up CO2, water and sunlight, and convert them into oxygen and glucose, through a process called "photosynthesis". I learned all about that in the 3rd grade, I think.

Weenie in a Hybrid by 10 Pound Test

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

22 posted on 08/10/2014 9:43:02 PM PDT by wku man ("Weenie in a Hybrid" by 10 Pound Test - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWdLDSB_6gY)
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To: Titus-Maximus

Every time I read about the next great idea from the “We’re Special” generation, I’m reminded of the old slogan “Don’t fool with Mother Nature.”


23 posted on 08/10/2014 9:47:05 PM PDT by Rembrandt (Part of the 51% who pay Federal taxes)
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To: Titus-Maximus

Sounds utterly insane, and was likely invented by some lunatic democrat that no doubt contributes to the DNC.


24 posted on 08/10/2014 9:57:10 PM PDT by chris37 (heartless)
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To: Titus-Maximus
Nonsense. Stop this crap about carbon dioxide being a “greenhouse gas.” It is not, never has been. It is the critical gas necessary for photosynthesis, and in increased concentrations beyond the natural 3-400 parts per million, plants grow faster, bigger, stronger and remove more of the “greenhouse gas” from the atmosphere. Stop believing this crap rammed down our throats. The premise is wrong, everything that follows is nonsense.
25 posted on 08/10/2014 9:59:04 PM PDT by Fungi (Read this post only if you are willing to accept the following: John:8:32.)
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To: Titus-Maximus

Less C02 = less trees and plants = less oxygen = less humans, we can see where this is leading to.


26 posted on 08/10/2014 10:36:16 PM PDT by American Constitutionalist
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To: Titus-Maximus

TREES are carbon dioxide sponges - and they give back oxygen.

We used to learn this by 2nd/third grade.


27 posted on 08/10/2014 11:49:59 PM PDT by maine-iac7 (Christian is as Christian does - by their fruits)
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To: Titus-Maximus

Yeah, but who decides what communities or political sub divisions are “sponge worthy “


28 posted on 08/11/2014 3:09:06 AM PDT by Einherjar
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To: Titus-Maximus

“Even if it works, they’ll find a reason not to use it, since it was never about CO2, it was about controlling the means of production.”

We have an excellent way to produce virtually unlimited electricity with no CO2. It’s called “nuclear power”.

Anytime someone brings up the “crisis of climate change” or anything similar, I reply with “fine, it’s time to start a massive nuclear buildout”. That separates the posers from the serious ones.

In truth, I fully support transitioning from coal-fired plants to nuclear across the board. Coal is a dirty fuel, whether or not CO2 is a problem. Advanced nuclear will be handy for space exploration as well. :-)


29 posted on 08/11/2014 3:58:54 AM PDT by PreciousLiberty
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All of this on account of .034 percent of the atmosphere.

Trillion of dollars will be spent to get that down to .033% (not really possible) and then the panic will set in why photosynthesis world-wide is dangerously reduced. Starvation runs amuck as crop outputs are seriously reduced.

30 posted on 08/11/2014 4:33:27 AM PDT by USCG SimTech (Honored to serve since '71)
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To: American Constitutionalist
Less C02 = less trees and plants = less oxygen = less humans, we can see where this is leading to.

You don't happen to imply the Georgia Guidestones Agenda 21 initiative do you?

31 posted on 08/11/2014 4:36:08 AM PDT by USCG SimTech (Honored to serve since '71)
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To: Titus-Maximus

Envirowacko elimination will be the cheapest and most effective solution


32 posted on 08/11/2014 4:40:19 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12 ..... Obama is public enemy #1)
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To: USCG SimTech

All I know is that’s what it is leading to.


33 posted on 08/14/2014 12:48:17 AM PDT by American Constitutionalist
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