An improved catalyst helps turn Carbon Dioxide into butane

Only a few years ago scientists found that ruthenium with carbon dioxide hydrogen pressure heat and some time they could make methane. The problem with the system of capturing carbon is that it is only a short carbon chain one carbon long. A new catalyst invented by Cargnello and his colleagues has increased the production of long carbon chains. This improved catalyst can produce 1000 times more butane the longest hydrocarbon it can make. Butane being for carbon is long sequesters more carbon and produces more energy in the fuel being made. The problem with the original catalyst was there was too much hydrogen so this new catalyst is coated in plastic which makes it more difficult for the hydrogen to get in and so longer carbon chains which are far more useful can be made. Because butane is liquid at room temperature it is now much easier to handle than the previous chemicals made. Using this type of system carbon can be captured from different industrial systems and then turns into fuel and burned again. The longer hydrocarbon chains are more expensive to produce and use more energy.



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