Utilization of Carbon Dioxide as a Resource - Assignment Example

Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Emerging technologies: Utilization of Carbon Dioxide as a Resource Abstract From simple biology, carbon dioxide is a product given out after substrate utilization in aerobic organisms and industrial process. Plants utilize carbon dioxide during the day in a process called photosynthesis, which is meant for food production. However, carbon dioxide is a waste product; its utilization is extremely beneficial in reduction of pollution and the development of new fields of resource utilization. However, carbon dioxide plays a very vital role in safeguarding the blood PH (Peters et al. 2011, p. 63). Carbon dioxide is necessary for interior respiration in a human body. This is the process where carbon dioxide is carried away from the body tissues while oxygen is carried into it. Carbon dioxide is a protector of the pH of the blood, which is vital for the continued existence. The buffer system in which carbon dioxide plays a significant function is called the carbonate buffer. There are other uses of carbon dioxide, which are mostly industrial. For example, carbon dioxide is used in the carbonation of drinks (soft and alcoholic), such as beer and certain wines. Another common use of carbon dioxide is the manufacture of fire extinguishers. Additionally, carbon dioxide is used to decaffeinate coffee and for supercritical fluid extraction. Despite all these uses, this report aims at discussing the emerging technologies in the utilization of carbon dioxide as a resource (Water Treatment Solutions Lenntech 2009, pp. 22-38). It will discuss the utilization of carbon dioxide as a resource, and forms six parts according to the number of group members and their contribution. Introduction Carbon dioxide was first identified in the 1750s. Carbon dioxide is usually a gas, which is odorless, nonflammable, and faintly acid. These are its characteristic in room temperature. Its molecular formula is CO2. One molecule of CO2 has one carbon atom bounded to 2 oxygen atoms. Each of these has a double bond towards the carbon atom. This gas can also be found in solid and liquid state. In liquid state under suitable, maintained pressure and soluble in water; constitutes liquid carbon dioxide. Naturally, carbon dioxide forms part of the atmospheric air. It can also be found dissolved in water as a component of the carbon cycle. Utilization In the emerging trends of carbon technology, utilization of carbon dioxide as a resource can be depicted as the heart of life in the world. The management of carbon dioxide release posses a monumental challenge socially, economically and politically. Novel technologies in the management of carbon dioxide have transformed it from a liability to a resource that man can use to his advantage. Nanostructure materials, which form new kinds of catalysts, is used to transform carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons of high value, and also other materials that contain carbon atoms (Olah, Alain and Surya 2009, p. 85). The materials used are the most recent in replacing petrochemical and cleaning agents in chemical industries. Activation of carbon dioxide at low activation barriers with regard to the emerging technologies have allowed modern day synthetic chemists to create polycarbonates. This is obtained through a process of copolymerization of carbon dioxide by use of epoxies (Vogt, Henning, Leitner and Muller 2011, p. 75). There are several reasons why carbon dioxide is a global threat as a raw material for numerous industries. This are- • There will be almost unlimited source of carbon dioxide, if it will be implemented that carbon dioxide should be recovered from flue gases. • Environmental communities urge the use of chemical substances, which are nontoxic for production of industrial goods. Fuel is an essential part to man existence. The use of fossil has proved to be especially controversial in the past decades. Carbon dioxide can be used as an alternative fuel replacing CO and coal among other hydrocarbons. The use of carbon dioxide as a fuel aims at reducing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Technologies implemented aim at reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide can be categorized into various groups. These are; fuel shift, recovery of carbon dioxide concentrated sources, efficiency technologies; energy production and utilization, and biomass fixation (Gale and Yoichi 2003, p. 45). Application As earlier discussed, nanotechnology plays an imperative role in utilization of carbon dioxide among the recent emerging technologies. Carbon dioxide is released among the numerous industrial processes. Some companies release it into the atmosphere while few use it for other purposes. For example, beer producers reinsert it into their products. For those industries that do not have uses for the produced carbon dioxide, they should convert it into fuel forms, by use of nanotechnology (Erokhin et al. 2008, p.133; Magarshak, Sergey, and Vaseashta 2009, pp. 1-56). We all know that fuel, plays an imperative role on the basic requirements in industrial production. Nanotechnology helps in capture and conversion of carbon dioxide into fuels like methane. This process delimits the aspect of atmosphere contamination and provides a solution to the fuel crisis (Erokhin, Manoj, and Ozlem 2008, p. 154). With nanotechnology, it removes the two oxygen atoms and replacing them with four hydrogen atoms, creating a molecule of methane. Methane is a very important fuel for stove users. At the Penn State, a research group is using sunlight as a power source in the alteration of water and carbon dioxide into methane. They are also using a catalyst that coats the nanotubes being used. The nanotubes made of titanium oxide. This process will allow a cycle process, which is called the closed loop. This process involves capturing of released carbon dioxide, converting it into methane, storing methane into fuel storage facilities; for power production. The carbon dioxide produced from methane fuels is also captured and converted into methane, and the cycle is endless (Vogt, Leitner, and Muller 2011, pp. 163-4; Sriniwas and Gurdeep Singh 2004, pp. 47-93). The energy required for the conversion is minimal since the source of energy is sunlight. Although, this system will require an initial installation capital for the photo catalytic cells, and the pipes required for the piping system involved in delivering the carbon dioxide separated from the other products. This technology will be a significant advancement when implemented in the mechanics of automobiles in the future; as stated by the research group leader, Craig Grimes. Advantages to the Environment The global climate has drastically changed forcing men to adopt new ways that are environmentally friendly. The utilization of one of the flue gases, that is carbon dioxide, has become a key target. Emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology, which is most promising, reduces the amount of anthropogenic carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by proper utilization of this gas (Neelameggham et al. 2009, p. 120). Fossil fuels use has been the key reason for global climate change. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has become one of the best-proposed solutions to this climate crisis. CCS technology plays an imperative role in the separation of carbon dioxide from other gases. Nanotechnology has extremely high potential of giving cheap, environmentally friendly and highly efficient methods of capturing and releasing carbon dioxide (Magarshak, Sergey and Vaseashta 2009, p. 23). The nanosorbents developed, are of high capacity and selective in carbon dioxide separation from other gases. Trends There are several nano-materials, developed for the separation process. These include nanosporous silica particles that have amine groups covalently attached to the particle frameworks (which are organic metal) and other frameworks (which are nanoscale zeolitic imidazolate). There are high hopes that this nanotechnology will be able to retrieve and capture carbon dioxide from its natural aquifers. It will capture it without disrupting the natural balance of the different ecosystems involved (Brinker and Diallo 2012, p. 167; Olah and Surya 2009, pp. 67-82). This whole process is aimed at global sustainability for the continued existence of man and other inhabitants of this planet. Some power stations in the world are known to trap and bury carbon dioxide; this can be considered as wasting a magnificent source of energy. This nanotechnology utilization of carbon dioxide is still under research and investigation; however, the progress is grand (Rech and Decker 2008, p. 56). Other proposed methods include conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol. This can be done either with platinum catalyst or with use of electrolysis and hydrogenation of carbon dioxide dissolved in water. Limitations of using nanotechnology There are several limitations of using heterogeneous catalysts, and the main problem is that novel, efficient catalyst support platforms have not been identified. The other set back is the limitation of this technology to in developing countries. It is also expensive and may take time to implement. For example, the e-beam lithography system costs up to millions of dollars. There may also be environmental risks involved in the release of molecular nanotechnology (MNT). More research has to be done to appreciate the dangers that come with this technology. This technology requires high levels of expertise in its handling and, therefore; it demands for an individual to have taken a nanotechnology course, which certifies an individual for such a job. It requires that reading materials be simplified to a more easy and understandable form of technology effectiveness. The fossil fuels will tend to remain cheaper even after the arrival of new fuels created from flue gases. The novel fuels will take time to be embraced by the human race in general. It is crucial for international fuels laws to be adjusted in a way that it will favor all nations with regard to prices. Before nations come together and set such laws it will take a lot of time, and many disagreements may occur, especially when rich fossil fuel providers realize there will be no money. Future Nano technology has a promising future compared to other ways of utilizing flue gases. It may take years or even decades to implement fully this technology, but once it has been embraced into use by the world’s community climate change and destruction of the Ozone layer guarantees to take a new turn. However, many individuals are anxious to witness the implementation of Nano technology into automobiles; better batteries that utilize electricity and hydrogen fuel cells. The future of this technology entirely depends on the efforts of nations to embrace it and discourage the use of fossil fuels. These will include strict laws discouraging the use of these energies. It may take time to implement and at the same time, the amount of carbon dioxide produced and emitted by man remains at dangerously high levels. The future of carbon dioxide utilization by the use of nanotechnology will rectify the climate crisis. This will eventually save the situation of species that are been threatened by extinction due to adverse climates. The success of nanotechnology in the utilization of carbon dioxide may open other gateways for the utilization of nanomites in other fields like automobiles and medicine. Conclusion Despite this proposed method, of nanotechnology, the effects on climatic change will not see its end soon as expected since fossil fuels are widely used. The combination of this method and reduction of fossil fuel usage will bring notable change in the climate within a very short period. The mitigation of carbon dioxide among other flue gases is very significant in the salvation of the world from natural disasters (Sriniwas and Gurdeep 2004, p. 89). The research in this emerging technology requires money to ensure a successful and effective usage after the implementation, thereby, eradicating any possibility of failure (Gale, John, and Yoichi 2003, pp. 202-295). Works Cited: Brinker, Jeffrey, and Mamadou Diallo 2010, Nanotechnology for sustainability: Environment, Water, Food, Minerals, and Climate, Retrieved 3 May, 2012 from http://www.wtec.org/nano2/Nanotechnology_Research_Directions_to_2020/chapters05. pdf>. Erokhin, Victor., Manoj, Kumar, Ram, and Ozlem, Yavuz 2008, The new frontiers of organic and composite nanotechnology, London, Elsevier Science. Gale, John, and Yoichi Kaya 2003, Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, 1-4 October 2002, Kyoto, Tokyo, Elsevier. Magarshak, Yuri, Sergey, Kozyrev, and Vaseashta, A 2009, Silicon versus carbon fundamental nanoprocesses, nanobiotechnology and risks assessment, Dordrecht, Springer. Neelameggham, Neal, et al. 2009, Energy technology perspectives: conservation, carbon dioxide reduction and production from alternative sources. Wiley, Warrendale. Olah, George, Alain, Goeppert, and Surya Prakash 2009, “Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol and Dimethyl Ether: From Greenhouse Gas to Renewable, Environmentally Carbon Neutral Fuels and Synthetic Hydrocarbons,” The Journal of Organic Chemistry 74, 487–498. . Olah, George, and Surya, Prakash 2010, “Electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide in aqueous media to Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen for production of Methanol,” Los Angeles, Winston & Strawn LLP. Peters, Martina, et al. 2011, Chemical Technologies for Exploiting and Recycling CO2 into the Value Chain, Winston & Strawn LLP, Washington DC. Rech, Jorge, and Decker, Bjorn 2008, Emerging technologies for semantic work environments: techniques, methods, and applications, Hershey: Information Science Reference, Sriniwas, Puri, and Gurdeep Singh 2004, “Mitigation of Green House Gas Emissions through Carbon Dioxide Sequestration,” Proceedings of the National Seminar on Environmental Engineering, 19-20. Steinbock, Bonnie, John, Arras, and Alex John London 2009, “Ethical issues in modern medicine: Contemporary readings in bioethics,” Boston, McGraw-Hill. Vogt, Henning, Leitner, Walter, and Muller, Thomas 2011, Activation of Carbon Dioxide and its Utilization as a Chemical Resource. Retrieved 3 May, 2012 from < http://kongress.achema.de/Beitragseinreichung/Congress+Planner/Datei_handler-tagung- 559-file-5388-p-44.html>. Water Treatment Solutions Lenntech 2009, Carbon dioxide. Retrieved 3 May, 2012 from < http://www.lenntech.com/carbon-dioxide.htm >. Read More