Scientists discover way to turn CO2 into ethanol

[Tsutarja]

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/green-tech/a23417/convert-co2-into-ethanol/

So a group of scientists accidentally discovered a chemical reaction that can turn carbon dioxide into ethanol. Supposedly the process is cheap, and could help eliminate the amount of CO₂ in our atmosphere, as well.

What do you guys think? Is this a new innovation to perhaps cut back on air pollution as a whole?

 

[Tsutarja]

Not only would it cut back on emissions, but it'd provide a secondary fuel source, granted it wouldn't be powerful, but it could be captured and stored by the vehicle for some kind of purpose for sure.

However, the practical uses of it are probably many years away.

Ethanol has actually been around for ages as an alternative fuel to petroleum and many vehicles to this day can run on ethanol in addition to standard petroleum. In fact, 9/10 service stations here in the U.S. (and maybe Canada too) contain 10% ethanol by default.

 

[Banz]

How do you trap a volatile liquid like ethanol? If you use the ethanol again, it's fine but then it would be simply carbon neutral not carbon negative. Also what about the energy required to run the process? It can't trap carbon from the atmosphere without releasing an equal or larger quantity of carban back out.... unless it is powered by solar, wind or hydro power.

Ethanol has actually been around for ages as an alternative fuel to petroleum and many vehicles to this day can run on ethanol in addition to standard petroleum. In fact, 9/10 service stations here in the U.S. (and maybe Canada too) contain 10% ethanol by default.

Yes. Us in the old world have been using it for more than 10000 years.

 

[Desinishon]

How do you trap a volatile liquid like ethanol? If you use the ethanol again, it's fine but then it would be simply carbon neutral not carbon negative. Also what about the energy required to run the process? It can't trap carbon from the atmosphere without releasing an equal or larger quantity of carban back out.... unless it is powered by solar, wind or hydro power.



Yes. Us in the old world have been using it for more than 10000 years.

This post pretty much sums up my thoughts c:
Like Team fail stated conversion technology is many years away. Everyone is simply assuming this thing for now I don't think they've started developing it to use in vehicle...