Carbon capture and utilization

Carbon capture and utilization

Part of: Prelims and GS III – Environment 

Context: A group of scientists from Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, IICT, Hyderabad have designed a hybrid material which can absorb greenhouse gas methane and convert it to clean hydrogen.

Key takeaways 

• They have simulated a process of capturing carbon dioxide and converted it to high purity hydrogen from non-fuel grade bioethanol. 
• These scientists have also designed a facility that can test such materials and help further carbon capture research at the institute.
• The Ministry of Science and Technology in a statement said that these new materials and processes for carbon capture and utilisation could show new light for the global warming challenge.

What is Carbon capture and utilization?

• Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) to be recycled for further usage.
• Carbon capture and utilization may help in significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from major industrial emitters.
• CCU is different from carbon capture and storage (CCS) because CCU does not aim nor result in permanent geological storage of carbon dioxide. 
  • Instead, CCU aims to convert the captured carbon dioxide into more valuable substances or products; such as plastics, concrete or biofuel; while retaining the carbon neutrality of the production processes.

About Methane

• Methane is a gas that is found in small quantities in Earth’s atmosphere but it is a powerful greenhouse gas.
• Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon but it doesn’t last as long in the atmosphere before it breaks down.
• It is also responsible for creating ground-level ozone, a dangerous air pollutant.

News Source: Newsonair