Catalytic converters are a breakthrough technology that has been in the works for a number of years.
They have had a lot of hype surrounding them over the past couple of years. These devices, when used correctly, can save a company a ton of money on fuel by converting excess CO2 in a typical engine into usable fuel. There have said to be a number of different types of catalytic converters out there, but they are basically used in the same manner. They all operate on the same principles of separating two different chemicals through a process called catalytic electrodialysis.
What is this process?
Basically, an electrical charge is placed on the incoming gases or liquids which will cause them to become water, air, or fuel. These things have different ways of being forced to interact with one another, but ultimately, they will all end up in the same liquid or gas form. What happens here is that the gas or liquid is separated from the other by an electric arc. This separation is what allows these systems to work so effectively. The most common types of these devices are called the MES and the VC or venturi vane catalytic converters.
What type of catalyst found to convert carbon dioxide to a useful fuel is determined by the physical characteristics of the gas. As stated above, most catalytic converters are designed to convert toxic gases or liquids into usable and widely acceptable substances. For instance, a gas composed primarily of methane can be converted to gasoline, propane, and ethylene with the help of a catalytic converter. These are just four of the ways that catalytic converters can be used, but there are many more.
Other types of gas containing fuels can also be converted through the use of a catalyst. For instance, biodiesel has been around for quite some time as a fuel alternative for a number of automobiles. A popular alternative is the biodiesel fuel cell, which is used in diesel generators. The main difference between biodiesel and other traditional fuels is that it is created through an oxidation process rather than a chemical one.
In order to understand how the catalytic converter works, it is important to first know more about how gases or liquids go through the catalyst. When you put two substances together that have different characteristics, one of them becomes inactive while the other one becomes active. The active ingredient, which is usually oxygen, is what causes the gas or liquid to move faster through the substance that causes it to become inactive. Once it is inactive, however, it becomes harder for that particular substance to move.
A catalyst, on the other hand, is a substance that causes a chemical reaction. The most common type of catalyst in a catalytic converter is oxygen. It reacts with carbon dioxide to form either a gas or a liquid, depending on which it is trying to react with. This is why an automobile can be equipped with a catalytic converter in order to convert toxic gases into less harmful ones. The converter uses oxygen in order to speed up the reaction between the two in order to create a faster, more efficient result.
A catalytic converter can be found in a number of places around the world. In most cases, the catalyst will be found in the area of the converter itself. There are a number of other types of catalysts, including those that convert organic compounds such as fertilizers to carbon dioxide, and those that change elements of the periodic table into other elements.
Converting Carbon Dioxide to Fuel Alternatives
Recent news stories have been discussing the latest advances in converting carbon dioxide to fuel options. A few years ago this was not even an option, as not many people thought it was even possible. However, a couple of decades ago, this technology was in its developmental stages and was not ready for prime time. However, the recent advancements in technology have brought the technology into the limelight.
Most people are familiar with programs for dealing with the carbon dioxide buildup in our atmosphere. These ideas have been said to help reduce emissions to a manageable level. At some current rates, we are going to cross this atmospheric carbon dioxide mark at some point during the next decade.
What does this mean for fuel alternatives?
More environmental advocates and scientists are touting the environmental benefits of converting carbon dioxide into fuel alternatives. The most significant benefit is going to be on the environment. When you use alternative fuels to run your car, you are significantly reducing your carbon dioxide output. This makes sense when you consider that cars emit over half of the CO2 that is released by the environment. Additionally, the process of converting carbon dioxide into other forms of energy will also have significant benefits on the environment.
When you consider the cost of fuel alternatives, it is easy to understand why so many people are looking into this idea. The process is relatively low cost and it will bring better overall results. For instance, the use of biodiesel is going to help you save money. The savings are going to cover the initial costs involved. In fact, in some cases, biodiesel can actually replace gasoline.
These concepts are only the start though.
Another benefit to converting carbon dioxide into fuel alternatives is the improved efficiency. This is because the process involves an increase in the rate in which heat is absorbed. In addition, it uses the process of electrolysis to convert the carbon dioxide into usable energy. As a result, one could be able to drive the car further with less effort. Additionally, one may find that their vehicle will operate more efficiently.
Converting fuel alternatives is something that has become popular among environmental advocates.
One of the best things about fuel alternatives is that they are going to help people save money. It is no secret that the price of gas is going up. This means that people could easily spend more money than they would like if they were to rely on other types of transportation.
The “Converting Carbon Dioxide to Fuel Debate” Needs To Be revisited
The latest in the Carbon Dioxide to Fuel debate is based on a simple concept. The debate is to say that scientists do not know how to convert carbon dioxide into fuel. They are now saying that we are headed in the wrong direction.
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas that is present in the atmosphere. It has also been said to be in water. We need it for life. Yet scientists agree that it is a greenhouse gas that causes temperatures to rise. So, if we are to leave a safe level of it in the atmosphere and not add to it, we will cause a problem.
If someone takes a walk through the woods in the autumn, they may see methane gases in the underbrush. Those are both gases formed from the breakdown of trees. When they die, they release greenhouse gases. So, just from those examples it is clear that carbon dioxide released into the environment is a problem.
Based on current efforts it appears that we cannot keep on top of this. Nature is a dynamic and constantly changing entity. As we realize more about it we need to change our ways to preserve and keep the Earth in a state of equilibrium. Unfortunately, we have not been able to do that. So, we need to be thinking about carbon emission reductions as a way to keep the environment safe.
What has happened is that we have created a technology that allows cars to use electricity to run off of stored energy in the batteries. This technology is called battery regeneration. It allows cars to operate on stored energy instead of gasoline. It sounds like science fiction but it is the real thing.
So, you might think that scientists have all the answers. They have all of the testing and data. They are even capable of making cars that don’t burn gasoline.
We have a responsibility to keep our planet in its natural balance. If we do not do something about it soon, the future we dream of will not be able to be realized.
The fact is that there is a technology out there that can be retrofitted to existing cars so that they can use electricity to power the vehicle. You don’t have to own an expensive exotic sports car. You don’t have to own one with a very large engine. Perhaps all that needs to be done is finding a company that is developing carbon dioxide conversion kits for cars and applying this technology first hand.
These are the reasons that the “Converting Carbon Dioxide to Fuel Debate” needs to be revisited. People seem to think that the world has learned all it needs to know about using energy from coal, oil, and natural gas. That is not necessarily true. There is still a lot of learning that needs to happen before people can make an educated decision as to which of these resources they should be using.
So, with a little more research in the right direction and the right places. This would be very beneficial to all of us.
COST
Currently the average cost of a Catalytic Converter is around $800 to $1200 but can be less depending on vehicle model.
Provided by Antonio Westley
Disclaimer: This article is meant to be seen as an overview of this subject and not a reflection of viewpoints or opinions as nothing is definitive. So, make sure to do your research and feel free to use this information at your own discretion.