Abstract
The storage of renewable energy is crucial for the substitution of fossil fuels with renewable energy. Hydrogen is the first step in the conversion of electricity from renewable sources to an energy carrier. However, hydrogen is technically and economically challenging to store, but can be converted with CO₂ from the atmosphere or oceans to hydrocarbons. The heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase reaction and the electrochemical CO₂ reduction are reviewed and the application of a new type of reactor is described. The mechanism of the gas phase CO₂ reduction on a heterogeneous catalyst is shown in detail and the function of the supported catalyst is explained. Finally, an economic estimation on the cost of synthetic methane is presented which leads to a cost of 0.3 CHF/kWh in CH₄.
Highlights
Hydrogen is the first step in the conversion of electricity from renewable sources to an energy carrier
The mechanism of the gas phase CO2 reduction on a heterogeneous catalyst is shown in detail and the function of the supported catalyst is explained
An economic estimation on the cost of synthetic methane is presented which leads to a cost of 0.3 CHF/kWh in CH4
Summary
Hydrogen is the first product in the transfer of renewable energy to a chemical energy carrier in the natural photosynthesis as well as in the technical processes (metal hydrides, Sabatier reaction, ammonia synthesis, etc.). CO chemisorbs on the metal site (M–C=O) and is reduced with hydrogen to M–CH–OH These oxygenates react under condensation to form C–C bonds. The reaction can be controlled so as to maximize the center of the distribution, e.g. around n = 6, i.e. to minimize methane formation without allowing the production of long-chained hydrocarbons. Such efforts have met with only limited success except for the methanol to gasoline process on ZSM-5 catalyst.[7]. Critical to the production of liquid fuels, are reactions that form C–C bonds, such as migratory insertion, the key process in the synthesis of carbon nanostructures like carbon nanotubes. Beginning of the conversion curve, when a sufficient amount is converted in order to perform an accurate measurement (Fig. 3, Table 1).[15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
