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The problem is that all the CO2 is in the air from extracting usable energy from chemical bonds. Due to thermodynamics we need to expend more than the energy th
by DFHippie 3y ago
The problem is that all the CO2 is in the air from extracting usable energy from chemical bonds. Due to thermodynamics we need to expend more than the energy that was extracted to recreate these bonds. And the useful work is just addressing prior harm. You aren't getting widgets or food from this process. Maybe someday we'll be producing graphene sheets or carbon nanotubes as a useful resource, but that's not currently on offer.
- ianburrell 3y agoWe don't necessarily need to recreate the bonds to sequester CO2. My understanding is that CO2 can be pumped underground in locations that used to hold natural gas. It does take lots of energy to pull the 400 ppm of CO2 out of the air. It is possible there are better sequestration methods than direct capture from the air. If want to make green fuel from the CO2, that takes the same amount of energy as the fuel contains. Using green fuel in existing cars, trucks, and trains won't work. It only makes sense for things like shipping or airplanes that go long distances. And other fuels like hydrogen, methane, or methanol that are easier to produce might work for those.
- boxed 3y ago> It is possible there are better sequestration methods than direct capture from the air. There are yes. Rock weathering is probably the most feasible and simple.