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Scientists accidentaly solve CO2 problem. Suppression if information forthcoming

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posted on Oct, 20 2016 @ 03:29 PM
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Converting ethanol to butanol involves creating a larger chemical molecule with more carbon and hydrogen atoms. Although both molecules have a single oxygen atom, the higher carbon-to-oxygen ratio in butanol gives it a higher energy content, while the larger size make it less volatile.
...
[William] Jones says the process currently terminates after one day because one or more of the substances [catalysts]—the iridium, nickel, and copper—has broken down.

"Once we solve the remaining problems," said Jones, "we may be able to start looking for ways to apply the conversion process in the making of renewable fuels."

Phys.org, Dec. 2015 - More efficient way of converting ethanol to a better alternative fuel.

So there is the idea of converting ethanol to butanol. The main problem is the cost of the catalysts and the fact that they break down (and the conversion halts) quickly. The article states that current (then) conversion has an "80% selectivity" while their process is 99% (whatever is being measured by "selectivity" IDK) and has no harmful "side products" (same source).

Solve the catalyst problems and convert corrosive ethanol over to butanol. Sounds like a good use of excess ethanol.



 
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