MIT Breakthrough can generate electricity w ZERO CO2 atmospheric emissions from Natural Gas

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Sunday December 06, 2009 · 1:14 PM PST

2009/12/06 · 13:14

Scientists at M.I.T. have developed a novel process that has the potential to generate abundant electricity with zero carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

A Greener Way to Get Electricity from Natural Gas

Postdoctoral associate Thomas Adams and Paul I. Barton, the Lammot du Pont Professor of Chemical Engineering, propose a system that uses solid-oxide fuel cells, which produce power from fuel without burning it. The system would not require any new technology, but would rather combine existing components, or ones that are already well under development, in a novel configuration (for which they have applied for a patent). The system would also have the advantage of running on natural gas, a relatively plentiful fuel source -- proven global reserves of natural gas are expected to last about 60 years at current consumption rates -- that is considered more environmentally friendly than coal or oil. (Present natural-gas power plants produce an average of 1,135 pounds of carbon dioxide for every megawatt-hour of electricity produced -- half to one-third the emissions from coal plants, depending on the type of coal.)

Their process uses a type of fuel cells powered by Natural Gas, with CO2 emitted in a pure stream that can be sequestered directly adding less costs than having to separate the CO2 from other combustion byproducts like would be necessary with a coal plant.

Zero emission electricity from Natural Gas would have an enormous advantage of already having a highly developed infrastructure in place. That could make a much more timely conversion of electricity generation from our dirtiest fuel coal, more feasible in the near future. This new fuel cell technology has an enormous potential to become a very important part of the mix of carbon cutting tools coming on line.

We have the opportunity to make substantial progress in the near future IF our governments can agree to expand the carbon market, in order to send the right price signals needed to bring new green technologies like this one on line. This new fuel cell technology could be instrumental in speeding the conversion of our economy to an environmentally sustainable one.

Technological breakthroughs like this one that make extensive use of existing infrastructure can make expanding the carbon market under an agreement following the Copenhagen Summit much more palatable to politicians and the entrenched corporate interests that wield so much influence. This new fuel cell technology has the potential to open up lucrative new markets for the Natural Gas Industry, creating a powerful ready made corporate constituency for the new technology.

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MIT Breakthrough can generate electricity w ZERO CO2 atmospheric emissions from Natural Gas

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