Context:
The National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCoE-CCU) at IIT Bombay has introduced an energy-efficient technology capable of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO). This innovation finds application in the steel sector and aligns with India’s aspirations for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Relevance:
GS III: Scientific Innovations & Discoveries
Dimensions of the Article:
- Operating the CO2 to CO Conversion Technology
- Relevance to the Steel Industry
Operating the CO2 to CO Conversion Technology
- The CO2 to CO conversion technology operates using an electrocatalytic process.
- Unlike conventional techniques that necessitate high temperatures ranging from 400-750 °C and an equivalent amount of hydrogen, this process functions at ambient temperatures between 25-40 °C and in the presence of water, removing the requirement for elevated temperature conditions.
- The energy needed for this electrocatalysis reaction can be directly derived from renewable sources like solar panels or windmills, ensuring a carbon-neutral operation.
- This process is notably energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.
Electrocatalytic Process
- The electrocatalytic process is a catalytic mechanism characterized by the direct transfer of electrons occurring between an electrode and reactants.
Key Attributes:
- Environmentally Friendly: This process is known for its eco-friendliness, as it often leads to cleaner and more sustainable chemical reactions.
- Efficiency: Electrocatalysis is highly efficient, enabling reactions to proceed with greater speed and efficacy.
- Cost-Effectiveness: It is often considered an economical and cost-effective method for various applications.
Applications:
- Electrocatalysis finds applications in a wide range of sustainable energy technologies, such as fuel cells, water splitting for hydrogen production, and various electrochemical processes used in environmental and industrial settings.
Relevance to the Steel Industry:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) holds substantial significance in the steel industry, particularly in the conversion of iron ores into metallic iron within blast furnaces.
- CO is widely used in the industry, often in the form of synthesis gas (syn gas).
- Conventionally, CO is produced by partially oxidizing coke or coal, resulting in notable CO2 emissions.
- The new CO2 to CO conversion technology offers the potential to establish a circular economy, thereby reducing the carbon footprint and related expenses in steel production.
-Source: The Hindu
