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Australian University Unveils New Carbon-Trapping Bricks

Posted by timothy on from the why-not-an-infinite-supply-of-graphene? dept.

FirephoxRising writes "A research pilot plant in Newcastle will trial world-first technology that turns carbon emissions into bricks and pavers for the construction industry. More efficient and stable than storing gas in the ground, the new method will sequester carbon and can work anywhere, unlike geo-sequestration which is site specific."

4 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. Turning CO2 into what? by edibobb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The article fails to mention what they intend to convert the CO2 into, or how much it will cost. Maybe the primary function of the company is to win government grants.

    1. Re:Turning CO2 into what? by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The article fails to mention what they intend to convert the CO2 into, or how much it will cost. Maybe the primary function of the company is to win government grants.

      "Maybe"?

  2. Turning CO2 into carbonates? by Immerman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A good question, though I'm less cynical about the presumed answer. They did say something like they were recreating the Earth's natural processes, so probably something like calcium carbonate (CaCO3), the stuff that egg and seashells are made of.

    Can anybody say how various carbonates compares energetically to oil and CO2? My chemistry is pretty rusty. Since the final cycle would be oil -> CO2 -> carbonate the maximum net energy would be that from a hypothetical fossil fuel -> carbonate transition, which would tell us how energetically feasible this is with the right catalysts. If it's an endothermic reaction this is a complete non-starter except as part of some hypothetical future atmosphere-scrubber (and I do really hope we have the tech ready if it comes to that).

    If the reaction is exothermic though then there's hope, especially if it's a significant portion of the (presumably larger) oil -> CO2 energetic gap. If we could complete the fossil fuel -> brick transition while generating even half as much power as currently then this could be a real game-changer. Every coal- or oil-fired power plant could have it's adjacent brick factory and become carbon neutral. We could stay on fossil fuels for centuries without aggravating the global climate, even as oil and gas run out - we have truly massive coal reserves to fall back on. Of course we'd need to really shift the attention back to general environmental protection again, and get serious about that, otherwise the search for fuel could get *really* ugly. Coal mining isn't exactly environmentally friendly

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    --- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
    1. Re:Turning CO2 into carbonates? by aliquis · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Every coal- or oil-fired power plant could have it's adjacent brick factory and become carbon neutral. We could stay on fossil fuels for centuries without aggravating the global climate

      Or we could run on thorium for thousand(s?) years.

      Or we could build those damn solar cells on the moon and not care any more (though I assume that bring some more energy here which will contribute to.)

      Since we're in a fucking hurry best thing to do now would be to stop consume items until we've catched up with solutions.

      Those barren (oil producing) lands look like shit if you ask me.

      Wish we could get rid of all the damn plastic. It's kinda ok if you burn it but all obviously isn't burned.