Carbon Recycling: An Alternative to Carbon Capture and Storage

Abstract

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a classical “end of the pipe” techno-fix for the problem of carbon dioxide pollution of Earth’s atmosphere. In contrast, carbon recycling has the potential to be a partial alternative to CCS that could shift the whole paradigm of the generation and use of energy. Many innovative carbon recycling methods are currently being pursued, including biochemical, electrochemical, photochemical, and thermochemical processes aimed at converting CO2 to a variety of commercially valuable products. All such processes require a net input of energy to drive endothermic reactions, but some are slow and others require extreme operating conditions. Electrochemical methods may have an advantage here, because they operate at moderately high rates under mild conditions, with electricity from any source, thus opening the door to carbon-neutral recycling systems based on non-fossil energy.