Posts

Showing posts with the label methane

Scientists reveal method of converting methane gas into liquid methanol

A group of researchers have succeeded in converting methane to methanol using a light, dispersed transition metal such as copper in a process known as photooxidation. According to an article reporting on research published in Chemical Communications, the reaction is the best obtained to date for the conversion of methane gas to liquid fuel under ambient temperature and pressure conditions (25 °C and 1 bar, respectively). The term bar as a unit of pressure comes from the Greek word for weight (baros). One bar is equivalent to 100,000 Pascals (100 kPa), which is very close to the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level (101,325 Pa). The results of this study are an important step in making natural gas available as an energy source for the production of alternative fuels other than gasoline and diesel. Although natural gas is considered a fossil fuel, its conversion to methanol produces less carbon dioxide (CO2) than other liquid fuels in the same category. In Brazil, methanol plays...

Feeling squeezed from gas prices? Why not make your own?

Image
The world throws away about a third of all food produced each year. In Australia, that equates to more than 7 million tonnes of edible food, and is estimated to cost the economy more than $36 billion a year, according to a report commissioned by the federal government. At the same time, many of us cook with gas, which is increasingly expensive and contributes to greenhouse gas pollution. But there is a growing movement of people and businesses looking to kill two birds with one stone. Load Making biogas at home from leftover food, which can then be used for cooking, is getting simpler. Several companies now offer large-scale systems for restaurants and even refugee camps, as well as basic home arrangements. About six years ago, Annett and Paul left city life in Sydney and moved to northern New South Wales, where they built a small off-grid house. As part of the arrangement, they installed a biogas food digester which they use to feed leftovers and toilet waste. From that organic mater...