Ethanol Production via Polarized Hydroxyapatite Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ethanol synthesis methods require harsh reaction conditions and are environmentally unfriendly, costly, and complex due to the use of catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the contact of a gas mixture of carbon dioxide and methane with permanently polarized hydroxyapatite as a catalyst at room temperature and mild pressure, facilitating the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and C-C bond construction to produce ethanol selectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional catalysts are used for ethanol synthesis, then ethanol production is achieved, but the process becomes environmentally unfriendly, complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional expensive and environmentally harmful catalysts with a low-cost, biodegradable enzyme catalyst system that operates under mild conditions, eliminating the need for harsh chemical catalysts and reducing environmental impact while maintaining ethanol production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reaction parameters from harsh industrial conditions to mild physiological conditions (temperature, pressure, pH), enabling the use of enzyme catalysts instead of conventional catalysts, thereby reducing environmental harm while maintaining productivity
2Productivity
If conventional catalysts are used for ethanol synthesis, then ethanol production is achieved, but the process becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, low-cost enzyme catalyst system that eliminates the need for complex catalyst preparation, handling, and disposal infrastructure required by conventional catalysts, thereby reducing process complexity and cost while maintaining ethanol production
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mild conditions are used for ethanol synthesis, then environmental friendliness is improved, but reaction efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the enzyme catalyst system to operate efficiently under mild physiological conditions (temperature, pressure, pH), achieving both environmental friendliness and high reaction efficiency through parameter optimization rather than compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite enzyme catalyst system that combines multiple enzymatic activities in one system, enabling efficient ethanol production from CO2 and methane under mild conditions, thereby maintaining high productivity while improving environmental friendliness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process achieves ethanol production under environmentally friendly and cost-effective conditions with high selectivity and efficiency, utilizing electro-reduction of carbon dioxide and maintaining catalyst activity over time.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention rests on the surprising finding that production or synthesis, in particular selective production or synthesis, of ethanol from carbon dioxide and methane in the presence of permanently polarized hydroxyapatite as catalyst is achievable under mild conditions
Implementation Method 2
contacting a gas mixture comprising or consisting of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) in presence of water, in particular liquid water, (H2O) with a catalyst comprising or consisting of permanently polarized hydroxyapatite
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3(a)~3(d)
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for producing ethanol comprising the step of - contacting a gas mixture comprising or consisting of carbon dioxide and methane in presence of water with a catalyst comprising or consisting of permanently polarized hydroxyapatite. Further, the invention relates to the use of the process for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.