Daily Current Affairs : 1-November-2023

In a significant leap towards sustainable industrial practices, the National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCoE-CCU) at IIT Bombay has pioneered an innovative energy-efficient carbon dioxide capture (CO2) technology. This groundbreaking development involves the conversion of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide (CO) under electrocatalytic conditions, promising a transformative shift in the way industries manage emissions and energy consumption.

Need for the Technology
  • CO’s Vital Role in Industry: Carbon monoxide (CO) stands as a fundamental chemical in various industries, notably in the form of Syngas. In the steel industry, CO plays a pivotal role in transforming iron ores into metallic iron within blast furnaces.
  • Challenges of CO2 Emissions: The conventional generation of CO involves the partial oxidation of coke/coal, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions. Converting these emitted CO2 particles into CO presents an opportunity for a circular economy, curbing carbon footprint and reducing associated costs.
  • Supporting India’s Vision: Embracing this technology aligns with India’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, marking a crucial step towards a sustainable future.
Conversion Process: A Paradigm Shift
  • Traditional Challenges: Converting CO2 to CO conventionally demands high temperatures (400-750 °C) and an equivalent amount of Hydrogen (H2), making it an energy-intensive process.
  • Innovative Solution: The newly developed process represents a paradigm shift by requiring minimal energy. It operates efficiently at ambient temperatures (25-40 °C) in the presence of water, eliminating the need for extreme heat and costly hydrogen inputs.
  • Renewable Energy Integration: One of the most remarkable aspects of this breakthrough is its compatibility with renewable energy sources. The energy necessary for the electrocatalysis reaction can be directly harnessed from renewable sources such as solar panels or windmills. This integration ensures a carbon-neutral operating environment, providing a sustainable solution for converting CO2 to CO.
Important Points:
  • IIT Bombay’s National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCoE-CCU) has developed an energy-efficient carbon dioxide capture (CO2) technology, converting CO2 to carbon monoxide (CO) under electrocatalytic conditions.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) is vital in industries, especially in the form of Syngas, playing a crucial role in the steel industry for converting iron ores to metallic iron in blast furnaces.
  • Conventional CO generation from partial oxidation of coke/coal leads to significant CO2 emissions, but capturing and converting emitted CO2 into CO can establish a circular economy, reducing carbon footprint and costs.
  • Adoption of this technology supports India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, marking a significant step towards sustainability.
  • Traditional CO2 to CO conversion processes require high temperatures (400-750 °C) and an equivalent amount of Hydrogen (H2), making it energy-intensive.
  • The newly developed process operates efficiently at ambient temperatures (25-40 °C) in the presence of water, eliminating the need for extreme heat and costly hydrogen inputs.
  • Integration with renewable energy sources such as solar panels or windmills provides the necessary energy for the electrocatalysis reaction, ensuring a carbon-neutral operating environment.
  • IIT Bombay’s breakthrough technology offers a sustainable solution for industries, significantly reducing carbon emissions and contributing to a cleaner, greener future.
Why In News

A groundbreaking energy-efficient carbon dioxide capture (CO2) technology, developed by IIT Bombay’s National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCoE-CCU), converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide (CO) under electro catalytic conditions, paving the way for sustainable solutions in carbon emissions reduction.

MCQs about CO2 to CO Transformation

  1. IIT Bombay’s breakthrough technology converts CO2 into:
    A. Hydrogen (H2)
    B. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
    C. Oxygen (O2)
    D. Methane (CH4)
    Correct Answer: B. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
    Explanation: The newly developed technology at IIT Bombay converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO) under electrocatalytic conditions.
  2. What role does carbon monoxide (CO) play in the steel industry?
    A. It is a byproduct of the steel-making process.
    B. It is used to generate electricity in steel plants.
    C. It converts iron ores to metallic iron in blast furnaces.
    D. It helps in cooling down steel products.
    Correct Answer: C. It converts iron ores to metallic iron in blast furnaces.
    Explanation: CO is essential in the steel industry for converting iron ores into metallic iron within blast furnaces.
  3. What is the typical temperature range required for the traditional CO2 to CO conversion process?
    A. 25-40 °C
    B. 200-300 °C
    C. 400-750 °C
    D. 800-1000 °C
    Correct Answer: C. 400-750 °C
    Explanation: Traditional CO2 to CO conversion occurs at elevated temperatures of 400-750 °C.
  4. How is the energy needed for the electrocatalysis reaction in the new process obtained?
    A. From burning fossil fuels
    B. From nuclear power plants
    C. Directly from renewable energy sources like solar panels or windmills
    D. From natural gas
    Correct Answer: C. Directly from renewable energy sources like solar panels or windmills
    Explanation: The energy required for the electrocatalysis reaction can be harnessed directly from renewable energy sources, ensuring a carbon-neutral operating scenario.

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