5. Dr. Lackner discussed several “novel chemistry, products, and processes for the management of CO₂ emissions.” What other novel chemistry, products, and processes can provide effective management of CO₂ emissions? What are the R&D challenges in achieving commercialization of these processes?

• Development of novel catalyst chemistries, e.g., Fischer Tropsch with CO₂

• Innovative electrolysis applications

• Direct photochemical hydrogen production

• Absorption of CO₂ from the atmosphere and general adsorption technology; for example:

  • Is there a CO₂ absorbent that will reversibly remove CO₂ from the atmosphere?

• Development and use of annually renewable resources for efficient and effective carbon management

• Algae for CO₂ fixation

• Sequestration in buildings, e.g., in cement (eco-cement)

• Revisit older gas-to-liquid technology to circumvent proprietary issues; perhaps organize an industry roundtable to examine pre-competitive issues (SEMATECH model)

• Study and improve the kinetics of CO₂ sequestration with minerals

• Find ways to catalyze the formation of carbonates (e.g., calcium carbonate) for CO₂ sequestration

• Examine technical issues in the use of silicates for carbon sequestration (e.g., mining of silicate)

• Handle volume differences that result from sequestration (larger final volume vs. smaller initial volume) and its effect upon materials transportation and storage

• Study the energetics of absorption and desorption

• Study the economics of regeneration and recovery

• Identify alternative CO₂ removal chemistries at reasonable rates.

• Encourage wide scale fixative utilization of CO₂ (e.g., Climate Change Program)

• View CO₂ as asset rather than waste; for example:

  • Utilize CO₂ as energy carrier (carbon cycle)

• The nation’s capital should be spent today to address CO₂ management rather than spent over the next 50 years as the problem