Process and apparatus for converting greenhouse gases into synthetic fuels
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods for converting carbon dioxide and/or methane into higher alkanes and hydrogen gas in a single reaction chamber using a catalyst and microwave radiation.
1. A method of producing at least one product comprising a hydrocarbon having a formula C n H z , where n is a positive integer greater than 1, and z is an integer between 2n+2 and 2n, and hydrogen gas comprising the steps of:
forming a reaction mixture of a gaseous carbon source represented by the letter W, selected from the group consisting of CH 4 and CO 2 from the atmosphere, and H 2 O in a reaction vessel having a catalyst and at least one microwave energy source, said reaction mixture in the presence of said catalyst and thermal energy undergoing at least one reaction comprising:
W→C n H z +y H 2 ;
wherein W comprises at least n carbon molecules and n is a positive integer greater than 1, and z is an integer between 2n+2 and 2n, the carbon source comprises at least some CH 4 , and Y is zero or a positive integer to balance the hydrogen; said catalyst is selected from the group of iron-, cobalt-, copper- and nickel-containing compounds where at least one selected catalyst upon microwave radiation increases in temperature to produce thermal energy;
placing thermal energy to the catalyst by said microwave energy source and to said reaction mixture to produce at least one product selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon composition having a formula C n H z , and hydrogen gas.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said catalyst is selected from the group of magnetite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said catalyst is held as a packed or fluidized bed.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon composition is removed from the reaction vessel in a continuing process.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said carbon source and H 2 O are added to the reaction vessel as the carbon source and H 2 O are consumed in the reaction.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said microwave energy source is powered by excess electrical capacity of an electric power plant.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said microwave energy source is powered by one of more non-carbon sources.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said non-carbon source is wind energy.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said non-carbon source is solar energy.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein said non-carbon source is hydrodynamic or geothermal energy.