Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: IIT Bombay’s National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCoE-CCU) has developed an energy-efficient technology that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) at ambient temperatures.
Working:
The CO2-to-CO conversion technology operates through an electrocatalytic process. Unlike traditional methods that require high temperatures (400-750 °C), and the presence of the equivalent amount of hydrogen, this process can operate at ambient temperatures (25-40 °C) in the presence of water, eliminating the need for high-temperature conditions.
Significance: This technology is significant for the steel industry as CO is essential for converting iron ores to metallic iron in blast furnaces. The traditional method for CO production results in significant CO2 emissions. The newly developed process is energy-efficient and can be powered by renewable energy sources like solar panels or windmills, making it environmentally friendly and sustainable.
About CO:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas, slightly less dense than air. It’s produced from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, like fossil fuels, wood, and vehicle exhaust. CO is toxic as it displaces oxygen in the blood. In the atmosphere, it’s short-lived and contributes to ground-level ozone formation.
