Latest Carbon Dioxide Utilization Technologies for Sustainable Growth

In recent years, the transformation of ecologically and socially sustainable economic systems, with a low-carbon economy has been identified as indispensible. Capturing CO2 is a significant step in this process [1]. Captured carbon dioxide can be used as a commercial product, either directly or after conversion. Direct utilization includes its use in the food and drink industry; CO2 can also be converted into chemicals or fuels. Carbon dioxide reforming of methane produces synthesis gas with low hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio, which is desirable for many industrial synthesis processes. Important environmental implications of this reaction can be understood since both methane and carbon dioxide contribute to the greenhouse effect [2]. These gases can then be converted into valuable feedstock resulting in significant reduction of the atmospheric emissions of CO2 and CH4. Great deal of recent literature has centered on the development of catalysts and the feasible applications of this reaction in industry. Group VIII metals supported on oxides are found to be effective for this reason [3-5]. An effective catalyst for CO2 reforming of CH4 and commercial application of this reaction, the following points are to be kept in mind:  selection of metal and support and studying the effect of their interaction on catalyst activity; the effect of different promoter on catalyst activity; the reaction mechanism and kinetics; and pilot reactor performance and scale-up operation. Various CO2 utilization technologies developed have been discussed herein: