is growing, based on technology innovation, system integration, and coupling
chemistry–catalysis–biotechnology. Carbon recycling merges the intensity typical of
man-made (or industrial) processes with the Nature-inspired “cooperative-systemiccyclic” concepts. The aim is a “Man-made C-cycle” that may enhance the rate of
CO 2 conversion with respect to natural processes, and its integration with the natural
C-cycle for producing goods and fuels: recovery and reuse of carbon is a new
paradigm in the CO 2 problem. It is our firm belief that such a complex problem,
namely, the CO 2 emission reduction, cannot be solved by a single option exploitation,
and requires instead an integrated solution and C-recycling is a strong part of it.
1.4 Recovery and Reuse of Goods
Recycling of goods is a practice applied to several materials since very long time: it
is time now that we apply the same concept to carbon. Metals (aluminum, copper,
iron, gold, silver, and many others) are recovered from industrial slags and/or used
products and reused in order to save natural resources and, in some cases, prevent
pollution and save energy. Also, municipal or industrial wastewater is treated,
sanitized, and reused at large extent in some geographical areas. Glass is recovered
at the end of life of bottles and other goods and reused. Paper is recovered and
reused. It is becoming more and more imperative these days to recover and reuse
plastics.
Now, it is time that we learn to efficiently recover and reuse carbon. Here is our
future.
Table 1.9 gives an idea of the nature and percentage of goods that are recovered
and recycled. It is worth to mention that recycling of a given good can be performed
either in the same production cycle (primary recycling) or in a different process that
produces goods of lower quality and use. For example, plastic used for food
packaging once recovered and recycled most likely will not be used for producing
the same quality plastics because of potential pollutants that are incorporated in it.
Unless food-level purity is matched, recovered plastics will be used in a lower
level application: they will be suited, thus, for producing items not used in the food
sector, such as materials for industrial applications or pipes for irrigation. Medical
plastics are not reused as they can be carriers of infectious microorganisms and
cells.
Reuse requires a lot of care, for avoiding that health of humans may be affected:
this is true for all goods, including carbon. Recovered (from power plants or
industry) CO 2 can find use in several non-chemical applications (see Chap. 8),
including additive to beverages, preservative of food, and modified packaging: only
food-grade CO 2 will be used in the three latter applications. Table 1.9 shows that
carbon (in the form of coal, oil, gas, and biomass) is by far the most used good, but
also the one that is less recycled (as %), as for now. The reasons why will be
discussed in following chapters and how such situation is changing will be
described.
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1 Energy and Our Society
chemistry–catalysis–biotechnology. Carbon recycling merges the intensity typical of
man-made (or industrial) processes with the Nature-inspired “cooperative-systemiccyclic” concepts. The aim is a “Man-made C-cycle” that may enhance the rate of
CO 2 conversion with respect to natural processes, and its integration with the natural
C-cycle for producing goods and fuels: recovery and reuse of carbon is a new
paradigm in the CO 2 problem. It is our firm belief that such a complex problem,
namely, the CO 2 emission reduction, cannot be solved by a single option exploitation,
and requires instead an integrated solution and C-recycling is a strong part of it.
1.4 Recovery and Reuse of Goods
Recycling of goods is a practice applied to several materials since very long time: it
is time now that we apply the same concept to carbon. Metals (aluminum, copper,
iron, gold, silver, and many others) are recovered from industrial slags and/or used
products and reused in order to save natural resources and, in some cases, prevent
pollution and save energy. Also, municipal or industrial wastewater is treated,
sanitized, and reused at large extent in some geographical areas. Glass is recovered
at the end of life of bottles and other goods and reused. Paper is recovered and
reused. It is becoming more and more imperative these days to recover and reuse
plastics.
Now, it is time that we learn to efficiently recover and reuse carbon. Here is our
future.
Table 1.9 gives an idea of the nature and percentage of goods that are recovered
and recycled. It is worth to mention that recycling of a given good can be performed
either in the same production cycle (primary recycling) or in a different process that
produces goods of lower quality and use. For example, plastic used for food
packaging once recovered and recycled most likely will not be used for producing
the same quality plastics because of potential pollutants that are incorporated in it.
Unless food-level purity is matched, recovered plastics will be used in a lower
level application: they will be suited, thus, for producing items not used in the food
sector, such as materials for industrial applications or pipes for irrigation. Medical
plastics are not reused as they can be carriers of infectious microorganisms and
cells.
Reuse requires a lot of care, for avoiding that health of humans may be affected:
this is true for all goods, including carbon. Recovered (from power plants or
industry) CO 2 can find use in several non-chemical applications (see Chap. 8),
including additive to beverages, preservative of food, and modified packaging: only
food-grade CO 2 will be used in the three latter applications. Table 1.9 shows that
carbon (in the form of coal, oil, gas, and biomass) is by far the most used good, but
also the one that is less recycled (as %), as for now. The reasons why will be
discussed in following chapters and how such situation is changing will be
described.
10
1 Energy and Our Society