Novel concept finds methane fuel in geothermal sources

In California, research from University of Southern California would use nanotechnology, steam and carbon dioxide capture to produce methanol, and the leading candidates for CO2 sources include geothermal fields. In their method, professors George A. Olah and G.K. Surya Prakash would use carbon dioxide and water or steam captured from a geothermal source. Hydrogen is then generated from the steam, isolating the carbon dioxide accompanying the water or steam source. The isolated carbon dioxide and generated hydrogen are converted to methanol, using the GT source for the energy needed for the process. The method has application anywhere CO2 is produced. Icelandic company Carbon Recycling International is building a plant that will capture industrial CO2 and convert it into clean methanol fuel. The fuel can be blended with different grades of gasoline for existing automobiles and hybrid flexible vehicles. The plant is named in honor of Olah and uses the technology developed by he and Prakash.