Is there anything wrong with my theory? (Science People Here)?

Question

The inside of an exhaust pipe-extension is coated with lithium hydroxide. Exhaust runs through the pipe, and carbon dioxide is turned to lithium carbonate and water vapor. Since it isn't an actual "filter", it doesn't introduce any back pressure to the engine and therefore doesn't cause any loss of power. At the same time, it dramatically decreases the amount of CO2 leaving the car.

Anybody know more about how lithium hydroxide really works? And how well this may work? Any pitfalls I am overlooking?

Thanks

Answer 1

How often would you need to change that pipe? What happens to the lithium carbonate - sell it to mental health institutions?

Answer 2

Sounds good, but...

* wouldn't a film of lithium carbonate quickly cover the lithium hydroxide?

* if not, how long would the lithium hydroxide last? After all, it's being used up, not acting as a catalyst

* to increase the efficiency of conversion you'd have to increase the surface area of the lithium carbonate, i.e. make the exhaust very long or contain some kind of mesh, either of which would increase back pressure.

Answer 3

1) The coating of lithium dioxide on the pipe may react out CO2 where where it contacted it. But what about the volume where it does not contact radially. It would have to be put on a substrate like a honeycomb such that it would react with the whole stream  and not just the outside. This would then cause the back pressure problems you dismissed. And how long would it last and how many times a year do you have to replace it?

2) Lithium carbonate would come out as a solid which means a lot of lithium carbonate dust in the air. This introduces a PM issue (Particulate Matter)

3) Is this lithium carbonate something that is safe to be floating around everywhere? I would check that out but I don,t think it is safe.

4) Lithium Dioxide is a corrosive so I would check the compatibility with steel and other common car components. And what they react to.

5) Do you get the desired reaction at the elevated temperatures of car exhaust

6) How will Lithium Dioxide react with hydrocarbons and what are the products of the reaction(s)

7)How does Lithium Dioxide react with NOx and SOx which are by products of combustion.

8) Are the by products of the above stated reactions safer or more dangerous than CO2, which by the way is plant food.