Will it take much energy to split Carbon from Oxygen in CO2?

Question

When Carbon burns with Oxygen to form CO2, it gives off heat energy.

Will it take more, the same, or less energy to separate Oxygen, O2, from Carbon, C, in CO2?

If it takes more energy, to split them, why burn C, to make CO2 ?

The Second Law of Thermodynamics says that some energy is always lost in every energy conversion process.

Are the scientists telling lies to Congress, when they say this processes could produce energy and save our planet?

Have they repealed the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?

Will they get the Nobel Prize of Physics or just a big laugh?

Did they invent the word "Sequestration" to imply they really know what they are talking about, and it is not just a joke?

Answer 1

Yes, it takes energy, but the plan is not to split C from O2, but to split off CO leaving O.  The actual balanced equation would be:

2CO2 ------> 2CO+O2.  

The CO could then be mixed with hydrogen to make synthesis gas, which can be converted into pretty much any hydrocarbon you want by FT synthesis.

Answer 2

The problem is that although ou can get the carbon out of the CO2 (convert from gas to solid), it still has to be disposed of. Therefore, you are never really destroying the carbon.

The best option is NOT to produce CO2 in the first place.

Answer 3

" If it takes more energy, to split them, why burn C, to make CO2 ?"



To get the energy.  Who cares about the CO2(who isn't retarded)?

BTW, Baypoint, I think you might be having a Rozanne Rozanadana moment wrt "sequestration".

Answer 4

Plants do it naturally.  It takes us more power, and thus more CO2 made, so it isn't practical.  They actually do pump it back into the ground in some places near power plants to sequester it.