CarbonSaver™ and the Environment

It is a well established fact that the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) in our atmosphere is increasing. The effects of this GHG increase are being measured now. Increases in the average temperature of the earth and the rise in sea levels are just two such measurements.

With only one carbon atom per molecule, natural gas is the simplest and cleanest of the fossil fuels. In many places in the world, the conversion of vehicles to natural gas has resulted in dramatic reductions in GHG emissions, not to mention vast improvements in air quality. In Mumbai, India, more that 200,000 three-wheeled taxis, full-sized taxis and buses have been converted to natural gas, and the improvement to the air quality has been measurable.

The thrust behind the CarbonSaver™ technology is to improve on the emission qualities of natural gas by adding hydrogen to it. When burned, hydrogen-enriched natural gas (HENG) produces fewer greenhouse gases and other pollutants. In Mumbai, many of the natural gas-powered units are using HENG in an effort to further improve on the environmental benefits of burning natural gas. Their optimism is based on test results that show that adding 20% hydrogen by volume to a natural gas stream can reduce carbon dioxide output by up to 7% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 50% or more.

The CarbonSaver™ technology fits in-line with existing natural gas delivery systems – no blending equipment is required. This is a major advantage. Currently, in places where HENG is being used, the hydrogen is produced using steam methane reforming or other processes that generate vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Then, it is transported to filling stations by truck where it is blended with the natural gas. Unfortunately, the production and transportation of the hydrogen offset some or all of the benefits of blending the hydrogen with the natural gas.

Our technology produces a hydrogen-rich natural gas stream without generating carbon dioxide. This adds to the benefits of burning HENG rather than offsetting them with hydrogen production and transportation needs.

"CarbonSaver™ generates HENG on-site and in-line without generating CO₂"

Current energy demands do not allow us the time to develop and distribute efficient renewable energy sources to start to remediate the effect of GHG production and global climate change. The greening of natural gas by the CarbonSaver™ technology will provide one solution to improve the way we get energy from fossil fuels until renewable energy sources are globally available.

 

 

And while predictions vary regarding the extent of the changes that will result from this GHG growth, they all link the increase in GHG content in the atmosphere to an increase in the earth’s temperature. Clearly, immediate efforts are needed to stem the increase in GHG production. Wind, solar, tidal and other renewable energy generation systems show great promise in stemming the tide of GHG increase. However, these technologies require additional development before they will attain widespread adoption. In the meantime, our energy demands continue to increase. Most experts agree that our energy needs will continue to be met with fossil fuels for some time to come.