Baking powder could save planet

[bindeweede]

This article suggests excess CO2 in the atmosphere could be converted to sodium bicarbonate, thus reducing unwanted emissions.

Is it possible?

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/11/29/climate.change.soda/index.html

[ZERO]

It all comes down to cost, or rather how much profit is in it.

[dee]

I'm just deciding what I can do with a lorry load of baking powder :ponder:

[Cuddles]

Sodium is extremely reactive and there is no such thing as free, elemental sodium on Earth. What will happen to all the stuff currently bound to the sodium?

[MischiefMonkey]

I'm just deciding what I can do with a lorry load of baking powder :ponder:

Lots of things (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate#Applications)

[Mulder]

Sodium is extremely reactive and there is no such thing as free, elemental sodium on Earth. What will happen to all the stuff currently bound to the sodium?

I assume the reaction they're using starts with sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is, in turn, produced by electrolysing sodium chloride. So the sodium would come from salt which is abundant. I assume they already have a use for the chlorine that is left over as sodium hydroxide production is a big industry.

[Matt]

I assume the reaction they're using starts with sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is, in turn, produced by electrolysing sodium chloride. So the sodium would come from salt which is abundant. I assume they already have a use for the chlorine that is left over as sodium hydroxide production is a big industry.

So the question is whetehr the energy required to produce the NaOH from NaCl is more or less than the energy production that is cleaned by using the NaOH to absorb the CO2 from the power station.

[Cuddles]

I assume they already have a use for the chlorine that is left over as sodium hydroxide production is a big industry.

That's a fairly big assumption. Just because we have a use for the amount we make now doesn't mean we'll have a use for ten times that much. And that's assuming that it is all currently used and not just dumped somewhere. And of course, if this is answered we still have the issue Mat has mentioned. It takes energy to do all this, so if it neutralises less carbon than is used in the neutralisation, it's actually worse than doing nothing. Even if it has a big enough margin, there is still the problem that there is only a limited amount of energy available, and it might not be feasible to use a potentially large proportion of it simply to make the remaining part a little cleaner.

Like many things, it could be interesting and is probably worth looking at a bit further. However, I have yet to see a single quick fix scheme that even came close to being realistic.

[Mulder]

I don't believe there are any quick fixes for global warming. But maybe a combination of different fixes might work. The problem is that politicians tend to like big, flashy, single schemes which they can show off to the voters (like the way the UK government is hinting at more nuclear power). Lots of people doing little things just isn't attention grabbing even though it might well be more effective.

[Julia]

I always wrap myself in aluminium foil before leaving the house. It keeps in my body heat, keeps out the rain and blocks mind-altering signals from the aliens. :cheesy:

[bobdezon]

I always wrap myself in aluminium foil before leaving the house. It keeps in my body heat, keeps out the rain and blocks mind-altering signals from the aliens. :cheesy:

Silly girl, dont you know tin foil actually amplifies the radio signals? You will become a puppet of the evil alien overlords. ;)

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

[Mongrel]

Silly girl, dont you know tin foil actually amplifies the radio signals? You will become a puppet of the evil alien overlords. ;)

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

But that's what "the man" want's you to think O0

[bindeweede]

Instead of using my electric blanket in cold weather, I wrap myself in the bubble-stuff. You wouldn't believe the fun you can have....popping..the....

Hmmmm, too much info????

[Mongrel]

Instead of using my electric blanket in cold weather, I wrap myself in the bubble-stuff. You wouldn't believe the fun you can have....popping..the....

Hmmmm, too much info????

Only if you leave it to our (my, anyway) filthy imagination about what you're popping them with...

[bindeweede]

Only if you leave it to our (my, anyway) filthy imagination about what you're popping them with...

But you are a SCIENTIST!! You can't possibly have a slightly dubious imagination.


(Tooth pick). Boring.;D

[Julia]

I have absolutely no idea what Bindeweede and Mongrel are talking about :angel: but I love Bindeweede's new avatar. My cat is a boring Domestic Short Hair and I've always liked Persians *reaches for frying pan*