CR5-Device that Converts CO2 into breathable Oxygen

Now a days due to pollution, our atmosphere has become toxic chamber that it is very difficult to live a healthy life in such a toxic environment. The quality of air that we breathe in, has reduced to a great extent. Due to industrial revolution, large amount of vehicles and deforestation, the amount of toxic gases like carbon dioxide has increased enormously and pure oxygen quantity is getting reduced day by day(Ozone depletion) due to which the balance of all the gases in our environment is getting disturbed which is an alarming situation.

When we think about these global alarming problems, some interesting questions strike our minds; 

Can we build a device that converts carbon dioxide to oxygen? If yes, then How?

If plants can convert Carbon-dioxide into oxygen then, can we also make such a machine or device that can convert CO2 into O2? 

These questions often strike our mind and I am sure that at some point in your life, you also got striked by these kind of questions.

So what are the answers of these questions, is it really possible to make such a device?Probably yes.

But before we proceed to the device let's understand the basic mechanism behind the process and understand how to plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Plants perform a specific process that is called photosynthesis (as you all have heard about this) and in this process, plants use atmospheric carbon dioxide as the raw ingredient for production of of glucose (which is the main source of energy).

With the help of sunlight and Water (H2O), they create ATP and NADPH (energy sources).

These ATPs and NADPHs are used to reduce carbon dioxide into glucose in a series of reactions (C3 Cycle).  

During this process of photosynthesis, there is a phase called Light Reaction, where H2O is splitted into free Hydrogen ions(H+) and O2.

These hydrogen ions are used to create ATP and NADPH and this Oxygen gas is released out of the plant body as a waste product or by product of the reaction. 

This is how plants convert toxic Carbon-dioxide into breathable Oxygen gas. 

 6CO2+6H2O→C6H12O6+6O2 

(Equation of Photosynthesis)

It is important to note that the Oxygen that comes from plants, comes from water (by splitting of water) but we are trying to produce Oxygen gas from carbon dioxide which is a little bit more difficult. 

Since the carbon atom is linked to two oxygen atoms via double bonds, usually more amount of energy must be supplied in order to separate it. About 94 kcal of energy is required per mol of CO2(about 44 g). 

Now we have understood the science behind it so let's talk about the Machine that converts Carbon dioxide into oxygen.

This machine is built by Sandia researchers and this is known as Counter-Rotating-Ring Receiver Reactor Recuperator (CR5), which uses solar power to convert carbon dioxide and water to carbon monoxide, water, hydrogen and oxygen at a temperature of about 1500 °C using a solar concentrator. 

Iron oxide acts as an extractor of oxygen from CO2 forming CO. 

But, the main aim of this method is to produce fuel and not carbon. But it’ll take at least 15–20 years to come into usage because, only the prototype of this machine has been invented and tested.

Untill then, it is our responsibility to make sure that there should be proper balance of all the gases in our atmosphere. 

Have a Nice Day