Here's an interesting idea, especially given the optimism about natural gas production in the United States: use solar power to turn the natural gas feed into syngas with a higher energy density and lower emissions. This research is being done by a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) led by engineer Bob Wegeng.
The real kicker comes in the last, forward-looking paragraph:
"Though outside the scope of the current project, Wegeng also envisions a day when PNNL's solar-driven system could be used to create transportation fuels. Syngas can also be used to make synthetic crude oil, which can be refined into diesel and gasoline than runs our cars."
Full article from Phys.org:
A solar booster shot for natural gas power plants
Though outside the scope of the current project, Wegeng also envisions a day when PNNL's solar-driven system could be used to create transportation fuels. Syngas can also be used to make synthetic crude oil, which can be refined into diesel and gasoline than runs our cars.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp
Though outside the scope of the current project, Wegeng also envisions a day when PNNL's solar-driven system could be used to create transportation fuels. Syngas can also be used to make synthetic crude oil, which can be refined into diesel and gasoline than runs our cars.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp
Though outside the scope of the current project, Wegeng also envisions a day when PNNL's solar-driven system could be used to create transportation fuels. Syngas can also be used to make synthetic crude oil, which can be refined into diesel and gasoline than runs our cars.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp
Though outside the scope of the current project, Wegeng also envisions a day when PNNL's solar-driven system could be used to create transportation fuels. Syngas can also be used to make synthetic crude oil, which can be refined into diesel and gasoline than runs our cars.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-solar-booster-shot-natural-gas.html#jCp