Is there an alternate fuel that de-emphasizes carbon?

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The discussion centers on the quest for a carbon-free fuel that can be produced from water and air at ambient temperatures and pressures. Hydrogen is often suggested but fails to meet the criteria due to its common production methods, which involve fossil fuels. Alternatives like biofuels and ammonia are explored, with biofuels being renewable but facing production challenges, and ammonia requiring carbon-free production methods. The feasibility of capturing atmospheric CO2 for fuel production is debated, highlighting the energy-intensive nature of such processes. Overall, while various options exist, significant technological and economic hurdles remain in developing a viable carbon-free fuel.
  • #31
If climate change is the goal, then the energy/pollution caused by production of the fuel is just as important than the burning of the fuel.
 
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  • #32
Two quick comments:

Hydrogen is commercially produced from methane, with CO2 as a byproduct. It would be better to use the methane directly: less energy loss for the same emission. Only a small amount is produced through water electrolysis.

Ammonia is nasty stuff. It's one of the most dangerous chemicals today - probably just under carbon monoxide. The reasons CFCs were introduced as refrigerants in around the 1920's is because people were dropping like flies from ammonia accidents.
 
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  • #33
I was going to go on a long screed about ammonia releases, but then I realized I would just be...venting.
 
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