Chinese scientists develop electrified catalysis method to achieve net-negative greenhouse gas emissions

Chinese researchers have designed an electrified catalysis process that removes more greenhouse gases than it emits, resulting in net-negative emissions. This is reported by China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.

The research was led by a team from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the University of Jinan. The scientists focused on enhancing the traditional dry reforming of methane (DRM) process, which converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) into syngas – a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Conventional DRM typically requires temperatures above 800°C and is powered by fossil fuels, often resulting in higher CO₂ emissions than the amount reduced. In contrast, the new process, called electrified DRM (e-DRM), is powered by renewable electricity and achieves a net reduction of greenhouse gases.

According to the study, the e-DRM method delivers an energy utilisation rate of 80 percent and maintains thermodynamic equilibrium conversion with operational stability exceeding 120 hours.

The researchers highlighted that by using electricity from wind, solar, hydropower, or nuclear sources, the system can eliminate more CO₂ than is generated in the energy supply chain.

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