China's method triples olefin output from coal while slashing CO2 release

Chinese researchers have developed an improved coal-to-olefin chemical process that triples olefin output while significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, are valuable hydrocarbons used extensively in plastics and pharmaceuticals. Traditionally, China converts coal into syngas, then methanol, and finally olefins—a process that is energy-intensive and produces substantial CO2 waste. The new method introduces a “molecular switch” that alters the reaction pathway, blocking side reactions that typically release carbon as CO2, thereby retaining more carbon in the final product and boosting yield and efficiency. While this innovation does not make coal a green fuel, it enhances the conversion efficiency of coal feedstock into useful chemicals, reducing pollution without sacrificing industrial productivity. The researchers suggest that this approach could potentially be adapted to improve the cleaner production of intermediate fuels from other fossil sources like oil and natural gas, though the fundamental inefficiencies of combustion remain a challenge. This advancement highlights that environmental improvements in fossil fuel