[ExI] Reaching for net zero (carbon)

[Keith Henson]

   - US oil consumption is around 20 million bbl/day. Is it possible to
   replace most of that with SolarSyngas from MSW, biomass, and solar
   electricity? It is clear that MSW will not do it, we just don't make enough
   to replace more than a small fraction of oil usage. We can double the fuel
   production mixing in electrolytic hydrogen instead of using the water gas
   shift reaction to give the proper hydrogen ration for Fisher Toppish
   synthesis reaction. I don't particularly like that because the hydrogen
   takes 50 MWh/ton as opposed to SolarSingas 12 MWh/ton and needs expensive
   platinum-containing electrolytic cells but it does double the fuel
   production. That helps, but is still way short of what is needed.
   Electrifying as much as possible cuts the demand, but there are a lot of
   uses besides long range aircraft that are hard to electrify. Farming in
   particular. For a while we can feed in tires, but that will run out. Coal
   defeats the net zero goal. Biomass can be harvested and used, but is there
   enough?

Anyone have a number?

Keith
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