CO2 "magic bullet"

• another one

Well said!

Energy is obtained from fuel precisely by oxidising it to CO2. Taking the reverse path merely means putting the energy back, and of course with added inefficiencies and costs. Thus CO2 capture can never be useful.

NT

Energy for hydrocarbons also comes from oxidising the hydrogen which in the case of methane gives 2H2O for every CO2. So it might still be just possible to still have a net energy output burning methane natural gas.

The only realistic way to do carbon capture is to genetically engineer plants to be more efficient and cultivate them on an industrial scale. That way you are harnessing solar energy to do the necessary work.

Huge amounts of nuclear power could be used to do it by brute force if you were so inclined. Fractional distillation of air for example.

possible if there's insignificant CO2 to capture :)

The yield would be silly, and nuclear plants produce a good bit of CO2 indirectly. Gain seems unlikely, where gain is defined as capturing CO2 for no useful purpose.

NT

It's bollix. Law of conservation of energy.

ITYM either 'Gain seems likely, where gain is defined as capturing CO2 for no useful purpose'.

or

'Gain seems unlikely, where gain is defined as capturing CO2 for a useful purpose'.

I'd go with the second. :-)