Sabatier Process

Named after its main investigator, Paul Sabatier, this methanation process produces methane and water from hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

With the formula CO₂ + 4H₂ -- > CH₄ +2H₂O, this exothermic reaction occurs spontaneously in the presence of either nickel or ruthenium which act as catalysts.

This has been in use in industry for over a century, and forms the basis for the atmospheric fuel generators proposed for mars direct , and has also been suggested as a potential solution to the excess carbon dioxide emission involved with fossil fuel power generation.