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Process and high surface area electrodes for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

  • US 10,287,696 B2
  • Filed: 08/28/2014
  • Issued: 05/14/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into products, comprising:

  • (A) introducing an acidic anolyte to a first compartment of a first electrochemical cell, the first compartment including an anode;

    (B) introducing a catholyte including an alkali metal bicarbonate to a second compartment of the first electrochemical cell, the catholyte saturated with carbon dioxide, the second compartment including a high surface area cathode, the high surface area cathode including a coating containing indium and having a void volume of between about 30% to 98%, at least a portion of the catholyte including the alkali metal bicarbonate being recycled;

    (C) applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to reduce the carbon dioxide to an alkali metal formate;

    (D) introducing the alkali metal formate to an ion exchange compartment of a second electrochemical cell;

    (E) applying an electrical potential between an anode of the second electrochemical cell and a cathode of the second electrochemical cell sufficient to produce at least formic acid and an alkali metal hydroxide;

    (F) introducing the alkali metal hydroxide with carbon dioxide to generate at least a portion of the alkali metal bicarbonate introduced to the second compartment of the first electrochemical cell; and

    (G) separating the alkali metal formate from the alkali metal bicarbonate of the catholyte of the first electrochemical cell with a nano-filtration system, wherein the nano-filtration system separates monovalent anions from divalent anions.

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