ELECTROCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF SYNTHESIS GAS FROM CARBON DIOXIDE

• US 20110114504A1
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avantium Knowledge Centre B.V. (Avantium NV)
• Original Assignee: Liquid Light, Inc. (Avantium NV)
• Inventors: Sivasankar, Narayanappa, Cole, Emily Barton, Teamey, Kyle
• Granted Patent: US 8,721,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/455
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2256/12 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/326 in electrochemical cells
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/00 Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/02 Hydrogen or oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/55 Photoelectrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2

Abstract

A method for electrochemical production of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide is disclosed. The method generally includes steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may bubble the carbon dioxide into a solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst in a divided electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode generally reduces the carbon dioxide into a plurality of components. Step (B) may establish a molar ratio of the components in the synthesis gas by adjusting at least one of (i) a cathode material and (ii) a surface morphology of the cathode. Step (C) may separate the synthesis gas from the solution.

Claims

1. A method for electrochemical production of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide, comprising the steps of:

(A) bubbling said carbon dioxide into a solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst in a divided electrochemical cell, wherein (i) said divided electrochemical cell comprises an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment, (ii) said cathode reducing said carbon dioxide into a plurality of components;

(B) establishing a molar ratio of said components in said synthesis gas by adjusting at least one of (i) a cathode material and (ii) a surface morphology of said cathode; and

(C) separating said synthesis gas from said solution.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said components comprises carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said molar ratio comprises at least one mole of said hydrogen per mole of said carbon monoxide.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cathode material is at least one of Al, Au, Ag, C, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Cu alloys, Ga, Hg, In, Ir, Mo, Nb, Ni, Ni alloys, Ni—

Fe alloys, Os, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, Sn, Sn alloys, Ti, V, W, Zn, elgiloy, Nichrome, austenitic steel, duplex steel, ferritic steel, martensitic steel, stainless steel, degenerately doped p-Si, degenerately doped p-Si;

As and degenerately doped p-Si;

B.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein (i) said cathode comprises a plurality of particles of metal loaded onto a substrate and (ii) said substrate is conductive.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said surface morphology of said cathode comprises a smooth surface.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said surface morphology of said cathode comprises a rough surface.

8. A method for electrochemical production of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide, comprising the steps of:

(A) bubbling said carbon dioxide into a solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst in a divided electrochemical cell, wherein (i) said divided electrochemical cell comprises an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment, (ii) said cathode reducing said carbon dioxide into a plurality of components;

(B) establishing a molar ratio of said components in said synthesis gas by adjusting one or more of (i) said electrolyte, and (ii) said catalyst; and

(C) separating said synthesis gas from said solution.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said components comprises carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said electrolyte is at least one of Na₂SO₄, KCl, NaNO₃, NaCl, NaF, NaClO₄, KClO₄, K₂SiO₃, CaCl₂, a H cation, a Li cation, a Na cation, a K cation, a Rb cation, a Cs cation, a Ca cation, an ammonium cation, an alkylammonium cation, a F anion, a Cl anion, a Br anion, an I anion, an At anion, an alkyl amine, borates, carbonates, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, polyphosphates, perchlorates, silicates, sulfates, and a tetraalkyl ammonium salt.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said catalyst is one or more of adenine, amines containing sulfur, amines containing oxygen, azoles, benzimidazole, bipyridines, furan, imidazoles, imidazole related species with at least one five-member ring, indoles, methylimidazole, oxazoles, phenanthroline, pterin, pteridine, pyridines, pyridine related species with at least one six-member ring, pyrrole, quinoline and thiazoles.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein a faradaic yield of hydrogen in said synthesis gas is at least 25 percent.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein a faradaic yield of carbon monoxide in said synthesis gas is at least 25 percent.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein said establishing of said molar ratio includes adjusting at least one of (i) a cathode material and (ii) a surface morphology of said cathode.

15. A method for electrochemical production of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide, comprising the steps of:

(A) bubbling said carbon dioxide into a solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst in a divided electrochemical cell, wherein (i) said divided electrochemical cell comprises an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment, (ii) said cathode reducing said carbon dioxide into a plurality of components;

(B) establishing a molar ratio of said components in said synthesis gas by adjusting one or more of (i) a pH level and (ii) a flow rate of said carbon dioxide; and

(C) separating said synthesis gas from said solution.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said components comprises carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said molar ratio comprises at least one mole of said hydrogen per mole of said carbon monoxide.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein said pH level ranges from approximately 4 to approximately 8.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein an electrical potential ranges from approximately −

0.7 volts to approximately −

1.5 volts.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein said establishing of said molar ratio includes adjusting at least one of (i) a cathode material and (ii) a surface morphology of said cathode.