Electrochemical process for the production of synthesis gas using atmospheric air and water
View Patent ↗A process is provided for synthesizing synthesis gas from carbon dioxide obtained from atmospheric air or other available carbon dioxide source and water using a sodium-conducting electrochemical cell. Synthesis gas is also produced by the coelectrolysis of carbon dioxide and steam in a solid oxide fuel cell or solid oxide electrolytic cell. The synthesis gas produced may then be further processed and eventually converted into a liquid fuel suitable for transportation or other applications.
1. An electrochemical process for producing synthesis gas comprising:
decomposing water within an anode chamber comprising an electrochemically active anode according to the following reaction: ½H 2 O→¼O 2 +H + +e − ;
removing oxygen from the anode chamber;
transporting H + ions from the anode chamber to an intermediate chamber via a cation exchange membrane;
reacting Na 2 CO 3 and H + ions within the intermediate chamber according to the following reaction: H + +½Na 2 CO 3 →½CO 2 +½H 2 O+Na + ;
removing CO 2 from the intermediate chamber;
transporting Na + ions from the intermediate chamber to a cathode chamber;
decomposing water within the cathode chamber comprising an electrochemically active cathode according to the following reaction: Na + +H 2 O+e − →NaOH+½H 2 ;
removing H 2 from the cathode chamber;
removing NaOH from the cathode chamber; and
reacting CO 2 and H 2 to form synthesis gas comprising CO and H 2 .
2. The electrochemical process according to claim 1 , wherein the NaOH removed from the cathode is reacted with a source of CO 2 to form Na 2 CO 3 .
3. The electrochemical process according to claim 2 , wherein the source of CO 2 is selected from atmospheric air, combustion gases, or aerobic decomposition gases.
4. An electrochemical process for producing synthesis gas comprising:
decomposing water within an anode chamber according to the following reaction: ½H 2 →¼O 2 +H + +e − ;
removing oxygen from the anode chamber;
reacting Na 2 CO 3 and H + ions within anode chamber according to the following reaction: H + +½Na 2 CO 3 →½CO 2 +½H 2 O+Na + at a location a distance away from the anode but within the anode chamber, wherein the H+ ions react with Na 2 CO the after passing through a cation exchange membrane;
removing CO 2 from the anode chamber at a location near where it is produced;
transporting Na + ions from the anode chamber to a cathode chamber;
decomposing water within the cathode chamber according to the following reaction: Na + +H 2 O+e − →NaOH+½H 2 ;
removing H 2 from the cathode chamber;
removing NaOH from the cathode chamber; and
reacting CO 2 and H 2 to form synthesis gas comprising CO and H 2 .
5. The electrochemical process according to claim 4 , wherein the NaOH removed from the cathode is reacted with a source of CO 2 to form Na 2 CO 3 .
6. The electrochemical process according to claim 5 , wherein the source of CO 2 is selected from atmospheric air, hydrocarbon combustion gases, or aerobic decomposition gases.