Electrochemical processing of clathrate hydrates
A method of using clathrate hydrates (including ammonia clathrates), in electrochemical transformations. Noted are converting clathrate guest molecules such as CO 2 , CH 4 , alkanes, and alkenes; and, optionally, the use of clathrates-promoting molecules such as tetra hydro furan, to produce higher value carbon molecules including propane and formic acid.
1. The method of converting one or more of Guest-Gas species selected from the group consisting of CO 2 or CH 4 to augmented-guest compounds (AGC) in an electrolytic cell comprising a cathode and an anode and electrolyte by the steps of:
a. preparing clathrate hydrate to include the Guest-Gas species;
b. exposing the clathrate hydrate including the Guest-Gas species to a cathode in the presence of an electrolyte in said electrolytic cell at about 5 to about 40 Coulombs to produce AGC; and
c. collecting said resulting AGC.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the Guest-Gas species is CO 2 and said AGC is selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, and formic acid.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the Guest-Gas species is CH 4 and said AGC is selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, and formic acid.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said anode is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel cobalt manganese, lithium iron phosphate, and divalent iron nitridophosphates.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said cathode is selected from the group consisting of platinum, graphite, graphene, and zinc.
6. The method of converting one or more of Guest-Gas species selected from the group consisting of CO 2 or CH 4 to augmented-guest compounds (AGC) in an electrolytic cell comprising a cathode and an anode and electrolyte by the steps of:
a. exposing a clathrate hydrate including the Guest-Gas species to a cathode in the presence of an electrolyte in said electrolytic cell at about 5 to about 40 Coulombs
b. producing AGC; and
c. collecting said resulting AGC.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the Guest-Gas species is CO 2 and said AGC is selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, and formic acid.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the Guest-Gas species is CH 4 and said AGC is selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, and formic acid.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said anode is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel cobalt manganese, lithium iron phosphate, and divalent iron nitridophosphates.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein said cathode is selected from the group consisting of platinum, graphite, graphene, and zinc.