United States Patent Application: 0110114502
We've made several previous reports concerning the Carbon Dioxide recycling technology that has been, and is being, developed by scientists, including and especially Andrew Bocarsly and Emily Barton Cole, at New Jersey's Princeton University.
We last called your attention to the fact that Princeton's scientists had applied for United States, and World, patent protection on technology they had invented which would enable the efficient conversion of Carbon Dioxide, recovered from whatever source, into a variety of organic chemical products, including the alcohols Methanol and Ethanol.
As seen, for just one example, in our report, as it is now available on the West Virginia Coal Association web site via the link:
Princeton Recycles CO2 with US Government Support | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent Application 20100187123A1 - Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Organic Products; 2010; Inventors: Andrew B. Bocarsly and Emily Barton Cole, NJ; Government Interests: This invention was made with United States government support from Natural Science Foundation Grant No. CHE-0606475. The United States Government has certain rights in this invention (which) relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for (chemcially) reducing carbon dioxide ... (and) converting of carbon dioxide to provide at least one product (including) methanol, ... or ethanol."
We will note, that, in the full Disclosure of "United States Patent Application 20100187123A1", another of the products which can be made by Princeton's technology for "reducing" Carbon Dioxide is formaldehyde, which, as we document in that report, can be utilized as a raw material in the making of various useful commercial and industrial plastics, wherein the Carbon Dioxide consumed in the synthesis of the formaldehyde would be forever, and productively, "sequestered".
Our ongoing studies have uncovered the fact that Princeton's research and development of Carbon Dioxide recycling technologies did not culminate in "United States Patent Application 20100187123A1"; but, that they have continued their work and continue to develop CO2 utilization processes that are related, and even supplementary, to that disclosed by "United States Patent Application 20100187123A1".
Herein, as accessible via the initial link in this dispatch, we present another of Princeton's Carbon Dioxide conversion processes, as disclosed in our excerpts from the relatively more recent:
"United States Patent Application 20110114502 - Reducing Carbon Dioxide to Products
Date: May, 2011
Inventors: Emily Barton Cole (and) Andrew Bocarsly, et. al., NJ, DC and CA
(We are compelled to interrupt here at some unfortunate length. Early publications of United States Patent Applications most often do not include statement of the ultimate Assignee of rights to the invention, if that Assignee is different from the inventors themselves, as is the case with innovations developed in US Government and many, if not most, corporation facilities.
That is not the case with World Patent Applications, as seen in our report of the World Patent Application version of the above-cited "United States Patent Application 20100187123A1 - Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Organic Products", as seen in our report of:
Princeton Seeks World CO2 Recycling Patent | Research & Development; "WO/2010/088524 - Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Organic Products; 2010; Applicants: Princeton University, NJ, US; Inventors: Andrew Bocarsly and Emily Barton Cole".
However, subsequent to, or coincident with, the Princeton applications, Bocarsly and Cole joined with other Carbon Dioxide experts, one or two of whom we have previously cited, to found a new company, "Liquid Light", focused on the development of Carbon Dioxide recycling, and associated, technologies.
We have made brief report and mention of "Liquid Light" previously, but will treat them more fully in future dispatches. For now, more can be learned via:
Liquid Light :: About: "Liquid Light is an early-stage start-up founded on discoveries in the fields of catalysis and artificial photosynthesis from the research lab of Professor Andrew Bocarsly at Princeton University. We are developing highly efficient catalysts and chemical processes for converting carbon dioxide to industrial chemicals and fuels.
Liquid Light’s technology will allow transportation fuels and industrial chemicals to be made from waste carbon dioxide using clean domestic sources of energy to include: solar, wind, hydroelectric, and nuclear. Energy security, reductions in oil imports, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can be realized without major changes to existing infrastructure. Backed by Redpoint Ventures, we have started down the path to clean, secure energy.
Dr. Emily Cole is a co-founder of Liquid Light and Researcher with Liquid Light. Prior to joining the company, Dr. Cole worked in the laboratory of Dr. Andrew Bocarsly developing the catalysts, systems, and processes needed for conversion of carbon dioxide to liquid fuels and industrial chemicals. Her work on reaction mechanisms and kinetics was integral to the success of the Bocarsly Group in converting solar and electrical energy to liquid fuels.
Dr. Cole holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Texas, Austin, and a M.A. and PhD in Chemistry from Princeton University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow.
Dr. Andrew Bocarsly is a professor of chemistry at Princeton University and a founder of Liquid Light, where he serves as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board. A leading researcher in electrochemistry and renewable energy, he has worked for over 30 years on solar energy conversion, systems for energy storage and fuel cells. Dr. Bocarsly and his group at Princeton were the first in the world to develop a process for directly converting solar energy into liquid fuel using no additional energy source. He continues to work closely with Liquid Light developing new catalysts and systems for the efficient conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and industrial chemicals."
So, the ultimate assignee of rights to our subject herein, "US Patent Application 20110114502 - Reducing Carbon Dioxide to Products", will likely be either Princeton University or/and Liquid Light.)
Abstract: A method for reducing carbon dioxide to one or more products is disclosed. The method may include 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 the products. Step (B) may vary at least one of (i) which of the products is produced and (ii) a faradaic yield of the products by adjusting one or more of (a) a cathode material and (b) a surface morphology of the cathode. Step (C) may separate the products from the solution.
Claims: A method for reducing carbon dioxide to one or more products, 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 and (ii) said cathode reducing said carbon dioxide into said products; (B) varying at least one of (i) which of said products is produced and (ii) a faradaic yield of said products by adjusting one or more of (a) a cathode material and (b) a surface morphology of said cathode; and (C) separating said products from said solution.
(The "Claims" go on to specify in some detail the design of the "electrochemical cell"s, the components of the "electrolyte ... solution"s, and, the materials of which the "anode" and "cathode" are to be made. Those technical specifics are beyond our scope herein; but, there is nothing involved that is overly exotic or hugely expensive; and the full Disclosure should be understandable to anyone of moderate technical ability.)
The method ... wherein said products (of the Carbon Dioxide chemical reduction) comprise one or more of acetaldehyde, acetone, carbon, carbon monoxide, carbonates, ethanol, ethylene, formaldehyde, formic acid, glyoxal, glyoxylic acid, graphite, isopropanol, methane, methanol, oxalate, oxalic acid and polymers containing carbon dioxide.
A method for reducing carbon dioxide to one or more products, 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 and (ii) said cathode reducing said carbon dioxide into said products; (B) varying at least one of (i) which of said products is produced and (ii) a faradaic yield of said products by adjusting one or more of (a) said electrolyte and (b) a manner in which said carbon dioxide is bubbled; and (C) separating said products from said solution.
(Again, the details are beyond our scope of reportage herein, but, in brief, by varying the electric current and the components of the electrolyte solutions through which the Carbon Dioxide is "bubbled", the slate of products, i.e., "ethanol, ethylene, formaldehyde, ... methane, methanol, ... and polymers", can be varied and controlled. Thus, the product most desired can be selected for.)
The method ... wherein said pH level ranges from approximately 3 to approximately 8 (and) wherein said electrical potential ranges from approximately -0.7 volts to -2 volts.
(Thus, the process can be accomplished in a broad range of mild chemical environments, and only a small amount of electric current is required.)
The method ... further comprising the step of: performing said reducing at ambient temperature and ambient pressure.
(Thus, hugely-expensive processing equipment, able to withstand high pressures and temperatures, is not needed, another factor contributing to the economy of this system.)
Background and Field: The present invention relates to chemical reduction generally and, more particularly, to a method and/or apparatus for implementing reducing carbon dioxide to products.
A mechanism for mitigating (Carbon Dioxide) emissions is to convert carbon dioxide into economically valuable materials such as fuels and industrial chemicals. If the carbon dioxide is converted using energy from renewable sources, both mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions and conversion of renewable energy into a chemical form that can be stored for later use will be possible. Electrochemical and photochemical pathways are means for the carbon dioxide conversion.
Summary: The present invention concerns a method for reducing carbon dioxide to one or more products. The method may include 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 the products. Step (B) may vary at least one of (i) which of the products is produced and (ii) a faradaic yield of the products by adjusting one or more of (a) a cathode material and (b) a surface morphology of the cathode. Step (C) may separate the products from the solution.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention include providing a method and/or apparatus for implementing reducing carbon dioxide to products that may (i) catalytically reduce carbon dioxide using steel cathodes or other low cost cathode materials, (ii) produce high faradaic yields, (iii) produce organic products with steel and nickel alloy cathodes at ambient temperature and pressure, (iv) provide stabile long-term reduction of carbon dioxide using copper-based alloy electrodes and/or (v) provide for commercialization of electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction."
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Cole and Bocarsly, et. al., though not well-reflected in our excerpts, do consistently emphasize the value of utilizing various renewable energy sources to drive their processes, in fashion similar to our own United States Department of Energy's "Green Freedom"(TM) Carbon Dioxide recycling technology, as described, for one example, in our report of:
USDOE "Green Freedom" CO2 Recycling | Research & Development; concerning:" Green Freedom (TM) - A Concept for Producing Carbon-Neutral Synthetic Fuels; 2007; Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM; We have developed a low-risk, transformational concept, called Green Freedom (TM), for large scale production of carbon-neutral, sulfur-free fuels and chemicals from air and water. Green Freedom (TM) utilizes carbon-neutral power to recover carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; split water into hydrogen; and, convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels and organic chemicals."
And, though we haven't yet done a thorough job of documenting the fact, a failing which we will in future reports strive to correct, the capture of Carbon Dioxide from the environment itself is a practical proposition, as seen, in one of our currently-few examples of reportage on the fact, via:
US Navy and Columbia University Recycle Atmospheric CO2 | Research & Development; which concerns, in part:
"United States Patent: 7833328 - Scrubber for Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Air; 2010; Columbia University; Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for carbon dioxide from air, which comprises exposing solvent covered surfaces to air streams where the airflow is kept laminar, or close to the laminar regime. The invention also provides for an apparatus, which is a laminar scrubber, comprising solvent covered surfaces situated such that they can be exposed to air streams such that the airflow is kept laminar. Claims: A scrubber apparatus for capturing carbon dioxide from open air".
Further, as we've documented now in several reports, and as can be seen separately in articles such as:
Mountaineer Wind Energy Center - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; concerning the: "Mountaineer Wind Energy Center ... a wind farm on Backbone Mountain in ... West Virginia ... generates enough electricity to power approximately 20,000 homes"; and:
Ground broken for new hydro plant - News - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports - ; concerning: "St. Marys, W.Va.-- Construction is under way on a $276 million hydroelectric plant at the Willow Island Locks and Dam";
we have many potentials in US Coal Country for harvesting environmental energy, and putting it to the task of, first, as in "United States Patent 7,833,328 - Scrubber for Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Air", cited above, collecting Carbon Dioxide from our environment; and, then, via the process of our subject herein,
"United States Patent Application 20110114502 - Reducing Carbon Dioxide to Products", converting that Carbon Dioxide into "ethanol, ethylene, formaldehyde, formic acid, glyoxal, glyoxylic acid, graphite, isopropanol, methane, methanol, oxalate, oxalic acid and polymers".
And, since "methane" is one of the CO2-based products mentioned, we remind you that, as seen for just one instance in:
Exxon 2010 CO2 + Methane = Liquid Hydrocarbons | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 7,772,447 - Production of Liquid Hydrocarbons from Methane; 2010; Assignee: ExxonMobil; Abstract: (A) process for converting methane to liquid hydrocarbons ... the process comprising: (a) contacting a feed containing methane and ... H2O (and) CO2 with a (specified) catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene and naphthalene, and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons";
we can react that Methane with even more Carbon Dioxide, recovered from whatever source, and thereby synthesize even more "liquid hydrocarbons".
Further, since "methanol" is another of the CO2-based products mentioned in the Disclosure of our subject, "United States Patent Application 20110114502", we also remind you, that, as seen for just one instance in:
Mobil Oil Coal to Methanol to Gasoline | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,447,310 - Production of Distillates through Methanol to Gasoline; 1984; Mobil Oil Corporation, NY;
Abstract: A process for producing a wide slate of fuel products from coal is provided by integrating a methanol-to-gasoline conversion process with coal liquefaction and coal gasification (wherein) coal is gasified under oxidation conditions to produce a synthesis gas which is converted to methanol. The methanol is converted to gasoline by contact with a zeolite catalyst";
we can convert that Methanol, no matter which of our precious Coal Country resources we choose to make it from, either Carbon Dioxide or Coal, into Gasoline.