United States Patent Application: 0110114504
In a very recent dispatch, now accessible on the West Virginia Coal Association's web site via the link:
Princeton Scientists Convert More CO2 to Methanol and Ethanol | Research & Development; concerning:
"United States Patent Application 20110114502 - Reducing Carbon Dioxide to Products; May, 2011; Inventors: Emily Barton Cole (and) Andrew Bocarsly, et. al.; A method for reducing carbon dioxide to one or more products (including) ethanol, ethylene, ... methane, methanol ... and polymers";
we reported that a team of distinguished Princeton University scientists, Cole and Bocarsly, had joined with a truly impressive group of other, US and international, scientists, some of whom we have previously cited, in a new company, "Liquid Light", who describe themselves as "an early-stage start-up founded on discoveries in the fields of catalysis and artificial photosynthesis", and who focus their enterprise on the productive and profitable recycling of Carbon Dioxide.
The international character of the Liquid Light is further reflected in the fact, that, again as we reported, in:
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";
they are seeking international patents, as well, on their Carbon Dioxide recycling technology.
Herein, we submit another example of the Carbon Dioxide capture and utilization science established by Liquid Light's collaborating scholars, an example which we view as an advancement, or improvement, on other, similar CO2-recycling art, developed earlier, and by other research organizations; and, about which we have also previously reported.
As seen, with additional links and comment inserted and appended, in our excerpts from the initial link to:
"US Patent Application 20110114504 - Electrochemical Production of Synthesis Gas from Carbon Dioxide
Date: May, 2011
Inventors: Narayanappa Sivasankar, Emily Barton Cole and Kyle Teamy, NJ and DC
(Note: As we've noted previously, the ultimate assignee of rights to US Patents, if different from the inventors themselves, is not disclosed in early publications of US Patent Applications. However, Liquid Light's web site provides the credentials and biographic synopses of their principals, and we can learn, via:
Liquid Light :: About; that:
"Dr. Sivasankar conducted post-doctoral research on the kinetics and mechanism of water-photoxoidation and heterogeneous hydroformylation reactions at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working under Dr. Heinz Frei, a leader in artificial photosynthesis and catalysis. Dr. Sivasankar also conducted post-doctoral work under the supervision of Prof. Roel Prins at ETH Zurich, studying C-N and C-S bond breaking over supported noble metals and transition metal sulfide catalysts.He received his PhD for the studies on the sorption and reaction of organic molecules in zeolite catalysts under the guidance of Prof. S. Vasudevan from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; and:
Mr. Kyle Teamey is the President of Liquid Light and (has) worked as a consultant to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) assisting in the development of new technologies for the military, including TiGR which was acquired by General Dynamics. Mr. Teamey was previously an officer in the U.S. Army, where he served in leadership and management roles in the United States and abroad. Mr. Teamey received a B.A. in Environmental Engineering at Dartmouth College, where he worked in the laboratory of Professor Lee Lynd (Mascoma) developing biofuels. He also holds a M.A. in Finance and Energy Policy from Johns Hopkins University."
We have previously documented, in our above-cited earlier reports, the distinguished credentials of Dr. Emily Barton Cole.)
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.
(We regret the highly-technical jargon, though we're certain some among our audience won't be fazed by it. Just keep in mind that what is being described, in essence, is an efficient process for the joint electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide and Water into a blend of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen synthesis gas, similar to what we can make by reacting Coal with Steam, and other things, as in many of our previous reports; and, which "syngas", as explained via:
Syngas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; "contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen" and can be used to produce "synthetic natural gas (,) methanol (and) synthetic petroleum".)
Claims: 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.
(The "Claims" are much more lengthy, specific and detailed, of course. But, that is the gist of it. The components of the "electrolyte" solutions, and the materials from which the electrodes should be made, are all identified, with a number of options to choose from; most are neither exotically rare nor hugely expensive. They are all things we can get and make without having to turn too many cartwheels.)
Background and Field: The present invention relates to chemical reduction generally and, more particularly, to a method and/or apparatus for implementing electrochemical production of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide.
A mechanism for mitigating 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 techniques for the carbon dioxide conversion.
Summary: The present invention concerns a method for electrochemical production of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention include providing a method and/or apparatus for implementing electrochemical production of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide (including) cathode combinations for simultaneous evolution of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas using carbon dioxide and water as feedstock (and) combinations of cathode materials, electrolytes, electrical potentials, pH levels, carbon dioxide flow rates and/or heterocycle catalysts, used to get a desired molar ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, (and) specific process conditions that optimize the carbon dioxide conversion to carbon monoxide while optimizing hydrogen gas evolution".
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Again, we know that we've skimped on the technical details.
One detail would concern the disposition of the extraneous Oxygen, O2, which must, of course, be discharged from the H2O and CO2 in their electrochemical reduction to H2 an CO.
But, there should be nothing conceptually new for you herein, presuming you to have followed our posts, since we have previously reported on quite similar technologies developed by others, including our own United States Department of Energy, as seen for just one example, in our report of:
Idaho Recycles CO2 | Research & Development; wherein the USDOE's Idaho National Laboratory describes: "Syntrolysis: Simultaneously electrolyzing water and carbon-dioxide into Syngas";
and, by more independent groups of researchers, as seen for one example in:
Chicago Recycles CO2 to Methanol | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,609,441 - Electrochemical Reduction of Aqueous Carbon Dioxide to Methanol; 1986; Gas Research Institute, Chicago; A method of producing methanol from carbon dioxide (which comprises) electrolyzing a solution of carbon dioxide in an aqueous solvent".
Furthermore, most expositions of CO2 recycling technologies, as does our subject herein, "US Patent Application 20110114504 - Electrochemical Production of Synthesis Gas from Carbon Dioxide", specify the use of non-Carbon "renewable energy", to drive the chemical reactions that both collect the Carbon Dioxide, and, then, convert the CO2, and Water, into hydrocarbons.
That, as seen, for just one example, in our report of:
US Navy and Columbia University Recycle Atmospheric CO2 | Research & Development; detailing both:
"United States Patent 7,420,004 - Process and System for Producing Synthetic Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels; 2008; Assignee: The USA as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy; A process for producing synthetic hydrocarbons that reacts carbon dioxide, obtained from seawater or air, and hydrogen obtained from water, with a catalyst in a chemical process such as reverse water gas shift combined with Fischer Tropsch synthesis. The hydrogen is produced by ... (an energy) source that is fossil fuel-free, such as wind or wave energy"; and:
"United States Patent 7,833,328 - Scrubber for Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Air; 2010; Assignee: Columbia University, NYC; 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 (and, an) apparatus ... wherein the solvent is adapted to remove carbon dioxide from open air under ambient conditions".
And, finally, we remind you, as can be learned separately, as just one example out of many potentials, via:
West Virginia Department of Commerce Hydro Energy; concerning, in part: "In June 2010, Brookfield Renewable Power started the rehabilitation of a hydropower project located in Glen Ferris on the Kanawha River. The company is investing $25 million to bring the plant, built in 1899, back into full production. When completed in 2012, the Glen Ferris hydropower project will generate ... enough electricity for 4,500 households"; that:
we have plenty of opportunities, even in the very heart of US Coal Country, to generate a little additional, Carbon-free electricity, perhaps in site- and purpose-specific applications, that would both supplement the truly substantial and essential generation of electricity from Coal, thus extending a bit the useful life of our precious Coal reserves, and, as well, provide us with that little extra Carbon-free electricity we might want to, first, as in the process of "US Patent 7,833,328 - Scrubber for Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Air", cited above, efficiently collect Carbon Dioxide from our environment; and, then, as in the process of our subject herein, "United States Patent Application 20110114504 - Electrochemical Production of Synthesis Gas from Carbon Dioxide", convert that Carbon Dioxide into an intermediate product, i.e., "Synthesis Gas", from which we can produce "synthetic natural gas (,) methanol (and) synthetic petroleum".