We've made previous report on the one-time Japanese electronics giant, Panasonic Corporation, and their current apparent focus on the development of energy conversion technologies.
One such report, accessible in the West Virginia Coal Association Research and Development archives, is:
West Virginia Coal Association | Japan Hydrogen from Water and Sunlight | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 7,909,979 - Water Photolysis System and Process; 2011; Assignee: Panasonic Corporation, Osaka; Abstract: The present invention provides a water photolysis system ... for photolyzing water (to produce) hydrogen and oxygen".
But, in addition to developing processes for the efficient generation of Hydrogen from Water through the use of light energy, Panasonic has also been devoting considerable effort to the development of processes which enable similarly efficient, electricty/photoelectricty-
So much so, in fact, that we will have to devote several separate reports to the recounting of their more recent progress in the development of such Carbon Dioxide recycling technologies.
To recap, as can be learned via:
Panasonic, now a multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Japan, was originally founded in 1918 as the Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, and, although they have undergone some rather dramatic changes in corporate structure, size, and business focus in the past decade and half or so, they remain among the world's twenty largest suppliers of semiconductors.
Interestingly, among the dramatic changes in their business focus, they have begun devoting concentrated effort into the development of energy conversion processes; methods which are based on their core semiconductor and electronics business and technical expertise, and as might be represented by our above citation of "United States Patent 7,909,979 - Water Photolysis System and Process".
Further, as can be learned via:
Panasonic is developing "a new way to reuse ... carbon dioxide (as an) energy source. Panasonic has developed an artificial photosynthesis system which converts carbon dioxide (CO2) to organic materials by illuminating with sunlight at a world's top efficiency of 0.2%. The efficiency is on a comparable level with real plants used for biomass energy. The key to the system is the application of a nitride semiconductor which makes the system simple and efficient. This development will be a foundation for the realization of a system for capturing and converting wasted carbon dioxide from incinerators, power plants or industrial activities.
Artificial photosynthesis is the direct conversion from CO2 into organic materials ... . In the previous approaches so far, the systems have had complex structures such as organic complexes or plural photo-electrodes, which makes it difficult to improve their efficiency in response to the light. Panasonic's artificial photosysnthesis system has a simple structure with highly efficient CO2 conversion, which can utilize direct sunlight or focused light.
The CO2 reduction takes place on a metal catalyst (and) the system comprises of only inorganic materials, which can reduce the CO2 with low energy loss. The system with a nitride semiconductor and a metal catalyst generates mainly formic acid from CO2 and water with light at a world's top efficiency of 0.2%. The efficiency is of a comparable level to real plants used in the biomass energy source. The formic acid is an important chemical in industry for dye and fragrances. The reaction rate is completely proportional to the light power due to the low energy loss with simple structure; in other words, the system can respond to focused light. This will make it possible to realize a simple and compact system for capturing and converting wasted carbon dioxide from incinerators and electric generation plants. On this development, Panasonic holds 18 domestic patents and 11 overseas patents, including pending applications. This development was partially presented at 19th International Conference on the Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy held on Pasadena, United States on July 30, 2012."
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The proceedings of the "19th International Conference on the Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy" aren't yet available; but, we'll get report of them to you when we can. For now, we want to note that the above "mainly fornic acid", is not, according to the newest information available to us, and as you will see, strictly accurate. But, as we've documented in some previous reports, formic acid is a commodity chemical of broad, though in general rather mundane, utility; and, as indicated via:
BASF - Specialty Intermediates; "With a dedicated capacity of 400 million pounds per year, BASF is the world's largest producer of formic acid";
there is some commercial demand for it, although, in the grand scheme of things, as far as Carbon Dioxide is concerned, "400 million pounds per year" really isn't all that big of a deal.
But, as will be seen, in addition to Formic Acid, Panasonic's technology will also effect the conversion of Carbon Dioxide and Water into, as they ultimately specify, "carbon monoxide (and) methane"; which points the way to a whole other ball game.
One seemingly-discouraging note might seem to be sounded by the fact that Panasonic's conversion processes make formic acid "from CO2 and water with light at a world's top efficiency of 0.2%", which doesn't seem like a lot of efficiency, except for the fact, that, as can be learned in:
Don’t Be a PV Efficiency Snob | Do the Math; "'Do the Math: Using Physics and Estimation to Assess Energy, Growth, Options'; by Tom Murphy; (Associate Professor of Physics, University of California); An Iowa corn field captures solar energy at a paltry efficiency of 1.5%!";
and, after the solar energy is captured at such a "paltry" "1.5%" rate of "efficiency", you have the other inefficiencies of fuel use for cultivating and harvesting, and, if you want to make Ethanol, fermenting and distilling, and, transport and delivery, to account for in the making of related fuel products from agricultural produce - - which concept is almost overbearingly touted as an effective means to recycle Carbon Dioxide.
So, if, using freely-available sunlight to drive the process, we can effect the conversion of otherwise valueless CO2 into something useful on a direct and industrial basis at a basic efficiency of "0.2%", that still might be worth talking about - especially since we can make stuff like Methane, as well.
Additional brief comment follows excerpts from the initial link in this dispatch, to what we take to be one component of such an "artificial photosynthesis" process:
"United States Patent Application 20120018311 - Carbon Dioxide Reduction Method
Date: January 26, 2012
Inventors: Satoshi Yotsuhashi, et. al., Japan
Assignee: Panasonic Corporation, Osaka
Abstract: The carbon dioxide reduction method of the present invention is a method including steps of: bringing an electrode (working electrode) containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) into contact with an electrolytic solution; and introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution to reduce the introduced carbon dioxide by the electrode. The material contained in the electrode, that is, the material containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) is the carbon dioxide reduction catalyst of the present invention.
(Note, that, in this process, although sunlight can be used in an integral function to generate the electricity which powers the conversion of CO2 and H2O into Methane, it is not a process like that described in:
West Virginia Coal Association | Japan Artificial Photosynthesis Makes Fuels from Carbon Dioxide | Research & Development; concerning: "Recent Advances in the Photocatalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Fuels with Water and/or Hydrogen Using Solar Energy; (2012); Chiba University; Japan";
wherein light energy itself seemingly drives the CO2-to-Methane reaction.)
Claims: A carbon dioxide reduction method comprising steps of: bringing an electrode containing, as a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst, only a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) into contact with an electrolytic solution; and introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution to reduce the introduced carbon dioxide by the electrode.
(As we've pointed out previously, when used in these contexts, the word "reduction" means chemical reduction, as defined via:
Reduction (chemistry) - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; "Reduction is any chemical reaction that involves the gaining of electrons. Specifically, it refers to the side that accepts electrons. When iron reacts with oxygen it forms a chemical called rust. In that example, the iron is oxidized and the oxygen is reduced. Reduction is the opposite of oxidation. A reduction reaction always comes together with an oxidation reaction. Oxidation and reduction together are called redox".
That still ain't real clear, we know. But, "reduction" can be thought of as the opposite of "oxidation"; and, can be taken to mean, in one sense, "de-oxidation": an Oxygen atom is being removed, the molecule's Oxygen content is "reduced", and, thus, Carbon Dioxide shifts to the reactive Carbon Monoxide. That's overly simplistic and won't be the favored explanation among the chemical craniums, if any, in our audience. But, that's the crude gist of it, as was explained to us by someone we believe to be knowledgeable.)
A carbon dioxide reduction catalyst used for an electrode that is placed in contact with an electrolytic solution so as to reduce carbon dioxide in the electrolytic solution, the catalyst consisting of a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum).
A carbon dioxide reduction device comprising: an electrolytic solution; a vessel containing the electrolytic solution; a first electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and containing, as a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst, only a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum); a second electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and electrically connected to the first electrode; a solid electrolyte placed between the first electrode and the second electrode to separate the vessel into a region of the first electrode and a region of the second electrode; and a gas inlet for introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution.
A carbon dioxide reduction catalyst used for an electrode that is placed in contact with an electrolytic solution so as to reduce carbon dioxide in the electrolytic solution, the catalyst consisting of a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum).
A carbon dioxide reduction device comprising: an electrolytic solution; a vessel containing the electrolytic solution; a first electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and containing, as a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst, only a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum); a second electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and electrically connected to the first electrode; a solid electrolyte placed between the first electrode and the second electrode to separate the vessel into a region of the first electrode and a region of the second electrode; and a gas inlet for introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution.
(Basically, we're boiling down to a newer and, perhaps, improved version of a process like that disclosed in our report of:
West Virginia Coal Association | Standard Oil Electrolyzes CO2 to Carbon Monoxide | Research & Development; concerning: "US Patent 4,668,349 - Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by Square Planar Transition Metal Complexes; 1987; Assignee: The Standard Oil Company; Abstract: A process for the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide comprises immersing a transition metal complex with square planar geometry into an aqueous or nonaqueous solution which has been acidified to a (specified) hydrogen ion concentration ... , adding the carbon dioxide, applying an electrical potential of from about -0.8 volts to about -1.5 volts ... , and reducing the carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide".
In this case, though, additional catalysis seems to enable the immediate follow-on synthesis of Methane, in addition to the Carbon Monoxide, which Carbon Monoxide, again as was explained to us, in combination with the Water, leads to the formation of the Formic Acid. We hope there are some qualified chemists reading this. They - heck, even a modestly-achieving high school chemistry student - could certainly do a far better, more accurate, job of explaining it to you than can we.)
Background and Field: The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide reduction method, and a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst and a carbon dioxide reduction device used for the method.
Conventionally, the development of electrode catalysts capable of electrolytically reducing carbon dioxide in a solution has focused on solid metals such as copper and silver and metal complexes such as cobalt complexes and iron complexes. Some of the studies have reported catalysts for reducing carbon dioxide, which include copper, cobalt (and) nickel.
Conventionally, the development of electrode catalysts capable of electrolytically reducing carbon dioxide in a solution has focused on solid metals such as copper and silver and metal complexes such as cobalt complexes and iron complexes. Some of the studies have reported catalysts for reducing carbon dioxide, which include copper, cobalt (and) nickel.
(Such "studies, would include, for example, that seen in our report of:
West Virginia Coal Association | Japan Converts CO2 to Methane | Research & Development; concerning:
"'Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to methane'; Mie University, Japan; 2002".)
Summary: However, the above-mentioned conventional materials for electrode catalysts capable of reducing carbon dioxide in a solution have a problem in that they still require a high overvoltage, and that the reaction does not proceed smoothly. Such conventional materials also have a durability problem in that they deteriorate with time during the long-time catalytic reaction.
Therefore, if a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst that is durable enough for practical use at a low overvoltage is achieved, carbon dioxide is allowed to be reduced to carbon monoxide, formic acid, methane, etc. and these substances are allowed to be provided at low cost and in an energy-saving manner. Such a carbon dioxide reduction technique is also very useful as a technique for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, carbon dioxide reduction techniques are expected to be very useful as more environmentally-friendly resource recycling methods for the future if they are combined with photocatalytic technology and solar power generation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a carbon dioxide reduction method and a carbon dioxide reduction device, in which carbon dioxide is reduced in a solution, and a catalytic material having high durability and capable of reducing carbon dioxide at an overvoltage equal to or lower than the overvoltages for the reduction in conventional methods and devices is used. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst capable of reducing carbon dioxide in a solution, having high durability, and capable of reducing carbon dioxide at an overvoltage equal to or lower than the overvoltages for the reduction by conventional carbon dioxide reduction catalysts.
The carbon dioxide reduction method of the present invention is a method including steps of: bringing an electrode containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) into contact with an electrolytic solution; and introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution to reduce the introduced carbon dioxide by the electrode. The carbon dioxide reduction catalyst of the present invention contains a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum).
The carbon dioxide reduction device of the present invention includes: an electrolytic solution; a vessel containing the electrolytic solution; a first electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements; a second electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and electrically connected to the first electrode; a solid electrolyte placed between the first electrode and the second electrode to separate the vessel into a region of the first electrode and a region of the second electrode; and a gas inlet for introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution.
(The) method and the device of the present invention achieve reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, formic acid, methane, etc. and provide these substances with less energy and at lower cost. Furthermore, the catalyst of the present invention achieves reduction of carbon dioxide in a solution, has high durability, and achieves reduction of carbon dioxide at an overvoltage equal to or lower than the overvoltages for the reduction by conventional carbon dioxide reduction catalysts.
Therefore, if a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst that is durable enough for practical use at a low overvoltage is achieved, carbon dioxide is allowed to be reduced to carbon monoxide, formic acid, methane, etc. and these substances are allowed to be provided at low cost and in an energy-saving manner. Such a carbon dioxide reduction technique is also very useful as a technique for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, carbon dioxide reduction techniques are expected to be very useful as more environmentally-friendly resource recycling methods for the future if they are combined with photocatalytic technology and solar power generation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a carbon dioxide reduction method and a carbon dioxide reduction device, in which carbon dioxide is reduced in a solution, and a catalytic material having high durability and capable of reducing carbon dioxide at an overvoltage equal to or lower than the overvoltages for the reduction in conventional methods and devices is used. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst capable of reducing carbon dioxide in a solution, having high durability, and capable of reducing carbon dioxide at an overvoltage equal to or lower than the overvoltages for the reduction by conventional carbon dioxide reduction catalysts.
The carbon dioxide reduction method of the present invention is a method including steps of: bringing an electrode containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) into contact with an electrolytic solution; and introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution to reduce the introduced carbon dioxide by the electrode. The carbon dioxide reduction catalyst of the present invention contains a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum).
The carbon dioxide reduction device of the present invention includes: an electrolytic solution; a vessel containing the electrolytic solution; a first electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements; a second electrode placed in contact with the electrolytic solution and electrically connected to the first electrode; a solid electrolyte placed between the first electrode and the second electrode to separate the vessel into a region of the first electrode and a region of the second electrode; and a gas inlet for introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution.
(The) method and the device of the present invention achieve reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, formic acid, methane, etc. and provide these substances with less energy and at lower cost. Furthermore, the catalyst of the present invention achieves reduction of carbon dioxide in a solution, has high durability, and achieves reduction of carbon dioxide at an overvoltage equal to or lower than the overvoltages for the reduction by conventional carbon dioxide reduction catalysts.
As described above, according to the carbon dioxide reduction method and the carbon dioxide reduction device of the present embodiment, a reduction reaction can be carried out only with an external DC power supply at ordinary temperatures and pressures, unlike a vapor phase reduction reaction of carbon dioxide under a high temperature and high pressure environment.
The present embodiment can also be applied to more environmentally-friendly methods and devices. For example, it can be applied to the use of a solar cell as an external power supply, and to a catalyst for solar energy reduction by combination with a photocatalyst.
(Thus, in the above, the references to these processes in the popular literature and Panasonic press releases as a form of "artificial photosynthesis", even though it seems to be electricity generated from Solar energy that's getting the job done, perhaps as the chemical reduction reactions are promoted by a separate catalyst activated by light, "photo", energy. The reasoning should become clearer in coming reports about Panasonic's associated technologies, although if a Coal Country journalist were somehow motivated enough to pick up a phone and spend a little long distance money, we're sure Panasonic could scare up someone fluent in English to explain it all in a more concise and accurate way.)
Industrial Applicability: The present invention demonstrates that carbon dioxide is allowed to be reduced on a highly durable compound, i.e., a carbide of a Group V element, at a lower overvoltage. The present invention not only can provide carbon monoxide, formic acid, methane, etc. obtained by reducing carbon dioxide with less energy and at lower cost, but also can be used as a technique for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide."
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Again, this is the first of multiple United States Patent Applications centered on related Carbon Dioxide recycling technologies and processes submitted by Panasonic, and published in 2012 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
We'll follow up with report of those related and supplemental technologies in the near future; but, for now, consider: if we did choose to, using a no-carbon, low-voltage environmental source of electricity, "reduce" any Carbon Dioxide, "at lower cost", through the process of our subject, "United States Patent Application 20120018311 - Carbon Dioxide Reduction Method", and thereby form "carbon monoxide (or) methane", then we could, variously, as seen in:
West Virginia Coal Association | Standard Oil Carbon Monoxide + Water = Gasoline | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,559,363 - Process for Reacting Carbon Monoxide and Water; 1985; A process for reacting carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a cadmium-containing catalyst ... for the direct production of gasoline"; and:
West Virginia Coal Association | Japan CO2 + Methane = Hydrocarbon Syngas | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 6,340,437 - Preparing Synthesis Gas by Autothermal Reforming; 2002; Chiyoda Corporation, Japan; Claims: A process for producing a synthesis gas from a carbon-containing organic compound (stipulated to be methane), wherein the carbon-containing organic compound is ... reacted with steam and carbon dioxide ... (and wherein the product) synthesis gas is a mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide and is widely used as a raw material for the synthesis of ... methanol";
use the Carbon Monoxide, as extracted from CO2, to make "gasoline"; or, as they also know in Japan:
react the "lower cost" Methane, as synthesized from Carbon Dioxide, with even more Carbon Dioxide, and, through formation of an intermediate "synthesis gas", make "methanol".
Again, there is even more to the recently-published Panasonic Carbon Dioxide recycling technologies, which we will attempt to do a better job of treating in a sequence of reports to follow.
The thing is, plainly, that, when it comes to stuff like our crippling dependence on OPEC oil and venal revenue scrounging through Cap & Trade Carbon taxes, there are productive, and positive, options.
Do you suppose that those of us residing, especially, in United States Coal Country will ever be publicly informed of those options, so that we might have the chance to exercise our supposedly free will in electing, and we use that word advisedly, whether or not to exercise those options?