Cyclic process using alkaline solutions created from electrolytically decarboxylated water as an atmosphereic co2 collector followed by repeated electrochemical recovery of co2 with simultaneous production of dihydrogen for liquid hydrocarbon synthesis

Abstract

A method for the controlled removal of bicarbonate from alkaline water and its replacement with a strong base that is capable of chemically absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere as a carbonate and bicarbonate solution. This bicarbonate and carbonate solution is reprocessed in the central compartment of an electrolytic cation exchange module (E-CEM) to take advantage of the removal of CO₂ from the air, and as an energetic byproduct of E-CEM dihydrogen production, and to regenerate the original strong base absorbent solution. Thus, this process is cyclical in nature, and no chemicals are needed except an initial source of alkaline water.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]The present application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 537,139 filed on Jul. 26, 2017 by Heather D Willauer et al., entitled “A CYCLIC PROCESS USING ALKALINE SOLUTIONS CREATED FROM ELECTROLYTICALLY DECARBOXYLATED WATER AS AN ATMOSPHERIC CO2 COLLECTOR FOLLOWED BY REPEATED ELECTROCHEMICAL RECOVERY OF CO2 WITH SIMULTANEOUS PRODUCTION OF DIHYDROGEN FOR LIQUID HYDORCARBON SYNTHESIS AS STORED ENERGY,” the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to processing seawater or alkaline solutions for repeated recovery of CO2 to be used as feedstock to synthesize fuel.Description of the Prior Art[0003]Carbon dioxide (CO2) is reported to be a cause of climate change and responsible for ocean acidification as the world's oceans uptake CO2 by hydrolysis. Ocean acidification and decline in the oceans' carbonate-ion c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention provides controlled removal of bicarbonate and carbonate (in the form of a weak acid, H2CO3) from either natural or synthetic alkaline water solutions and its replacement with a strong base containing hydroxide (e.g. sodium hydroxide) that is capable of rapidly chemically absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere as, e.g., NaHCO3 solution. NaHCO3 solution can then be reprocessed by the electrolytic cation exchange module (E-CEM) to take advantage of the removal of CO2 from the air, as an energetic by-product of E-CEM dihydrogen production. This process is cyclical in nature, and no chemicals are needed except the initial alkaline water solution.

Problems solved by technology

Ocean acidification and decline in the oceans' carbonate-ion concentration is deteriorating coral reefs and impacting shell-forming marine organisms.

MEA is highly volatile, highly corrosive, and degrades over time.

In addition, alkaline solutions are very energy intensive because they cannot be regenerated from carbonate and bicarbonate solution created by chemical absorption of CO2.

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