CO2 Reduction Apparatus Integrating Anode Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon dioxide reduction apparatuses and organic compound oxidizing apparatuses often fail to effectively utilize electrical energy by neglecting the reactions occurring on the opposing electrodes, leading to inefficiencies such as the production of industrially worthless oxygen on the anode and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide reduction apparatus is designed with a first electrochemical compartment for CO2 reduction and a second electrochemical compartment for reacting the reduced product with a catalyst, utilizing an ion conducting membrane and connecting paths to facilitate the flow of reduced products and CO2 between compartments, thereby combining reactions to enhance energy utilization and produce valuable organic compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional carbon dioxide reduction apparatus is used with only cathode reaction development, then CO2 reduction to valuable chemicals is achieved, but electrical energy is wasted on anode oxidation reaction producing worthless oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cathode CO2 reduction reaction with the anode oxidation reaction in a single electrochemical cell, where the anode reaction produces a reactant that reacts with the cathode product to form a valuable organic compound. This merging eliminates energy waste by utilizing both electrode reactions constructively.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical cell is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: CO2 reduction at the cathode, oxidation reaction at the anode, and subsequent chemical reaction between the products. This multi-functionality transforms a previously wasteful process into an efficient energy-utilizing system that produces valuable chemicals.
2Reliability
If conventional apparatus is used focusing on one electrode reaction, then that reaction is optimized, but the other electrode reaction is neglected resulting in poor overall energy utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate and unoptimized anode reaction with the cathode reaction system. By introducing a reactant at the anode that reacts with the cathode product, both electrode reactions are now integrated into a unified process that efficiently utilizes electrical energy to produce valuable organic compounds.
3Productivity
If subsequent chemical processes like carbonylation are used after CO2 reduction, then valuable organic compounds can be produced, but process complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CO2 reduction step and the carbonylation step into a single integrated electrochemical process. The anode reaction provides the carbonyl reactant directly in the electrochemical cell, eliminating the need for separate carbonylation equipment and steps while reducing overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anode reaction preliminarily produces the reactant needed for carbonylation before the CO2 reduction product is formed. This preliminary action at the anode allows the subsequent reaction to proceed directly within the same electrochemical cell, streamlining the overall process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively utilizes electrical energy by integrating reactions on both electrodes, eliminating the need for subsequent chemical processes like carbonylation and enhancing CO2 conversion rates, producing industrially valuable organic compounds like carbon monoxide and its derivatives.
Implementation Method 1
an ion conducting membrane which demarcates the first electrochemical compartment from the second electrochemical compartment
Implementation Method 2
the first electrode contains a first catalyst which catalyzes a reduction of carbon dioxide to a reduced product
Implementation Method 3
the second electrode contains a second catalyst which catalyzes a reaction between the reduced product and a reactant
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide reduction apparatus comprises a first electrochemical compartment provided with a first electrode, a second electrochemical compartment provided with a second electrode, an ion conducting membrane which demarcates the first electrochemical compartment from the second electrochemical compartment, and a first connecting path which connects the first electrochemical compartment with the second electrochemical compartment. The first electrode contains a first catalyst which catalyzes a reduction of carbon dioxide to a reduced product, and the second electrode contains a second catalyst which catalyzes a reaction between the reduced product and a reactant. The first connecting path is a connecting path which allows the reduced product in the first electrochemical compartment to flow out to the second electrochemical compartment.