Electrochemical Cell for CO2 Reduction and Halogen Co-Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for converting carbon dioxide into economically valuable materials like carboxylic acids are inefficient and do not effectively utilize renewable energy sources, failing to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and store energy in a chemical form.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical system that reduces carbon dioxide to formate using an alkali metal bicarbonate and hydrogen halide, followed by thermal conversion to oxalic acid, co-producing halogen products, which are then recycled and reused within the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional methods are used to convert carbon dioxide into carboxylic acids, then the conversion process can proceed, but the energy intensity is high and renewable energy sources are not effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines carbon dioxide reduction with halogen production in a single electrochemical cell, merging two separate processes into one integrated system that simultaneously produces carboxylic acids and halogen co-products while utilizing renewable energy sources
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical cell is designed to perform multiple functions: reducing carbon dioxide to formate, producing halogen products from halide salts, and enabling thermal conversion to oxalic acid, making the system versatile and efficient in utilizing renewable energy
2Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is converted into economically valuable materials, then emissions may be mitigated, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates carbon dioxide conversion with halogen production in one electrochemical cell, combining what would traditionally be separate processes into a unified system that reduces overall process complexity while maintaining emission mitigation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system produces its own halogen co-products and hydrogen internally through the electrochemical reactions, reducing the need for external inputs and simplifying the overall process architecture
3Quantity of substance
If halogen products are produced as co-products, then economic value is increased, but the loss of halogen substances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recycles halogen co-products and hydrogen back into the electrochemical cell, converting them into valuable carboxylic acid products and thereby recovering substances that would otherwise be lost or require disposal
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 method efficiently converts carbon dioxide into oxalic acid and halogen products, effectively mitigating emissions and storing renewable energy in a chemical form, while reducing the energy intensity of the process and enabling the recycling of halogen co-products.
Implementation Method 1
converting carbon dioxide using energy from renewable sources... Electrochemical and photochemical pathways may be likely mechanisms for carbon dioxide conversion
Implementation Method 2
The formate is subsequently converted into an oxalate in a thermal reactor
Implementation Method 3
converting the at least one reduction product and an alkali metal hydroxide to an alkali metal oxalate via a thermal reactor. The method may further include receiving the alkali metal oxalate at an electrochemical acidification electrolyzer and converting the alkali metal oxalate to oxalic acid
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a halogen halide in an anolyte to co-produce a halogen
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present disclosure is a method and system for production of carboxylic based chemicals. A method for producing at oxalic acid may include receiving an anolyte feed at an anolyte region of an electrochemical cell including an anode and receiving a catholyte feed including cartoon dioxide and an alkali metal bicarbonate at a catholyte region of the electrochemical cell including a cathode.