Dual-Electrode Electrolytic Device for Multi-Electron Carbon Compound Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrolytic devices for carbon dioxide have low production efficiency for substances requiring a large number of electrons in reduction reactions, such as ethanol, ethylene, methanol, and methane, limiting their usefulness compared to substances like carbon monoxide.
Innovation Solution
The electrolytic device employs a dual-electrode system where the third electrode, with a material having a lower ionization tendency, primarily reduces carbon dioxide to produce a first carbon compound, and the second electrode, with a higher ionization tendency, further reduces this compound to produce a second carbon compound with a larger number of electrons, increasing the production efficiency of valuable carbon compounds like ethanol and methanol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional single-electrode electrolytic device is used, then the production of carbon monoxide and formic acid is good, but the production of substances requiring a large number of electrons (ethanol, ethylene, methanol, methane) is small
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic device divides the carbon dioxide reduction process into two separate electrodes: the third electrode produces carbon monoxide and formic acid (substances requiring few electrons), while the second electrode produces ethanol, ethylene, methanol, and methane (substances requiring many electrons). This segmentation allows each electrode to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between producing different types of carbon compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode materials are used for different electrodes based on their specific functions. The third electrode uses materials suitable for producing carbon monoxide and formic acid, while the second electrode uses materials optimized for producing multi-electron carbon compounds. This local optimization of electrode properties enables high efficiency for each specific product type.
2Reliability
If renewable energy is stored in storage batteries, then power can be stabilized, but storage costs increase and energy loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/electrical storage system (storage batteries) with a chemical storage system (electrolytic conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon compounds). Instead of storing electrical energy in batteries, the system converts carbon dioxide into chemical energy stored in carbon compounds like ethanol, ethylene, methanol, and methane, which can be stored and transported more efficiently with less energy loss.
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 approach significantly enhances the production efficiency and amount of second carbon compounds, making the process more effective and economically viable for storing renewable energy as chemical substances.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode oxidizing the water to produce oxygen
Implementation Method 2
a second electrode and a third electrode reducing the carbon dioxide to produce a carbon compound
Implementation Method 3
a power supply applying current across the first electrode and the second and third electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolytic device of an embodiment has a solution or gas containing water and carbon dioxide, a first electrode oxidizing the water to produce oxygen, a second electrode and a third electrode reducing the carbon dioxide to produce a carbon compound, and a power supply applying current across the first electrode and the second and third electrodes. A composing material of the second electrode has an ionization tendency larger than a composing material of the third electrode. The third electrode mainly reduces the carbon dioxide to produce a first carbon compound, and the second electrode mainly reduces the first carbon compound to produce a second carbon compound.