Methane Synthesis From CO2 Hydrogenation and Water Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy generation methods, particularly relying on fossil fuels, emit significant CO2 and greenhouse gases, leading to environmental concerns and inefficiencies, while renewable energy sources face challenges in storage and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for converting electrical energy into chemical energy, specifically producing methane from electrolysis of water and carbon dioxide, using excess heat to enhance efficiency, and storing it for later electrical energy generation, enabling flexible and emissions-free electricity supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fossil fuels are used for electricity generation, then energy demand is met, but CO2 emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion and converts them into useful methane fuel through catalytic hydrogenation. The harmful CO2 is transformed into a beneficial energy carrier by reacting it with hydrogen (produced from water electrolysis) to synthesize methane, thereby eliminating emissions while maintaining energy supply.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, the system recovers and stores it in the form of methane. The CO2 captured from flue gases is retained and converted into a storable chemical energy carrier, preventing its release while preserving the energy value.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but energy storage and reliability become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms electrical energy from renewable sources into chemical energy (methane) through electrolysis and hydrogenation. This parameter change from electrical to chemical form enables long-term storage and on-demand retrieval, solving the intermittency and storage reliability issues of renewable energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
Methane serves as an intermediary energy carrier between renewable electricity sources and end-use applications. The system converts surplus renewable electricity into methane for storage, then converts it back to electricity when needed, providing a reliable bridge that decouples generation from consumption timing.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If CO2 is captured and sequestered geologically, then emissions are prevented, but energy efficiency drops significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than simply sequestering CO2 which wastes its chemical energy potential, the patent converts CO2 into methane fuel. This transformation creates a valuable energy carrier from the emissions, turning what would be a waste stream into a useful resource and avoiding the energy penalty of pure sequestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the CO2 emissions themselves as a feedstock for fuel production. The captured CO2 serves a dual purpose: it is removed from the emission stream and simultaneously becomes the carbon source for synthesizing new fuel, making the process self-sufficient and energy-positive.
4Reliability
If electricity is converted to chemical energy for storage, then energy reliability improves, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrolysis, hydrogenation, and CO2 capture into an integrated system. By merging these processes, the system achieves reliable energy storage while minimizing the complexity that would arise from separate, standalone units for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions within a unified process: it captures CO2 emissions, produces hydrogen from water, synthesizes methane fuel, and stores energy. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to separate systems for each function.
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 allows for efficient storage and reliable generation of electricity from renewable sources, reducing CO2 emissions, and provides a scalable solution for meeting energy demand while utilizing existing infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
using electrical energy from said source to electrolyse water at a temperature of from 100°C to 1000°C to form hydrogen and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
using hydrogen thereby formed to hydrogenate carbon dioxide to form methane
Implementation Method 3
wherein heat produced by the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide is used to heat the electrolysis reaction
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to methods and systems of converting electrical energy to chemical energy and optionally reconverting it to produce electricity as required. In preferred embodiments the source of electrical energy is at least partially from renewable source. The present invention allows for convenient energy conversion and generation without the atmospheric release of C02. One method for producing methane comprises electrolysis of water to form hydrogen and oxygen, and using the hydrogen to hydrogenate carbon dioxide to form methane. It preferred to use the heat produced in the hydrogenation reaction to heat the water prior to electrolysis. The preferred electrical energy source for the electrolysis is a renewable energy source such as solar, wind, tidal, wave, hydro or geothermal energy. The method allows to store the energy gained at times of low demand in the form of methane which can be stored and used to generate more energy during times of high energy demand. A system comprising an electrolysis apparatus and a hydrogenation apparatus, and a pipeline for the transportation of two fluids, is also described.