Co-electrolysis Cell Design for Efficient Co2 Reduction from Gas Phase at Low Temperature

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This invention describes an improved design for an electrochemical co-electrolysis cell for efficiently reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the gas phase at low temperatures. The novel design incorporates a polymer ion exchange membrane between the cell’s anode and cathode, plus an additional ion exchange polymer film between the cathode and the membrane. This configuration prevents 'parasitic' CO2 transport (where CO2 is undesirably pumped from the cathode to the anode side) and maintains high efficiency for CO2 reduction, addressing key drawbacks of existing membrane technologies.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Capture and conversion of CO2 from waste gas streams in power plants and industrial facilities.
• Production of syngas (CO and H2) for further conversion to synthetic fuels via Fischer-Tropsch, methanol, or other chemical synthesis routes.
• On-site, sustainable fuel generation (methane, methanol, ethanol, etc.) from CO2 using renewable electricity.
• Integration into carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) systems to close the carbon loop.
• Flexible operation as either an electrolyser for CO2 reduction or as a fuel cell.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Prevents loss of valuable CO2 through 'parasitic pumping,' improving the overall efficiency of CO2 reduction.
• Maintains high Faradaic efficiency (enabling selective CO2 conversion) by preventing unwanted side reactions such as excessive hydrogen production.
• Improved cell energy efficiency due to lower electrical resistance compared to state-of-the-art membranes.
• Versatile operation in producing a range of value-added chemical products from CO2, including fuels and feedstocks (CO, H2, methanol, ethanol, methane, etc.).
• Operates effectively with pure or diluted CO2 gas streams, expanding the range of feedstock sources.
• Stable membrane design prevents interface delamination and enhances durability.

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Patent Abstract

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a design for an electrochemical cell, in particular a co-electrolysis cell for CO 2 reduction reaction, that can overcome the problem of parasitic CO 2 pumping from cathode to anode side and, at the same time, maintain good Faradaic efficiency towards CO 2 reduction reaction in a co-electrolysis system where pure or diluted gaseous CO 2 is used. This objective is achieved according to the present invention by an electrochemical polymer electrolyte membrane cell, comprising: a) an anode, b) a cathode, c) a polymer ion exchange membrane between cathode and anode, and d) an additional ion exchange polymer film between the cathode and the polymer ion exchange membrane.