Process for In-Situ Conversion of Chemically Fixed Carbon Dioxide into Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrocarbons

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This patent describes a method for directly converting chemically captured carbon dioxide (CO2), fixed with a special organic washing reagent, into low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons such as methanol, methane, or formaldehyde. The process uses either a heterogeneous (solid) copper-based or transition-metal catalyst, or an electrochemical setup, enabling the hydrogenation of the captured CO2 without needing to first release the CO2 as a pure gas. The hydrocarbons are then easily separated from the washing reagent, which can be reused repeatedly.

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

• Reducing CO2 emissions by converting industrial exhaust gases from power plants, biogas plants, or biomass combustion into useful chemicals or fuels.
• Producing synthetic fuels like methanol or methane from captured CO2 for use in transportation or energy storage.
• Generation of chemical feedstocks (e.g., methanol, formaldehyde) for the chemical industry from waste CO2.
• Integration with renewable energy systems to convert surplus electricity (via hydrogen generation) and captured CO2 into storable hydrocarbons.
• Enhancing existing carbon capture and utilization (CCU) systems by simplifying the conversion step and reducing energy input.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Combines CO2 capture and conversion into a single in-situ process, saving energy and process steps.
• Reduces the overall energy demand compared to traditional methods, which require thermal release of CO2 from absorbents.
• Enables the use of industrially relevant CO2 capture reagents (e.g., amines or alcoholamines) without compromising their longevity or function, since the reagents are regenerated and reusable.
• Operate under mild conditions (temperatures below 200°C), improving selectivity (especially to methanol) and reducing unwanted byproducts.
• Reduces the risk of catalyst deactivation and structural degradation, increasing catalyst stability and system lifetime.
• Flexible integration: can be implemented as catalytic or electrochemical process, making it compatible with renewable energy sources.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for in-situ conversion of chemically fixed carbon dioxide into low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons by direct heterogeneous catalytic or electrochemical hydration. To this end, carbon dioxide is chemically fixed to an organic washing reagent containing CO2-binding components and hydrated directly and catalytically or electrochemically in the presence of a copper-based catalyst or a transition-metal-containing catalyst that comprises metals of the eighth, ninth or tenth group of the periodic table of the elements. Then the low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons are separated from the organic washing reagent containing CO2-binding components. The organic washing reagent containing CO2-binding components is advantageously regenerated thereby and after hydration is still present in its original structure and is not impaired irreversibly in its function.