METHOD FOR THE ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF FATTY ACIDS AND EQUIPMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD

摘要

According to the invention, a method and equipment are provided for the electrochemical conversion of fatty acids, preferably consisting of renewable raw materials or biomass, by means of Kolbe electrolysis and/or Hofer-Moest electrolysis. The method can be achieved by means of an aqueous electrolyte without an organic solvent and uses an electrochemical reactor containing at least one anode and at least one cathode, each of which having a planar upper surface and which are arranged at a distance from one another of ≤ 200 μm (e.g. as described in EP 1 114 203 B1). In the case that a plurality of cathodes and anodes or a plurality of thin-film cells are used, these can be electrically contacted in parallel. The electrolysis is operated at a current intensity which, in operation, produces a cell voltage in the individual cells of 3 to 30 V. In this way, overall higher current densities can be achieved at the same time as reduced heat generation, which increases the product yield per electrode surface. A further advantage is that, by means of the arrangement of the electrodes, a homogeneous distribution of current density is achieved, thus achieving an improved product selectivity and product yield.