EXTRACTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN FROM SEAWATER AND HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION THEREFROM

摘要

Apparatus for seawater acidification including an ion exchange, cathode and anode electrode compartments and cation-permeable membranes that separate the electrode compartments from the ion exchange compartment. Means is provided for feeding seawater through the ion exchange compartment and for feeding a dissociable liquid media through the anode and cathode electrode compartments. A cathode is located in the cathode electrode compartment and an anode is located in the anode electrode compartment and a means for application of current to the cathode and anode is provided. A method for the acidification of seawater by subjecting the seawater to an ion exchange reaction to exchange H+ ions for Na+ ions. Carbon dioxide may be extracted from the acidified seawater. Optionally, the ion exchange reaction can be conducted under conditions which produce hydrogen as well as carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen may be used to produce hydrocarbons.

主权项

1. An apparatus for treating seawater, comprising:
an anode compartment including an anode; a cathode compartment including a cathode; a central compartment, wherein the central compartment contains either no material or only inert media, and wherein the central compartment is between the anode and cathode compartments; cation-permeable membranes separating the cathode and anode compartments from the central compartment; means for feeding seawater through the central compartment to enable the generation of carbon dioxide; means for feeding water into the anode compartment to enable the generation of hydrogen ions; means for feeding water into the cathode compartment to enable the generation of dihydrogen gas; means for applying current to the cathode and anode to create the driving force for an ion exchange substitution reaction in the central compartment using an electrically driven membrane process; and means for varying a current density resulting from the applied current and controlling a molar ratio of dihydrogen gas extracted from the cathode compartment to carbon dioxide simultaneously extracted from the central compartment.