Electrochemical production of butanol from carbon dioxide and water

摘要

Methods and systems for electrochemical production of butanol are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (D). Step (A) may introduce water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell. The first compartment may include an anode. Step (B) may introduce carbon dioxide to a second compartment of the electrochemical cell. The second compartment may include a solution of an electrolyte, a catalyst, and a cathode. Step (C) may apply an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode in the electrochemical cell sufficient for the cathode to reduce the carbon dioxide to a product mixture. Step (D) may separate butanol from the product mixture.

主权项

1. A method for electrochemical production of butanol, comprising:
(A) introducing water to a first compartment of a first electrochemical cell, said first compartment including an anode; (B) introducing carbon dioxide to a second compartment of said first electrochemical cell, said second compartment including a solution of an electrolyte, a catalyst, and a cathode; (C) applying an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode in said first electrochemical cell sufficient for said cathode to reduce said carbon dioxide to an intermediate product mixture; (D) separating a two-carbon intermediate from said intermediate product mixture; (E) introducing said two-carbon intermediate to a second electrochemical cell, wherein (i) said second electrochemical cell including an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment and (ii) said cathode reducing said two-carbon intermediate to a product mixture; and (F) separating butanol from said product mixture.