Efficient production of fuels

摘要

Liquid phase processes for producing fuel in a reactor comprising the step of combining at least one oxidizable reactant with liquid water and at least one electrolyte to form a mixture and conducting a fuel-producing reaction in the presence of an electron transfer material, wherein the mixture permits the movement or transport of ions and electrons to facilitate the efficient production of the fuel. An alternative embodiment produces fuel in an electrochemical cell, the reaction characterized by an overall thermodynamic energy balance according to the half-cell reactions occurring at the anode and cathode. Energy generated and/or required by the system components is directed according to the thermodynamic requirements of the half-cell reactions, thereby realizing improved fuel production efficiency.

主权项

1. A liquid phase aqueous process for producing fuel other than hydrogen in a continuous flow reactor comprising the step of combining at least one oxidizable reactant, at least one reducible reactant and at least one fluid electrolyte to form a reaction mixture having a pH, wherein the pH of the mixture is maintained during reaction at a constant value and conducting a fuel-producing reaction in the presence of an electron transfer material wherein:
(A) the mixture permits the movement or transport of ions and electrons to facilitate the efficient production of the fuel; and (B) the oxidizable reactant is selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, C1 to C4 alkanes including methane, aldehydes, ketones, ammonia, sulfur, sulfur compounds, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon, nitrogen, hydrocarbons, oxygenated hydrocarbons, biomass and mixtures thereof.