Electrochemical cell produces carbon dioxide from an alcohol or organic acid

摘要

An electrochemical cell, for carbon dioxide production from an alcohol or organic acid, has a CO2-generating anode and an O2-consuming cathode located in separated anode and cathode spaces which are equipped with respective openings for CO2 delivery to a consumer and for oxygen intake, the cell current being controlled by an external circuit. An electrochemical cell, which produces carbon dioxide from an alcohol or organic acid at the anode and consumes oxygen preferably from air at the cathode, has (a) anode and cathode spaces separated by a separator; (b) an anode and a cathode which are restricted by lyophobic membranes to respective openings and which, together with the cell housing, enclosing the liquid cell components in the anode and cathode spaces; (c) an anode space opening for delivering CO2 to a consumer; (d) a cathode space opening for oxygen intake; and (e) contacts for connection to an external cell current control circuit. Independent claims are also included for (i) an apparatus for generating a low oxygen content, carbon dioxide rich atmosphere for food preservation, especially for compensating CO2 losses from carbonated beverages, the apparatus having a container lid incorporating the above cell and a connection circuit which connects the cell terminals and allows gas exchange with the container interior; and (ii) a fluid medium transport device comprising a magazine for holding the medium, a connection for delivering the medium, a piston and a base assembly containing the above cell for creating a CO2 pressure for operating the piston.