The production of hydrogen, oxygen and hydrocarbons

Abstract

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of hydrogen, oxygen and hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide in the liquid phase with water in the liquid phase to provide and maintain a liquid electrolytic medium in a chamber ( 12 ) containing a positive electrode ( 18 ) and negative electrode ( 20 ). A direct electrical current is applied to the positive electrode ( 18 ) and negative electrode ( 20 ) to effect ionization of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen and to produce positively charged hydrogen and carbon ions and negatively charged oxygen ions. The hydrogen and carbon ions are separated from the oxygen ions and combine to form hydrogen, carbon and hydrocarbons (typically methane) from the carbon and hydrogen ions, and oxygen from the oxygen ions.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A process for the production of hydrogen, oxygen and hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide and water includes the steps of:
 (a) mixing carbon dioxide in the liquid phase with water in the liquid phase to provide and maintain a liquid electrolytic medium in a chamber containing a positive electrode and a negative electrode;   (b) applying a direct electrical current to the positive electrode and a negative electrode to effect ionization of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen to produce: positively charged hydrogen and carbon ions, and negatively charged oxygen ions;   (c) the formation of hydrogen and hydrocarbons from the carbon and hydrogen ions, and the formation of oxygen from the oxygen ions; and   (d) collecting hydrogen, hydrocarbons and oxygen products.   
     
     
         25 . The process as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the liquid state of the electrolytic medium is achieved by conducting the process in the chamber under high pressure and at a suitable temperature. 
     
     
         26 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 , conducted in a chamber at a pressure of from 5.1 to 1000 atm and a temperature from above 0° C. to 500° C. 
     
     
         27 . The process as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the pressure is from 5.1 atm to 200 atm. 
     
     
         28 . The process as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the pressure is from 5.1 to 150 atm. 
     
     
         29 . The process as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the pressure is 140 atm. 
     
     
         30 . The process as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the temperature is from 100° C. to 400° C. 
     
     
         31 . The process as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the voltage applied across the positive electrode and the negative electrodes is from 12 to 380v. 
     
     
         32 . The process as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the voltage applied across the positive electrode and the negative electrode is from 12 to 240v. 
     
     
         33 . The process as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the voltage applied across the positive electrode and the negative electrode is from 12 to 120v. 
     
     
         34 . The process as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the voltage applied across the positive electrode and the negative electrode is from 12 to 50v. 
     
     
         35 . The process as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the voltage applied across the positive electrode and the negative electrode is 24v. 
     
     
         36 . The process as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the direct current applied across the positive electrode and the negative electrode is 1-10 amp. 
     
     
         37 . The process as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the carbon dioxide and water are mixed at a volumetric ratio of 1:1 to 1:2. 
     
     
         38 . The process as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the positive and negative electrodes are porous with an average pore size from 0.1 micron to 1 mm, and electrolyte passed into the porous electrodes so that ionization occurs under conditions of small porosity, to effect high current density and higher ionization. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus for the production of hydrogen, oxygen and hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide and water, the apparatus comprising:
 a reaction chamber for containing carbon dioxide and water in the liquid phase;   means for injecting carbon dioxide and water in the liquid phase into the reaction chamber;   a positive electrode and a negative electrode located within the reaction chamber; and   means for removing oxygen generated at the positive electrode and means for removing hydrogen and hydrocarbons formed at the negative electrode, from the reaction chamber.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are located opposite one another within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are porous with pores having an average size from 0.1 micron to 1 mm. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , comprising at least one selectively permeable membrane located at or between the positive electrode and negative electrode within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the reaction chamber is adapted to operate at a pressure greater than or equal to 5.1 atm and a temperature from above 0° C. to 500° C.