Method and device for carboxylic acid production

Abstract

A multi-compartment electrolysis cell includes an anodic compartment, a cathodic compartment, and a solid alkali ion transporting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). An anolyte is added to the anodic compartment. The anolyte comprises an alkali salt of a carboxylic acid, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The alkali salt of the carboxylic acid is partitioned into the first solvent. The anolyte is then electrolyzed to produce a carboxylic acid, wherein the produced carboxylic acid is partitioned into the second solvent. The second solvent may then be separated from the first solvent and the produced carboxylic acid may be recovered from the second solvent. The first solvent may be water and the second solvent may be an organic solvent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for producing carboxylic acid comprising:
 a multi-compartment electrolysis cell comprising an anodic compartment, a cathodic compartment, and a solid alkali ion transporting membrane;   an anode in communication with the anodic compartment;   a cathode in communication with the cathodic compartment;   a power source in communication with the anode and the cathode for creating a current therebetween; and   an anolyte comprising an alkali salt of a carboxylic acid, a first solvent and a second solvent, wherein the alkali salt of the carboxylic acid is partitioned into the first solvent, wherein a carboxylic acid produced in the cell is partitioned into the second solvent.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first solvent comprises water, the second solvent comprises an organic solvent and the solid alkali ion transporting membrane comprises a NaSICON membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the solid alkali ion transporting membrane separates the anodic compartment from the cathodic compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-compartment electrolysis cell further comprises a middle compartment, wherein the solid alkali ion transporting membrane separates the cathodic compartment from the middle compartment, and wherein an anionic membrane separates the middle compartment from the anodic compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anolyte is housed within the anodic compartment, wherein a portion of the second solvent may be removed from the anodic compartment and separated from the produced carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a catholyte housed in the cathodic compartment, and wherein the device is configured to continuously remove a portion of the catholyte and feed said portion back into the cathodic compartment. 
     
     
         7 . A device for producing carboxylic acid comprising:
 a multi-compartment electrolysis cell comprising an anodic compartment, a cathodic compartment, and a NaSICON membrane separating the anodic compartment and the cathodic compartment;   an anode in communication with the anodic compartment;   a cathode in communication with the cathodic compartment;   a power source in communication with the anode and the cathode for creating a current therebetween; and   an anolyte comprising an alkali salt of a carboxylic acid, a first solvent comprising water and a second solvent comprising an organic solvent, wherein the alkali salt of the carboxylic acid is partitioned into the first solvent, wherein a carboxylic acid produced in the cell is partitioned into the second solvent.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-compartment electrolysis cell further comprises a middle compartment, wherein the solid alkali ion transporting membrane separates the cathodic compartment from the middle compartment, and wherein an anionic membrane separates the middle compartment from the anodic compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the anolyte is housed within the anodic compartment, wherein a portion of the second solvent may be removed from the anodic compartment and separated from the produced carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a catholyte housed in the cathodic compartment, and wherein the device is configured to continuously remove a portion of the catholyte and feed said portion back into the cathodic compartment. 
     
     
         11 . A device for producing carboxylic acid comprising:
 a multi-compartment electrolysis cell comprising an anodic compartment, a cathodic compartment, a middle compartment, and a solid alkali ion transporting membrane separates the cathodic compartment from the middle compartment, and wherein an anionic membrane separates the middle compartment from the anodic compartment;   an anode in communication with the anodic compartment;   a cathode in communication with the cathodic compartment;   a power source in communication with the anode and the cathode for creating a current therebetween; and   an anolyte comprising an alkali salt of a carboxylic acid, a first solvent comprising water and a second solvent comprising an organic solvent, wherein the alkali salt of the carboxylic acid is partitioned into the first solvent, wherein a carboxylic acid produced in the cell is partitioned into the second solvent.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the anolyte is housed within the anodic compartment, wherein a portion of the second solvent may be removed from the anodic compartment and separated from the produced carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a catholyte housed in the cathodic compartment, and wherein the device is configured to continuously remove a portion of the catholyte and feed said portion back into the cathodic compartment.