Methods and devices for the production of hydrocarbons from carbon and hydrogen sources

Abstract

Devices and methods are described for converting a carbon source and a hydrogen source into hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, for alternative energy sources. The influents may comprise carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas or water, obtainable from the atmosphere for through methods described herein, such as plasma generation or electrolysis. One method to produce hydrocarbons comprises the use of an electrolytic device, comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. Another method comprises the use of ultrasonic energy to drive the reaction. The devices and methods and related devices and methods are useful, for example, to provide a fossil fuel alternative energy source, store renewable energy, sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, counteract global warming, and store carbon dioxide in a liquid fuel.

1 . A device for the gas-phase electrochemical reduction of a carbon-containing gas to produce one or more hydrocarbons, comprising:
 a carbon dioxide-containing gas input;   a first cathode in fluidic communication with the carbon dioxide-containing gas input connected to a first anode through an anionic-conducting electrolyte;   a second cathode in fluidic communication with the first cathode and at a pressure between about 1 atm to about 15 atm and a temperature between about 100° C. to less than about 900° C. and connected to a second anode through a protonic-conducting electrolyte;   a hydrogen-source input in fluidic communication with the second anode;   a source of electrical potential electrically connected to the first cathode and the first anode; and   a source of electrical potential electrically connected to the second cathode and the second anode.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plasma energy-source. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plasma energy-source is in communication with the second cathode. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plasma energy-source is in communication with the second anode. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an ultrasonic energy-source. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the ultrasonic energy-source is in communication with the second cathode. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the ultrasonic energy-source is in communication with the second anode. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first cathode is selected from the group consisting of metal electrocatalysts, metal-supported electrocatalysts, metal-oxide supported electrocatalysts, electrocatalytic superconducting materials, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first anode is selected from the group consisting of platinum-ruthenium electrocatalysts, platinum-iridium electrocatalysts, IrO 2  electrocatalysts, ultrafine IrO 2  powder combined with platinum electrocatalysts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protonic-conducting electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of polymeric protonic conductors, solid acid protonic conductors, ceramic mixed oxide protonic conductors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . An electrochemical system for the gas-phase reduction of a carbon-containing gas to produce one or more hydrocarbons, comprising:
 a carbon dioxide-containing gas;   a first input for receiving the carbon dioxide-containing gas;   a first cathode in fluidic communication with the first input connected to a first anode through an anionic-conducting electrolyte;   a second cathode in fluidic communication with the first cathode and at a pressure between about 1 atm to about 15 atm and a temperature between about 100° C. to less than about 900° C. and connected to a second anode through a protonic-conducting electrolyte;   a hydrogen-source;   a second input for receiving the hydrogen-source and in fluidic communication with the second anode;   a source of electrical potential electrically connected to the first cathode and the first anode; and   a source of electrical potential electrically connected to the second cathode and the second anode.   
     
     
         12 . The electrochemical system of  claim 11 , further comprising a plasma energy-source. 
     
     
         13 . The electrochemical system of  claim 12 , wherein the plasma energy-source is in communication with the second cathode. 
     
     
         14 . The electrochemical system of  claim 12 , wherein the plasma energy-source is in communication with the second anode. 
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical system of  claim 11 , further comprising an ultrasonic energy-source. 
     
     
         16 . The electrochemical system of  claim 15 , wherein the ultrasonic energy-source is in communication with the second cathode. 
     
     
         17 . The electrochemical system of  claim 15 , wherein the ultrasonic energy-source is in communication with the second anode. 
     
     
         18 . The electrochemical system of  claim 11 , wherein the first cathode is selected from the group consisting of metal electrocatalysts, metal-supported electrocatalysts, metal-oxide supported electrocatalysts, electrocatalytic superconducting materials, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The electrochemical system of  claim 11 , wherein the first anode is selected from the group consisting of platinum-ruthenium electrocatalysts, platinum-iridium electrocatalysts, IrO2 electrocatalysts, ultrafine IrO2 powder combined with platinum electrocatalysts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The electrochemical system of  claim 11 , wherein the protonic-conducting electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of polymeric protonic conductors, solid acid protonic conductors, ceramic mixed oxide protonic conductors, and combinations thereof.