Modular electrocatalytical processing for simultaneous conversion of carbon dioxide and wet shale gas

Abstract

An apparatus for converting carbon dioxide and natural gas liquids into other chemicals and/or fuels, comprising at least one electrochemical cell, wherein the electrochemical cell reduces the endothermic load associated with electrochemical CO2 reduction, and a method for converting carbon dioxide and natural gas liquids into carbon monoxide and other chemicals and/or fuels, comprising converting CO2 into CO and converting C2H6 into C2H4 at a temperature in the range of 650° C.-750° C.

1 . An apparatus for converting carbon dioxide and natural gas liquids into other chemicals and/or fuels, comprising:
 at least one electrochemical cell;   wherein the electrochemical cell reduces the endothermic load associated with electrochemical CO 2  reduction.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrochemical cell comprises a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first electrochemical cell and second electrochemical cell includes a cathode, a membrane, and an anode. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first electrochemical cell is adapted to convert CO 2  into CO and convert C 2 H 6  into C 2 H 4 , and the second electrochemical cell is adapted to offset voltage and heat requirements of the first electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the conversion of CO 2  into CO and conversion C 2 H 6  into C 2 H 4  in the first electrochemical cell occurs simultaneously. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second electrochemical cell is adapted to convert C 2 H 6  into C 2 H 4 . 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrochemical cell is at least one component of an intermediate temperature solid oxide electrolyzer cell. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the temperature for operation of the intermediate temperature solid oxide electrolyzer cell is in the range of 650° C.-750° C. 
     
     
         9 .- 18 . (canceled)