Electrochemical reactor for upgrading methane and small alkanes to longer alkanes and alkenes

An apparatus for synthesizing ethylene from methane:

• (a) an anode;
• (b) a cathode;
• (c) an acid electrolyte separator;
• (d) a catalyst;
• (e) electrode binders that feature one or more acids in the anode and cathode, wherein the one or more acids is trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (CF3SO3H) or fluorosulfuric acid (HSO3F);
• (f) methane;
• (g) wherein the catalysts are comprised of platinum group metals or platinum group metal oxides, or transition metal or transition metal oxides;
• (h) wherein the anode and the cathode are in electronic communication to allow flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode;
• (i) wherein the methane is in contact with the anode;
• and, wherein synthesis of ethylene occurs at a temperature less than 400° C.

A method for synthesizing higher order hydrocarbons from low molecular weight alkanes comprising:

• a. providing an apparatus comprising:
• i. an anode;
• ii. a cathode;
• iii. an acid electrolyte separator;
• iv. a catalyst;
• v. electrode binders that feature one or more acids in the anode and cathode;
• vi. a low molecular weight hydrocarbon, wherein the low molecular weight alkane is methane and wherein the higher order hydrocarbon is an alkane, alkene, or aromatic product;
• vii. wherein the catalysts are comprised of platinum group metals or platinum group metal oxides, or transition metal or transition metal oxides;
• viii. wherein the anode and the cathode are in electronic communication to allow flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode;
• ix. wherein the low molecular weight hydrocarbon is in contact with the anode;
• and,
• wherein synthesis of a higher order hydrocarbon occurs at a temperature less than 400° C.;
• b. feeding the low molecular weight hydrocarbon the apparatus;
• c. applying an electrical current to the anode;
• d. removing the higher order hydrocarbon synthesized in the apparatus;
• e. removing hydrogen produced in the apparatus;
• wherein the anode and cathode further comprises an electrically conductive support material, catalyst, and an acid containing ionomer binder, wherein the acid containing ionomer binder comprises a polymer host, wherein the polymer host is selected from polybenzimidazole, polycations, or blends of polybenzimidazole-polycations, wherein the polycation material is selected from a group consisting of polyaromatic or perfluorinated backbones with tethered cation groups, wherein the tethered cation groups are selected from quaternary ammoniums, imidazoliums, phosphoniums, or ternary sulfoniums or sulfoxniums, or tethered metal cation centers.