Electrolyzer and method of use
AssigneeTwelve Benefit Corporation
InventorsSichao Ma, Sara Hunegnaw, Ziyang Huo, Kendra P. Kuhl, Etosha R. Cave, Ashley D. Mishra, Edward Izett, Alvin Leung, Timothy A. Bekkedahl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are methods for operating carbon oxide (COx) reduction reactors (CRR) and related apparatus. In some embodiments, the methods involve shutting off, reducing, or otherwise controlling current during various operation stages including hydration, break-in, normal operation, planned shut-offs, and extended shutoff or storage periods.
Claims52
A method of operating a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for COx reduction, the MEA comprising a cathode, an anode, and a membrane between the cathode and the anode, and the method comprising:
- inletting a gas comprising COx to the cathode of the MEA and applying a current to the MEA at a first current density, to thereby reduce COx and produce a COx reduction product;
- and
- during operation to produce the COx reduction product for a downstream process, automatically pausing applied current according to a current pause schedule.
A method of operating an electrochemical cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for COx reduction, the MEA comprising a cathode, an anode, and a membrane between the cathode and the anode, and the method comprising:
- inletting a gas comprising COx to the cathode of the MEA and applying a cell voltage to the MEA to thereby reduce COx and produce a COx reduction product;
- and
- during operation of the cell to produce the COx reduction product, cycling the cell voltage.
A system comprising:
- a COx reduction reactor comprising an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a (i) cathode comprising a COx reduction catalyst that promotes reduction of a carbon oxide, (ii) an anode comprising a catalyst that promotes oxidation, and (iii) a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) layer disposed between the cathode and the anode;
- and
- an electrical power source controller configured to control voltage applied to the electrochemical cell, wherein the electrical power source controller is configured to, during operation of the COx reduction reactor, cycle the voltage applied to the cell.
A method of operating a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for COx reduction, the MEA comprising a cathode, an anode, and a membrane between the cathode and the anode, the method comprising:
- inletting a gas comprising COx to the cathode of the MEA and applying a current to the MEA at a first current density, to thereby reduce COx and produce a COx reduction product;
- and
- during operation to produce the COx reduction product for a downstream process, cycling the applied current.
A method of operating a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for COx reduction, the MEA comprising a cathode, an anode, and a membrane between the anode and the cathode, the method comprising:
- inletting a gas comprising COx to the cathode of the MEA and applying a current to the MEA at a first current density, to thereby reduce COx and produce a COx reduction product;
- and
- during operation to produce the COx reduction product for a downstream process, automatically varying applied current according to a schedule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.