System and method for production of synthetic fuel through co2 capture and water splitting

A system for producing gas streams for use in synthetic fuel production through CO2 capture and water splitting, comprising:

• a CO2 capture apparatus containing an aqueous alkaline solution absorbing CO2 from air received into the CO2 capture apparatus;
• an electrolyzer fluidically coupled to the CO2 capture apparatus, the electrolyzer comprising an output, a volume including an anode region having an anode, and a cathode region having a cathode, the volume comprising an electrolyte solution having a pH gradient generated by the application of an electric current between the anode and the cathode, causing the electrolyte solution in the anode region to have a pH less than about 6, and the electrolyte in the cathode region to have a pH greater than about 5;
• and
• a conduit placing the CO2 capture device in fluid communication with the volume of the electrolyzer through a distributor disposed between the anode region and the neutral region, the distributor having a plurality of holes facing toward the neutral region and away from the anode region,
• wherein the carbon-rich solution is received into the electrolyzer;
• and
• wherein an alkaline-rich solution is removed from the cathode region of the electrolyzer through the output.

An electrolyzer, comprising:

• a volume having a cathode region, an anode region, and a neutral region between the cathode region and the anode region;
• an electrolyte solution inside the volume having a pH gradient when an electric current is applied to the electrolyzer such that the electrolyte solution has a pH of less than about 6 in the anode region, a pH of greater than about 5 in the cathode region, and a pH of between about 6 and about 13 in the neutral region;
• an output in the cathode region configured to remove an alkaline-rich solution from the electrolyzer;
• and
• an input configured to supply a carbon-rich solution to the electrolyzer, wherein the input is fluidically coupled to a distributor disposed between the anode region and the neutral region, the distributor having a plurality of holes facing toward the neutral region and away from the anode region.

An electrolyzer, comprising:

• a cathode region including a cathode;
• an anode region including an anode;
• a neutral region;
• an output in the cathode region configured to remove an aqueous alkaline solution from the electrolyzer;
• and
• an input in the neutral region configured to supply a DIC-rich solution to the electrolyzer,
• wherein the cathode generates hydrogen gas, the anode generates oxygen gas, and CO2 gas is generated in the neutral region,
• wherein the input is fluidically coupled to a distributor disposed between the anode region and the neutral region, the distributor having a plurality of holes facing toward the neutral region and away from the anode region.