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US 3,959,094 AGranted
Electrolytic synthesis of methanol from CO.sub.2
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
InventorMeyer Steinberg
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Abstract
A method and system for synthesizing methanol from the CO.sub.2 in air using electric power. The CO.sub.2 is absorbed by a solution of KOH to form K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 which is electrolyzed to produce methanol, a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
Claims2
The method of synthesizing CH.sub.3 OH comprising the steps of:
- a. passing air containing CO.sub.2 into contact with an aqueous solution of KOH in an absorber to cause absorption of CO.sub.2 from the air by said KOH producing an aqueous solution containing K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 ;
- b. passing the solution of K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 through an electrolytic cell having an anode and cathode wherein a D. C. potential is applied to cause electrolysis of the carbonate, methanol being produced at said cathode, and KOH and O.sub.2 being formed at said anode, said O.sub.2 being released;
- c. passing the aqueous solution of CH.sub.3 OH and KOH also containing K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 out of said cell followed by removing the CH.sub.3 OH from said solution;
- and
- d. adding make-up water to the remaining solution and returning same to said absorber.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.