Device and method for separating and compressing carbon dioxide from a carbonate salt

A device for separating and compressing carbon dioxide from a carbonate salt, comprising:

• (a) a solid polymer electrolyte anion membrane having an inner face and an outer face;
• (b) a solid polymer electrolyte cation membrane having an inner face and an outer face;
• (c) a fluid feed compartment bounded by the inner faces of the anion and cation membranes, wherein the fluid feed compartment is capable of containing a liquid carbonate salt solution;
• (d) a catalyst capable of ionizing hydrogen disposed on the outer face of the anion membrane to form an anode;
• (e) a catalyst capable of ionizing water to hydroxyl ions disposed on the outer face of the cation membrane to form a cathode;
• (f) an enclosed carbon dioxide collection compartment adjacent to the anode and the outer face of the solid polymer electrolyte anion membrane, wherein the solid polymer electrolyte anion membrane separates the carbon dioxide collection compartment from liquid in the fluid feed compartment to permit the carbon dioxide collection compartment to produce carbon dioxide at a pressure higher than the pressure in the fluid feed compartment;
• (g) means for regulating carbon dioxide pressure in the carbon dioxide collection compartment;
• (h) means for supplying hydrogen to the anode through the carbon dioxide collection compartment;
• (i) an enclosed metal hydroxide scrubbing fluid collection compartment adjacent to the cathode and the outer face of the solid polymer electrolyte cation membrane;
• (j) means for supplying water to the cathode through the metal hydroxide scrubbing fluid collection compartment;
• (k) means for withdrawing regenerated metal hydroxide scrubbing fluid from the metal hydroxide scrubbing fluid collection compartment;
• and
• (l) means for inducing an electrical potential across the anode and cathode;
• wherein the device is capable of separating the carbonate salt fed to the fluid feed compartment into compressed carbon dioxide that is collected in the carbon dioxide collection compartment and regenerated metal hydroxide scrubbing fluid that is collected in the metal hydroxide scrubbing fluid collection compartment.