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US 8,506,790 B2Granted
Electrolytic cell for making alkali alcoholates using ceramic ion conducting solid membranes
OwnerShekar Balagopal, Vigod Mathedainventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are electrolytic cells for making solutions of metal alcoholates in their corresponding alcohols using an electrolytic process. In one embodiment, sodium methylate in methanol is made from methanol and sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium hydroxide solution is placed in the anolyte compartment and the methanol is placed in the catholyte compartment, and the two compartments are separated by a ceramic membrane that selectively transports sodium under the influence of current. In preferred embodiments, the process is cost-effective and not environmentally harmful.
Claims22
An electrolytic cell for producing alkali alcoholate solution, comprising:
- a catholyte compartment containing a cathode and a solution comprising alcohol;
- an anolyte compartment containing an anode and a solution comprising one or more alkali metal salts;
- a cation-selective ceramic membrane separating the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment;
- a power source in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode for applying a voltage across the anode and cathode of the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more alkali metal salts;
- a temperature regulator configured to control the temperature of the cell such that the anolyte compartment operates at a temperature below about 80° C. during the electrolysis of the one or more alkali metal salts;
- and
- wherein the cation-selective membrane selectively permits the flow of alkali cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment upon application of a voltage across the anode and the cathode, wherein the membrane comprises a material having the formula M1M2A(BO4)3 where M1 and M2 are independently chosen from Na, Li, and K;
- and A and B are independently selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+, and wherein the membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
5 more elements
An electrolytic cell for producing alkali alcoholate solution, comprising:
- a catholyte compartment containing a cathode and a solution comprising alcohol;
- an anolyte compartment containing an anode and a solution comprising one or more alkali metal salts;
- a cation-selective ceramic membrane separating the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment;
- a power source in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode for applying a voltage across the anode and cathode of the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more alkali metal salts;
- a temperature regulator configured to control the temperature of the cell such that the anolyte compartment operates at a temperature below about 80° C. during the electrolysis of the one or more alkali metal salts;
- and
- wherein the membrane selectively permits the flow of alkali cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment upon application of a voltage across the anode and the cathode, wherein the membrane comprises a ceramic material having the formula M1+XA2-xNyBxC3-xO12 where 0<x<2;
- 0<y<2;
- M is selected from Na, Li, and K;
- and A, N, B and C are independently selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+, and wherein the membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
7 more elements
An electrolytic cell for producing alkali alcoholate solution, comprising:
- a catholyte compartment containing a cathode and a solution comprising alcohol;
- an anolyte compartment containing an anode and a solution comprising one or more alkali metal salts;
- a cation-selective ceramic membrane separating the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment;
- a power source in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode for applying a voltage across the anode and cathode of the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more alkali metal salts;
- a temperature regulator configured to control the temperature of the cell such that the anolyte compartment operates at a temperature below about 80° C. during the electrolysis of the one or more alkali metal salts;
- and
- wherein the membrane selectively permits the flow of alkali cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment upon application of a voltage across the anode and the cathode, wherein the membrane comprises a ceramic material having the formula M1+XA2-xNyBxC3-xO12 where 0<x<2;
- 0<y<2;
- and M, A, N, B, and C are independently selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+, and wherein the membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
6 more elements
An electrolytic cell for producing sodium methylate solution, comprising:
- a catholyte compartment containing a cathode and a solution comprising methanol;
- an anolyte compartment containing an anode and a solution comprising one or more sodium salts;
- a cation-selective ceramic membrane separating the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment;
- a power source in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode for applying a voltage across the anode and cathode of the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more sodium salts;
- a temperature regulator configured to control the temperature of the cell such that the anolyte compartment operates at a temperature below about 80° C. during the electrolysis of the one or more sodium salts;
- and
- wherein the membrane selectively permits the flow of sodium cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment upon application of a voltage across the anode and the cathode, wherein the membrane comprises a material having the formula M1M2A(BO4)3 where M1 and M2 are independently chosen from Na, Li, and K;
- and A and B are independently selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+, and wherein the membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
5 more elements
An electrolytic cell for producing sodium methylate solution, comprising:
- a catholyte compartment containing a cathode and a solution comprising methanol;
- an anolyte compartment containing an anode and a solution comprising one or more sodium salts;
- a cation-selective ceramic membrane separating the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment;
- a power source in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode for applying a voltage across the anode and cathode of the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more sodium salts;
- a temperature regulator configured to control the temperature of the cell such that the anolyte compartment operates at a temperature below about 80° C. during the electrolysis of the one or more sodium salts;
- and
- wherein the membrane selectively permits the flow of sodium cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment upon application of a voltage across the anode and the cathode, wherein the membrane comprises a ceramic material having the formula M1+XA2-xNyBxC3-xO12 where 0<x<2;
- 0<y<2;
- M is selected from Na, Li, and K;
- and A, N, B and C are independently selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+, and wherein the membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
7 more elements
An electrolytic cell for producing sodium methylate solution, comprising:
- a catholyte compartment containing a cathode and a solution comprising methanol;
- an anolyte compartment containing an anode and a solution comprising one or more sodium salts;
- a cation-selective ceramic membrane separating the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment;
- a power source in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode for applying a voltage across the anode and cathode of the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more sodium salts;
- a temperature regulator configured to control the temperature of the cell such that the anolyte compartment operates at a temperature below about 80° C. during the electrolysis of the one or more sodium salts;
- and
- wherein the membrane selectively permits the flow of sodium cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment upon application of a voltage across the anode and the cathode, wherein the membrane comprises a ceramic material having the formula M1+XA2-xNyBxC3-xO12 where 0<x<2;
- 0<y<2;
- and M, A, N, B and C are independently selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+, and wherein the membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.