Multiphase electrochemical reduction of CO2

A system for reducing carbon dioxide into a carbon based product, the system comprising:

• an electrochemical cell comprising:
• a. a cathode region comprising a cathode and a non-aqueous catholyte;
• b. an anode region comprising an anode and an aqueous or gaseous anolyte;
• c. an ion permeable zone between the anode region and the cathode region, wherein the ion permeable zone is (i) the interface between the anolyte and the catholyte, (ii) an ion selective membrane;
• (iii) at least one liquid layer comprising an emulsion or (iv) a hydrophobic or glass fiber separator;
• d. a source of carbon dioxide, the cell being configured to add the carbon dioxide to the cathode region;
• e. a source of at least one electrolyte, the cell being configured to add the at least one electrolyte to the anode and cathode regions, the electrolyte being at least one of an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth salt, or a hydrogen halide;
• f. a phase transfer agent, the cell being configured to add the phase transfer agent to at least one of the anode region and the cathode region, the phase transfer agent including at least one of crown ethers, substituted crown ethers, metallo crowns, cryptands, azaethers, polyols, poly ethers, glycols, polyethylene glycols, glymes, diglymes, triglymes, tetraglymes, and mixtures thereof;
• g. a source of carbon based organic compound, wherein the cell is configured to add the carbon based organic compound into the anode region;
• and
• h. a source of energy, whereby applying the source of energy across the anode and cathode reduces the carbon dioxide and produces an oxidation product.