Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Grdc, LLC

Columbia University

Cop Energy Technologies LLC

Patrick G Grimes

Richard J Bellows

Harry Einstein

Markus Zahn

Kenneth R Newby

Hsue C Tsien

Klaus S Lackner

Chester W Elspass

Joseph A Shropshire

Frank S Zeman

Maureen A Grimes, Legal Representative

Samuel C Krevor

Liquid phase processes for producing fuel in a reactor comprising the step of combining at least one oxidizable reactant with liquid water and at least one electrolyte to form a mixture and conducting a fuel-producing reaction in the presence of an electron transfer material, wherein the mixture permits the movement or transport of ions and electrons to facilitate the efficient production of the fuel. An alternative embodiment produces fuel in an electrochemical cell, the reaction characterized by an overall thermodynamic energy balance according to the half-cell reactions occurring at the anode and cathode. Energy generated and/or required by the system components is directed according to the thermodynamic requirements of the half-cell reactions, thereby realizing improved fuel production efficiency.

Efficient production of fuels

A liquid phase process for producing hydrogen gas in a reactor comprising the step of combining at least one oxidizable reactant with liquid water and at least one alkaline electrolyte to form a mixture having a pH, wherein the pH of the mixture is substantially maintained at a value of about 10.5 or greater and conducting a reaction in the presence of an electron transfer material that permits the movement of electrons. An alternative method produces hydrogen gas from a reaction in an electrochemical cell, the reaction characterized by an overall thermodynamic energy balance and half-cell reactions occurring at each of an anode and cathode. Energy transfers, such as thermal and electric, are analyzed and controlled in order to satisfy the thermodynamic energy balance of the reaction for efficient hydrogen production.

Efficient production of hydrogen

A process, preferably continuous, for producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting in the liquid phase at least one oxidizable organic substance in the presence of a mixture comprising at least one conductive catalyst and an aqueous alkaline carbonate electrolyte, wherein at least one bicarbonate composition produced by reaction of the electrolyte is regenerated and the at least one oxidizable organic substance comprises a oxygenated hydrocarbon, for example methanol and/or dimethyl ether. In a preferred embodiment the alkaline electrolyte is regenerated using steam. Various advantageous reaction schemes are described, utilizing, e.g., co-current and countercurrent stream flow and alternative tower sequence arrangements.

Hydrogen production using electrochemical reforming and electrolyte regeneration

The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO), particularly from the air. The COextraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing COvia condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature.

Carbon dioxide capture and mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions

A tunnel protected electrochemical device features channels fluidically communicating between manifold, tunnels and cells. The channels are designed to provide the most efficient use of auxiliary power. The channels have a greater hydraulic pressure drop and electrical resistance than the manifold. This will provide a design with the optimum auxiliary energy requirements.

Electrochemical device

The cell of the invention comprises a housing, a zinc or cadmium anode, a chemically non-reactive counterelectrode and cathodic halogen. The cathodic halogen is selected from chlorine and bromine, and preferably is bromine. The cell also is provided with an aqueous metal halide containing electrolyte in which the metal ions are of the same metal as the metal of the anode and halide anions are of the same halogen as the cathodic halogen material. Importantly, in the present invention, anion exchange resins provide a convenient means for storing the halogen generated during charging of the cell and providing a source of halogen to be used in the discharge of the cell.

Solid bromine complexers

A method and apparatus for maintaining the pH level in a zinc-bromine battery features reacting decomposition hydrogen with bromine in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst encourages the formation of hydrogen and bromine ions. The decomposition hydrogen is therefore consumed, alloying the pH of the system to remain substantially at a given value.

Method and apparatus for maintaining the pH in zinc-bromine battery

An electrochemical cell construction features a novel co-extruded plastic electrode in an interleaved construction with a novel integral separator-spacer. Also featured is a leak and impact resistant construction for preventing the spill of corrosive materials in the event of rupture.

Method of constructing an improved electrochemical cell

Electrochemical construction

Separator-spacer for electrochemical systems

Sheet electrode for electrochemical systems

Electrochemical systems having a plurality of cells which are hydraulically and electrically connected in series develop shunt currents in the electrolyte of adjacent cells. The shunt currents are reduced or eliminated by the placing of an electrical bypass across two adjacent intercell conduits, and applying a protective current through the electrical bypass in a direction of the shunt currents and of a magnitude that can effectively reduce the shunt currents.

Shunt current elimination for series connected cells

The invention features an electrochemical cell having two fluid-containing compartments separated by a non-selective microporous membrane. Select ions which would normally pass through the membrane under the influence of an ionic field, are prevented from passing through the membrane by a polyelectrolyte which has migrated through the compartment fluid to the membrane. The polyelectrolyte acts as an ionic barrier to the passage of select ions, thus effectively increasing the ion-selective capability of the membrane and, hence, the coulombic efficiency of the electro-chemical cell.

Method of improving the ion selectivity of membranes

Shunt currents can be eliminated in electrochemical devices by introducing nulling currents via auxiliary electrodes. The invention teaches the reduction or elimination of these shunt currents in such devices with minimized power consumption. Shunt current nulling tunnels are provided which interconnect with electrolyte supply channels feeding the cells of the electrochemical device. Power consumption for the shunt current-nulling tunnels is reduced by designing the tunnels to have an increasing electrical resistance towards their mid-portions. Another embodiment of the invention features an increasing electrical resistance towards the mid-portion of the tunnels and a decreasing electrical resistance towards the mid-portion of the manifolds.

Growing community of inventors

Westfield, NJ, United States of America

Patrick G Grimes