Electrochemical Production of Urea from NOx and Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Methods and systems for electrochemical production of urea are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (B). Step (A) may introduce carbon dioxide and NOx to a solution of an electrolyte and a heterocyclic catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode may reduce the carbon dioxide and the NOx into a first sub-product and a second sub-product, respectively. Step (B) may combine the first sub-product and the second sub-product to produce urea.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A system for electrochemical production of urea, comprising:
 an electrochemical cell including:
 a first cell compartment; 
 an anode positioned within the first cell compartment; 
 a second cell compartment; 
 a separator interposed between the first cell compartment and the second cell compartment, the first cell compartment and the second cell compartment each containing an electrolyte; and 
 a cathode and a heterocyclic catalyst positioned within the second cell compartment; 
   a carbon dioxide source, the carbon dioxide source coupled with the second cell compartment, the carbon dioxide source configured to supply carbon dioxide to the cathode;   a NOx source, the NOx source coupled with the second cell compartment, the NOx source configured to supply NOx to the cathode;   a fluid source, the fluid source coupled with the first cell compartment; and   an energy source operably coupled with the anode and the cathode, the energy source configured to provide power to the anode and the cathode, to reduce carbon dioxide at the cathode to a first sub-product, to reduce NOx at the cathode to a second sub-product, and to oxidize the fluid at the anode, the product mixture configured to combine to form urea.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cathode includes a stainless steel 316 material. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein a yield of urea is between approximately 90% and 100% relative to a total of carbon-containing products.