Electrochemical reforming of oxygenate mixtures

Abstract

The process describes performing electrolysis on an alkaline oxygenate mixture to produce hydrogen. In this process the electrolysis does not form any significant amounts of oxygen.

1 . A process comprising:
 performing electrolysis on an alkaline oxygenate mixture to produce hydrogen,   wherein the electrolysis does not form any significant amounts of oxygen.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis forms less than 33% mol of oxygen. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis forms less than 100 ppm of oxygen. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline oxygenate mixture is produced from biomass or a biomass derived stream. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs with either an alternating or a direct voltage or current. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs with an alternating voltage or current. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline oxygenate mixture contains from about 1 wt % to about 80 wt % oxygenate. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline oxygenate mixture contains from about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % oxygenate. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline oxygenate mixture contains from about 1 wt % to about 35 wt % of an alkaline electrolyte. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline oxygenate mixture contains from about 20 wt % to about 30 wt % of an alkaline electrolyte. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the current density of the electrolysis ranges from about 15 mA/cm 2  to about 400 mA/cm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the current density of the electrolysis ranges from about 50 mA/cm 2  to about 350 mA/cm 2 . 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises a conductive metal or a conductive metal alloy. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises a conductive metal or a conductive metal alloy of a group 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11 or 12 metal. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises a conductive metal or a conductive metal alloy of the group comprising: platinum, palladium, gold, nickel and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the anode is supported on a carbon-based material. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises a conductive metal or a conductive metal alloy. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises a conductive metal or a conductive metal alloy of a group 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 metal. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises a conductive metal or a conductive metal alloy of the group comprising: platinum, palladium, gold, nickel and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode is supported on a carbon-based material. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis does not form any significant amounts of carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis forms less than 500 ppm of carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the current density of the electrolysis is greater than 15 mA/cm 2  at temperatures below 100° C. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs at temperatures greater than 100° C. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs at temperatures greater than 150° C. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs at pressures greater than 200 psig. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs at an applied voltage less than 1.23 volts. 
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis occurs in a continuous manner. 
     
     
         30 . A process comprising:
 alkalinizing an oxygenate mixture to produce an alkaline oxygenate mixture; and   performing electrolysis on the alkaline oxygenate mixture to produce hydrogen,   wherein the electrolysis does not form any significant amounts of oxygen.   
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 30 , wherein the alkaline oxygenate mixture is alkalinized and electrolyzed continuously. 
     
     
         32 . The process of  claim 30 , wherein the oxygenate mixture comprises of biomass or a biomass derived stream. 
     
     
         33 . A process comprising:
 continuously alkalinizing an oxygenate mixture, comprising, a biomass of a biomass derived stream; and   performing electrolysis with an anode and a cathode comprising a conductive metal or a conductive metal alloy of the group comprising: platinum, palladium, gold, nickel and combinations thereof, wherein the anode and the cathode are supported on carbon-based materials and the electrolysis occurs at temperatures greater than 150° C., pressures greater than 200 psig and at an applied voltage less than 1.23 volts to produce hydrogen,   wherein the electrolysis does not form does not form any significant amounts of oxygen or carbon dioxide and the current density of the electrolysis is greater than 15 mA/cm 2 .