Electrolysis System For The Electrochemical Utilization Of Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electrolysis. Teachings thereof may be embodied in a reduction method and/or an electrolysis system for electrochemical carbon dioxide utilization. For example, an electrolysis system for carbon dioxide utilization may include: an electrolysis cell with an anode in an anode space, a cathode in a cathode space, and a membrane; a first feed for carbon dioxide into the cathode space, configured to bring the carbon dioxide into contact with the cathode; a proton donor unit; and a second feed for protons configured to bring the protons into the cathode space from the proton donor unit into contact with the cathode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrolysis system for carbon dioxide utilization, the system comprising:
 an electrolysis cell with an anode in an anode space, a cathode in a cathode space, and a membrane;   a first feed for carbon dioxide into the cathode space, configured to bring the carbon dioxide into contact with the cathode;   a proton donor unit; and   a second feed for protons configured to bring the protons into the cathode space from the proton donor unit into contact with the cathode.   
     
     
         2 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the proton donor unit comprises a proton reservoir; and   the second feed comprises a proton-permeable membrane.   
     
     
         3 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proton reservoir comprises an acid reservoir holding a Brønsted acid. 
     
     
         4 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the proton-permeable membrane comprises sulfonated polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cathode space includes a catholyte/carbon dioxide mixture; and   the catholyte comprises at least one of carbonate, hydrogencarbonate anions, or dihydrogen carbonate.   
     
     
         6 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the anode space includes a proton reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a first membrane and a second membrane;
 wherein the first membrane is arranged between the anode and cathode;   the second membrane is arranged between the cathode and proton reservoir; and   the second membrane is proton-permeable.   
     
     
         8 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cathode space comprises a catholyte gap extending along the cathode;
 Wherein the catholyte gap has an extent at right angles to a surface area of the cathode of not more than 5 mm.   
     
     
         9 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cathode space comprises a catholyte gap separating the cathode and membrane;
 wherein the cathode and the membrane are arranged at a distance of not more than 5 mm from one another.   
     
     
         10 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cathode space comprises two catholyte gaps arranged on either side of the cathode, each of which is bounded by a membrane;
 wherein the cathode and membranes are each independently arranged at a maximum distance of 5 mm from one another.   
     
     
         11 . The electrolysis system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proton donor unit comprises a proton donor cathode and a proton-permeable cathode integrated therein. 
     
     
         12 . A reduction method for carbon dioxide utilization, the method comprising:
 introducing   a catholyte/carbon dioxide mixture into a cathode space and into contact with a cathode disposed in the cathode space; and   lowering a pH of the catholyte/carbon dioxide mixture in the cathode space by providing additional protons from a proton donor unit.   
     
     
         13 . The reduction method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein lowering the pH of the catholyte/carbon dioxide mixture occurs at a liquid/solid phase interface from the catholyte/carbon dioxide mixture to the cathode; and
 further comprising providing the protons via a proton-permeable membrane or a proton-permeable cathode at a liquid/solid phase interface from the catholyte/carbon dioxide mixture to the cathode.   
     
     
         14 . The reduction method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising supplying the protons from a proton reservoir comprising an acid reservoir including a Brønsted acid (HX). 
     
     
         15 . The reduction method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the catholyte includes carbonate and/or hydrogencarbonate anions.