System and Method for the Electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Various embodiments include a system for carbon dioxide electrolysis comprising: an electrolysis cell having an anode and a cathode comprising a gas diffusion electrode adjoined by a gas space and a cathode space; an electrolyte circuit adjoining the electrolysis cell; a gas supply for supplying carbon dioxide-containing gas to the gas space, the gas space including an electrolyte outlet; and a shutoff device for the electrolyte outlet, wherein the shutoff device opens when a pressure differential between the gas space and the cathode space exceeds a threshold value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for carbon dioxide electrolysis, the system comprising:
 an electrolysis cell having an anode and a cathode both connected to a voltage supply, wherein the cathode comprises a gas diffusion electrode adjoined on a first side by a gas space and on a second side by a cathode space;   an electrolyte circuit adjoining the electrolysis cell;   a gas supply for supplying carbon dioxide-containing gas to the gas space,   the gas space including an electrolyte outlet; and   a shutoff device for the electrolyte outlet, wherein the shutoff device opens when a pressure differential between the gas space and the cathode space exceeds a threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shutoff device comprises a pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte outlet is disposed at a end of the gas space. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor measuring a pressure in the gas space. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor measuring a pressure in the cathode space. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor measuring the pressure differential between the gas space and the cathode space. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte outlet connects to the electrolyte circuit. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit to control the shutoff device as a function of the pressure differential. 
     
     
         9 . A method for carbon dioxide electrolysis with an electrolysis cell having an anode and a cathode, both connected to a voltage supply, wherein the cathode comprises a gas diffusion electrode adjoined on a first side by a gas space and on a second side by a cathode space, the method comprising:
 supplying carbon dioxide-containing gas into the gas space;   performing electrolysis in the gas space;   measuring a pressure differential between the gas space and the cathode space; and   opening a shutoff device in communication with the gas space if the pressure differential exceeds a threshold value.   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising operating the shutoff device to maintain the pressure differential within a predefined interval.