Methods and systems for fuel production

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for producing carbon products via electrochemical reduction from fluid streams containing a carbon-containing material, such as, for example, carbon dioxide. Electrochemical reduction systems and methods of the present disclosure may comprise micro- or nanostructured membranes for separation and catalytic processes. The electrochemical reduction systems and methods may utilize renewable energy sources to generate a carbon product comprising one or more carbon atoms (C1+ product), such as, for example, fuel. This may be performed at substantially low (or nearly zero) net or negative carbon emissions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for generating a carbon product comprising one or more carbon atoms (C1+ product), comprising:
 a first compartment;   a second compartment; and   a separation unit separating said first compartment and said second compartment, wherein said separation unit comprises (i) an anode, (ii) a cathode, and (iii) a membrane comprising a plurality of pores, wherein said plurality of pores are configured to bring said first compartment in fluid communication with said second compartment,   wherein said cathode and said anode are configured to reduce said carbon-containing material to said C1+ product in said first compartment while a voltage is applied between said cathode and said anode, and   wherein said plurality of pores are configured to direct said C1+ product from said first compartment to said second compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas contactor in fluid communication with said first compartment, wherein said gas contactor is configured to bring said carbon-containing material in contact with water to yield a solution comprising said carbon-containing material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said membrane comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanospheres, carbon nano-onions, graphene, and porous pyrolyzed carbon. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cathode further comprises a catalyst. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said catalyst comprises a metal nanoparticle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said metal nanoparticle comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, palladium, tin, silver, and gold. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said catalyst is N-doped. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage source configured to supply said voltage. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an ion exchange membrane between said cathode and said anode. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system is configured to have a single pass selectivity for said C1+ product of at least about 70%. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a pore of said plurality of pores has a pore size of less than or equal to about 5 micrometers. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said C1+ product comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first compartment comprises said cathode and said second compartment comprises said anode. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first compartment comprises said cathode and said membrane. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said separation further comprises an extractor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said extractor comprises said second compartment and said membrane. 
     
     
         17 . A method for using a carbon-containing material to generate a carbon product comprising one or more carbon atoms (C1+ product), comprising:
 (a) providing an electrochemical system comprising a first compartment; a second compartment; and a separation unit separating said first compartment and said second compartment, wherein said separation unit comprises (i) an anode, (ii) a cathode, and (iii) a membrane comprising a plurality of pores, wherein said plurality of pores bring said first compartment in fluid communication with said second compartment;   (b) directing an electrolyte solution comprising said carbon-containing material into said first compartment to bring said electrolyte solution into contact with said cathode, wherein said anode and said cathode are in electrical communication with one another through said electrolyte solution;   (c) reducing said carbon-containing material in said electrolyte solution while a voltage is applied between said cathode and said anode to generate said C1+ product, which C1+ product is directed through said plurality of pores to said second compartment; and   (d) recovering said C1+ product from said second compartment of said electrochemical system.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said cathode further comprises a catalyst. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said catalyst is used to reduce said carbon-containing material in said electrolyte. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said carbon-containing material comprises carbon monoxide (CO) and/or carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).