Analysis of carbon dioxide-to-methanol direct electrochemical conversion mediated by an ionic liquid

作者：Carlesi Carlos^*; Carvajal Danilo; Vasquez Dreidy; Schrebler Arratia Rodrigo

来源：Chemical Engineering and Processing, 2014, 85: 48-56.

DOI：10.1016/j.cep.2014.08.004

• Carbon dioxide
• Electrochemical conversion
• Ionic liquid
• Absorption
• Reduction reaction
• 1-(3-Aminopropy1)-3-methylimidazolium bromide

An intensified process for carbon dioxide capture and conversion is proposed and analyzed, considering an electrochemical parallel plate reactor which processes a CO2-charged stream from an absorption unit at 40 degrees C and atmospheric pressure and where the target product of the conversion is methanol.
The task-specific ionic liquid 1-(3-aminopropy1)-3-methylimidazolium bromide was selected, synthesized and characterized. This ionic liquid has shown a good absorption capacity, high ionic conductivity, high chemical-electrochemical stability and acts as a charged intermediate (CO2*(-)) stabilizer, enabling the electrochemical reduction of absorbed CO2.
The electrical energy in the electrochemical reactor was estimated to be 8.683 kWh kg (CO2)(-1) or 115.16 g (CO2) kWh(-1), too high to ensure the environmental sustainability of the process. A low concentration of carbon dioxide in the liquid phase, at ambient conditions, implies the need for a high electrode area for the process and is a major hindrance to improving the economy of the process.

• 出版日期2014-11