Electric Field Enhancement of Solar Thermochemical Fuel Production

Background

Solar thermochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) splitting is a process where solar energy is used to split CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O2). Conventional solar thermochemical CO2 splitting involves a metal oxide being heated to its reduction temperature using concentrated thermal energy, which liberates O2. This process also exposes the reduced material to CO2, which re-oxidizes the active material, thereby releasing CO. Typically, this process is high cost due to the high solar field requirements for achieving the temperatures necessary for metal oxide reduction.

Invention Description

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new electric field enhancement that decreases the operating temperatures and cost of solar thermochemical carbon monoxide production from CO2 reduction. This process allows for the reduction of a metal oxide at significantly lower temperatures. This technology induces an electronic double layer between the metal oxide and a high temperature electrolyte, and amplifies a small, applied voltage to provide an ultra-high electric field. This drives the reduction of the metal oxide through temporary changes in material thermodynamics. This raises the overall efficiency of the system because this process removes the need for a temperature swing between reduction and oxidation steps.

Potential Applications:

• Sustainable fuel production
• Carbon dioxide reduction

Benefits and Advantages:

• Lower cost process
• Reduces metal oxide reduction energy
• High gas splitting efficiency
• Can operate at significantly lower temperatures