STEP Decrease of Anthropogenic CO 2 : Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production of Energetic Molecules, A Different Solar Energy Conversion Process

STEP, the Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production of energetic molecules uses the whole spectrum of sunlight to produce useful chemicals, rather than electricity. The STEP process powers a high temperature molten electrolysis to produce useful chemicals including metals, such as iron and magnesium, fuels and bleach. Utilizing molten salts, the system has the potential to operate 24/7 without interruption from lack of sunlight. High temperature decreases the chemical production voltage to a small fraction of the room temperature electrolysis potential through the absorption of solar thermal energy. As one example, carbon dioxide is converted from its 0.03% concentration in air, directly to carbonate, which is reduced to form fuels at 50% solar energy conversion efficiency. The lithiated oxide/carbonate electrolyte spontaneously absorbs CO2. Carbonate is the reactant, which is renewed through CO2 absorption, and is efficiently reduced at high rate, low electrolysis potential, and high solar efficiency.