Bench-scale electrochemical system for generation of CO and syn-gas

A flow cell based, bench-scale electrochemical system for generation of synthesis-gas (syn-gas) is reported. Sensitivity to operating conditions such as CO 2 flow, current density, and elevated temperature are described. By increasing the temperature of the cell the kinetic overpotential for the reduction of CO 2 was lowered with the cathode voltage at 70 mA cm −2 decreased by 0.32 V and the overall cell voltage dropping by 1.57 V. This equates to an 18% increase in cell efficiency. By closely monitoring the products it was found that at room temperature and 70 °C the primary products are CO and H 2 . By controlling the current density and the flow of CO 2 it was possible to control the H 2 :CO product ratio between 1:4 and 9:1. The reproducibility of performing experiments at elevated temperature and the ability to generate syn-gas for extended periods of time is also discussed.