CARBON DIOXIDE CONVERSION USING COMBINED FUEL CELL AND ELECTROLYSIS CELL

A solid oxide cell device is provided which uses hydrocarbon fuel gas and oxygen to remove carbon dioxide from a gas stream, converting it to syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen), preferably without any input of external energy beyond that derived from the input gases. Existing processes can then be used to convert the syngas to stable liquid or solid organic chemicals, so that all the input carbon is fixed. Partial oxidation of hydrocarbon fuel gas in a solid oxide fuel cell produces syngas and electricity, and the electricity powers a solid oxide electrolyser which reacts carbon dioxide with further hydrocarbon fuel gas to produce more syngas The fuel cell and electrolyser together can achieve self-sustaining carbon dioxide utilization.