Patent ID: 8075746

Claim:
An electrochemical cell for producing synthesis gas comprising: an anode chamber comprising an electrochemically active anode having a source of water in which the water is decomposed according to the following reaction: ½H 2 O→¼O 2 +H + +e − , wherein O 2 is collected and removed from the anode chamber; an intermediate chamber separated from the anode chamber by a separator which permits transport of H + ions, wherein the intermediate chamber has a source of Na 2 CO 3 and H + ions, in which the Na 2 CO 3 is decomposed according to the following reaction: H + +½Na 2 CO 3 →½CO 2 +½H 2 O+Na + , wherein CO 2 is collected and removed from the intermediate chamber; a cathode chamber comprising an electrochemically active cathode separated from the intermediate chamber by a membrane which permits transport of Na + ions, wherein the cathode chamber has a source of water and Na + ions, in which the water is decomposed according to the following reaction: Na + +H 2 O+e − →NaOH+½H 2 , wherein H 2 is collected and removed from the cathode chamber and wherein NaOH is collected and removed from the cathode chamber; and means for facilitating the reaction of CO 2 and H 2 to form synthesis gas comprising CO and H 2 .