Making Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide and Steam Using Electricity
This patent describes a process that uses electricity to split steam and then reacts the resulting hydrogen with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to create various carbon-based compounds, like fuels or plastics.
Original patent title: “Process for producing compounds of the cxhyoz type by reduction of carbon dioxide (co2) and/or carbon monoxide (co)”
This patent describes a process that uses electricity to split steam and then reacts the resulting hydrogen with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to create various carbon-based compounds, like fuels or plastics. Owned by Areva SA with 19 claims and 22 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2029.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This process uses an electrolyzer with a special proton-conducting membrane to convert steam and carbon gases into useful chemicals. First, steam is injected under pressure into the anode compartment (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). Water in the steam is oxidized at the anode, creating protonated species that travel through the proton-conducting membrane (Claim 1). These species are then reduced at the cathode surface, forming reactive hydrogen atoms (Claim 1). Simultaneously, carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or carbon monoxide (CO) are introduced under pressure into the cathode compartment (Claim 1). The reactive hydrogen atoms then reduce the CO2 and/or CO, forming compounds of the CxHyOz type, which are organic chemicals like hydrocarbons or oxygenates (Claim 1). For example, this system could take waste CO2 and steam, and using electricity, convert them into a liquid fuel such as methanol or ethanol.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover electrolysis processes that do not use a proton-conducting membrane to separate the anode and cathode compartments.
- Does not cover systems that produce only hydrogen gas without also reducing carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide into CxHyOz compounds.
- Does not cover processes where carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide are reduced by hydrogen that was not generated directly from steam electrolysis within the same system.
- Does not cover CO2/CO reduction methods that operate outside the specified temperature range of 200°C to 800°C (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 9) or pressure ranges for steam and CO2/CO (ClaimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → 6, 8).
- Does not cover the direct electrochemical reduction of CO2/CO without an intermediate reactive hydrogen step from steam.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The patent's innovation is the integrated system that uses a proton-conducting membrane to efficiently generate reactive hydrogen atoms from steam, and then immediately uses these atoms to reduce carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide within the same cathode compartment to form complex carbon compounds. This direct, in-situ conversion avoids the need to produce and store hydrogen separately, and allows for control over the final product type by adjusting electrical settings (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 2).
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) systems
Synthetic fuel production (e-fuels)
Chemical feedstock production from waste CO2
Power-to-X technologies
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology aims to convert greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into valuable chemicals or fuels. This approach offers a way to reduce carbon emissions by recycling carbon from industrial processes or the atmosphere. It could also provide a sustainable method for producing chemicals and energy carriers, lessening reliance on fossil resources.
Filed
May 15, 2009
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies focused on carbon capture and utilization (CCU) and power-to-X technologies are actively developing similar processes. This includes startups and established chemical and energy companies exploring pathways to convert CO2 into fuels, plastics, and other valuable chemicals. Research institutions worldwide are also heavily invested in improving the efficiency and scalability of such electrochemical CO2 reduction systems.
Market impact
This type of technology creates a market for converting waste CO2 into valuable products, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuels for chemical production. It could enable new supply chains for sustainable fuels and chemicals, impacting the energy and chemical sectors by offering a pathway to decarbonization. While still maturing, these processes are becoming increasingly important for industries aiming to meet climate goals and achieve circular economy principles.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This process uses an electrolyzer with a special proton-conducting membrane to convert steam and carbon gases into useful chemicals. First, steam is injected under pressure into the anode compartment (Claim 1). Water in the steam is oxidized at the anode, creating protonated species that travel through the proton-conducting membrane (Claim 1). These species are then reduced at the cathode surface, forming reactive hydrogen atoms (Claim 1). Simultaneously, carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or carbon monoxide (CO) are introduced under pressure into the cathode compartment (Claim 1). The reactive hydrogen atoms then reduce the CO2 and/or CO, forming compounds of the CxHyOz type, which are organic chemicals like hydrocarbons or oxygenates (Claim 1). For example, this system could take waste CO2 and steam, and using electricity, convert them into a liquid fuel such as methanol or ethanol.
The clever bit
The patent's innovation is the integrated system that uses a proton-conducting membrane to efficiently generate reactive hydrogen atoms from steam, and then immediately uses these atoms to reduce carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide within the same cathode compartment to form complex carbon compounds. This direct, in-situ conversion avoids the need to produce and store hydrogen separately, and allows for control over the final product type by adjusting electrical settings (Claim 2).
What it does not cover
- Does not cover electrolysis processes that do not use a proton-conducting membrane to separate the anode and cathode compartments.
- Does not cover systems that produce only hydrogen gas without also reducing carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide into CxHyOz compounds.
- Does not cover processes where carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide are reduced by hydrogen that was not generated directly from steam electrolysis within the same system.
- Does not cover CO2/CO reduction methods that operate outside the specified temperature range of 200°C to 800°C (Claim 9) or pressure ranges for steam and CO2/CO (Claims 6, 8).
- Does not cover the direct electrochemical reduction of CO2/CO without an intermediate reactive hydrogen step from steam.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
27/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
13/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$94K – $300K
Midpoint $187K · 2.8 yr remaining · industry ×2.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
19 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Lacroix, O., & Sala, B. Making Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide and Steam Using Electricity (U.S. Patent No. 20,110,132,770). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20110132770/process-for-producing-compounds-of-the-cxhyoz-type-by-reduction-of-carbon-dioxid
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
Embed
Add this patent to your site
Drop this plain-English patent card into any blog post or article — free, no signup. It always links back to the full breakdown here.
<div data-patentlens-widget data-patent-number="US20110132770"></div> <script src="https://patentbrief.org/embed.js" async></script>
Stay in the loop
Get a weekly digest of new patents.
One email per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keep exploring
Related patents you should know
US 4683195 · 1987
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to rapidly create many copies of a specific piece of DNA or RNA, enabling its detection and analysis.
Cetus Corp
US 8697359 · 2014
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
US 7657849 · 2010
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone.
Apple Inc
US 4733665 · 1988
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
This patent describes the method for placing a permanent, expandable wire mesh tube inside a blood vessel or other body tube using a balloon-tipped catheter to widen it and keep it open.
Expandable Grafts Partnership
US 4965188 · 1990
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, a technique to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment using a heat-resistant enzyme and repeated temperature changes.
Cetus Corp
US 4235871 · 1980
How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently
This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
Individual
Semantically similar
You might also find these interesting
US 8636880 · 2014 · Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
How to Make Hydrogen Gas and Cupric Chloride Using an Electrolysis Cell
US 12327854 · 2025
Capturing Carbon Dioxide While Making Electricity with Hydrogen and Solar
US 9181624 · 2015 · Chlorine Engineers Corp
Making Caustic Soda with Less Salt Using a Special Electrolysis Cell
US 8133298 · 2012 · Air Products and Chemicals
Making Iron More Efficiently and Generating Power with Oxygen
More to explore
More in Energy & Clean Tech
US RE49155 · 2022 · Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Electric or Natural Gas Blending and Pumping for Oil Wells
US 11436484 · 2022 · Nvidia Corp
Nvidia's Method for Training Self-Driving Car AI in Simulations
US 11840398 · 2023 · Titan Trailers Inc
How Titan Trailers Builds Stronger, Smoother Cargo Containers
US 2708656 · 1955
How the First Nuclear Reactor Works
New to patents?
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Making Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide and Steam Using Electricity cover?
This patent describes a process that uses electricity to split steam and then reacts the resulting hydrogen with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to create various carbon-based compounds, like fuels or plastics.
Who owns patent US 20110132770?
This patent is owned by Areva SA.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on May 15, 2029, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 20110132770 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 22 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology aims to convert greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into valuable chemicals or fuels. This approach offers a way to reduce carbon emissions by recycling carbon from industrial processes or the atmosphere. It could also provide a sustainable method for producing chemicals and energy carriers, lessening reliance on fossil resources.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover electrolysis processes that do not use a proton-conducting membrane to separate the anode and cathode compartments.
Patent monitoring