Electrosynthesis of Glyoxylic Acid By Electrochemical Reduction of Oxalic Acid and Oxidation of Glyoxal inside Co-Laminar Flow Cells

This study investigates the simultaneous electrosynthesis of glyoxylic acid through electrochemical reduction of oxalic acid and oxidation of glyoxal inside a co-laminar flow reactor. This system offers specific advantages over traditional beaker cells including: continuous operation and controlled mixing of products. This study involves a systematic exploration of operating conditions such as flow rate, applied potential, current density, electrode gap and influence of specific electrocatalysts. These operating conditions are varied while the yield and current efficiency of the cell are measured. In this way, the optimum conditions for electrosynthesis of glyoxylic acid are determined and insight into the efficiency of other electrosynthesis reactions is obtained.