The invention relates to processes for the electrolysis of alkali chlorides by means of oxygen-depolarized electrodes, said processes having specific operating parameters for shut-down and restarting.

The invention relates to processes for the electrolysis of alkali chlorides by means of oxygen-depolarized electrodes, said processes having specific operating parameters for shut-down and restarting.

Non-proton cationic impurities are removed from the ionomer in a proton exchange membrane of an electrochemical cell and from the anode side and cathode side catalyst layers. A supply path for an anode feed to the ionomer on the anode side of the proton exchange membrane and a supply path for a cathode feed to the ionomer on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane are provided. A regenerating fluid with acidic pH is brought into contact with the ionomer on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane to accomplish an ion exchange of the non-proton cationic impurities with protons and thus remove the non-proton cationic impurities from the ionomer into the regenerating fluid. This removes the non-proton cationic impurities from the ionomer of the electrochemical cell without increasing the risk of corrosion and without interrupting the process of the electrochemical cell.

Non-proton cationic impurities are removed from the ionomer in a proton exchange membrane of an electrochemical cell and from the anode side and cathode side catalyst layers. A supply path for an anode feed to the ionomer on the anode side of the proton exchange membrane and a supply path for a cathode feed to the ionomer on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane are provided. A regenerating fluid with acidic pH is brought into contact with the ionomer on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane to accomplish an ion exchange of the non-proton cationic impurities with protons and thus remove the non-proton cationic impurities from the ionomer into the regenerating fluid. This removes the non-proton cationic impurities from the ionomer of the electrochemical cell without increasing the risk of corrosion and without interrupting the process of the electrochemical cell.

A carbon dioxide treatment apparatus, a carbon dioxide treatment method, and a method for producing a carbon compound that have high energy efficiency in recovery and reduction of carbon dioxide and are highly effective in reducing loss of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide treatment apparatus (100) includes a recovery device (1) configured to recover carbon dioxide, an electrochemical reaction device (2) configured to electrochemically reduce carbon dioxide, and a pH adjuster (52), wherein pH of a cathode side electrolytic solution is higher than that of an anode side electrolytic solution, carbon dioxide gas is supplied from a concentration part 11 to a gas flow path on a side of a cathode (21) opposite to an anode (22), and the carbon dioxide gas is reduced at the cathode (21).

A carbon dioxide treatment apparatus, a carbon dioxide treatment method, and a method for producing a carbon compound that have high energy efficiency in recovery and reduction of carbon dioxide and are highly effective in reducing loss of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide treatment apparatus (100) includes a recovery device (1) configured to recover carbon dioxide, an electrochemical reaction device (2) configured to electrochemically reduce carbon dioxide, and a pH adjuster (52), wherein pH of a cathode side electrolytic solution is higher than that of an anode side electrolytic solution, carbon dioxide gas is supplied from a concentration part 11 to a gas flow path on a side of a cathode (21) opposite to an anode (22), and the carbon dioxide gas is reduced at the cathode (21).

A rechargeable electrolysis cell includes: an anode; a cathode; an electrical connection; and an electrolyte. The cathode has an inlet for an oxidizer. The reducing agent is a solvated metal ligand, a Birch electron, a solvated electron, metal salt, or a metallic plating on the cathode. The oxidizer is a halogen. A method of discharging the cell includes providing the reducing agent at the anode and delivering the oxidizer to the cathode and transferring an electron from the anode through an electrical load, oxidizing the reducing agent and reducing the oxidizer to produce a salt dissolved in the electrolyte. Charging the cell includes applying direct current to convert the salt to the reducing agent and the oxidizer and separating the reagents.

A rechargeable electrolysis cell includes: an anode; a cathode; an electrical connection; and an electrolyte. The cathode has an inlet for an oxidizer. The reducing agent is a solvated metal ligand, a Birch electron, a solvated electron, metal salt, or a metallic plating on the cathode. The oxidizer is a halogen. A method of discharging the cell includes providing the reducing agent at the anode and delivering the oxidizer to the cathode and transferring an electron from the anode through an electrical load, oxidizing the reducing agent and reducing the oxidizer to produce a salt dissolved in the electrolyte. Charging the cell includes applying direct current to convert the salt to the reducing agent and the oxidizer and separating the reagents.

A magnetron sputtering electrode for use in a rotatable cylindrical magnetron sputtering device, the electrode including a cathode body defining a magnet receiving chamber and a cylindrical target surrounding the cathode body. The target is rotatable about the cathode body. A magnet arrangement is received within the magnet receiving chamber, the magnet arrangement including a plurality of magnets. A shunt is secured to the cathode body and proximate to a side of the magnet arrangement, the shunt extending in a plane substantially parallel to the side of the magnet arrangement. A method of fine-tuning a magnetron sputtering electrode in a rotatable cylindrical magnetron sputtering device is also disclosed.

In this disclosure, a process of recycling acid, base and the salt reagents required in the Li recovery process is introduced. A membrane electrolysis cell which incorporates an oxygen depolarized cathode is implemented to generate the required chemicals onsite. The system can utilize a portion of the salar brine or other lithium-containing brine or solid waste to generate hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and carbonate salts. Simultaneous generation of acid and base allows for taking advantage of both chemicals during the conventional Li recovery from brines and mineral rocks. The desalinated water can also be used for the washing steps on the recovery process or returned into the evaporation ponds. The method also can be used for the direct conversion of lithium salts to the high value LiOH product. The method does not produce any solid effluent which makes it easy-to-adopt for use in existing industrial Li recovery plants.