This application relates to new process that utilizes electrodes that incorporate acids that facilitate upgrading of methane and other low molecular weight alkanes to higher order hydrocarbon molecules, such as paraffins, olefins, and aromatics, at temperatures less than 250° C. A primary focus of the invention includes methane conversion to ethylene. The first step of the process includes acid containing electrodes that facilitate the activation of the alkane in the anode layer of the electrochemical reactor. Subsequent steps include the separation of protons from produced longer chain hydrocarbons followed by subsequent electrochemical reduction of the protons to yield hydrogen at the cathode or protons combined with oxygen at the cathode to yield water. The reaction steps in the anode upgrade methane to higher order hydrocarbon products.

A hydromagnetic desalination cell including at least one hollow rectangular flow conduit, a first rectangular magnet and a second rectangular magnet each having a north pole face and a south pole face opposite of each other, wherein the first and second rectangular magnets are disposed along a longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of the rectangular flow conduit, a first opening and a second opening on opposite walls of the rectangular flow conduit extending between the first and second rectangular magnets, and a first and second chamber fluidly connected to the first and second openings. A hydromagnetic desalination system and methods of desalinating brine water with the hydromagnetic desalination system are also disclosed.

A hydromagnetic desalination cell including at least one hollow rectangular flow conduit, a first rectangular magnet and a second rectangular magnet each having a north pole face and a south pole face opposite of each other, wherein the first and second rectangular magnets are disposed along a longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of the rectangular flow conduit, a first opening and a second opening on opposite walls of the rectangular flow conduit extending between the first and second rectangular magnets, and a first and second chamber fluidly connected to the first and second openings. A hydromagnetic desalination system and methods of desalinating brine water with the hydromagnetic desalination system are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a process for preparing a water splitting catalyst containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure and use thereof. The present invention provides clusters containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure by a chemical synthesis using inexpensive metal ions (Mn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ ions), simple carboxyl ligands and a permanganate, performed single crystal X-ray diffraction on their space structure, and characterized their physical and chemical properties with electron spectrum, electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance technologies and the like. These compounds can catalyze water splitting in the presence of oxidant to release oxygen and can also catalyze water splitting on the surface of an electrode to release electrons onto the surface of the electrode to form a current.

The present invention provides a process for preparing a water splitting catalyst containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure and use thereof. The present invention provides clusters containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure by a chemical synthesis using inexpensive metal ions (Mn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ ions), simple carboxyl ligands and a permanganate, performed single crystal X-ray diffraction on their space structure, and characterized their physical and chemical properties with electron spectrum, electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance technologies and the like. These compounds can catalyze water splitting in the presence of oxidant to release oxygen and can also catalyze water splitting on the surface of an electrode to release electrons onto the surface of the electrode to form a current.

An electrochemical process implements, in a decoupled manner, a first step of electrolysis of an electrolyte to produce gaseous oxygen in a chamber and a second step of electrochemical conversion of H+ ions into gaseous hydrogen in a chamber which contains a liquid phase and a gas phase not dissolved in the liquid phase. Gaseous hydrogen produced in the conversion step is partly present in the gaseous headspace of chamber and as bubbles in the electrolyte, and partly dissolved in the electrolyte which is saturated with hydrogen. The electrolyte has at least one redox pair (A/B) forming at least one intermediate vector enabling the decoupling of the first and second steps. The interface between the gas and liquid phases is increased during the second step to accelerate the diffusion, from liquid phase to gas phase, of the dissolved hydrogen able to supersaturate the electrolyte. Pressurized gaseous hydrogen is then collected.

The present application provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for simultaneous processing of tow waster gases, namely H.sub.2S and CO.sub.2. In an exemplary process of this disclosure H.sub.2S is supplied to anode side of an electrochemical cell, while CO.sub.2 is supplied to the cathode side. As a result, valuable commercial products are produced. In particular, SO.sub.2 is harvested from the anode side, while synthesis gas, CO+H.sub.2) is harvested from the cathode side. An electric current is also produced, which can be supplied to a local utility grid.

The present application provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for simultaneous processing of tow waster gases, namely H.sub.2S and CO.sub.2. In an exemplary process of this disclosure H.sub.2S is supplied to anode side of an electrochemical cell, while CO.sub.2 is supplied to the cathode side. As a result, valuable commercial products are produced. In particular, SO.sub.2 is harvested from the anode side, while synthesis gas, CO+H.sub.2) is harvested from the cathode side. An electric current is also produced, which can be supplied to a local utility grid.

Herein discussed is a method of producing hydrogen comprising introducing a first stream comprising a fuel to an electrochemical (EC) reactor having a mixed-conducting membrane, introducing a second stream comprising water to the reactor, reducing the water in the second stream to produce hydrogen, and recycling at least portion of the produced hydrogen to the first stream, wherein the membrane comprises an electronically conducting phase and an ionically conducting phase; and wherein the first stream and the second stream do not come in contact with each other in the reactor.

In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to methods for the electrochemical production of calcium silicate compounds in an electrochemical cell that comprises (a) a Ca-based electrode that comprises calcium metal or an inorganic calcium material, (b) an SiO.sub.x-based electrode that comprises a SiO.sub.x material, where x ranges from 1 to 2, and (c) a liquid electrolyte disposed between the Ca-based electrode and the SiO.sub.x-based electrode. In these methods, the electrochemical cell is operated under conditions such that calcium cations are produced at the Ca-based electrode and one or more calcium silicate (Ca—Si-oxide) compounds are produced at the SiO.sub.x-based electrode. In other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to systems for the electrochemical production of calcium silicate compounds.