A washing machine of the present invention includes an electrolyzed water generating unit and a wash tub. The electrolyzed water generating unit includes an electrolytic solution supplying unit and an electrolysis unit including an electrolysis electrode pair. The electrolytic solution supplying unit is provided so as to supply an aqueous solution of an electrolyte for generating electrolyzed water to the electrolysis unit. The electrolyte for generating electrolyzed water contains an alkali metal chloride and a substance that makes an aqueous solution acidic. The electrolysis unit is provided so that the aqueous solution of the electrolyte for generating electrolyzed water is electrolyzed using the electrolysis electrode pair to generate an electrolyzed water. The electrolyzed water generating unit is provided so as to supply the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolysis unit to the wash tub. The electrolyzed water supplied to the wash tub by the electrolyzed water generating unit has a pH of more than 6.5 and less than 8.0.

Methods and systems for removing impurities from an electrolytic salt are disclosed. After removal of impurities from the salt, the salt can be subjected to electrorefining to produce high-purity materials, for example silicon. Impurities are removed from the salt using a system that includes a first working electrode, a counter electrode, and at least one reference electrode. A second working electrode can also be utilized. The salt may be utilized in an electrorefining system, for example a system operated in a single phase or multiple phase operation to produce high-purity materials, such as solar-grade silicon.

Methods and systems for removing impurities from an electrolytic salt are disclosed. After removal of impurities from the salt, the salt can be subjected to electrorefining to produce high-purity materials, for example silicon. Impurities are removed from the salt using a system that includes a first working electrode, a counter electrode, and at least one reference electrode. A second working electrode can also be utilized. The salt may be utilized in an electrorefining system, for example a system operated in a single phase or multiple phase operation to produce high-purity materials, such as solar-grade silicon.

A process can be used for electrochemical preparation of an alkali metal alkoxide solution. The process is performed in an electrolysis cell having three chambers, where the middle chamber is separated from the cathode chamber by a solid-state electrolyte permeable to cations, for example NaSICON, and from the anode chamber by a diffusion barrier, for example a membrane selective for cations or anions. The process solves a problem where a concentration gradient forms in the middle chamber of the electrolysis cell during the electrolysis, which leads to locally lowered pH values and damage to the solid-state electrolyte used. This is prevented where a gas is introduced into the middle chamber during the electrolysis, which results in better mixing of the electrolyte solution in the middle chamber and prevents the formation of a concentration gradient.

A process can be used for electrochemical preparation of an alkali metal alkoxide solution. The process is performed in an electrolysis cell having three chambers, where the middle chamber is separated from the cathode chamber by a solid-state electrolyte permeable to cations, for example NaSICON, and from the anode chamber by a diffusion barrier, for example a membrane selective for cations or anions. The process solves a problem where a concentration gradient forms in the middle chamber of the electrolysis cell during the electrolysis, which leads to locally lowered pH values and damage to the solid-state electrolyte used. This is prevented where a gas is introduced into the middle chamber during the electrolysis, which results in better mixing of the electrolyte solution in the middle chamber and prevents the formation of a concentration gradient.

The systems and methods disclosed herein process produced/flowback water, such as high total dissolved solids produced water, to generate high purity, high value products with little to no waste. The generated high purity, high value products include caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, and/or sodium hypochlorite. Further, the methods and systems disclosed herein generate high quality brine for electrolysis through the systematic removal of contaminants such as but not limited to suspended solids, iron, sulfides, barium, radium, strontium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, fluoride, heavy metals, organic carbon, recoverable hydrocarbons, silica, lithium, and/or nitrogen containing compounds. Further, some products generated by the systems and methods disclosed herein may be recovered and reutilized or sold for other uses, such as carbon dioxide, calcium oxide, chlorine, magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate, and/or barium sulfate.

The systems and methods disclosed herein process produced/flowback water, such as high total dissolved solids produced water, to generate high purity, high value products with little to no waste. The generated high purity, high value products include caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, and/or sodium hypochlorite. Further, the methods and systems disclosed herein generate high quality brine for electrolysis through the systematic removal of contaminants such as but not limited to suspended solids, iron, sulfides, barium, radium, strontium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, fluoride, heavy metals, organic carbon, recoverable hydrocarbons, silica, lithium, and/or nitrogen containing compounds. Further, some products generated by the systems and methods disclosed herein may be recovered and reutilized or sold for other uses, such as carbon dioxide, calcium oxide, chlorine, magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate, and/or barium sulfate.

Methods and systems for scalable production of lithium metal through electrodeposition.

Methods and systems for scalable production of lithium metal through electrodeposition.

The present invention describes ways of increasing the production efficiency of a saline water electrolysis cell and of consuming CO.sub.2 gas and sequestering it from the atmosphere. This is achieved by the introduction of CO.sub.2 gas into the catholyte of the electrolysis, where reaction of the CO.sub.2 with the hydroxide ions present in the catholyte reduces the pH of the catholyte, thereby increasing production efficiency of the electrolysis cell. The preceding reaction forms bicarbonate and/or carbonate, thus sequestering the reactant CO.sub.2 gas from the atmosphere. The CO.sub.2 gas may be introduced either directly into the cathode area of the electrolysis cell, or into the electrolyte prior to its introduction into the electrolysis cell. Corresponding apparatus is also provided.