A method and apparatus for generating hydrogen gas by reacting a nanogalvanic alloy with water vapor. The apparatus comprises a water vapor source for supplying water vapor to a reaction chamber containing a nanogalvanic alloy. The nanogalvanic alloy reacts with the water vapor to produce hydrogen.

A radiation-assisted (typically solar-assisted) electrolyzer cell and panel for high-efficiency hydrogen production comprises a photoelectrode and electrode pair, with said photoelectrode comprising either a photoanode electrically coupled to a cathode shared with an anode, or a photocathode electrically coupled to an anode shared with a cathode; electrolyte; gas separators; all within a container divided into two chambers by said shared cathode or shared anode, and at least a portion of which is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation required by said photoanode (or photocathode) to apply photovoltage to a shared cathode (or anode) that increases the electrolysis current and hydrogen production.

A radiation-assisted (typically solar-assisted) electrolyzer cell and panel for high-efficiency hydrogen production comprises a photoelectrode and electrode pair, with said photoelectrode comprising either a photoanode electrically coupled to a cathode shared with an anode, or a photocathode electrically coupled to an anode shared with a cathode; electrolyte; gas separators; all within a container divided into two chambers by said shared cathode or shared anode, and at least a portion of which is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation required by said photoanode (or photocathode) to apply photovoltage to a shared cathode (or anode) that increases the electrolysis current and hydrogen production.

A method of a hydrocarbon product and ammonia comprises introducing C.sub.2H.sub.6 to a positive electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The proton-conducting membrane comprising an electrolyte material having an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 10.sup.−2 S/cm at one or more temperatures within a range of from about 150° C. to about 600° C. N.sub.2 is introduced to the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A system for co-producing higher hydrocarbons and NH3, and an electrochemical cell are also described.

A method of a hydrocarbon product and ammonia comprises introducing C.sub.2H.sub.6 to a positive electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The proton-conducting membrane comprising an electrolyte material having an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 10.sup.−2 S/cm at one or more temperatures within a range of from about 150° C. to about 600° C. N.sub.2 is introduced to the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell. A system for co-producing higher hydrocarbons and NH3, and an electrochemical cell are also described.

An active CO.sub.2 capture unit for capturing CO.sub.2 from a dilute source of CO.sub.2 input gas can include an inlet through which an input gas is introduced into the unit and a non-aqueous region comprising a non-aqueous CO.sub.2 binding organic liquid containing OH.sup.− arranged to be in contact with the input gas to chemisorb CO.sub.2 from the input gas and convert the chemisorbed CO.sub.2 into HCO.sub.3.sup.− by reacting with OH.sup.−. The unit also includes an aqueous region arranged downstream of the non-aqueous region, wherein at an aqueous region interface, the HCO.sub.3.sup.− interacts with H.sub.2O and decomposes to CO.sub.2 and CO.sub.3.sup.2−. An anion exchange membrane is disposed between the non-aqueous region and the aqueous region to facilitate HCO.sub.3.sup.− diffusion and migration from the non-aqueous region to the aqueous region. A captured CO.sub.2 outlet is disposed downstream of the aqueous region.

A method for making an aqueous hypochlorous acid (HClO) solution includes electrolyzing a solution of sodium chloride to produce a solution of sodium hypochlorite; and producing the aqueous hypochlorous acid solution by adjusting a pH of the solution of sodium hypochlorite to a value within a range of 3 to 8 by adding a selected weak acid to the solution of sodium hypochlorite to produce a buffer including the selected weak acid and a salt of the selected weak acid.

A method for making an aqueous hypochlorous acid (HClO) solution includes electrolyzing a solution of sodium chloride to produce a solution of sodium hypochlorite; and producing the aqueous hypochlorous acid solution by adjusting a pH of the solution of sodium hypochlorite to a value within a range of 3 to 8 by adding a selected weak acid to the solution of sodium hypochlorite to produce a buffer including the selected weak acid and a salt of the selected weak acid.

A method of making alkenes and/or epoxides from alkanes and hydroxy-alkanes, respectively. In a reactor having an anode and a cathode separated by an ion exchange membrane, and containing a solution comprising water, halogen ions, and an alkane and/or a hydroxy-alkane, apply a potential across the anode and the cathode such that a halogenated intermediate is produced at the anode as an anolyte and hydroxyl ions are produced at the cathode as a catholyte; and combining the anolyte and the catholyte to yield an alkene and/or an epoxide.

A method of making alkenes and/or epoxides from alkanes and hydroxy-alkanes, respectively. In a reactor having an anode and a cathode separated by an ion exchange membrane, and containing a solution comprising water, halogen ions, and an alkane and/or a hydroxy-alkane, apply a potential across the anode and the cathode such that a halogenated intermediate is produced at the anode as an anolyte and hydroxyl ions are produced at the cathode as a catholyte; and combining the anolyte and the catholyte to yield an alkene and/or an epoxide.