A coated electrode assembly (CEA) comprising: i) a gas diffusion layer (GDE); and ii) a coating. The GDE comprises a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and a catalyst layer. The catalyst layer is disposed between the coating and the GDL. The catalyst layer comprises a hydrophobic polymer and/or an ionomeric polymer and the coating comprises a hydrophobic polymer and/or an ionomeric polymer. A method for making a CEA is provided. The CEA may have improved performance and stability compared to a membrane electrode assembly (MEA).

There are provided processes comprising submitting an aqueous composition comprising lithium sulphate and/or bisulfate to an electrolysis or an electrodialysis for converting at least a portion of said sulphate into lithium hydroxide. During electrolysis or electrodialysis, the aqueous composition is at least substantially maintained at a pH having a value of about 1 to about 4; and converting said lithium hydroxide into lithium carbonate. Alternatively, lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate can be submitted to a first electromembrane process that comprises a two-compartment membrane process for conversion of lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate to lithium hydroxide, and obtaining a first lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a first lithium hydroxide-enriched aqueous stream; and submitting said first lithium-reduced aqueous stream to a second electromembrane process comprising a three-compartment membrane process to prepare at least a further portion of lithium hydroxide and obtaining a second lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a second lithium-hydroxide enriched aqueous stream.

There are provided processes comprising submitting an aqueous composition comprising lithium sulphate and/or bisulfate to an electrolysis or an electrodialysis for converting at least a portion of said sulphate into lithium hydroxide. During electrolysis or electrodialysis, the aqueous composition is at least substantially maintained at a pH having a value of about 1 to about 4; and converting said lithium hydroxide into lithium carbonate. Alternatively, lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate can be submitted to a first electromembrane process that comprises a two-compartment membrane process for conversion of lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate to lithium hydroxide, and obtaining a first lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a first lithium hydroxide-enriched aqueous stream; and submitting said first lithium-reduced aqueous stream to a second electromembrane process comprising a three-compartment membrane process to prepare at least a further portion of lithium hydroxide and obtaining a second lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a second lithium-hydroxide enriched aqueous stream.

A system and associated method for producing an HOCl solution and an NaOH solution includes a generator operable for producing the HOCl and NaOH solutions utilizing electricity and a mixture of water and brine in an electrolysis cell. The generator includes a mechanical fixed flow restrictor (FFR) operable for controlling at least one of a pH of the HOCl solution and a free available chlorine (FAC) of the HOCl solution. The FFR includes an insert having a longitudinal fluid passageway. The length of the insert and the diameter of the fluid passageway are selected to control the pH of the HOCl solution and/or the FAC of the HOCl solution. The FFR is interchangeable so that the pH of the HOCl solution and/or the FAC of the HOCl solution can be precisely controlled.

A system and associated method for producing an HOCl solution and an NaOH solution includes a generator operable for producing the HOCl and NaOH solutions utilizing electricity and a mixture of water and brine in an electrolysis cell. The generator includes a mechanical fixed flow restrictor (FFR) operable for controlling at least one of a pH of the HOCl solution and a free available chlorine (FAC) of the HOCl solution. The FFR includes an insert having a longitudinal fluid passageway. The length of the insert and the diameter of the fluid passageway are selected to control the pH of the HOCl solution and/or the FAC of the HOCl solution. The FFR is interchangeable so that the pH of the HOCl solution and/or the FAC of the HOCl solution can be precisely controlled.

Systems and methods for use in extracting oil from solid plant-based materials are described. The systems and methods use an electrolyzed carrier fluid made from a hydroxide brine for contacting with plant-based material to thereby separate oil from solid plant particulate. The electrolyzed carrier fluid can have a reductive oxidation-reduction-potential (ORP) of −700 mV or more, such as in the range of from about −900 mV to about −1000 mV.

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.

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.

The present disclosure relates to a method for treating an electromembrane process aqueous composition comprising sodium and/or potassium sulfate, said process comprising removing water from said electromembrane process aqueous composition under conditions suitable for substantially selectively precipitating sodium and/or potassium sulfate monohydrate.

The present disclosure relates to a method for treating an electromembrane process aqueous composition comprising sodium and/or potassium sulfate, said process comprising removing water from said electromembrane process aqueous composition under conditions suitable for substantially selectively precipitating sodium and/or potassium sulfate monohydrate.