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.

A method for performing an electrolysis using an electrolysis stack having multiple electrolysis cells, wherein each of the electrolysis cells has: an anode space with an anode, a cathode space with a cathode, a membrane that separates the anode space and the cathode space from each other, and a recombination catalyst. The method includes feeding an electrolysis medium to the electrolysis stack and determining a flow rate at which the electrolysis medium is fed to the electrolysis stack, providing electrical energy to the electrolysis stack for performing the electrolysis with the electrolysis medium fed to the electrolysis stack, and determining a degree of degradation of the membranes based on the determined flow rate of the electrolysis medium.

A method for performing an electrolysis using an electrolysis stack having multiple electrolysis cells, wherein each of the electrolysis cells has: an anode space with an anode, a cathode space with a cathode, a membrane that separates the anode space and the cathode space from each other, and a recombination catalyst. The method includes feeding an electrolysis medium to the electrolysis stack and determining a flow rate at which the electrolysis medium is fed to the electrolysis stack, providing electrical energy to the electrolysis stack for performing the electrolysis with the electrolysis medium fed to the electrolysis stack, and determining a degree of degradation of the membranes based on the determined flow rate of the electrolysis medium.

A method of generating electrical power or hydrogen from thermal energy is disclosed. The method includes separating, by a selectively permeable membrane, a first saline solution from a second saline solution, receiving, by the first saline solution and/or the second saline solution, thermal energy from a heat source, and mixing the first saline solution and the second saline solution in a controlled manner, capturing at least some salinity-gradient energy as electrical power as the salinity difference between the first saline solution and the second saline solution decreases. The method further includes transferring, by a heat pump, thermal energy from the first saline solution to the second saline solution, causing the salinity difference between the first saline solution and the second saline solution to increase.

[Problem] To provide a stacked structure including electrodes that can effectively prevent misalignment between units. [Solution] A stacked structure 2 including electrodes 232, 332, 412, 233, 333, 422, wherein multiple units 23, 33, 24, 41, 42 including flat units are stacked and fastened by fasteners 25, the respective units 23, 33, 24, 41, 42 comprising frame-shaped fastening portions 237a, 237b, 337a, 337b, 247a, 247b, 417a, 417b, 427a, 427b on outer peripheral portions on both surfaces thereof, being stacked by the surfaces of the respective fastening portions 237a, 237b, 337a, 337b, 247a, 247b, 417a, 417b, 427a, 427b being pressed against each other, and being formed so that the width of fastening portions 247a, 247b, 337a, 337b, 427a, 427b on one unit is different from the width of fastening portions 237a, 237b, 417a, 417b on another unit.

Matrix cells are used to improve the regeneration capacity of an electrolyzer system. The electrolyte is electrolyzed in the matrix cell. Gas (predominantly product gas) which has unwantedly accessed the electrolyte space is transported off from the electrolyte space into the gas space envisioned therefor by a degassing device. Additional measures such as ultrasonic transducers and field electrodes may realize electrolyte flow and improved transporting-off of gas.

A method for making a metal-organic framework, MOF, as nanosheets, includes providing a MXene, wherein the MXene has a general formula of M.sub.n+1X.sub.nT.sub.x, with n=1-3, M represents an early transition metal, X is C and/or N, and Tx is surface terminations; providing a ligand; mixing the MXene and the ligand in a vessel; heating the MXene and the ligand in the vessel; and forming the MX-MOF nanosheets. The MX-MOF nanosheets have a thickness less than 10 nm.

A method for making a metal-organic framework, MOF, as nanosheets, includes providing a MXene, wherein the MXene has a general formula of M.sub.n+1X.sub.nT.sub.x, with n=1-3, M represents an early transition metal, X is C and/or N, and Tx is surface terminations; providing a ligand; mixing the MXene and the ligand in a vessel; heating the MXene and the ligand in the vessel; and forming the MX-MOF nanosheets. The MX-MOF nanosheets have a thickness less than 10 nm.

An electrochemical compressor, including a first end plate, a second end plate, a voltage supply connected to the first end plate and second end plate, a plurality of membranes, where each membrane of the plurality of membranes has a substantially same impedance, and where each membrane of the plurality of membranes has a different thickness in a stacking direction, and a plurality of conductive bipolar plates, where the bipolar plates of the plurality of bipolar plates are arranged in contact with, and alternating in the stacking direction with, the membranes of the plurality of membranes, and where the membranes of the plurality of membranes and the bipolar plates of the plurality of bipolar plates are electrically connected in series between the first end plate and second end plate.