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.

The specification discloses methods and apparatus for producing carbon black from CO.sub.2 by way of a reactor having a chamber filled with a molten salt electrolyte. On application of a current through one or more cathodes and one or more anodes affixed to the reactor, dissolved CO.sub.2 within the molten salt electrolyte is converted into carbon black and oxygen gas. The carbon black is collected.

The specification discloses methods and apparatus for producing carbon black from CO.sub.2 by way of a reactor having a chamber filled with a molten salt electrolyte. On application of a current through one or more cathodes and one or more anodes affixed to the reactor, dissolved CO.sub.2 within the molten salt electrolyte is converted into carbon black and oxygen gas. The carbon black is collected.

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.

The present invention relates to a combustion additive comprising a colloidal solution containing dispersed fine metal particles. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the colloid. More particularly the present teaching relates to a combustion additive having a colloid, wherein the colloid comprises metal particles providing in an alkaline aqueous solution, the metal particles being dispersed within that solution and having an average diameter in the range of 30 nm to 30 μm. The colloid can partly/fully substitute water of a water injection system or used as an air humidification component for combustion.

The present invention relates to a combustion additive comprising a colloidal solution containing dispersed fine metal particles. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the colloid. More particularly the present teaching relates to a combustion additive having a colloid, wherein the colloid comprises metal particles providing in an alkaline aqueous solution, the metal particles being dispersed within that solution and having an average diameter in the range of 30 nm to 30 μm. The colloid can partly/fully substitute water of a water injection system or used as an air humidification component for combustion.

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.