A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing an aqueous solution into the electrochemical cell, applying a current across an anode and a cathode to produce a product, monitoring the voltage, dissolved hydrogen, or a condition of the aqueous solution, and reversing polarity of the anode and the cathode responsive to one of the measured parameters is disclosed. An electrochemical system including an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode, a source of an aqueous solution having an outlet fluidly connectable to the electrochemical cell, a sensor for measuring a parameter, and a controller configured to cause the anode and the cathode to reverse polarity responsive to the parameter measurement is disclosed. Methods of suppressing accumulation of hydrogen gas within the electrochemical cell are also disclosed. Methods of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell are also disclosed.

A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing an aqueous solution into the electrochemical cell, applying a current across an anode and a cathode to produce a product, monitoring the voltage, dissolved hydrogen, or a condition of the aqueous solution, and reversing polarity of the anode and the cathode responsive to one of the measured parameters is disclosed. An electrochemical system including an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode, a source of an aqueous solution having an outlet fluidly connectable to the electrochemical cell, a sensor for measuring a parameter, and a controller configured to cause the anode and the cathode to reverse polarity responsive to the parameter measurement is disclosed. Methods of suppressing accumulation of hydrogen gas within the electrochemical cell are also disclosed. Methods of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell are also disclosed.

A system and methods for electrolysis of saline solutions are provided. An exemplary system provides a tandem electrolysis cell. The tandem electrolysis cell includes a common enclosure that has two chambers. A first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a cation selective membrane. A common anode and a first cathode (cathode A) are disposed in the first chamber. The first cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a saline solution to hydrogen and oxygen. A second cathode (cathode B) is disposed in the second chamber. The second cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a brine solution in the first chamber to form chlorine and water in the second chamber to form hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

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.

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.

The invention provides a method of continuous electrochemical dinitrogen reduction to produce ammonia, the method comprising: supplying dinitrogen to an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte in contact with at least a cathode; introducing protons to the electrolyte by anodic oxidation of a hydrogen-containing species; and cathodically reducing the dinitrogen in the presence of a metal selected from lithium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, zinc, aluminium and vanadium to produce ammonia, wherein the electrolyte comprises a cationic proton carrier capable of reversible deprotonation to form a neutral proton acceptor, wherein the neutral proton acceptor is an ylide.

The invention provides a method of continuous electrochemical dinitrogen reduction to produce ammonia, the method comprising: supplying dinitrogen to an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte in contact with at least a cathode; introducing protons to the electrolyte by anodic oxidation of a hydrogen-containing species; and cathodically reducing the dinitrogen in the presence of a metal selected from lithium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, zinc, aluminium and vanadium to produce ammonia, wherein the electrolyte comprises a cationic proton carrier capable of reversible deprotonation to form a neutral proton acceptor, wherein the neutral proton acceptor is an ylide.

Provided is a method for producing fluorine gas, capable of suppressing clogging of pipes and valves with mist. Fluorine gas is produced by a method including electrolyzing an electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, measuring the water concentration in a fluid generated in a cathode chamber in the electrolyzing, and sending a fluid generated in the inside of the electrolytic cell in the electrolyzing the electrolyte, from the inside to the outside of the electrolytic cell through a flow path. In the sending, the flow path in which the fluid flows is switched in accordance with the water concentration measured in the measuring the water concentration.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a combiner for the removal of hydrogen/oxygen gas in a gaseous stream, said combiner comprising: a pipe capable of accommodating the flow of a gaseous stream, wherein the pipe is adapted to transmit the gaseous stream to a catalytically active structure (CAS), the CAS having: contact with the substantial majority of the gaseous stream, a housing, and an inlet, said inlet being connected to the pipe, and an outlet, for the removal of the gaseous stream post recombination, and a second pipe connected to the outlet of the CAS for the transmission of the gaseous stream away from the combiner. A second embodiment of the invention sees the CAS housed within an electrochemical cell directly.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a combiner for the removal of hydrogen/oxygen gas in a gaseous stream, said combiner comprising: a pipe capable of accommodating the flow of a gaseous stream, wherein the pipe is adapted to transmit the gaseous stream to a catalytically active structure (CAS), the CAS having: contact with the substantial majority of the gaseous stream, a housing, and an inlet, said inlet being connected to the pipe, and an outlet, for the removal of the gaseous stream post recombination, and a second pipe connected to the outlet of the CAS for the transmission of the gaseous stream away from the combiner. A second embodiment of the invention sees the CAS housed within an electrochemical cell directly.