An electrochemical reduction device comprising: an electrode unit configured to include an electrolyte membrane, a reduction electrode that contains a reduction catalyst for hydrogenating at least one benzene ring of an aromatic compound, and an oxygen evolving electrode; a power control unit that applies a voltage Va between the reduction electrode and the oxygen evolving electrode; a concentration measurement unit that measures a concentration of an aromatic compound to be supplied to the reduction electrode; and a raw material supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of an organic liquid including an aromatic compound to be supplied to the reduction electrode per unit time based on the concentration measured by the concentration measurement unit.

An article comprising a first gas distribution layer (100), a first gas dispersion layer (200), or a first electrode layer, having first and second opposed major surfaces and a first adhesive layer having first and second opposed major surfaces, wherein the second major surface (102) of the first gas distribution layer (100), the second major surface (202) of the first gas dispersion layer (200), or the first major surface of the first electrode layer, as applicable, has a central area, wherein the first major surface of the first adhesive layer contacts at least the central area of the second major surface of the first gas distribution layer, the second major surface of the first gas dispersion layer, or the first major surface of the first electrode layer, as applicable, and wherein the first adhesive layer comprises a porous network of first adhesive including a continuous pore network extending between the first and second major surfaces of the first adhesive layer. The articles described herein are useful, for example, in membrane electrode assemblies, unitized electrode assemblies, and electrochemical devices (e.g., fuel cells, redox flow batteries, and electrolyzers).

Reactor/separator elements for performing the generation and/or separation of hydrogen gas with improved efficiency have a central core and a separation layer that, in combination, define at least one spiral gas flow channel extending from one end of the central core to the opposite end of the central core. In use, the reactor/separator element may be placed in a housing which constrains gas on the outside of the reactor/separator element into the spiral channel defined by the outside of the separation layer.

A gas diffusion layer includes a laminate made up of sheets each having a plurality of through-holes through which gas passes. One or a plurality of the sheets in the laminate includes communication paths to communicate the through-holes in another sheet adjacent to the one sheet or one of the plurality of sheets with each other or to communicate the through-holes in another sheet adjacent to the one sheet or one of the plurality of sheets with the through-holes in the other adjacent sheet, the through-holes being separated from and being not communicated with the other through-holes in the same sheet.

The present invention provides a method for fabricating an electrode comprising a co-catalyst layer for splitting water with light. The method comprises steps of (a) forming a catalyst layer containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a niobium-containing oxynitride and a niobium-containing nitride on an electrically conductive principal surface of a substrate; (b) forming a transition metal oxide layer on the catalyst layer in an inert gas atmosphere containing oxidized gas impurities to provide a stacking structure comprising the substrate, the catalyst layer, and the transition metal oxide layer; (c) immersing the stacking structure in an electrolyte aqueous solution; and (d) applying a positive electric potential to the stacking structure in the electrolyte aqueous solution to convert the transition metal oxide layer into the co-catalyst layer. The present invention provides an electrode for water splitting having high water-splitting efficiency.

An irrigation system is provided. The irrigation system includes a reservoir for storing irrigation water, an electrolytic gas generator, a detector, and a control unit. The electrolytic gas generator is in fluid communication with the reservoir to output a first gas and a second gas generated by the electrolytic gas generator to the irrigation water. The detector is arranged in the water reservoir to detect the concentrations of dissolved first gas and dissolved second gas of the irrigation water to obtain dissolved gas concentration information. The control unit electrically connects to the detector and the electrolytic gas generator receives the dissolved gas concentration information and adjusts the voltage applied to the electrolytic gas generator according to the dissolved gas concentration information to control the type of gas generated by the electrolytic gas generator and the concentrations of dissolved first and second gas of the irrigation water.

In various embodiments, the invention teaches a method for water splitting with much higher efficiency than previous methods. By decreasing the distance between two electrodes to nanometer scale, even shorter than the electric field screening length, the external power required for water splitting is significantly reduced.

The present disclosure relates to membranes for use in electrolysis systems. The teachings thereof may be embodied in a method for checking a membrane of an electrolyzer comprises two volumes separated by the membrane and produces two product gases from a starting liquid. The method may include: detecting an electrolysis current strength during electrolysis, measuring a liquid flow rate of the starting liquid between the two electrolyzer volumes, calculating a ratio of the measured liquid flow rate and the detected electrolysis current strength, and using the calculated ratio as an indication of membrane leaktightness.

The present disclosure is directed towards flow structures in electrochemical cells for use in high differential pressure operations. The flow structure on the low pressure-side of the cell has a larger surface area than the flow structure on the high-pressure side of the cell at the flow structure—MEA interface. The boundary of the high pressure flow structure is entirely within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. A seal around the high pressure flow structure is also contained within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. In such an arrangement, high fluid pressures acting on the electrolyte membrane from the high-pressure side of the cell is fully and continuously balanced by the flow structure on the low pressure-side of the membrane. Use of the low pressure flow structure as a membrane support prevents the rupture or deformation of the membrane under high stresses.

Methods for purifying a hydrogen gas stream are provided that can include: introducing the hydrogen gas stream into the hydrogen pumping cell, and collecting a purified hydrogen gas from the hydrogen pumping cell. The hydrogen gas stream can include hydrogen sulfide in an amount of about 10 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, and can have a relative humidity of about 0.1% or more at the operational temperature and pressure of the hydrogen pumping cell.