A process for producing solid carbon and gaseous oxygen from CO.sub.2 via electrolysis using an electrolysis apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber with an electrolyte inlet, an electrolyte outlet, a liquid electrolyte containing CO.sub.2 in the chamber, at least one cathode-anode pair, with the cathode including a liquid metal capable of catalysing reduction of CO.sub.2 to solid carbon at a selected operating temperature of the process. The process includes causing the electrolyte to flow from the inlet to the outlet in fluid communication with the cathode-anode pair, applying a voltage between the cathode-anode pair and causing solid carbon to form on the cathode from CO.sub.2 in the electrolyte and gaseous oxygen to be evolved at the anode from CO.sub.2 in the electrolyte.

Electrochemical cells and methods are described that can be utilized for the recovery of tritium directly from a molten lithium metal solution without the need for a separation or concentration step prior to the electrolytic recovery process. The methods and systems utilize an ion conducting electrolyte that conducts either lithium ion or tritide ion across the electrochemical cell.

Methods separates a gas comprising providing a first electrode in ion-conducting contact with an electrolyte, providing a second electrode in ion-conducting contact with the electrolyte, wherein the second electrode comprises a liquid metal, providing a displacing material comprising a first surface in contact with the second electrode and a second surface exposed to an environment outside the second electrode, wherein said material permits flow of gas and impedes flow of liquid metal, and establishing a potential between the first and second electrodes, whereby gas flows toward the liquid metal. Other aspects include methods and apparatuses comprising electrodes, electrolytes and displacing materials.

An electrolytic cell includes a liquid metal cathode, an anode, and a molten salt electrolyte in contact with the liquid metal cathode and the anode. The molten salt electrolyte includes carbonate ions, and the electrolytic cell is configured to reduce the carbonate ions at the surface of the cathode or in the vicinity of the cathode to yield a carbon material and oxide ions. Producing a carbon material in the electrolytic cell includes providing carbonate ions to the electrolytic cell, reducing the carbonate ions at the liquid metal cathode to yield the carbon material, and removing the carbon material from the electrolytic cell.

An electrolytic cell includes a liquid metal cathode, an anode, and a molten salt electrolyte in contact with the liquid metal cathode and the anode. The molten salt electrolyte includes carbonate ions, and the electrolytic cell is configured to reduce the carbonate ions at the surface of the cathode or in the vicinity of the cathode to yield a carbon material and oxide ions. Producing a carbon material in the electrolytic cell includes providing carbonate ions to the electrolytic cell, reducing the carbonate ions at the liquid metal cathode to yield the carbon material, and removing the carbon material from the electrolytic cell.

A method and system for precipitating a solid using molten oxide electrolysis are presented. Using an electrical current for electrolysis in a first vessel, an oxide material is heated to form a liquid cathode. The first vessel also includes a corresponding anode. A portion of the liquid cathode is received into a second vessel that is separated from the first vessel by a conduit. The portion of the liquid cathode is allowed to cool. Precipitate of the cooled liquid cathode may then be collected in the second vessel. The precipitate may be a metal or metalloid, such as silicon. The method and system allow for continuous processing for production of a precipitate material, in contrast to batch processing of other methods or systems. For example, precipitate may be harvested from the second vessel while electrolysis is continuously performed in the first vessel.

A method and system for precipitating a solid using molten oxide electrolysis are presented. Using an electrical current for electrolysis in a first vessel, an oxide material is heated to form a liquid cathode. The first vessel also includes a corresponding anode. A portion of the liquid cathode is received into a second vessel that is separated from the first vessel by a conduit. The portion of the liquid cathode is allowed to cool. Precipitate of the cooled liquid cathode may then be collected in the second vessel. The precipitate may be a metal or metalloid, such as silicon. The method and system allow for continuous processing for production of a precipitate material, in contrast to batch processing of other methods or systems. For example, precipitate may be harvested from the second vessel while electrolysis is continuously performed in the first vessel.

A method to decontaminate a broad scope of fuels by selectively decarbonizing or desulfurizing them while producing cleaner fuels, energy, or both. The method involves the use of novel solvents, as well as novel operating schemes, and processes that reduce the thermal energy budget required to selectively produce or consume hydrogen from carbon or sulfur containing chemicals. Within the disclosure, processes are disclosed on how to circumvent throughput limitations of ionic conducting materials, balance an electrical energy grid by trading energy production for fuel production, as well as to how to tune the selectivity of an output material stream.

A method to decontaminate a broad scope of fuels by selectively decarbonizing or desulfurizing them while producing cleaner fuels, energy, or both. The method involves the use of novel solvents, as well as novel operating schemes, and processes that reduce the thermal energy budget required to selectively produce or consume hydrogen from carbon or sulfur containing chemicals. Within the disclosure, processes are disclosed on how to circumvent throughput limitations of ionic conducting materials, balance an electrical energy grid by trading energy production for fuel production, as well as to how to tune the selectivity of an output material stream.

An industrial process is conducted within a sealed chamber filled with dimethylformamide (DMF) saturated with CO.sub.2 under pressure which provides the carbon atoms for manufacturing graphene. A copper wire comprising an anode is reeled between two spaced reels on opposite sides of the sealed chamber, preferably above and below a container within the chamber. Electrical voltage is supplied to a graphite and Galinstan-Cerium electrode which acts as a cathode and during the process a chemical reaction is induced between the Galinstan-Cerium electrode and the CO.sub.2 saturated DMF liquid so that graphene is deposited on the copper wire which acts as an anode.