A method of preparing metal hydroxides from industrial wastes or alkaline rocks is provided. The method comprise subjecting a mixture comprising a solvent and a solid substrate to a stimulus in order to leach a metal cation from the solid substrate into the solvent, thereby forming a solution comprising the metal cation in the solvent; and contacting the solution of comprising the metal cation with a cathode, thereby electrolytically precipitating the metal hydroxide from the solution. The stimulus may be chemical, mechanical, or both.

A method of preparing metal hydroxides from industrial wastes or alkaline rocks is provided. The method comprise subjecting a mixture comprising a solvent and a solid substrate to a stimulus in order to leach a metal cation from the solid substrate into the solvent, thereby forming a solution comprising the metal cation in the solvent; and contacting the solution of comprising the metal cation with a cathode, thereby electrolytically precipitating the metal hydroxide from the solution. The stimulus may be chemical, mechanical, or both.

A method and device for conversion of water into hydrogen peroxide, wherein a corona discharge zone is generated between a rotating electrode formed as a hollow rotor of a centrifugal fan and a fixed electrode. The rotating electrode is rotated relative to an insulation layer of the fixed electrode, and high voltage AC power is applied to the fixed electrode while conveying vapor through the corona discharge zone. In one aspect, the novelty resides in using the rotating electrode for conversion of water to vapor. In another aspect, conductivity between the two electrodes induces electrolysis, which is used for high voltage AC transmission to the rotating electrode.

In a method and device for conversion of water into hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2), a corona discharge zone is generated between a first electrode (10) and a second electrode (6) one of which is insulated and another of which is not insulated and wherein a respective surface of each of the electrodes face one another. The first electrode (10) is rotated so as to induce relative rotation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and liquid water is conveyed on to a surface of the first electrode facing the second electrode close to the axis of rotation (4) of the first electrode whereby the liquid water advances outward through the corona discharge zone towards a periphery of the first electrode under the action of centrifugal force caused by rotation of the first electrode.

In a method and device for conversion of water into hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2), a corona discharge zone is generated between a first electrode (10) and a second electrode (6) one of which is insulated and another of which is not insulated and wherein a respective surface of each of the electrodes face one another. The first electrode (10) is rotated so as to induce relative rotation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and liquid water is conveyed on to a surface of the first electrode facing the second electrode close to the axis of rotation (4) of the first electrode whereby the liquid water advances outward through the corona discharge zone towards a periphery of the first electrode under the action of centrifugal force caused by rotation of the first electrode.

An electrolytic cell includes an inlet for receiving fluids into a first side of the electrolytic cell, an outlet opposite the inlet at a second side of the electrolytic cell where fluids exit the electrolytic cell, a cell body positioned between the inlet and the outlet having a plurality of bipolar electrode plates spaced apart, a first space formed between the inlet and the plurality of bipolar electrode plates, and a first flow diverter positioned within the first space. The first flow diverter includes a plurality of channels that adjust a flow of fluids flowing into the cell body from the inlet. A system using the electrolytic cells and methods of using the system are also included.

An electrolytic cell includes an inlet for receiving fluids into a first side of the electrolytic cell, an outlet opposite the inlet at a second side of the electrolytic cell where fluids exit the electrolytic cell, a cell body positioned between the inlet and the outlet having a plurality of bipolar electrode plates spaced apart, a first space formed between the inlet and the plurality of bipolar electrode plates, and a first flow diverter positioned within the first space. The first flow diverter includes a plurality of channels that adjust a flow of fluids flowing into the cell body from the inlet. A system using the electrolytic cells and methods of using the system are also included.

A novel polymers production process, often with fuels/chemicals as by-products. The invention consists of device, addition polymerization, condensation polymerization, process with piping, control and procedure. The device is a mechanical design to continuously remove solid deposit, conductive or not, on electrode surface. Besides overcoming the limitation of electrochemical polymer production where the products blocks the electrode from further operation, the device provides cheaper operation for electrometallurgy to harvest the valuable metals formed on electrode. The novel process allows retrofitting conventional polymer production process by replacing conventional reactor with electrochemical reactor, for low-cost rapid implementation. The novel reactions consist of addition reaction to produce addition polymers; and intermolecular reaction to produce classes of condensation polymers. The clusters of invention enable valuable polymers and chemicals to be produced at low cost for milder conditions and cheaper equipment, while allowing utilization of alternative feedstock especially chemical wastes, for further environmental and economic benefits.

A novel polymers production process, often with fuels/chemicals as by-products. The invention consists of device, addition polymerization, condensation polymerization, process with piping, control and procedure. The device is a mechanical design to continuously remove solid deposit, conductive or not, on electrode surface. Besides overcoming the limitation of electrochemical polymer production where the products blocks the electrode from further operation, the device provides cheaper operation for electrometallurgy to harvest the valuable metals formed on electrode. The novel process allows retrofitting conventional polymer production process by replacing conventional reactor with electrochemical reactor, for low-cost rapid implementation. The novel reactions consist of addition reaction to produce addition polymers; and intermolecular reaction to produce classes of condensation polymers. The clusters of invention enable valuable polymers and chemicals to be produced at low cost for milder conditions and cheaper equipment, while allowing utilization of alternative feedstock especially chemical wastes, for further environmental and economic benefits.

An apparatus for electrochemical activation may include an intake for an aqueous salt solution, a flow conduit structured to direct the aqueous salt solution through the apparatus comprising at least two electrodes spaced apart from each other within the flow conduit; a control module electrically coupled to the at least two electrodes, wherein the control module controls application of electricity to the at least two electrodes; and a sensor structured to measure a parameter of the aqueous salt solution and provide feedback to the control module to control an aspect of operation of the apparatus.