Abstract: Devices and methods for purifying lithium from lithium salts, including those with low concentration of lithium salts, are provided. A molten composition comprising a lithium salt is electrolyzed with an anode in contact with the molten composition and a cathode separated from the molten composition by a solid electrolyte capable of conducting lithium ions.

Abstract: This composite comprises: a material having electrical conductivity; and a transition metal oxide which is supported by said material. The transition metal oxide has an amorphous structure.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon dioxide recovery system that separates CO2 from a CO2-containing gas containing CO2 by an electrochemical reaction, and comprises an electrochemical cell comprising a working electrode containing a CO2 adsorbent, and a counter electrode. Application of a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode causes electrons to be supplied from the counter electrode to the working electrode, and enables the CO2 adsorbent to bind to CO2 as electrons are supplied. The CO2 adsorbent is a crystalline porous body, and has a molecular structure in which a functional group that exchanges electrons and binds to CO2 is regularly arranged.

Abstract: Self-cleaning electrochemical cells, systems including self-cleaning electrochemical cells, and methods of operating self-cleaning electrochemical cells are disclosed. The self-cleaning electrochemical cell can include a plurality of concentric electrodes disposed in a housing, a fluid channel defined between the concentric electrodes, and an electrical connector positioned at a distal end of a concentric electrode and electrically connected to the electrode. The electrical connectors may be configured to provide a substantially even current distribution to the concentric electrode and minimize a zone of reduced velocity occurring downstream from the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be configured to cause a temperature of an electrolyte solution to increase by less than about 0.5° C. while transmitting at least 100 W of power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for power generation are provided. An example method includes pretreating water by a water pretreatment system to obtain purified water, providing the purified water to a chemical reaction chamber containing a catalyst, applying a focused magnetic field and an electric field to a mixture of the purified water and the catalyst to cause generation of structurally altered gas molecules from the purified water, wherein the structurally altered gas molecules are a combination of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen and the structurally altered gas molecule has a hydrogen-oxygen-hydrogen bond angle between 94 degrees and 104 degrees and a hydrogen-oxygen bond length between 0.95 Angstrom and 1.3 Angstrom, and providing the structurally altered gas molecules to a turbine, wherein the turbine combusts gas includes the structurally altered gas molecules to drive a turbine generator in order to generate electrical power.

Abstract: Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for algae cultivation including the integration of electrochemical carbonate production for enhancing algae growth. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for producing a sodium hydroxide from brine using an electrochemical cell, contacting the sodium hydroxide stream with a CO2 gas sweep and producing a carbonate stream, and cultivating an algae slurry in a cultivation vessel comprising at least a portion of the carbonate stream.

Abstract: A thermo-electrochemical reactive capture apparatus includes an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode includes a first catalyst, wherein the cathode includes a second catalyst, a porous ceramic support positioned between the anode and the cathode, an electrolyte mixture in pores of the ceramic support, and a steam flow system on an outer side of the cathode. The outer side of the cathode is opposite an inner side of the cathode and the inner side of the cathode is adjacent to the ceramic support. In addition, the electrolyte mixture is configured to be molten at a temperature below about 600° C.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention is related to an electrode assembly for an electrochemical process comprising a current supply device, an elongated current distribution bar comprising first and second ends, and a sheet-shaped electrode substrate attached to the current distribution bar and having a longitudinal extension and a lateral extension. The current distribution bar comprises a first portion attached to the current supply device, a second portion extending along the electrode substrate, and a third portion extending between the first and second portions. The current distribution bar is bent between its first and second ends, and the current supply device is laterally and longitudinally positioned beyond the electrode substrate. The second portion at least partly extends longitudinally along the electrode substrate.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an oxygen-generating bioelectrical reactor comprises two chambers, a first oxidative chamber configured for the abiotic oxidation of water to generate molecular oxygen, and a second reductive chamber configured for the biotic reduction of an insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide. In various embodiments, the biotic reduction comprises microbially-catalyzed metal(loid) ion reduction of the insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide, wherein a dissimilatory metal(loid) reducing microorganism transfers electrons obtained from the oxidation of the water extracellularly to the metal(loid) ions.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electrodialysis metathesis system that has at least one stack or quad of compartments arranged so each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment via alternating cation- and anion-exchange membranes. The compartments in a stack are a feed compartment, a substitution salt solution compartment, a first concentrated compartment and a second concentrated compartment. Also provided are processes and methods for separating or recovering a metal, for example, a rare earth element, or a salt or a combination thereof from a salt-containing water. Simultaneous metathesis reactions and electrodialysis across the stack recovers one or more metal or salts from the salt-containing water which desalinates the salt-containing water.

Abstract: An electrolytically acting doctor blade for pickling and cleaning curved metal surfaces comprises an electrode (2, 26, 34) embodied by a metal wire (8, 32) around which a pad (7, 30) made of a felt-like absorbent plastic material, resistant to high temperatures and to the chemicals contained in the electrolytic solution used, is wrapped; gripping means of the doctor blade on the electrode over the length of the face (F) of the doctor blade; electrical connection of the ends of the metal wire (8, 32) by means of a power supply electric cable (16) to initiate the electrolytic action; and has the gripping means of the doctor blade (1) on the electrode (2, 26, 34) connected to each other by the means placed alongside, in which the connection section, in the deformable body of the doctor blade (3) which has been made pliable, is oriented towards the face (F) of the doctor blade; a push or pull mechanism acts on the ends (25) of the doctor blade and, to obtain a reaction, with a middle part of the mechanism, connec

Abstract: An electrode for an electrolytically acting doctor blade (1) for pickling and cleaning both planar and curved metal surfaces, comprising a linear metal element supported on the structure of the doctor blade and electrically connected to the electric circuit for initiating the pickling electrolytic action; a pad made of a felt-like absorbent plastic material, resistant to high temperatures and to the chemicals contained in the electrolytic solution used; characterised in that a the linear metal element consists in a metal wire (8, 38), and a pad (7, 34, 41) having a constant thickness (S), made of a felt-like absorbent plastic material, resistant to high temperatures and to the chemicals contained in the electrolytic solution used, is wrapped therearound; the metal wire being connected to the structure of the doctor blade only at the ends of the doctor blade (25) in the active face of the deformable electrode (2, 20, 33, 35).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for wastewater treatment comprises a catalyst coated membrane, an open pore mesh placed on each side of the catalyst coated membrane, and a compression frame placed next to each of the open pore meshes. Each compression frame has compression arms spread within the area delimited by the perimeter of the frame to apply a uniform compression force through fasteners which protrude through the compression arms, the open pore meshes and the catalyst coated membrane. Each open pore mesh comprises a flat surface and an embossed surface. The embossed surface can comprise embossed areas around the holes in the open pore mesh, transverse embossed areas which, in the assembled cell, are placed next to the compression arms of the compression frames and peripheral embossed areas along the perimeter of the open pore meshes. The embossed surface provides an improved protection against electro-circuiting.

Abstract: A device for removing chloride-containing salts from water includes a container configured to contain saline water, a first electrode arranged in fluid communication with the saline water, and a power source. The first electrode includes a conversion material that is substantially insoluble in the saline water and has a composition that includes at least two or more of aluminum, chlorine, copper, iron, oxygen, and potassium. The composition varies over a range with respect to a quantity of chloride ions per formula unit. The power source supplies current to the first electrode in a first operating state so as to induce a reversible conversion reaction in which the conversion material bonds to the chloride ions in the saline water to generate a treated water solution. The conversion material dissociates the chloride ions therefrom into the saline water solution in a second operating state to generate a wastewater solution.

Abstract: A water softening device includes a container configured to contain water, first and second electrodes arranged in fluid communication with the water, and a power source. The first electrode includes a conversion material that has a first composition and a second composition coexisting with the first composition. The first composition includes calcium ions bonded thereto and the second composition includes sodium ions bonded thereto. The power source supplies current in a first operating state such that the second composition exchanges sodium ions for calcium ions in the water to generate a soft water solution. The first and second electrodes are connected in a second operating state such that the first composition exchanges calcium ions for sodium ions in the water to generate a wastewater solution. The conversion material undergoes a reversible conversion reaction to convert between the first and second compositions within the water stability window.

Abstract: 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.