Abstract: A method for electrodialysis is conducted in a multi-compartment, preferably a four compartment, electrodialysis cell configuration wherein an inexpensive source of protons, preferably from a strong inorganic acid enables the conversion of multivalent metal salts into valuable acid products, such as 2-keto-L-gluconic acid, a vitamin C precursor, and useful by-products, like calcium chloride.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide employing redox catalysts in a gas diffusion electrode or membrane electrode assembly in a semi-chemical/electrochemical system for the production of high purity, stable, usually acidic, aqueous solutions of peroxide at high conversion efficiencies without requiring organic solvents.

Abstract: A process for purifying and concentrating a gluconic acid derivative, such as 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, comprising introducing a non-viable and/or acidified fermentation medium or an in-vitro reactor medium comprising at least the gluconic acid derivative and/or salt thereof to electrodialysis thereby purifying and concentrating the gluconic acid derivative.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide employing redox catalysts in a gas diffusion electrode or membrane electrode assembly in a semi-chemical/electrochemical system for the production of high purity, stable, usually acidic, aqueous solutions of peroxide at high conversion efficiencies without requiring organic solvents.

Abstract: Bipolar membrane electrodialysis methods for salt splitting polyvalent metal salts, where the metal cation can form substantially insoluble precipitates in the presence of hydroxyl ions can now be used in recovering acid and base values from a salt streams without precipitates fouling cell operation and causing shutdown. The introduction of an acid to the chamber where metal hydroxides would form inhibits their development or neutralizes formed solids, allowing salt splitting to continue. Salt splitting methods of the invention performed with a three compartment bipolar electrodialysis cell are useful in producing concentrated and purified acid forms, such as 2-keto-L-gluconic acid, H(KLG), a key intermediate in the production of ascorbic acid.

Abstract: Electropurification of contaminated aqueous media, such as ground water and wastewater from industrial manufacturing facilities like paper mills, food processing plants and textile mills, is readily purified, decolorized and sterilized by improved, more economic open configuration electrolysis cell designs, which may be divided or undivided, allowing connection as monopolar or bipolar cells. When coupled with very narrow capillary gap electrodes more economic operation particular when treating solutions of relatively low conductivity is assured. The novel cell design is also useful in the electrosynthesis of chemicals, such as hypochlorite bleaches and other oxygenated species.

Abstract: A process for purifying and concentrating a gluconic acid derivative, such as 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, comprising introducing a non-viable and/or acidified fermentation medium or an in-vitro reactor medium comprising at least the gluconic acid derivative and/or salt thereof to electrodialysis thereby purifying and concentrating the gluconic acid derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical methods for the recovery of ascorbic acid from an ascorbate salt without the co-generation of a waste salt stream and while maintaining high conductivity of the electrochemical cell thereby providing for quantitative conversion of the salts to ascorbic in both batch and continuous mode processes. In one embodiment the feed stream comprising an ascorbate salt is dissociated under the influence of an electric field and subjected to water splitting electrodialysis. The ascorbate ion combines with a proton and the salt cation combines with a hydroxyl ion to form ascorbic acid and base, respectively. The feed stream further comprises an inorganic salt which maintains high conductivity in the cell, facilitates quantitative conversion of ascorbate salts to ascorbic acid in both batch and continuous mode processes, and promotes precipitation and crystallization of ascorbic acid as a fine powder.

Abstract: Improved electrochemical processes for producing high purity grades of hydrogen iodide without developing cell fouling iodine solids through oxidation of iodide at the anode back migrating through ion exchange membrane into anolyte compartment. Two and three compartment electrochemical cells have anolyte solutions with chemical agents for oxidizing back migrating iodides to soluble iodine species to avoid build up of iodine solids on key cell components. Other embodiments include processes with undivided electrochemical cells fitted with hydrogen depolarized anodes, optionally operating electrogeneratively producing at least some of its own power requirements while simultaneously producing HI, or processes of making high purity HI with multi-phase aqueous/non-aqueous anolytes for solubilizing iodine solids as they develop in the anolyte compartment.

Abstract: Specifically fluorinated carbons have enhanced chemical and/or electrochemical stabilities to corrosion, improved hydrophobicity, lubricating properties, etc., making them especially useful as electrodes in both energy consuming and energy producing electrochemical cells, such as batteries, fuel cells and cells for the electrochemical synthesis of organic and inorganic chemical compounds. The specifically fluorinated carbons may also be employed as lubricants, in fabrication of reactors for generating energy, chemical reaction vessels and as catalyst supports.

Abstract: Amino acid free bases are prepared electrochemically without production of intermediate acid salts. Amino acids having reducible disulfide linkages and at least one basic nitrogen group are reduced at a high surface area, noncontaminating cathode to provide a current density of at least 50 mA/cm.sup.2, product yield of at least 90% and an operating current efficiency of at least 90%.

Abstract: Discontinuities, edge sites and grain boundaries in carbons, the primary locations of instabilities for oxidative corrosion and degradation, are prepared by preoxidation to form carbon-oxides followed by highly selective and relatively mild fluorination to specifically substitute carbon-oxygen functionality with stable carbon-fluorine groups. The novel fluorinated carbons have enhanced chemical and/or electrochemical stabilities to corrosion, improved hydrophobicity, lubricating properties, etc.

Abstract: Elemental carbon with or without added oxygen functionality is chemically modified with covalently bonded nitrogen-containing groups to provide novel, high performance elemental carbons for electrochemical cells, including electrodes for energy consuming cells, and especially energy producing cells like lithium-oxyhalide high energy-density batteries, alkaline batteries, and the like.