Abstract: To provide a method capable of efficiently producing an ion exchange membrane for alkali chloride electrolysis which has high current efficiency, little variation in current efficiency and high alkaline resistance. This is a method for producing an ion exchange membrane 1 having a layer (C) 12 containing a fluorinated polymer (A) having carboxylic acid type functional groups, by immersing an ion exchange membrane precursor film having a precursor layer (C?) containing a fluorinated polymer (A?) having groups convertible to carboxylic acid type functional groups, in an aqueous alkaline solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide, a water-soluble organic solvent and water, wherein the proportion of structural units having carboxylic acid type functional groups in the fluorinated polymer (A) is from 13.0 to 14.50 mol %; in the layer (C) 12, the value of resistivity is from 4.0×103 to 25.0×103 ?·cm, and the variation in resistivity is at most 4.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to electrochemical reduction of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). According to certain methods described herein, a tobacco composition containing one or more TSNAs and nicotine is contacted with a solvent to form a tobacco mixture. In some embodiments, the tobacco mixture is introduced into an electrochemical device comprising an anode and a cathode. The tobacco mixture may, in some cases, form at least part of an initial electrolyte mixture that is in physical contact with at least a portion of the anode and at least a portion of the cathode. In some instances, an electrical potential is applied between the anode and the cathode, thereby reducing one or more TSNAs in the initial electrolyte mixture and producing a reduced electrolyte mixture. In certain cases, application of the electrical potential between the anode and the cathode does not cause non-TSNA components of the tobacco mixture (e.g.

Abstract: A method for functionalizing carbon-based nanomaterials that may include: preparing a first suspension including an electrolyte solution, an amine source, and a plurality of carbon-based nanomaterials that are dispersed in the first suspension; and subjecting the first suspension to an electrochemical reaction by placing the first suspension between two electrodes and applying a voltage between the electrodes for a predetermined amount of time to obtain functionalized carbon-based nanomaterials in a second suspension.

Abstract: A biochip for detecting or sequencing biomolecules and a method of making the same. The biochip comprises a base member; a dielectric layer being deposited on the base member and having at least two rows of discrete recesses being formed thereon; and two or more electrodes being sandwiched between the base member and the dielectric layer and running under respective row of discrete recesses, the two or more electrodes are separated from each other along length by a portion of the dielectric layer; wherein the dielectric layer defines a continuous operation surface above the electrodes and on which the discrete recesses are deposited for detecting or sequencing of biomolecules, when an electric field is applied through the electrodes, a field gradient is created to draw biomolecule towards a preferred part of the operation surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to improved methods for the reduction of carbon dioxide. The disclosure relates more specifically to catalytic methods for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide that can be operated at commercially viable voltages and at low overpotentials. The disclosure uses a transition metal dichalcogenide and helper catalyst in contact within the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water purification process carried out in an electrochemical cell in which the content of nitrate ions of an aqueous solution is reduced providing a resulting aqueous solution having a concentration of nitrate concentration lower than 100 ppm, an ammonium concentration lower than 50 ppm and a combined chlorine concentration lower than 2 ppm. The invention also provides a method for designing an electrochemical cell suitable for carrying out said water purification process.

Abstract: A desalination system comprises at least one desalination cell. The at least one desalination cell comprises first and second electrodes, an anion exchange layer and a cation ion exchange layer disposed on the respective first and second electrodes, and a spacer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The at least one desalination cell further comprises an ion exchange resin disposed between the first and second electrodes. A desalination system and a method for removing ions from an aqueous stream are also presented.

Abstract: A process and system for electrolytic production ammonia. The process comprises feeding gaseous nitrogen to an electrolytic cell, where it comes in contact with a cathode electrode surface, wherein said surface has a catalyst surface comprising a nitride catalyst, said electrolytic cell comprising a proton donor, and running a current through said electrolytic cell, whereby nitrogen reacts with protons to form ammonia. The process and system of the invention uses an electrochemical cell with a cathode surface having a catalytic surface which is preferably charged with one or more of Vanadium nitride, Chromium nitride, Zirconium nitride, Niobium nitride, Iron nitride or Osmium nitride.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas as a power source is obtained from gaseous water, including seawater vapor existing abundantly at near-surface levels of the oceans or humid air over land. An integrated system of photovoltaic cells for capturing and harnessing solar energy is combined with a water vapor electrolysis system comprising an electrolyzer with an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a proton exchange membrane. The photovoltaic aspects of the system convert the energy of the sun to drive electrolysis of gaseous water from the environment. The electrolyzer aspects include an anode, a cathode, and a proton exchange membrane. At the anode, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts oxidize H2O to oxygen gas and protons, the latter being diffused through a membrane (e.g., a solid polymer electrolyte membrane such as Nafion).

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for electrokinetic dewatering of suspensions such as, e.g., phosphatic clay. In one example, among others, a system for continuous dewatering includes a cake formation zone including a first anode and a first cathode each extending across a first portion of a separation chamber; a cake dewatering zone including a second anode and a second cathode; an inlet configured to supply a dilute feed suspension comprising solids suspended in water to the cake formation zone; and a conveying belt extending between the first anode and the first cathode and between the second anode and the second cathode. A first electric field between the first anode and the first cathode forms a cake on the conveying belt by consolidating the solids, and a second electric field between the second anode and the second cathode dewaters the cake on the conveying belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a desalination apparatus and a desalination method using the same. In one specific embodiment, the desalination apparatus comprises: a forward osmosis unit having a draw-solution part into which seawater flows, and a raw water part into which raw water flows, and having an osmosis membrane, formed between the draw solution part and the raw water part, so as to respectively generate first treated water and first concentrated water; a capacitive deionization unit, which is connected to the draw solution part through a first inflow passage, and into which the first treated water of the draw solution part flows so as to generate second treated water; and an electrodialysis unit, which is connected to the raw water part through a second inflow passage, and into which the first concentrated water of the raw water part flows so as to generate third treated water.

Abstract: A system for cleaning contaminants from a body of water includes a dam that restricts a flow of water in the body of water. The system also includes a generator that generates electric power from the body of water, and one or more electrodes that induce an electrocoagulation current upstream of the dam. A filter press then removes contaminants that are precipitated from the water of the body of water by the electrocoagulation current.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrolytic cell 10 for the production of ammonia (NH3), comprising an electrolytic cell unit 100 comprising a first electrode 110, a second electrode 120, and an electrolyte 133, further a voltage generator 210, a supply 220 of a dinitrogen comprising fluid 221, and a supply 230 of a water comprising fluid 231. The electrolyte is configured to allow transport of protons. The first electrode is permeable for protons, wherein the first electrode is at first side in contact with the electrolyte and at second side is in fluid contact with the supply of the dinitrogen comprising fluid. The second electrode is permeable for protons but impermeable to O2 and H2O. The second electrode is at first side also in contact with the electrolyte, and at second side in fluid contact with the supply of the water comprising fluid. The ammonia can be produced and stored in liquid form.

Abstract: An onboard inert gas system has an electrochemical and a membrane gas separator. The electrochemical separator includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode and anode separated by an electrolyte separator. An electrical power source provides power to the electrical circuit at a voltage that electrolyzes water at the anode and forms water at the cathode, or reduces oxygen at the cathode and forms oxygen at the anode. Oxygen is consumed at the cathode, providing nitrogen-enriched air. Nitrogen-enriched air from the cathode is connected by a flow path to the membrane gas separator, which comprises a membrane having a greater permeability to oxygen or water than to nitrogen. Nitrogen-enriched air from the membrane gas separator that is further enriched in nitrogen, reduced in water content, or both, is connected by a flow path to a fuel tank, a fire suppression system, or both a fuel tank and a fire suppression system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has four volumes. A porous anode is provided between a first volume and a second volume. A ground electrode is provided between the second volume (2) and the third volume. A porous cathode is provided between the third volume and the fourth volume.

Abstract: A method for electrochemically selectively removing ions using a composite electrode is provided. The composite electrode includes a composite having a carbon support and an inorganic material immobilized on the carbon support.

Abstract: An electromembrane extraction (EME) device including a union connector, an acceptor compartment with a connector end and a donor compartment with a connector end wherein both connector ends are connectable to the union connector, wherein the union connector includes a flat membrane with a seal on each side thereof, wherein the seals when the acceptor compartment and the donor compartment are connected to the union connector are arranged respectively between the acceptor compartment connector end and the flat membrane and the donor compartment connector end and the flat membrane.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for removing ammonium from ammonia-containing water involve using a stack that has alternating product chambers and concentrate chambers for receiving ammonia-containing water and an acidic solution, respectively, with the chambers being bounded by alternating cation exchange membranes and proton permselective cation exchange membranes. Ammonium moves from the product chambers to the concentrate chambers across the CEMs and protons move from the concentrate chambers to the product chambers across the pCEMs when the stack is in use. An electrolyzer may also be used to convert the ammonium in the concentrate chambers into nitrogen.

Abstract: An electrochemical system and method are disclosed for On Site Generation (OSG) of oxidants, such as free available chlorine, mixed oxidants and persulfate. Operation at high current density, using at least a diamond anode, provides for higher current efficiency, extended lifetime operation, and improved cost efficiency. High current density operation, in either a single pass or recycle mode, provides for rapid generation of oxidants, with high current efficiency, which potentially allows for more compact systems. Beneficially, operation in reverse polarity for a short cleaning cycle manages scaling, provides for improved efficiency and electrode lifetime and allows for use of impure feedstocks without requiring water softeners. Systems have application for generation of chlorine or other oxidants, including mixed oxidants providing high disinfection rate per unit of oxidant, e.g. for water treatment to remove microorganisms or for degradation of organics in industrial waste water.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solution capable of etching a platable plastic. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an electrolyte comprising a solution of manganese(II) in a solution of 9 to 15 molar sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid to an electrolytic cell; (b) applying a current to the electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises an anode and a cathode; and (c) oxidizing the electrolyte to form manganese(III) ions, wherein the manganese(III) ions form a metastable sulfate complex. Thereafter, a platable plastic may be immersed in the metastable sulfate complex for a period of time to etch the platable substrate prior to subsequent plating steps.