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: 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: A process for the continuous production of alkaline earth metal hydroxide by continuously providing an aqueous alkaline earth metal halide solution to the anode compartment and an aqueous alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution or water to the cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell in which an anode and a cathode are maintained in separate anode and cathode compartments, respectively, by a stable, hydrated, cation selective, hydraulically impermeable, electrically conductive membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode; electrolyzing the alkaline earth metal halide solution; and continuously removing alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution and hydrogen from the cathode compartment and halogen from the anode compartment. The membrane is a film of a fluorinated polymer with pendant side chains containing sulfonyl groups present as ion exchange sites and attached to carbon atoms which have at least one fluorine atom attached thereto.

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: 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: Substrates polluted with toxic substances are treated in-situ with solvated electrons prepared chemically or electrochemically. The process is useful in treating porous and nonporous substrates, such as earth, clay, sand, soils, concrete, asphalt, wood, brick, block and other masonry surfaces, including liquids such dielectric fluids contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons without the usual separation procedures to provide substrates suitable for recycle having <1 ppm pollutant remaining.

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: Ion exchange membrane divided electrochemical cells with a system of separated heterogeneous aqueous/nonaqueous electrolytes provide improved performance in both energy consuming and energy producing electrochemical processes by more effectively restricting the transmission of neutral molecules between cell compartments and by isolating reactions occuring at the working and counter electrodes.

Abstract: Paired electrochemical synthesis reactions in which ethylene glycol is formed at the cathode of a membrane divided cell at high concentrations and current efficiencies, up to 99 percent. Simultaneously, a compatible process is also conducted at the anode of the same electrochemical cell by reacting indirectly generated anode products with organic substrates to form secondary products, such as polybasic acids. The process is especially advantageous in that such secondary products, where appropriate can be further reacted with the ethylene glycol prepared from the catholyte of the same cell to form useful tertiary products, especially polyesters like polyethylene terephthalate. Mole ratios of ethylene glycol and polybasic acid can be controlled through selective use of regeneratable redox reactant.

Abstract: Substrates polluted with toxic substances are treated at their location of contamination, in-situ with solvated electrons prepared chemically or electrochemically. The process is useful in detoxifying inert, non-reducible solvents contaminated with chemically reducible substances.

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.

Abstract: A process for the electrochemical destruction of halogenated organic compounds provides for the reduction of such compounds to levels below 1 ppm with carbonaceous cathodes which are principally amorphous carbon sufficiently graphitized to enhance the rate of the reaction without substantial reduction in stability to electrochemical corrosion.