Abstract: A method for producing an alkali metal hydroxide, comprises providing an electrolytic cell that includes at least one membrane having ceramic material configured to selectively transport alkali metal ions. The method includes introducing a first solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide solution into a catholyte compartment such that said first solution is in communication with the membrane and a cathode. A second solution comprising at least one alkali metal salt and one or more monovalent, divalent, or multivalent metal salts is introduced into an anolyte compartment such that said second solution is in communication with the membrane and an anode. The method includes applying an electric potential to the electrolytic cell such that alkali metal ions pass through the membrane and are available to undertake a chemical reaction with hydroxyl ions in the catholyte compartment to form alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A sodium sensor to measure a concentration of sodium methylate in methanol. The sensor assembly includes a solid alkali ion conducting membrane, a reference electrode, and a measurement electrode. The solid alkali ion conducting membrane transports ions between two alkali-containing solutions, including an aqueous solution and a non-aqueous solution. The reference electrode is at least partially within an alkali halide solution of a known alkali concentration on a first side of the solid alkali ion conducting membrane. The measurement electrode is on a second side of the solid alkali ion conducting membrane. The measurement electrode exhibits a measurable electrical characteristic corresponding to a measured alkali concentration within the non-aqueous solution, to which the measurement electrode is exposed.

Abstract: Alkali alcoholates, also called alkali alkoxides, are produced from alkali metal salt solutions and alcohol using a three-compartment electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell includes an anolyte compartment configured with an anode, a buffer compartment, and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode. An alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte configured to selectively transport alkali ions is positioned between the anolyte compartment and the buffer compartment. An alkali ion permeable separator is positioned between the buffer compartment and the catholyte compartment. The catholyte solution may include an alkali alcoholate and alcohol. The anolyte solution may include at least one alkali salt. The buffer compartment solution may include a soluble alkali salt and an alkali alcoholate in alcohol.

Abstract: A sodium sensor to measure a concentration of sodium methylate in methanol. The sensor assembly includes a solid alkali ion conducting membrane, a reference electrode, and a measurement electrode. The solid alkali ion conducting membrane transports ions between two alkali-containing solutions, including an aqueous solution and a non-aqueous solution. The reference electrode is at least partially within an alkali halide solution of a known alkali concentration on a first side of the solid alkali ion conducting membrane. The measurement electrode is on a second side of the solid alkali ion conducting membrane. The measurement electrode exhibits a measurable electrical characteristic corresponding to a measured alkali concentration within the non-aqueous solution, to which the measurement electrode is exposed.

Abstract: An electrochemical method for the production of a chlorine-based oxidant product, such as sodium hypochlorite, is disclosed. The method may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from sea water or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The method utilizes alkali cation-conductive ceramic membranes, such as membranes based on NaSICON-type materials, and organic polymer membranes in electrochemical cells to produce sodium hypochlorite. Generally, the electrochemical cell includes three compartments and the first compartment contains an anolyte having an acidic pH.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating alkali metal ions from alkali salts of glycerine to thereby form clean glycerine. These methods are enabled by the use of alkali ion conductive membranes in electrolytic cells that are chemically stable in low pH conditions. The alkali ion conductive membrane preferably includes a chemically stable ionic-selective polymer membrane. A layered composite of a chemically stable ionic-selective polymer and a cation-conductive ceramic membrane is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided to recycle and synthesize aqueous alkali chemicals from industrial and radioactively contaminated alkali salt based waste streams using a two-compartment electrolytic cell having an alkali cation-conductive ceramic membrane. The processes and apparatus provide the capability of recycling and synthesizing value added chemicals, including but not limited to, alkali hydroxides.

Abstract: Alkali alcoholates, also called alkali alkoxides, are produced from alkali metal salt solutions and alcohol using a three-compartment electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell includes an anolyte compartment configured with an anode, a buffer compartment, and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode. First and second separators are positioned between the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment to define a buffer compartment. The first and second separators are permeable to alkali ions. They may be fabricated of the same or different materials including, but not limited to, an alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte configured to selectively transport alkali ions, a porous ceramic, or a porous polymer separator material. The catholyte solution may include an alkali alcoholate and alcohol. The anolyte solution may include at least one alkali salt. The buffer compartment solution may include a soluble alkali salt and an alkali alcoholate in alcohol.

Abstract: Alkali alcoholates, also called alkali alkoxides, are produced from alkali metal salt solutions and alcohol using a three-compartment electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell includes an anolyte compartment configured with an anode, a buffer compartment, and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode. First and second separators are positioned between the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment to define a buffer compartment. The first and second separators are permeable to alkali ions. They may be fabricated of the same or different materials including, but not limited to, an alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte configured to selectively transport alkali ions, a porous ceramic, or a porous polymer separator material. The catholyte solution may include an alkali alcoholate and alcohol. The anolyte solution may include at least one alkali salt. The buffer compartment solution may include a soluble alkali salt and an alkali alcoholate in alcohol.

Abstract: Alkali alcoholates, also called alkali alkoxides, are produced from alkali metal salt solutions and alcohol using a three-compartment electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell includes an anolyte compartment configured with an anode, a buffer compartment, and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode. An alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte configured to selectively transport alkali ions is positioned between the anolyte compartment and the buffer compartment. An alkali ion permeable separator is positioned between the buffer compartment and the catholyte compartment. The catholyte solution may include an alkali alcoholate and alcohol. The anolyte solution may include at least one alkali salt. The buffer compartment solution may include a soluble alkali salt and an alkali alcoholate in alcohol.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to improve protection of a pre-coated substrate in various environments. The apparatus may include a pre-coated substrate having a substantially porous vapor-deposited coating and one or more non-porous ceramic oxide-based layers applied to the pre-coated substrate by a non-vapor deposition technique. The coefficient of thermal expansion corresponding to the non-porous ceramic oxide-based layer may substantially match the thermal expansion coefficient of the vapor-deposited coating to facilitate thermal compatibility between the two. Further, the non-porous ceramic oxide-based layer may infiltrate pores of the substantially porous vapor-deposited coating to provide a well-bonded hermetic seal that limits fluid access to the pre-coated substrate through the substantially porous vapor-deposited coating.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for synthesizing biodiesel using alkali alkoxide generated on-site using an electrochemical process are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are disclosed to converting alkali salts of glycerine into glycerine and thereby facilitate the separation of clean glycerine from biodiesel. These methods are enabled by the use of alkali ion conductive ceramic membranes in electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A sanitizing device includes a sanitizing component for sanitizing a surface, liquid, gas, and/or associated surrounding environment. The sanitizing component may be an electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte component, that works in cooperation with a power source and a precursor material. The electrochemical cell, power source and precursor material may be supported by a housing. Upon application of potential across the electrodes of the electrochemical cell, a sanitizer is formed from the precursor material. The housing contains an outlet for releasing the sanitizer.