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Title: Electrolytic process to produce sodium hypochlorite using sodium ion conductive ceramic membranes

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1078316

An electrochemical process for the production of sodium hypochlorite is disclosed. The process may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from seawater or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The process utilizes a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane, such as membranes based on NASICON-type materials, in an electrolytic cell. In the process, water is reduced at a cathode to form hydroxyl ions and hydrogen gas. Chloride ions from a sodium chloride solution are oxidized in the anolyte compartment to produce chlorine gas which reacts with water to produce hypochlorous and hydrochloric acid. Sodium ions are transported from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment across the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane. Sodium hydroxide is transported from the catholyte compartment to the anolyte compartment to produce sodium hypochlorite within the anolyte compartment.

Research Organization:
Ceramatec, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-05ER84221
Assignee:
Ceramatec, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT)
Patent Number(s):
8,268,159
Application Number:
11/613,857
OSTI ID:
1078316
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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