ELECTROCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN

摘要

Electrochemical systems and methods for producing hydrogen. Generally, the systems and methods involve providing an electrochemical cell (10) that includes an anolyte compartment (15) holding an anode (25) in contact with an anolyte (20), wherein the anolyte (20) includes an oxidizable substance having a higher standard oxidation potential than water. The cell (10) further comprises a catholyte compartment (30) holding a cathode (40) in contact with a catholyte (35) that includes a substance that reduces to form hydrogen. Additionally, the cell (10) includes an alkali cation conductive membrane (45) that separates the anolyte compartment (15) from the catholyte compartment (30). As an electrical potential passes between the anode (25) and cathode (40), the reducible substance reduces to form hydrogen and the oxidizable substance oxidizes to form an oxidized product.