Bubbling air through an electrochemical cell to increase efficiency

Abstract

Methods and systems for electrochemical cell optimization, namely increasing cell efficiency and rate of chemical product, are disclosed. In particular, a device wherein air or an oxygen-containing gas is bubbled through an electrochemical cell and methods of use are disclosed to reduce the voltage demand and power usage of an electrochemical cell. The optimized electrochemical cell also achieves increased chemical generation from electrolysis for using in various settings, including for example, housekeeping applications.

1 . A method for increasing electrochemical cell efficiency comprising:
 (a) obtaining an electrochemical cell configured with at least one anode and cathode separated by a membrane to form at least two chambers, wherein said cathode is not an oxygen-consuming electrode;   (b) providing an electrolyte source to said electrochemical cell; and   (c) adapting said cell to bubble an oxygen-containing gas through at least one chamber of said cell, wherein said cell achieves a decreased voltage demand without decreasing the rate of chemical conversion and wherein said oxygen-containing gas is not electrolytically reduced by said cell.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oxygen-containing gas is air that is bubbled through the cathode chamber of said cell. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said method achieves an increase in rate of chemical conversion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cell achieves at least a thirty percent reduction in voltage. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said cell achieves at least a fifty percent reduction in voltage. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oxygen-containing gas is compressed air. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oxygen-containing gas is air. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electrochemical cell does not generate hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         9 . A method of increasing caustic production from an electrochemical cell with decreased voltage demands, comprising:
 (a) obtaining an electrochemical cell configured with at least one anode and cathode separated by a membrane to form at least two chambers for the production of caustic, wherein said cathode is not an oxygen-consuming electrode;   (b) providing an electrolyte source to said electrochemical cell, wherein a catholyte source includes a source of an oxygen-containing gas; and   (c) reducing voltage demand of said cell as a result of bubbling an oxygen-containing gas through the cathode chamber of said cell, wherein said reduction in voltage is at least thirty percent.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein oxygen in said air is not electrolytically reduced by said cell. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said anode and cathode are corrosion-resistant electrodes and said cathode is not iron. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said electrochemical cell does not generate hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said oxygen-containing gas is air. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said reduction in voltage is at least a fifty percent reduction. 
     
     
         15 . An electrochemical cell designed for increased efficiency for producing chemical effluents such as caustic comprising:
 (a) at least one anode and cathode electrode, wherein said electrodes are corrosion-resistant and said cathode is not a non-porous, non-oxygen-consuming electrode that does not comprise iron, and wherein said electrodes are separated by at least one membrane to form at least one anode and cathode chamber;   (b) an electrolyte source for providing an anolyte and catholyte source;   (c) a source of an oxygen-containing gas bubbled through at least one of said chambers; and   (d) a source of electric current.   
     
     
         16 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 15  wherein said source of an oxygen-containing gas is air and said air is bubbled through the cathode chamber of said cell. 
     
     
         17 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 15  wherein said cell achieves at least a fifty percent reduction in voltage and does not decrease the rate of chemical conversion of said cell. 
     
     
         18 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 15  wherein said cell either maintains or decreases the voltage requirements and increases the rate of chemical conversion of said cell. 
     
     
         19 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 15  wherein said anode is stainless steel and said cathode is titanium. 
     
     
         20 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 15  wherein said electrochemical cell does not generate hydrogen peroxide.