Electrolyte invariant alkaline

METHANOL FUEL CELL WITH AN INVARIANT ALKALINE ELECTROLYTE... 

The only electrolytic processes of any commercial importance for rare metal extraction are based upon the use of molten salt baths. Chlorides or fluorides of the rare metal are invariably electrolysed from solutions in similar but inert salts, usually of the alkali or alkaline earth metals. 

These are balanced for invariant COj" concentration, leading to a hypothesized steady state anode reaction, C + 40H = CO2 -I- 2H2O+ 4e. If there is no interfacial or bulk reaction of ambient NaOH with the evolved carbon dioxide, then the net reaction would be the same as (1). To the extent that the CO2 product reacts with ambient hydroxide in the electrolyte on or near to the anode, the net reaction approaches that of the Jacques cell (reaction (8)). In this case, the alkaline reactant will be consumed, and cost and energy efficiency might more accurately be estimated on the basis of (8). At this writing, a rigorous experimental mass balance would help resolve these issues. 

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