Patent ID: 8506790

Claim:
An electrolytic cell for producing alkali alcoholate solution, comprising: a catholyte compartment containing a cathode and a solution comprising alcohol; an anolyte compartment containing an anode and a solution comprising one or more alkali metal salts; a cation-selective ceramic membrane separating the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment; a power source in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode for applying a voltage across the anode and cathode of the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more alkali metal salts; a temperature regulator configured to control the temperature of the cell such that the anolyte compartment operates at a temperature below about 80° C. during the electrolysis of the one or more alkali metal salts; and wherein the cation-selective membrane selectively permits the flow of alkali cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment upon application of a voltage across the anode and the cathode, wherein the membrane comprises a material having the formula M 1 M 2 A(BO 4 ) 3 where M 1 and M 2 are independently chosen from Na, Li, and K; and A and B are independently selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+, and wherein the membrane is substantially impermeable to water.