Patent ID: 8764965

Claim:
A processes for electrochemically converting an alkali sulfate into useful chemical products, comprising: reacting an alkali sulfate with carbon according to reaction (1): M 2 SO 4 +4C 4CO+M 2 S (1) wherein M is an alkali metal; reacting alkali sulfide (M 2 S) with iodine in a methyl alcohol solvent according to reaction (2): M 2 S+I 2 2MI+S (2); providing an electrolytic cell comprising an alkali ion conducting membrane configured to selectively transport alkali ions, the membrane positioned between an anolyte compartment configured with an anode and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode; introducing MI in methyl alcohol into the anolyte compartment; introducing water into the catholyte compartment; and electrolyzing MI and water to form MOH, H 2 and iodine, according to reaction (3): 2MI+2H 2 O 2MOH+I 2 +H 2 (3).