Patent ID: 7918986

Claim:
A method for producing sodium methylate solution, the method comprising: feeding a catholyte solution comprising methanol or a dilute solution of sodium methoxide in methanol into a catholyte compartment of an electrolytic cell; feeding an anolyte solution comprising an aqueous solution of one or more sodium salts into an anolyte compartment of the cell; and applying an electric voltage to the cell sufficient to electrolyze the one or more sodium salts, wherein the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment are separated by a ceramic membrane comprising a NaSICON type or modified NaSICON type material that, upon flow of the electric current, selectively transports sodium cations from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment, and is substantially impermeable to water, and is substantially impermeable to methanol and a dilute solution of sodium methoxide, wherein the ceramic membrane operates at a current density of at least about 100 mA/cm 2 ; whereby sodium methylate solution is formed in the catholyte compartment of the cell; and wherein the anolyte compartment is maintained at a temperature below about 80° C. during sodium salt electrolysis.