Process for reversible electrodialysis

Claim 1

IN A PROCESS OF OPERATION OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL HAVING A DIALYSIS MEMBRANE SEPARATING THE ANODE AND CATHODE ELECTRODES OF THE CELL FOR ELECTRODIALYSIS OF AQUEOUS K2CO3 SOLUTIONS IN THE CELL, WHEREIN HYDROGEN IS EVOLVED AT ONE OF SAID ELECTRODES FROM THE ELECTRODIALYSIS OF IONS OF WATER USED AS SOLVENT DURING OPERATION OF THE CELL, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES OPERATING SUCH ELECROCHEMICAL CELL UNDER DIRECT CURRENT SUPPLY THERETO FOR ELECTRODIALYSIS OF SUCH K2CO3 SOLUTION WHILE EFFECTING THE ELECTRODIALYSIS IN THE PRESENCE OF REVERSIBLE ELECTRODES SERVING AS ANODE AND CATHODE ELECTRODES OF THE CELL TO ACHIEVE REVERSIBLE ELECRODIALYSIS OF SAID WATER, CONDUCTING THE HYDROGEN OBTAINED FROM THE ELECTRODIALYSIS OF WATER AT THE REVERSIBLE ELECTRODE ON ONE SIDE OF THE DIALYSIS MEMBRANE IN THE CELL TO THE REVERSIBLE ELECTRODE OF OPPOSITE POLARITY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID MEMBRANE IN THE CELL, AND ELECTROCHEMICALLY REDISSOLVING SUCH HYDROGEN THEREAT INTO IONS ONCE AGAIN TO REDUCE THE ENERGY REQUIREMENT FOR EFFECTING THE OVER-ALL ELECTRODIALYSIS.