An
electrochemical cell having a cation-conductive
ceramic membrane and an acidic anolyte. Generally, the
cell includes a catholyte compartment and an anolyte compartment that are separated by a cation-
conductive membrane. While the catholyte compartment houses a primary
cathode, the anolyte compartment houses an
anode and a secondary
cathode. In some cases, a current is passed through the electrodes to cause the secondary
cathode to evolve
hydrogen gas. In other cases, a current is passed between the electrodes to cause the secondary cathode to evolve hydroxyl ions and
hydrogen gas. In still other cases,
hydrogen peroxide is channeled between the secondary cathode and the membrane to form hydroxyl ions. In yet other cases, the
cell includes a
diffusion membrane disposed between the secondary cathode and the
anode. In each of the aforementioned cases, the
cell functions to maintain the pH of a fluid contacting the membrane at an acceptably high level.