Electrochemical systems and methods of use

A system for continuous generation of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, the system comprising a plurality of reactor cells and a plurality of gas- liquid separators,

• wherein each of the reactor cells is configured for holding an aqueous solution and comprising at least one electrode assembly, and is configured to have a dual function such that during application of electric bias to one or more of the cells hydrogen gas is generated and in absence of an applied bias to one or more of the cells oxygen gas is generated,
• wherein each of the plurality of reactor cells is separated, having essentially no fluid or gas communication therebetween,
• wherein the plurality of gas-liquid separators comprises:
• one or more hydrogen gas-liquid separator, each hydrogen gas-liquid separator being configured to receive and hold hydrogen gas and a liquid phase comprising dissolved hydrogen and electrolytes;
• one or more oxygen gas-liquid separator, each oxygen gas-liquid separator being configured to receive and hold oxygen gas and a liquid phase comprising dissolved oxygen and electrolytes;
• and
• one or more leftover separator, each leftover separator being configured to receive and hold a gas-free liquid, or to hold a liquid comprising an amount below 4% v/v of hydrogen gas or oxygen gas;
• wherein any one of the reactor cells is connected to each of the separators via a piping assembly, forming three distinct circuits:
• a hydrogen circuit-wherein each of the plurality of reactor cells is connected to a hydrogen gas-liquid separator, an oxygen circuit-wherein each of the plurality of reactor cells is connected to an oxygen gas-liquid separator, and a leftover circuit-wherein each of the plurality of reactor cells is connected to a leftover gas-liquid separator, and
• wherein each of the reactor cells is equipped with input and output valves for controlling flow of liquid into the reactor cells and from the reactor cells such that following completion of a gas generation step, being one of a hydrogen generation step or an oxygen gas generation step, in one or more of the plurality of reactor cells, the input valve(s) of the one or more reactor cells switches from the gas circuit being the hydrogen gas circuit or the oxygen circuit, respectively, to the leftover circuit permitting flow of the liquid from the leftover separator into the one or more reactor cells, while the output valve(s) of the one or more reactor cells remains oriented to permit flow of content from the one or more reactor cells to the separator containing the hydrogen gas or oxygen gas, wherein liquid flow from the leftover separator pushes the electrolyte in the one or more reactor cells into a gas separator of the gas circuit, thereafter the output value(s) switches to allow the other of hydrogen gas generation step and oxygen gas generation step.