Electrochemical system for generating acidic and basic solutions

A method for producing acid and base solutions from salt solutions, comprising:

• providing an anode spaced apart from a cathode;
• providing a bipolar component between the anode and the cathode;
• providing a first separator between the bipolar component and the anode;
• providing a second separator between the bipolar component and the cathode flowing a first salt solution between the first separator and the anode on a first side of the first separator;
• and
• flowing a second salt solution on a second side of the first separator opposite the first side of the first separator and between the first separator and the bipolar component;
• flowing a third salt solution on a second side of the bipolar component between the bipolar component and the second separator, wherein the third salt solution flow is on a first side of the second separator;
• flowing a fourth salt solution on a second side of the second separator opposite the first side of the second separator, wherein the fourth salt solution is between the second separator and the cathode;
• and
• applying a voltage between the anode and cathode causing a release of H+ into the first salt solution and the third salt solution and the release of OH− into the second salt solution and the fourth salt solution.

A bipolar gas diffusion electrode, comprising:

• a first catalyst layer;
• a second catalyst layer;
• a gas diffusion layer between the first catalyst layer and second catalyst layer;
• and
• an electrically conductive path connected between the first catalyst layer and the second catalyst layer.