| abstract |
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for recovering an onium hydroxide from a solution containing an onium compound, including contacting the solution with a cation exchange material so that at least a portion of onium cations from the onium compound are adsorbed by the cation exchange material; contacting an acid with the cation exchange material to elute an onium salt; charging the onium salt to an electrochemical cell containing at least three compartments, a cathode, an anode, and in order from the anode to the cathode, a bipolar membrane and a cation selective membrane, and passing a current through the cell whereby the onium hydroxide is regenerated; and recovering the onium hydroxide from the cell. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for recovering an onium hydroxide from a solution containing an onium compound, including contacting the solution with a cation exchange material so that at least a portion of onium cations from the onium compound are adsorbed by the cation exchange material; contacting an acid with the cation exchange material to elute an onium salt; charging the onium salt to an electrochemical cell containing at least two compartments, a cathode, an anode, and an anion selective membrane therebetween, and passing a current through the cell whereby the onium hydroxide is regenerated; and recovering the onium hydroxide from the cell. |