This is a study of electrogenerative processes, i. e. processes for producing chemical products with byproduct electric power. The emphasis in this study is on electrodes for electrogenerative processing of substrates dissolved in a liquid phase. Methods for formulating and preparing the requisite electrocatalysts to optimize the selectivity are investigated. Selected processes include integrated flue-gas teatment in which sulfur dioxide is converted to sulfuric acid and nitric oxide is converted to ammonia or hydroxylamine; processing of biomass to convert alcohols to aldehydes and ketones; and "galvanic cementation" to recover metals such as copper and tin from waste streams. Electrogenerative proceses are fundamentally attractive because they capture the energy released in the chemical process (which would traditionally be released as wasted heat) in a form that can be readily transported and reused. In addition the three processes at the center of this study all use bothersome environmental pollutants as raw materials. These processes should be advantageous from perspectives of cost, energy conservation, and environmental protection.
