US Patent 7108777 Hydrogen-assisted electrolysis processes

A process and electrolytic cell for reducing in an ionic alkali metal compound, the cell containing anode and cathode electrodes, by supplying an electrolyte containing the alkali metal compound to the cell, applying an electric voltage to the cell to reduce said alkali metal compound at the cathode, and passing hydrogen or a hydrogen containing gas to at least one electrode while the compound is reduced at the cathode.