ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL AND METHOD OF PROCESSING A GASEOUS STREAM CONTAINING HYDROGEN

An electrochemical cell, or stack thereof, wherein each cell of the stack comprises at least: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the MEA comprising at least: an anode, a cathode, and an an-ion exchange membrane therebetween, an inlet to the anodic half-cell for the introduction of hydrogen at a first pressure, and an outlet from the cathodic half-cell for the transfer of hydrogen at a second pressure, and means to provide a required power to the cell. In one embodiment, the purification and compression of hydrogen occurring by utilisation of the following reaction pathway.