Systems and methods for recovering chlorine gas or an alkali metal from an electrolytic cell having an acid-intolerant, alkali-ion-selective membrane are disclosed. In some cases, the cell has an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment with an acid-intolerant, alkali-ion selective membrane separating the two. While a cathode is disposed within a catholyte solution in the catholyte compartment, a chlorine-gas-evolving anode is typically disposed within an aqueous alkali-chloride solution in the anolyte compartment. As current passes between the anode and cathode, chlorine ions in the anolyte solution can be oxidized to form chlorine gas. In some cases, the cell is configured so the chlorine gas is rapidly removed from the cell to inhibit a chemical reaction between the chlorine gas and the anolyte solution. In some cases, a vacuum or a heating system is used to increase the rate at which chlorine gas exits the cell. Other implementations are also described.