Abstract: In the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide, the anodically-deposited product is removed by cathodically polarizing the electrode, possibly assisted by impact or vibration. Typically, the current is reversed periodically when the deposit is about 100-1500.mu. thick and shortly after current reversal, the product peels off as flake-like particles which can easily be ground to form a battery de-polarizer. An apparatus for use in carrying out the removal of the desired product from electrodes is disclosed and illustrated.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sulfonyl group containing fluorocarbon polymer cation-exchange membrane which has been fabric reinforced and, on one side of which has been treated, after the fabric reinforcing has been applied in a heat-pressure application, to a depth of at least 10 microns with a primary amine or a secondary amine or mixtures thereof to aminate a majority of said sulfonyl groups.

Abstract: In a battery of electrochemical unit cells in which an active metal in powder form is an electrode, high rate reaction at high efficiency is achieved by slurrying the powdered metal in the cell electrolyte. The slurrying is carried out entirely within each cell so that no transfer of electrolyte to and from the cell during discharge is necessary. Such batteries are suitable for powering vehicles. A battery of such cells can be emptied and then refuelled either by pressure or by vacuum; in one embodiment the active metal can be regenerated in each of the cells from the discharge products formed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fluids especially fluids in a recirculating toilet system wherein recycled flush water is chemically treated with a sanitizing material just prior to delivery to the toilet bowl. This system is designed so that the recycled flush water must flow by a predetermined volume of soluble sanitizing tablets which resuts in a rather uniform residual of sanitizing agent in the flush water which insures complete coliform kills. The sanitizing tablets consist of buffered hypochlorite materials to which may be added a suitable coloring agent so as to make the flush water more aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A batch type sodium hypochlorite generator and temporary storage unit comprising a sheet anode and a sheet cathode utilizing vertical S-shaped bipolar sheet electrodes in series therebetween, the cathode and cathodic end of each bipolar unit being substantially encircled by the anode or anodic end of the next adjacent bipolar unit and forming an electrolytic cell therebetween; said anode portion of each electrode having the surface thereof coated with a dimensionally stable electrode coating which is extremely resistant to passivation; nonconductive spacers between each such electrolytic cell to both hold the electrodes in proper alignment and to minimize stray currents between the electrolytic cells; and control means for feeding brine to such generator and discharging such sodium hypochlorite solution therefrom when required.

Abstract: Chlor-alkali cells of the membrane type are highly susceptible to multivalent metallic impurities in the brine feeds. As the impurity concentration builds up on and/or in the membrane material, cell voltage increases and current efficiency is lost. By the practice of the instant invention the membrane is rejuvenated and the current efficiency of the cell increased by intermittently replacing the normal brine feed thereto with a brine which is of relatively high purity with respect to the multivalent metallic impurities found in the normal brine feed. Generally, the pure brine feed should have little or no hardness (calcium and magnesium level) or, if present, the hardness should be completely complexed by a phosphate treatment. The other multivalent metallic impurities should be present in the "pure" brine at less than 2 milligrams per liter in total and preferably less than 1 milligram per liter thereof, while each individual other metallic contaminant should not exceed 0.

Abstract: Electrolysis of impure solutions containing hardness impurities such as calcium and magnesium causes deposits to form on the cathodes of such an electrolysis cell which rapidly reduces the efficiency of the cell. The electrolysis cell of the instant invention contains a plurality of cathodes. The efficiency of such a cell is rejuvenated periodically by changing the polarity of less than the total number of cathodes in said cell so as to clean such cathodes while continuing normal operation of the cell by means of the remaining cathodes.

Abstract: The operation of a moving particle electrode in an electrolytic cell is monitored by detecting vibration or displacement created by impingment of the solid moving particles against a solid surface producing a signal or alarm whenever the vibration or displacement decreases or otherwise changes an undesirable degree. Vibration or displacement decrease is caused by reduced movement of the particles associated with or part of the electrode.

Abstract: Electrolysis of impure saline solutions containing dissolved manganese causes deposits to form on the anodes of such electrolysis cell which rapidly reduces the efficiency of the cell. The efficiency of the cell is rejuvenated periodically by changing the polarity of the anode for from one to ten minutes at an amperage of from about 2 to 50 milliamps per square inch.

Abstract: Electrolysis of impure saline solutions containing dissolved iron and manganese causes deposits to form on the anodes of such electrolysis cell which rapidly reduces the efficiency of the cell. Pretreating the impure saline solutions with sodium hypochlorite solution formed from the reaction products of the electrolysis cell precipitates the iron and manganese dissolved therein and effectively prevents the formation of the deleterious deposits on the anode of said electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A recirculating toilet having a bowl and a storage chamber, and recirculating means for recirculating liquid from the storage chamber through the bowl and back into the storage chamber. Filter means is interposed between the storage chamber and the recirculating means for filtering solid particles from liquid flowing from the storage chamber toward the recirculating means. A treatment chamber is interposed between the filter means and the recirculating means, and the treatment chamber has a volume substantially smaller than the storage chamber. Treatment means is provided for destroying bacteria in liquid contained in the treatment chamber (flush water).

Abstract: Disclosed are a sulfonyl group containing fluorocarbon polymer cation-exchange membrane, one side of which has been amine treated to a depth of at least 10 microns, as well as a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell employing same.

Abstract: Optimum current efficiencies are attained and maintained in a membrane chlor-alkali electrolytic cell by the constant, precise control of both the brine and caustic concentrations at each membrane phase boundary. Such control requires recycling through external holding tanks wherein the concentrations are adjusted to 560 grams per liter caustic and 190 grams per liter brine. Turbulent flow of such concentrations in the cells helps maintain the optimum concentration and also decreases the diffusion layer.

Abstract: A method of minimizing chlorate formation when brines are decomposed in diaphragm type electrolytic cells which comprises adding brine containing dissolved nickel values periodically to said cell while continuing operation of the cell. The nickel values can be added whenever the chlorate content of the alkali metal hydroxide increases to again minimize chlorate formation.