Abstract: The present invention is directed to fluid-tight, high current density-stable electrical contacts for conductively joining components of an electrolytic cell, e.g., anode and cathode plates, comprising a spring-like spiral or coil of electroconductive metal or metal alloy having an electrically conductive or nonconductive oxidation-resistant filler (seal) between the spiral rings and wherein said spiral rings are positioned so that their edges and common longitudinal axis are substantially perpendicular to the faces of the cell components.

Abstract: An easily pumpable, liquid alkali metal, e.g., sodium silicate composition of controlled gelling characteristics contains water, an alkali metal silicate, glyoxal, optionally a Group I-III metal salt, e.g., calcium chloride, and from 0.005 to 0.10 weight/volume percent of sodium bisulfite/sodium metabisulfite, per liter of composition. This composition is easily applied at elevated temperatures, e.g., 100.degree. F. and higher.

Abstract: A strengthened fiber diaphragm and method for making such a diaphragm for use in electrochemical cells, the strengthening being accomplished through solution introduction of a zirconium compound into the fabric of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An air/oxygen electrode substrate for use as a cathode in alkali metal halide electrolysis processes is formed by compressing a prefused mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene under high pressures and at a temperature in excess of the sintering temperature of the polymer and below its decomposition temperature. Optionally, the electrode may be formed having a core comprised of a metal mesh which acts to better distribute the applied voltage and to reinforce the electrode. Further, a sheet of hydrophobic backing material such as TEFLON fabric may be incorporated into the compressed mixture to increase the hydrophobic properties of the cathode. Electrocatalysts may then be deposited on the surface of the electrode substrate to produce an oxygen electrode having significant voltage advantage over mild steel cathodes in alkali-halide electrolysis cells.

Abstract: A method and computer system manipulates data concerning the health of a plurality of employees, each of the employees working in at least one work location and being identifiable by an employee identification, each of the work locations being identifiable by a work location identification, substances of which at least some are potential hazardous being or having been present in at least one of the work locations, each of the substances being identifiable by a substance identification. The computer system has an updated location data base which stores location identifications and is updatable to store additional location identifications, an updatable employee identification data base which stores employee identifications, an updatable employee health data base for storing employee health data concerning each of the identified employees, and an updatable substance data base which stores substance identifications.

Abstract: Biofouling and scale control in conductive aqueous systems is effected on metal, preferably valve metal such as titanium, surfaces on which such fouling normally occurs by applying thereto a stable electrocatalytic coating, anodically polarizing said valve metal coating such that essentially only oxygen is evolved at the surface thereof, preferably at a rate of at least about 4.66 millimoles per square meter per hour without evolution of any chlorine. Periodic current reversal is effected to forestall biofouling upon any cathode utilized in implementing the instant invention.

Abstract: An improved multi-layer electrode gasket comprising an outboard layer of a material having a combination of a Type A Shore Scale Durometer hardness (ASTM Specification D-2240-75) ranging from about 40 to about 70 and a Compression Set (ASTM Specification D-395-69-Method A) of zero plus to about 40 percent with an inboard barrier layer of a material which is corrosion-resistant, noncontaminating and stable upon contact with the electrolyte in conjunction with the electrode chamber in which it is used.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a one pass process for forming a porous, uniaxially oriented polytetrafluoroethylene sheet which is coherent and suitable for utilization as an electrode backing (wetproofing) sheet and the resulting backing sheet. Particulate PTFE is blended in an organic liquid medium to form a dispersion to which a pore-forming agent is added. After mixing, the organic liquid is removed and the dry mix is fibrillated, chopped and formed into a sheet by passing it once through heated rollers.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a process for extracting PTFE-wetting agent from PTFE particles containing small amounts of wetting agent in admixture with carbon particles comprising contacting said mixture with an organic liquid medium capable of extracting said wetting agent, and electrodes containing such extracted mixes. Also disclosed is a process for forming an electrode layer by depositing a soluble salt on a filter medium, depositing electrode layer material on said salt consolidating said electrode material and thereafter dissolving said salt.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to preparing deashed, precious metal catalyst-containing, partially fluorinated active carbon particles of the formula CF.sub.x, where x ranges from 0.1 to about 0.18, preferably using either platinum or silver as the catalyzing material, which can be incorporated into an active layer component of a gas electrode, e.g., an oxygen (air) cathode suitable for use in a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell for producing chlorine and caustic while conserving electrical energy. These particles are deashed to have a B.E.T. surface area of at least 600 m.sup.2 /g and contain less than about 4 weight percent ash. Active electrode layers containing such particles demonstrate an unusually desirable combination of resistance to corrosion, retention of conductive properties and retention of catalytic surface area.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to strengthening carbon black-particulate "Teflon" (PTFE) mixes destined to be formed into active layers in air cathodes, which comprises forming the carbon black-particulate Teflon mix; fibrillating said mix along with a substantial quantity of soluble pore-forming agent; adding polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers while chopping said fibrillated mix; and thereafter rolling said chopped fibrillated mix containing said PTFE fibers into sheet form.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrolytic process for converting alkali metal carbonates to alkali metal hydroxides at high current efficiencies.

Abstract: An electrode for use in electrolytic processes comprises a substrate of film-forming metal such as titanium having a porous electrocatalytic coating comprising at least one platinum-group metal and/or oxide thereof possibly mixed with other metal oxides, in an amount of at least about 2 g/m.sup.2 of the platinum-group metal(s) per projected surface area of the substrate. Below the coating is a preformed barrier layer constituted by a surface oxide film grown up from the substrate. This preformed barrier layer has rhodium and/or iridium as metal or compound incorporated in the surface oxide film during formation thereof in an amount of up to 1 g/m.sup.2 (as metal) per projected surface area of the substrate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of suspended solids from a liquid medium is disclosed. The liquid medium containing suspended solids is circulated through an electrolytic cell and an ultrafiltration unit, the suspended solids being removed from the liquid medium as a uniform particulate mass of low liquid content while a proportionate amount of the liquid and dissolved components such as surfactants is removed through ultrafiltration to avoid a dilution of the liquid medium in a continuous process. The recovered solids, following evaporation of a small amount of remaining liquid, offers a more uniform particle size as well as substantially lower recovery costs when compared with conventional techniques, such as spray-drying, now used in the industry. The disclosed electrolytic-ultrafiltration process offers application to the treatment of industrial products and wastes (polymeric, e.g., PVC and PVC copolymers, rubber, paint, cellulose, paper sludge, food, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing electrowinnable metal ion concentration to a low level in a process stream and recovering the metal electrolytically. Low concentration metal ions from the process stream are recovered in an ion exchanger and then recaptured from the ion exchanger into a relatively small volume of regeneration fluid. The regeneration fluid, pregnant with the metal ions, is electrolyzed in a particulate bed electrolytic cell to a relatively low level of metal ion concentration, and the regeneration fluid is then available for reuse in a further ion exchanger regeneration.

Abstract: An amphoteric water-in-oil self-inverting polymer emulsion is prepared which contains a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer or a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer in the aqueous phase, a hydrocarbon oil for the oil phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent and an inverting surfactant. An example of a copolymer is a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer such as a reaction product of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and monochloroacetic acid. An example of a terpolymer is a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer such as sodium acrylate and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer such as a triethyl ammonium ethyl methacrylate methosulfate salt.

Abstract: Process for the production of citric acid, characterized in that E. Coli KG 93, F.sup.- is cultivated in a first step for 15-24 hours at a temperature of 20.degree.-37.degree. C. and a pH of 5.0-7.5 on a substrate consisting of whey permeate to which has been added phosphates in a content of 0.8-1.6 g/l and nitrates in a content of 0.8-1.2 g/l or a corresponding quantity of urea, that H. Wickerhamii CBS 4308 in a second step is cultivated for 20-26 hours at a temperature of 15.degree.-35.degree. C. and a pH of 4.5-6.5 on the cultivating solution from the first step, whereupon citric acid is obtained from the cultivating solution in a way known per se.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metal degreasing or metal phosphatizing that utilizes a low boiling point solvent. The apparatus comprises a vessel defining a reservoir of solvent and a zone of solvent vapor above the reservoir, and an external heat pump system having a heat-emitting section and a heat-absorbing section to provide the necessary heating and cooling for the vessel. Intermediate heat transfer fluid loops transmit heat between the vessel and the heat pump, and include reservoirs to inhibit the loss of thermal balance in the heat pump. Coolant fluid is circulated through the solvent reservoir to inhibit solvent evaporation when the apparatus is not being used.

Abstract: Substituted 1,2,4-triazines, compositions thereof and methods of using same are described. The compounds of the invention exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activity including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic, hypotensive and central nervous system effects.

Abstract: A method for preparing macroporous aminotriazine-aldehyde resins by reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a miscible porogen. The resin product has high surface area and porosity and displays excellent sorption capacity.