Abstract: The invention involves a cell which may be used for producing molten aluminum by electrolysis of aluminum oxide in a molten bath. The cell includes a cathode and an anode, a bar and a hanger. The bar is connected at an upper end to the hanger and at a lower end to the anode. Flexible means is provided for supplying electrical current through the bar to the anode. A jack means raises and lowers the hanger and thus the anode. Included in the invention, the hanger is mounted at at least two separated points, one higher than the other, in encompassing, sliding relationship, on a single, upright, circular cross-sectioned post passing through the hanger. By this technique, the hanger is constrained to move up and down, without relation about horizontal axes.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for reclaiming dissolved metal from a liquid, in which a pail or similar container (10) is provided with at least one pair of nested, concentric cylindrical metal cathodes (16, 34) with an anode rod (40) located concentric with the central cathode (34) and a plurality of anode rods (38) located in the annulus between the cathodes (16, 34). Liquid containing metal to be reclaimed is introduced by gravity feed at a location (20) near the bottom of the container (10) so that when a voltage is applied between the cathodes (16, 34) and anodes (38, 40), the dissolved metal plates out on the cathodes (16, 34) and essentially metal-free liquid may be drawn off at a location (22) near the upper portion of the container.

Abstract: Improved graphite composite electrodes are provided by rendering the matrix resin conductive by dispersing therein 5 to 15% by weight of a conductive pigment and by uniformly dispersing therein randomly oriented graphite fibers having a diameter below 30 microns and a length no more than 1/2 the thickness of the electrode plate. The electrodes are particularly useful in the disinfection of aqueous liquids with low power consumption and with very low ablation of the surface of the electrode.

Abstract: To prevent transport of deleterious oxygen and moisture to liquid electrolyte in an aluminum electroplating vessel, workpieces move towards the vessel through an antechamber containing inert gas under pressure and comprising a plenum chamber opening downwardly into a lock chamber containing aprotic liquid. They move down into the liquid, then up out of it, into and through an inverted-U-shaped passageway containing higher pressure inert gas and which communicates with the lock chamber below the surface of the liquid therein and communicates with the electrolysis vessel above the surface of the electrolyte. At each connection between parts, where atmospheric oxygen might move towards the electrolyte, there are double mechanical seals defining a substantially annular chamber filled with aprotic liquid that forms a gas barrier, and such liquid is, where possible, shielded by inert gas.

Abstract: A method of electrochemical processing comprises the steps as follows: maintaining a variable gap between a processing electrode and a work-piece, having a value equal to a minimum permissible gap corresponding to processing conditions; with the gap value reaching a critical value, moving the processing electrode to obtain a gap approximately equal to or less than the critical value; applying a train of voltage pulses; and changing the length of each pulse and/or the space interval between pulses. When the space interval becomes equal to a value commensurate with the time of withdrawal of the processing electorode, a single voltage pulse is applied.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell with a tank for the electrolyte is disclosed wherein several plate-like electrodes are fitted in the tank together with members for connecting the electrodes to the source of electric current, the members, connected to at least one pole of the source of electric current, being aluminum or, when welded with an aluminum additive, alternatively copper conductor rails or suspended conductors which have been attached to the titanium shell part on its opposite side in relation to the titanium electrodes or directly to the titanium electrodes either by gas arc welding or by welding aluminum on the titanium shell part of the electrolytic tank or on those parts of the titanium electrodes adapted to be attached to the conductors.

Abstract: A disinfection device has a plurality of electrodes arranged in planes, the electrodes in the planes being conductively connected by conductive and non-conductive carrier elements at their opposite ends. The elements alternate on opposed walls of the housing and fit together by reason of projections and corresponding recesses on the conductive and non-conductive elements. The electrodes may be, in certain embodiments, of expanded metal or sintered metal.

Abstract: An improved wire-electrode support and guidance assembly for electrical machining comprise a first wheel rotatable about a first axis and formed along its periphery with a continuous annular recess of a uniform depth and adapted to receive and retain therein a continuous wire electrode which is axially advanced and transported from a supply reel to a collection reel through the region of a workpiece. The assembly includes a second wheel rotatable about a second axis parallel to the aforesaid first axis and having a flange of a profile substantially complementary to that of the aforesaid recess, and includes means for urging the first and second axes relatively towards each other to drive the flange of the second wheel into a mating engagement with the recess of the first wheel so that the wire electrode when passed through the recess is squeezed surfaces of the recess and the flange.

Abstract: An anode for a cell for electrolytic recovery of nonferrous metals especially copper is provided with a plate-shaped deposition surface, a hanger for suspending the anode in the cell, and a perforated pipe along a bottom edge of the anode for discharging bubbles of gas upwardly in the electrolyte along the faces of the anode. A bar along an edge of the anode can be provided with a feeder for the gas communicating with the pipe and the hanger may have a passage communicating with this feeder.

Abstract: Device for the recovery of gases formed during the electrolytic preparation of alkali metal chlorides, characterized by scrubbing columns having a hydraulic guard, and by automatic distribution systems for inert gas and for air, said distribution systems being controlled by the operation of the current generator and by the operating amperage of the cells, respectively.This device permits the recovery, under satisfactory safety conditions, of the hydrogen present during the electrolysis of alkali metal chlorides for the production of alkali metal chlorates.

Abstract: An improved anode element for monopolar filter-press electrolysis cells comprises providing said anode element with an integral hollow member positioned above the upper surface of said anode element. Preferably, said hollow member is formed as an integral extension of the electrode frame, said hollow member having an outlet for withdrawing chlorine gas and being adapted to permit continuous fluid contact with said anode element, said hollow member being further adapted to provide sufficient hydrostatic pressure in said anode element for optimal liquid flow through the diaphragm over the entire operating cycle of the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline waste stream containing chlorinated hydrocarbons is treated in an electrolytic diaphragm cell both to reduce the organics content of the waste stream as well as to recover chlorine and caustic values.

Abstract: The electrochemical working method according to the invention comprises the use of two electrodes whereof one oscillates with respect to the other. Voltage pulses are applied to the electrodes in synchronization with the oscillation and are continued to be applied thereto when the electrodes are found at a minimum distance from one the other. As the electrodes are brought apart, cavitation is produced in the interelectrode gap, which phenomenon is accompanied by a change in the relative resistance of the gap. A cavitation transducer is used to measure a parameter which unambiguously determines the cavitation intensity corresponding to a preset minimum gap. In order to control the electrochemical treatment process, a comparator produces a signal equal to the difference between a signal corresponding to the actual relative value of the parameter function and formed by a computing unit, and a signal corresponding to a predetermined value of the parameter.

Abstract: A portable unit for recovering metallic silver from photographic processing solutions includes a lightweight, molded tank structure. Spaced, elongate, stationary anodes are disposed within the tank and are positioned parallel to each other. An elongate cathode assembly is supported for rotation in the tank about an axis parallel to the anodes. The cathode assembly includes a specially configured apertured barrel designed to promote efficient contact between photographic solution and the remainder of the cathode components. The barrel is readily removed from the unit and disassembled to permit cathode components to be stripped of plated silver. Alternate cathode constructions are disclosed by which extremely efficient plating and silver recovery may be accomplished. The unit also includes a drive shaft seal assembly for supporting the cathode assembly for rotation. The seal assembly is flexible to permit operation of the device even when misaligned bearing support structures are provided.

Abstract: An electrolyzer cell is made up of a pair of electrodes (1,1') separated by a diaphragm (2). The diaphragm is sandwiched between a pair of frames (3,3') and generally includes its own frame (4). It is difficult to make frames sufficiently accurately for large cells (e.g. up to 2 m.sup.2). using conventional techniques of cutting the frame out from a sheet of material or by one-piece moulding. The present invention uses assembly of elongate frame components. Preferably they are joined together using dovetail joints (31,41), which ensure adequate sealing, and with the dovetails shifted from one frame to the next to ensure a more uniform pressing effect.

Abstract: A chlorine generator is disclosed for use in chlorinating water in swimming pools, baths, reservoirs, sewage, etc. The generator is of the type consisting of two sealed compartments separated by an ion-permeable membrane and having a cathode in one compartment and an anode in the other. Hydrogen is evolved from the cathode compartment and chlorine from the anode compartment. In this generator, an electrically neutral or bipolar electrode (one not connected in the anode-cathode circuit) is positioned between the anode and the cathode adjacent to the ion-permeable membrane in the anode compartment. The chlorine generator is characterized by a more rapid start up in generating chlorine and in more rapid and more efficient generation of chlorine with chlorine being released at both the anode and the neutral electrode.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for electro-chemically machining an article, such as an aerofoil shaped blade for a turbo machine. The assembly comprises a plurality of electrodes 2,3 for location adjacent a workpiece 7. Each electrode 2,3 is constrained to move in a first direction towards each other and towards the workpiece 7 and has two side members 22,23 carried by a main body 21. The side members 22,23 are constrained to move with the main body 21 and also relative to the main body in directions parallel to the first direction. The side members 22,23 advance ahead of the main body 21 and when they abut the side members 22,23 of the other electrodes 2,3 their advancement is stopped while the main bodies 21 of the electrodes 2,3, continue to approach each other for a predetermined distance. In this way edge effects during machining are eliminated enabling an accurate shape of article to be produced.

Abstract: A unitary filter press cell circuit is described. The circuit comprises a plurality of individual electrolytic cells mounted on a support structure positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell circuit. The longitudinal support structure is comprised of the electrolyte inlet conduits for the cell circuit and the electrolysis product outlet conduits for the cell circuit. The composite unit, cells and support structure, may be moved as a single unit, suitably by hoisting, facilitating the removal from service of a faulty circuit and the subsequent substitution with a replacement circuit. The longitudinal support structure is suitably comprised of conduits or headers for catholyte, anolyte, the anodic products and the cathodic products of the cells in the circuit. Although the conduits may be round or oval in cross-section, conduits of a rectangular cross-section are preferred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and electrolytic cell for making hypochlorous acid (HClO) by electrolysis of an aqueous chloride solution circulating through a generally closed-loop system. The electrolytic cell includes a first electrode comprising a plurality of first wires which are generally spaced from each other, and a second electrode comprising a plurality of second wires generally spaced from each other. The first wires are juxtaposed with the second wires so as to form a passageway for enabling the flow of the chloride solution therebetween. The two electrodes are carried within a housing which includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening coupled to a conduit and spaced on the housing for guiding the flow of the chloride solution over the electrodes. Electronics are provided for impressing an electrical potential of opposing polarity onto the first and second electrodes, thereby enabling the electrolysis of the chloride solution therebetween.

Abstract: The electrolysis cell, e.g. for use in the construction of an electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale, comprises an alternate series of electrodes 1 to 7 and plane diaphragms 8 to 13, which are parallel and separated from one another by spaces 58 in which an electrolyte can circulate between inlets 16, 17 located on one face 14 of the cell and the outlets 18, 19 located on an opposite face 15 of the cell. The inlet and outlet faces 14, 15 of the cell are parallel to the electrodes and the inlets and outlets communicate with inlet and outlet channels 21 to 23 which extend perpendicular to the electrodes and are connected together by passages between the electrodes and diaphragms, alternate passages being connected to different inlets for different polarity electrolytes.