Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Hardee

Kenneth L. Hardee has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10590546
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrode element having a valve metal substrate, a first catalyst component applied to said substrate, said first catalyst component suitable for evolving oxygen from an aqueous solution under anodic polarization, a second catalyst component suitable for generating chlorine dioxide from a chlorate solution in acidic environment; said first and second catalyst component being electrically insulated from each other. The inventions also concern an electrolytic cell having such an electrode element and a process for the generation of chlorine dioxide on a catalyst component an electrochemical cell comprising such an electrode element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Patent number: 10283780
    Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell, especially a zinc-bromine flow battery or a hydrogen/bromine flow battery, and methods for manufacturing and using the electrode is provided. The electrode has a metal substrate and a catalytic coating applied onto the substrate wherein the catalytic coating has a Ru-rich mixture of ruthenium and having 70-80 mol % Ru, 1-5 mol % Pt and 17-25 mol % Ir. The catalytic coating composition exhibits a surprisingly high voltage efficiency and operating lifetime despite its relatively low Ir/Ru and Pt/Ru ratios. The underlying metal substrate is for example a porous Ti layer or a layer with titanium suboxides TixOy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Allen, Sobha Abraham, Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Publication number: 20180040903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for use in electrochemical cells and systems, such as rechargeable batteries, having a metal substrate and a catalytic coating applied onto the substrate. The catalytic coating has a mixture of noble metals or noble metal oxides and can be used to improve the energy efficiency of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher J. ALLEN, Sobha ABRAHAM, Kenneth L. HARDEE
  • Publication number: 20170211194
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrode element having a valve metal substrate, a first catalyst component applied to said substrate, said first catalyst component suitable for evolving oxygen from an aqueous solution under anodic polarization, a second catalyst component suitable for generating chlorine dioxide from a chlorate solution in acidic environment; said first and second catalyst component being electrically insulated from each other. The inventions also concern an electrolytic cell having such an electrode element and a process for the generation of chlorine dioxide on a catalyst component an electrochemical cell comprising such an electrode element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth L. HARDEE
  • Patent number: 8702877
    Abstract: A cathodic member for electrochemical cells used in hypochlorite production comprises a zirconium plate coated with a zirconium oxide layer, which is particularly suitable for minimising the decomposition of the hypochlorite product while ensuring a prolonged lifetime. The coated zirconium plate can be used as the cathodic plate in a monopolar cell, or can be welded to a titanium plate for use in a bipolar configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Industrie de Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jr., Richard C. Carlson, Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Publication number: 20120318748
    Abstract: The invention relate to the addition of mixture of non-halide salts to the water of above-ground swimming pools to allow sterilisation by in-situ electrochlorination with a modest sodium chloride content. A limitation of sodium chloride concentration in above-ground pools is necessary to prevent corrosion of the relevant steel supporting structure. The salt mixture additive contains sodium bisulphate and other salts of low toxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Industrie De Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, Kenneth L. Hardee, Stephanie Ann Lau
  • Patent number: 8142898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably ruthenium, titanium and tin or antimony oxides. The coating uses water as a solvent that provides for a smoother surface than alcohol based solvents. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell and in particular a cell for the electrolysis of aqueous chlor-alkali solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: De Nora Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kenneth L. Hardee, Dino F. DiFranco, Michael S. Moats
  • Publication number: 20110174628
    Abstract: A cathodic member for electrochemical cells used in hypochlorite production comprises a zirconium plate coated with a zirconium oxide layer, which is particularly suitable for minimising the decomposition of the hypochlorite product while ensuring a prolonged lifetime. The coated zirconium plate can be used as the cathodic plate in a monopolar cell, or can be welded to a titanium plate for use in a bipolar configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Industrie De Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, JR., Richard C. Carlson, Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Patent number: 7884044
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably platinum group metal oxides with or without valve metal oxides, and containing a transition metal component such as palladium, rhodium or cobalt. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell for the electrolysis of a halogen-containing solution wherein the palladium component reduces the operating potential of the anode and eliminates the necessity of a “break-in” period to obtain the lowest anode potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Dino F. DiFranco, Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Publication number: 20100044219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably ruthenium, titanium and tin or antimony oxides. The coating uses water as a solvent that provides for a smoother surface than alcohol based solvents. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell and in particular a cell for the electrolysis of aqueous chlor-alkali solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kenneth L. Hardee, Dino F. DiFranco, Michael S. Moats
  • Patent number: 7632535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably ruthenium, titanium and tin or antimony oxides. The coating uses water as a solvent that provides for a smoother surface than alcohol based solvents. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell and in particular a cell for the electrolysis of aqueous chlor-alkali solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: De Nora Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kenneth L. Hardee, Dino F. DiFranco, Michael S. Moats
  • Publication number: 20090211918
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an arrangement of anode/cathode pairs, in which the accumulation of scales or similar fouling phenomena are prevented by alternatively operating either the anode or the cathode of one pair and the corresponding counterelectrode of the adjacent pair, the non-operated electrode of each pair being at open circuit. The electrolyte dissolves the scale deposits on the electrodes at open circuit, without resorting to harmful current reversal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Industrie De Nora S.p.A.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Patent number: 7258778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably platinum group metal oxides, with or without low levels of valve metal oxides. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell and in particular a cell for the electrolysis of aqueous chlor-alkali solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Patent number: 6998029
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for protecting electrowinning anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings in a bank of electrolytic cells from being damaged by reverse currents. In the first embodiment, one or more auxiliary power sources are provided that, when triggered by one or more predetermined conditions being met, keep the bank of electrolytic cells in an electrical state that is relatively harmless to the anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings. In a second embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining the polarization of anodes in an electrowinning cell positive of the cathodes (i.e. in a potential region where the anode coating is not susceptible to significant damage). In a final embodiment, the invention is directed to various methods for the installation of replacement anodes and maintenance of electrowinning cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Michael S. Moats, Carl W. Brown, Jr., Robert L. Wilhelm, Edward M. Halko, Zane A. Wade
  • Patent number: 6802948
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for cooper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Lynne M. Ernes, Carl W. Brown, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040188247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably platinum group metal oxides, with or without low levels of valve metal oxides. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell and in particular a cell for the electrolysis of aqueous chlor-alkali solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Hardee
  • Publication number: 20030066759
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for protecting electrowinning anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings in a bank of electrolytic cells from being damaged by reverse currents. In the first embodiment, one or more auxiliary power sources are provided that, when triggered by one or more predetermined conditions being met, keep the bank of electrolytic cells in an electrical state that is relatively harmless to the anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings. In a second embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining the polarization of anodes in an electrowinning cell positive of the cathodes (i.e. in a potential region where the anode coating is not susceptible to significant damage). In a final embodiment, the invention is directed to various methods for the installation of replacement anodes and maintenance of electrowinning cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Michael S. Moats, Carl W. Brown, Robert L. Wilhelm, Edward M. Halko, Zane A. Wade
  • Patent number: 6527939
    Abstract: A method of producing copper foil, and more particularly, in an electrochemical cell containing organic substituents, is provided herein. The metal may be deposited on an electrode that comprises an electrode base having at least one undercoating layer of an active coating and at least one topcoating layer of no significant activity. The copper electrodeposition cell can operate without an adverse affect on electrode potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth L Hardee
  • Publication number: 20030019760
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for cooper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Lynne M. Ernes, Carl W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6368489
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for copper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hardee, Lynne M. Ernes, Carl W. Brown, Jr.