Gas Feeding Patents (Class 204/277)
  • Publication number: 20130299358
    Abstract: Information handling system metal housing portions, such as aluminum portions, are anodized in an electrolyte bath agitated by a balanced air deliver system that reduces dead zones for improved chemical distribution and consistent temperatures at the metal housing portion. Equal-sized air distribution portions selectively couple to an air distribution portion to provide an air distribution system with balanced air delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: James Slagle, Xue Ming Lu
  • Patent number: 8551317
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for forming an oxide coating film with excellent corrosion resistance and adhesiveness on a cathode made of a metal plate by a simple process at low cost. A direct current voltage is applied between an anode (12) and a cathode (13) in an electrolyte solution which cathode (13) is made of a metal plate to be coated with oxide and arranged opposite to the anode (12), while supplying oxygen or a gas containing oxygen into the electrolyte solution, so that the metal plate cathode (13) is coated with oxide, thereby being formed into a oxide-coated metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd., Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Kurokawa, Hiroshi Matsubayashi, Mitsuhide Aihara, Masanobu Matsubara, Masatoki Ishida, Norimasa Maida
  • Publication number: 20130186775
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating CO2 from an electrolyte solution are provided. Example apparatus can include: a vessel defining an interior volume and configured to house an electrolyte solution; an input conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; an output conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; and an anode located within the interior volume. Other example apparatus can include: an elongated vessel having two regions; an input conduit extending outwardly from the one region; an output conduit extending outwardly from the other region; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the one region; and an anode located within the one region. Methods for separating CO2 from an electrolyte solution are provided. Example methods can include: providing a CO2 rich electrolyte solution to a vessel containing an anode; and distributing hydrogen from the anode to acidify the electrolyte solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Battelle Memorial Institute
  • Publication number: 20130161202
    Abstract: An arrangement for treating water, particularly in swimming pools, with an electrolytic cell and a gas inlet port and fluid communication with a chamber of the cell wherein the gas inlet port allows gas into the chamber to displace water and water flow through the chamber ceases. Additionally, a method for improving safety of a water treatment system the method may include the step of purging water from an electrolytic cell of the water treatment system when water flow through a chamber of the electrolyte cell ceases. Additionally, a method of cleaning electrolytic plates in an electrolytic cell in an arrangement for treating water may include introducing gas into a chamber housing the electrolytic plates, displacing water from around the electrolytic plates with the gas, allowing the electrolytic plates to dry, at least partially, and activating a pump to deliver pressurized water to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Alexander Babych
  • Publication number: 20130126336
    Abstract: There is provided a carbon dioxide immobilization unit capable of easily immobilizing carbon dioxide in the form of an organic acid or a carbohydrate under a normal environment. An anode and a cathode both having a surface where an oxidoreductase is present are disposed to face each other with a proton conductor in between. Then, when electric power is externally supplied to the carbon dioxide immobilization unit, in the anode, water is decomposed to produce protons, and in the cathode, an organic acid or a carbohydrate is produced from the protons produced in the anode and carbon dioxide. At this time, while a carbon dioxide supply section supplies a high concentration of carbon dioxide to the cathode, oxygen produced in the anode and the organic acid or hydrocarbon produced in the cathode are removed from a reaction system through an oxygen removal section and a product recovery section, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Sakai, Hiroki Mita, Yuichi Tokita
  • Publication number: 20130075273
    Abstract: A device that can produce carbon monoxide for therapeutic and laboratory applications is disclosed. The device includes and electrochemical cell that converts carbon dioxide or a carbon dioxide containing molecule such as a carbonate or bicarbonate or bicarbonate into carbon monoxide and oxygen. The cell contains additives so pure carbon monoxide is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: DIOXIDE MATERIALS, INC
    Inventor: Dioxide Materials, Inc
  • Publication number: 20130048506
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell system to convert carbon dioxide to a hydrocarbon that includes a first electrode including a substrate having a metal porous dendritic structure applied thereon; a second electrode, and an electrical input adapted for coupling to a source of electricity, for applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of
  • Publication number: 20130043126
    Abstract: An electrolyzer apparatus includes an anode tank having an anode and a cathode tank having a cathode which are provided separately from each other. The anode tank includes a feed opening for feeding electrolytic solution into the tank, an anode aeration device for feeding aeration air to the fed electrolytic solution, and a gas extraction pipe for guiding gas generated from the anode tank to outside the tank. A communication pipe allows the amount of electrolytic solution fed into the anode tank to flow into the cathode tank, and via the electrolytic solution in the communication pipe, electric conduction becomes possible between the anode and the cathode. An amount of gas generated by an electrolysis reaction inside the anode tank is discharged to the outside of the anode tank via the gas extraction pipe together with the aeration air. The electrolytic solution introduced into the cathode tank is discharged continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: TAIKO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeo Asada, Kazuhiko Taguchi, Kouichi Taura, Koichi Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20130032488
    Abstract: A method for producing methanol includes dissolving carbon dioxide in water to obtain a two-phase coexistence aqueous solution that is pressurized and heated to a critical state to separate critical state carbon dioxide and critical water. The critical state carbon dioxide is reduced to critical state carbon monoxide. The critical water is electrolyzed to obtain super critical state hydrogen and super critical state oxygen. The critical state carbon monoxide reacts with the super critical state hydrogen to produce methanol. Furthermore, a device for producing methanol is also provided in the present invention, comprising a mixing unit, a conversion unit and a synthesis unit, and which is highly effective in producing methanol and frugal in energy use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Chang-Hsien Tai, Jr-Ming Miao, Wu-Jang Huang, Yao-Nan Wang
  • Publication number: 20130020205
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming an oxidation layer on a manifold block for a fuel cell stack, which forms an oxidation layer uniformly over the entire surface of a long and complicated internal flow field of a manifold block. In particular, the apparatus for forming an oxidation layer on a manifold block for a fuel cell stack includes: an electrolyte bath which contains an electrolyte required for the formation of the oxidation layer, an electrode for supplying a required electron flow for the formation of the oxidation layer from a power supply to the manifold block immersed in the electrolyte of the electrolyte bath and to the electrolyte, and an air supply for supplying oxygen to the electrolyte. Even more particularly, the electrode connected to the electrolyte is inserted into each internal flow field of the manifold block to provide an effective electron flow therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, WOOSHIN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Duck Whan Kim, Young Bum Kum, Sae Hoon Kim, Jung Han Yu, Chang Jun Lee, Young Hwan Ko
  • Publication number: 20120325652
    Abstract: A device for high temperature electrolysis of water, including: at least one elementary electrolysis cell formed from a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte intermediate between the cathode and the anode; a first device forming an electric and fluid interconnector including a metallic part delimited by at least one plane, the metallic part including two internal chambers, superposed one on the other, and a plurality of holes distributed around the surface, approximately perpendicular to the plane and divided into two groups, one of the groups of holes opens up onto the plane and directly into the adjacent chamber and the other group of holes opens up onto the plane and also in a furthest chamber through channels, the plane of the first interconnector being in mechanical contact with the plane of the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventor: Christian Perret
  • Publication number: 20120329657
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described for converting a carbon source and a hydrogen source into hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, for alternative energy sources. The influents may comprise carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas or water, obtainable from the atmosphere for through methods described herein, such as plasma generation or electrolysis. One method to produce hydrocarbons comprises the use of an electrolytic device, comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. Another method comprises the use of ultrasonic energy to drive the reaction. The devices and methods and related devices and methods are useful, for example, to provide a fossil fuel alternative energy source, store renewable energy, sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, counteract global warming, and store carbon dioxide in a liquid fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: PRINCIPLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig D. Eastman, Douglas R. Hole
  • Publication number: 20120325654
    Abstract: A high-temperature module for electrolysis of water with improved operational safety, in which steam containing at most 1% hydrogen can be made to flow simultaneously in each cathode and in each anode, as a draining gas, of a stack of cells. The stack of cells is housed in a sealed case and a mechanism for clamping by compression of the stack is included. The risks of leaks likely to cause impairments of efficiency and breakages of all or part of a stack EHT electrolyser are reduced, while a high level of efficiency is provided due to the fact that satisfactory electrical conduction is maintained by compression of the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Patrick Le Gallo, Jean-Luc Sarro, Michel Planque, Magali Reytier
  • Publication number: 20120312697
    Abstract: A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of removing protons and/or producing a base solution comprising hydroxide and carbonate/bicarbonate ions, utilizing carbon dioxide in a cathode compartment that is partitioned into a first cathode electrolyte compartment and a second cathode electrolyte compartment such that liquid flow between the cathode electrolyte compartments is possible, but wherein gaseous communication between the cathode electrolyte compartments is restricted. Carbon dioxide gas in one cathode electrolyte compartment is utilized with the cathode electrolyte in both compartments to produce the base solution with less that 3V applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: RYAN J. GILLIAM, Thomas A. Albrecht, Nikhil Jalani, Nigel Antony Knott, Valentin Decker, Michael Kostowskyj, Bryan Boggs, Alexander Gorer, Kasra Farsad
  • Publication number: 20120273367
    Abstract: A water purification system includes at least one flow electrolysis cell Each cell comprising an input for receiving wastewater, a cathode, a non-sacrificial anode, and an output for outputting purified water. The non-sacrificial anode is capable of being operated at an input power of at least about, 1000 W up to about 5000 W to form electrooxidation cocktail, and the electrooxidation cocktail treats the wastewater to form purified water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Constantinos Dean Themy, Thomas P. Geoca
  • Publication number: 20120261271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Nitrogen-rich water production system that produces water rich in nitrogen; wherein such water is considered as a fertilizer since nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants and one of their constituents. Thus, such Nitrogen-rich water can be mixed with irrigation water. The system of the present invention comprises a source of water vapor; an air pump; a source of high potential difference; an electrochemical reaction chamber, wherein such chamber comprises two electrical conductive plates with an air gap between them, means for adjusting the size of such air gap, an inlet, two outlets, a plate of a non-electrical conductive material; and a chemical reaction chamber that comprises a source of atomized water, an inlet, an outlet; a flask, and a plurality of valves. The present invention uses high potential difference to initiate the electrochemical reaction for the production of nitrogen-rich water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Husein Ahmad Kattab
  • Publication number: 20120222966
    Abstract: A hearing aid dehumidifier and disinfectant chamber. The chamber comprises an enclosure, including a vapor permeable wall, adapted to removably enclose a hearing aid. In vapor transmitting relationship with the vapor permeable wall is an electrochemical ozone generator, which is designed to draw water vapor from inside the enclosure and electrolyze it into at least ozone, which is discharged into the enclosure. Drawing the water vapor from the enclosure dries the hearing aid. The electrochemical action ceases when all water vapor is removed. Bathing the hearing aid in ozone for at least until the ozone decomposes, sterilizes the hearing aid, inside and out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: MB RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Martin S. Silverman, Lance Pritikin
  • Publication number: 20120222954
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolytic reaction system (1) for generating gaseous hydrogen and oxygen, comprising a reaction chamber (2) for accommodating an electrolyte and an electrode arrangement (3) comprising a plurality of anodic and cathodic electrodes (5, 6). The electrode arrangement (3) comprises a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes (5, 6) fanned out in a star-shaped arrangement, and a virtual fanning axis (7) of the star-shaped electrode arrangement (3) lies at least approximately on a virtual, central cylinder or vertical axis (8) or is congruent with a virtual, central cylinder or vertical axis (8) of the reaction chamber (2). At least one electromagnetic coil (13) is disposed above and/or underneath the star-shaped electrode arrangement (3) in the axial direction of the virtual cylinder or vertical axis (8), the electromagnetic field of which acts on the electrolyte and on the electrode arrangement (3) when exposed to electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: NEW ENERGY AG
    Inventor: Adolf Lothring
  • Publication number: 20120181182
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell and system used for making nitrogen trifluoride consisting of a computer and an electrolytic cell having a body, an electrolyte, at least one anode chamber that produces an anode product gas, at least one cathode chamber, and one or more fluorine adjustment means to maintain fluorine or hydrogen in the anode product gas within a target amount by adjusting the concentration of fluorine in said anode product gas, and the process that controls the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: James Joseph Hart, Reinaldo Mario Machado, Howard Paul Withers, JR., Sai-Hong A. Lo, Edward Jay Cialkowski, Krishnakumar Jambunathan
  • Patent number: 8221598
    Abstract: A system for plating according to one embodiment includes a plating cell containing plating solution; an anode in contact with the plating solution; a cathode in contact with the plating solution; and a hydrogen electrode in contact with the plating solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Diel, Richard M. Peekema, Murali Ramasubramanian
  • Patent number: 8157984
    Abstract: Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The water is then continuously oxidized with chlorine electrolytically to destroy the nitrogen compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Potable Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Miller Jorge, Miller Luisa Kling
  • Patent number: 8152990
    Abstract: Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The solids are floated by sparging and then the floating solids are swept from the surface of the water into an exit port using a conveyor from which downwardly depending flaps skim or near the surface, thus sweeping the floating floc into the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Potable Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jorge Miller, Luisa Kling Miller
  • Publication number: 20120073979
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a plating method and apparatus which do not require preparation of a separate treatment tank for each treatment step and therefore enable the facility to be reduced in size and, further, which can reduce the amounts of use of the treatment solutions. [Solution] A plating apparatus feeding a plating solution to a treatment tank in which an electrode is arranged and plating a workpiece made of a metal so as to perform plating, the plating apparatus characterized by being provided with a plurality of pipes which are connected to an outer wall of the treatment tank and a switch valve which is provided able to rotate at an inner side of the outer wall and which has at least one feed port for making at least one treatment solution feed pipe selected from the plurality of treatment solution feed pipes communicate with the treatment tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Shinyama, Tomoya Uchida
  • Publication number: 20120067021
    Abstract: A system employs a closed electrolyzer vessel into which water is circulated, and an electrode plate assembly immersed in the vessel to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Only water is used as the electrolyte fluid without any additives. An air injector in the water return line injects air bubbling for enhanced dissociation of water. The electrode plate assembly is formed by one or more unit stacks of 7-plates each, including two outer cathode plates, a middle anode plate, and spaced inner plates. The generated gases are maintained in a stable condition by an electromagnetic coil assembly that separates the hydrogen gas from oxygen gas. The system can obtain 180% reduction in fuel usage in a vehicle engine, and 20 times reduction in carbon exhaust. It can obtain a 500% increase in fuel efficiency in an electrical power generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Tasos Aggelopoulos
  • Patent number: 8128792
    Abstract: A fluorine gas generator is provided with which the gases used and/or generated, in case of leakage thereof, can be prevented from mixing together as far as possible and, even in case of gas leakage into the outside of the generator system, the leakage gas can be treated safely and in which the maintenance, exchange and other operations are easy to carry out. The generator comprises a box-shaped body containing an electrolyzer for fluorine gas generation, and the box-shaped body is divided into two or more compartments, including a compartment containing the electrolyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Hiraiwa, Osamu Yoshimoto, Tetsuro Tojo
  • Publication number: 20120031852
    Abstract: An electrode is described completely made of graphenes or containing high amounts of these compounds in mixture with nanostructured or non-nanostructured carbon-based materials. An electrooxidation process for the removal of contaminants from liquids, and a reactor for performing the process, based on the use of said electrodes, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: SA ENVITECH S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ivano Aglietto
  • Publication number: 20120031753
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode configuration of electrolysers using oxygen storage material to prevent oxidation of anodic active catalyst layer where oxygen storage material will be preferentially oxidised prior to anodic active catalyst. The inventions also relates to the use of hydrogen storage material with cathodic active catalyst to supply hydrogen to react with oxygen supplied from anodes when a reduction load is connected between the anode and cathode. One configuration utilises of individual layers containing oxygen and hydrogen storage materials, active catalyst layers, perforated current collectors, monopolar plates and a porous separator. A reduction load is used during operation of the electrolyser to convert metal oxides into pure metal by consuming oxygen from the electrolyser cell during stand by mode, shut down mode and intermittent operation, which will increase the durability of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Amitava Roy
  • Publication number: 20120018311
    Abstract: The carbon dioxide reduction method of the present invention is a method including steps of: bringing an electrode (working electrode) containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) into contact with an electrolytic solution; and introducing carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution to reduce the introduced carbon dioxide by the electrode. The material contained in the electrode, that is, the material containing a carbide of at least one element selected from Group V elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) is the carbon dioxide reduction catalyst of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi YOTSUHASHI, Reiko Taniguchi, Yuji Zenitani
  • Publication number: 20120006678
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a substance for the analysis of isotope ratios, at least some of the substance being contained in a liquid phase in which the liquid phase is subjected to electrolysis and, in the process, the substance or a pre-product for the latter is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Krummen, Hans-Jürgen Schlüter
  • Publication number: 20110308964
    Abstract: A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of removing protons and/or producing a base solution using a gas diffusion anode and a cathode electrolyte comprising dissolved carbon dioxide, while applying 2V or less across the anode and cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: RYAN J. GILLIAM, Valentin Decker, Nigel Antony Knott, Michael Kostowskyj, Bryan Boggs, Kasra Farsad
  • Publication number: 20110303551
    Abstract: An electrochemical system comprising a cathode electrolyte comprising added carbon dioxide and contacting a cathode; and a first cation exchange membrane separating the cathode electrolyte from an anode electrolyte contacting an anode; and an electrochemical method comprising adding carbon dioxide into a cathode electrolyte separated from an anode electrolyte by a first cation exchange membrane; and producing an alkaline solution in the cathode electrolyte and an acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: RYAN J. GILLIAM, VALENTIN DECKER, NIGEL ANTONY KNOTT, MICHAEL KOSTOWSKYJ, BRYAN BOGGS
  • Publication number: 20110297551
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an electronic component according to an Embodiment, includes a seed film forming process and an electro-plating process. In the seed film forming process, a seed film is formed above a substrate. In the electro-plating process, electro-plating is performed by soaking the seed film in a plating solution in a plating bath to which the plating solution being bubbled by a nitrogen gas is supplied, using the seed film as a cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Toshiyuki MORITA, Satoshi Wakatsuki
  • Patent number: 8070852
    Abstract: The oxygen partial pressure control unit includes a gas purification section for purifying the gas having the oxygen partial pressure controlled within a range of from 0.2 to 10?30 atm, and a tank for storing the purified gas produced by the gas purification section. The purified gas stored within the tank is supplied to the another unit. The oxygen partial pressure control unit includes a circulation circuit including the tank and the gas purification section. The gas filled in the tank 20 is caused to circulate along the circulation circuit, and the purified gas produced by the gas purification section is stored in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Machinery Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishimura, Toru Nagasawa, Haruhiko Matsushita, Ryusuke Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8038852
    Abstract: A fluorine gas generator for generating highly pure fluorine gas in a stable and safe manner by electrolyzing an electrolytic bath 2 comprising hydrogen fluoride in the form of a molten mixed gas is provided which comprises an electrolytic cell 1 divided, by a partition wall 16, into an anode chamber 3 in which an anode is disposed and a cathode chamber 4 in which a cathode is disposed, pressure maintenance means for maintaining the anode chamber 3 and cathode chamber 4 at atmospheric pressure, and liquid level sensing means 5, 6 capable of sensing the levels of the electrolytic bath 2 in the anode chamber 3 and in the cathode chamber 4, respectively, at three or more level stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Tojo, Jiro Hiraiwa, Osamu Yoshimoto, Hitoshi Takebayashi, Yoshitomi Tada, Udai Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110214985
    Abstract: An energy transport and storage system in combination with a method of water treatment, which includes: a fresh water or effluent water interconnection, an electricity interconnection with an electric grid, a water filtration and de-mineralization system, a fresh or effluent water electrolyser, a heat recovery system connected to the electrolyser, an electrolyte recovery system connected to the electrolyser, an interconnection to an alternative hydrogen gas supply, a high pressure underground hydrogen gas storage system, a safety valve connected to the underground hydrogen gas storage system, an electric generation system powered by compressed hydrogen gas turning a turbine during decompression which can recycle electricity within the system or send electricity to an electric grid, a hydrogen gas outlet for distribution of hydrogen, an oxygen gas transport system which sends oxygen gas to a water treatment facility to be used for water disinfection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Belford Brown
  • Publication number: 20110214997
    Abstract: A device for hydrogen gas production comprising a working electrode comprising a magnetically-modified semiconductor electrode. Onset of hydrogen gas evolution for the device, measured at a current density of about 0.4 mA/cm2, occurs at an overpotential of no more than about ?1200 mV, or no more than about ?600 mV, or no more than about ?500 mV. The magnetically-modified semiconductor working electrode provides the device with a photoconversion efficiency of at least about 0.1%, or at least about 1.6%, or at least about 6.2%. Other applications include photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical synthesis, and photocatalysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Johna LEDDY, Heung Chan Lee
  • Publication number: 20110162975
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of hydrogen, oxygen and hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide in the liquid phase with water in the liquid phase to provide and maintain a liquid electrolytic medium in a chamber (12) containing a positive electrode (18) and negative electrode (20). A direct electrical current is applied to the positive electrode (18) and negative electrode (20) to effect ionization of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen and to produce positively charged hydrogen and carbon ions and negatively charged oxygen ions. The hydrogen and carbon ions are separated from the oxygen ions and combine to form hydrogen, carbon and hydrocarbons (typically methane) from the carbon and hydrogen ions, and oxygen from the oxygen ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FFGF LIMITED
    Inventor: Steven Alan Wolfowitz
  • Patent number: 7972484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-diffusion electrode for chlor-alkali electrolysis cells integrated in a percolator of plastic porous material suitable for being vertically crossed by a downward flow of electrolyte. The electrode comprises a catalytic composition based on silver and/or nickel mixed to a polymeric binder, directly supported on the percolator without any interposed reticulated metal current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Industrie De Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Christian Urgeghe, Fulvio Federico
  • Publication number: 20110139629
    Abstract: An electrode material, an electrode and a process for hydrogen chloride electrolysis based on platinum metal as catalyst, in which the electrode material has a nanosize mixture of platinum particles and silver particles, is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Bayer Material Science AG
    Inventors: Rainer Weber, Jürgen Kintrup, Wolfgang Schuhmann, Michael Bron, Artjom Maljusch, Chikka Nagaiah Tharamani
  • Publication number: 20110135565
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen from sodium hydroxide and water is disclosed. The method comprises separating sodium from a first aqueous sodium hydroxide stream in a sodium ion separator, feeding the sodium produced in the sodium ion separator to a sodium reactor, reacting the sodium in the sodium reactor with water, and producing a second aqueous sodium hydroxide stream and hydrogen. The method may also comprise reusing the second aqueous sodium hydroxide stream by combining the second aqueous sodium hydroxide stream with the first aqueous sodium hydroxide stream. A system of producing hydrogen is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis N. Bingham, Kerry M. Klingler, Terry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding, Lyman Frost
  • Publication number: 20110114503
    Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemical production of urea are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (B). Step (A) may introduce carbon dioxide and NOx to a solution of an electrolyte and a heterocyclic catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode may reduce the carbon dioxide and the NOx into a first sub-product and a second sub-product, respectively. Step (B) may combine the first sub-product and the second sub-product to produce urea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: LIQUID LIGHT, INC.
    Inventors: Narayanappa Sivasankar, Emily Cole, Kyle Teamey, Andrew Bocarsly
  • Publication number: 20110108415
    Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a substrate includes a substrate supporting member that supports the substrate such that a plating surface of the substrate faces upwardly, an anode electrode disposed at an upper part of the substrate supporting member, a power source for applying a voltage to the anode electrode and the substrate, and a plating solution supply member for supplying a plating solution onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: UIHYOUNG LEE, Namseog Kim, WoonHo Seo, Min-Suk Han, YoungHyun Ju, Ju-il Choi
  • Publication number: 20110089049
    Abstract: An electrolytic method for treatment of water to increase the dissolved oxygen content, the method including: (a) contacting the water with at least one first electrode device; (b) providing at least one second electrode device in non-physical, electrical contact with the water; (c) introducing an oxidant to the water, and (d) passing an electric current between the second electrode device and the first electrode device, so as to establish an electric field in the water of sufficient strength and duration to effect the electrolytic dissociation of the water to produce dissolved oxygen and/or hydrogen species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: IOGENYX PTY LTD
    Inventor: Andrew Peter Musson
  • Publication number: 20110083968
    Abstract: An alkaline production system comprising an electrochemical unit comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode, a cathode compartment comprising a cathode and a hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode, wherein the system configured to sequester carbon dioxide with the cathode electrolyte; and methods thereof. In another embodiment, a system comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode in communication with a cathode electrolyte comprising bicarbonate ion; and an hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode; and methods thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Ryan J. Gilliam, Valentin Decker, Bryan Boggs, Nikhil Jalani, Thomas A. Albrecht, Matt Smith
  • Patent number: 7867368
    Abstract: A plating apparatus has a tubular electrode (16) placed in a hollow section (12) of work (11). The tubular electrode (16) has a through-hole (16a) formed in the longitudinal direction. A circular tube-like gap (S1) in which a plating liquid (17) flows is formed between the tubular electrode placed in the hollow section and an inner peripheral wall (14) of the hollow section. The plating liquid flows spirally from the lower end of the gap to the upper end by action of a vortex producing flow path (29) communicating to the lower end of the gap. The plating liquid having reached the upper end circulates through the through-hole of the tubular electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Ogawa, Hajime Miyasaka
  • Publication number: 20100326822
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell that receives an inlet stream of air and produces an outlet stream of a high oxygen concentration of gas. The cell is made up of a plurality of layers and preferably a porous electrolyte comprised of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) that allows only oxygen ions to pass therethrough and which is covered on its sides with electrodes comprised of lanthanum strontium manganate (LSM) which in turn are coated with a layer of platinum to aid in the even distribution of the electrical current. An electrical current is passed through the electrodes to produce a voltage difference therebetween. The layers of YSZ and LSM are formed by a sol-gel process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Ravi R. Chandran, Lisa Klein, Sandra Mege
  • Publication number: 20100323249
    Abstract: Provided are an air electrode having a structure in which an anion exchange membrane and an air electrode catalyst layer are laminated and the anion exchange membrane is disposed in contact with an aqueous alkaline solution; and a metal-air battery, an alkaline fuel cell, and a water electrolysis device each having the air electrode. The air electrode of the present invention can reduce or solve various conventional problems of an air electrode in a metal-air battery, fuel cell, and the like, which use an aqueous alkaline solution as an electrolyte, and can maintain high performance for a long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Naoko Fujiwara, Kazuaki Yasuda, Tsutomu Ioroi
  • Publication number: 20100313794
    Abstract: Provided are methods for producing carbonate-containing compositions comprising silicon-based material (e.g., pozzolanic material) from a source of carbon dioxide, a divalent cation-containing solution, and a source of proton-removing agents. In such methods, divalent cations of the divalent cation-containing solution are provided by digestion of material comprising metal silicates. Also provided are methods for producing carbonate-containing compositions comprising little or no silicon-based material. In such methods, silicon-based material (e.g., silica, unreacted or undigested silicates, aluminosilicates, etc.) may be separated and processed separately from carbonate-containing compositions. Silicon-based material and carbonate-containing material may be blended at a later stage to produce a pozzolanic material, which may be further processed and blended with, for example, Portland cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Laurence Clodic, Cecily Ryan, Miguel Fernandez, Kasra Farsad, Sidney Omelon, Philip Tuet, Paulo Monteiro, Gordon E. Brown, JR., Katharine Geramita
  • Publication number: 20100269753
    Abstract: Apparatus is described for treating a gas stream. The apparatus comprises a gas passage (72) for receiving the gas stream, a plurality of hollow cathodes (94) located about the gas passage (72), means for supplying to the hollow cathodes (94) a gaseous source of reactive species for reacting with a component of the gas stream, means for applying a potential to the hollow cathodes (94) to form the reactive species from said source, and a reaction chamber (110) for receiving the gas stream and the reactive species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew James Seeley, Raul Antonio Abreu Abreu
  • Publication number: 20100258450
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen from salt water by electrolysis. The apparatus includes a cathode plate and an anode plate spaced apart from the cathode plate. The apparatus also includes a cathode end connector for electrically connecting the cathode plate to a negative terminal of a direct current electrical power supply, and an anode end connector for electrically connecting the anode plate to a positive terminal of the direct current electrical power supply. The cathode plate is made from aluminum, and the anode plate is made from zinc. The aluminum cathode plate may have a multiplicity of apertures therein. It has been determined that the aluminum cathode plate and the zinc anode plate tend to provide an effective combination for salt water electrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: John Christopher BURTCH