Parallel Plate Type Electrodes Patents (Class 204/278.5)
  • Publication number: 20040074765
    Abstract: Object of the invention is an anodic structure for mercury cathode cells for the industrial electrolysis of sodium chloride. The new structure is constituted by a grid array comprising a multiplicity of vertically disposed and mutually parallel titanium blades, covered by an electrocatalytic coating specific for the discharge of chlorine. The ratio between the thickness and the height of the blades is comprised between 1:16 and 1:100 and the ratio between the surface of free passage between the blades and the projected surface is comprised between 15:17 and 25:30. The new grid array is perpendicularly fixed to new or existing frames having the function of mechanical support and current conduction to the grid array. Scope of the invention is simultaneously reducing the energetic consumption of the cell and the costs for restoring the exhausted electrocatalytic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Giovanni Meneghini
  • Patent number: 6716325
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell including a plurality of electrodes arranged to define a plurality of channels between adjacent electrodes is disclosed. Each channel is in fluid communication adjacent a first end with a first adjacent channel and is in fluid communication adjacent a second end with a second adjacent channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Malcolm Barrie Bentley
  • Patent number: 6691927
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fluid emission control of a conductive fluid utilizes a passive electrolytic reaction to ionize the conductive fluid. The apparatus includes a fluid emission system having a reaction chamber that includes an anode and cathode to initiate an electrolytic reaction within the conductive fluid and reaction chamber. An ion-generating member is disposed within the reaction chamber and enhances the electrical bias in the conductive fluid. An oxidation-controlling member disposed within the reaction chamber retards oxidation of the anode and cathode. The metallic component parts and amount of such component parts used in the reaction chamber are chosen to achieve a target voltage, which that amount of voltage created, by the electrolytic reaction necessary to charge a fluid droplet of any density to achieve a maximum acceleration of fluid droplets as the fluid droplets enter and leave a spray cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Malloy
  • Patent number: 6689262
    Abstract: An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The hydrogen forms bubbles at the cathode, which bubbles rise to the surface. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. The electrodes may be a metal or oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, iridium, nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium, cobalt, tungsten, manganese, tantalum, molybdenum, lead, titanium, platinum, palladium and osmium or oxides thereof. The electrodes may be formed into open grids or may be closed surfaces. The most preferred cathode is a stainless steel mesh. The most preferred mesh is a {fraction (1/16)} inch grid. The most preferred anode is platinum and iridium oxide on a support. A preferred support is titanium. Models suitable for different uses are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Aqua Innovation, Inc.
    Inventor: James Andrew Senkiw
  • Patent number: 6663766
    Abstract: The invention provides an electroflocculation process for producing potable water from impure water, comprising forming trivalent ions in situ by electrolysis of metallic electrodes (16) selected from the group consisting of metallic aluminum electrodes and metallic iron electrodes, wherein water to be treated is caused to ascend sequentially through apertures (22) provided in a stack of parallel metallic plates (16) serving as said electrodes, each plate being charged with a polarity opposite to plates adjacent thereto, apertures of adjacent plates being vertically misaligned, whereby turbulent flow and mixing is created by the sequential passage of said water to be treated from the aperture of the lowest of said plates to the apertures of the plates thereabove to exit from the highest of said plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Inventors: Avner Adin, Nicholai Vescan
  • Patent number: 6589404
    Abstract: The electrolytic cell has a trough-like container with a bottom, with side walls and with at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the electrolyte. Numerous plate-like electrodes are disposed in the container and are partly immersed in an electrolyte bath. The bottom of the container which is in contact with the electrolyte bath has numerous openings for the passage of electrolyte, and below the bottom there is disposed at least one distribution chamber for recirculated electrolyte. At least one of the side walls of the container is equipped with at least one recirculation chamber for recirculating electrolyte from the electrolyte bath into the distribution chamber, the upper portion of the recirculation chamber being connected with the electrolyte bath and the lower portion of the recirculation chamber communicating with the distribution chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: MG Technologies AG
    Inventors: Nikola Anastasijevic, Stefan Laibach, Reinhard Dobner, Helmut Schatton
  • Patent number: 6576110
    Abstract: An anode is configured to be used within a metal film plating apparatus. The anode has a substantially planar electric field generating portion and an electrolyte solution chemical reaction portion. The planar electric field generating portion is coated with an inert material that is impervious to the electrolyte solution. In one embodiment, the anode is formed as a perforated anode. In one aspect, the electric field generating portion is formed contiguous with the electrolyte solution chemical reaction portion. In another aspects, the planar electric field generating portion is formed as a distinct member from the electrolyte solution chemical reaction portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Maydan
  • Publication number: 20030070919
    Abstract: Dielectric rails (112) support an electrode stack (109) that is compressed between end pressure plates (118). The stack is composed of a dielectric spacer (46, 103) forming a central spacer opening, separating a pair of electrode plates (101,102) that each have a different configuration of openings. A first electrode plate (101) of the pair has a central aperture, while the second electrode plate (102) of the pair has peripheral apertures. A compression device such as a hydraulic cylinder (124) compresses the stack, sliding the plates and spacers together to form a pressure-tight reaction chamber (108). When the cylinder is released, any plate or spacer is readily removed from the stack for replacement or maintenance merely by lifting it off the rails. An electric potential can be applied to each electrode plate at a connecting ear (116), which may be a one of the rail guides (116).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: F. William Gilmore
  • Patent number: 6527923
    Abstract: An electrode of use in electrolytic cells, particularly water electrolyser cells for the production of hydrogen, and comprising an electrically conductive first metal sheet having an electrochemically active gas-evolving planar surface; an electrically conductive second metal electrochemically active gas-evolving screen intimately adjacent and parallel to the planar surface to define an electrolyte and gas-evolving chamber between the sheet and the screen having a narrow width. The electrode provides improvements in voltage and efficiency, longer-term electrode stability and opportunity for periodic depolarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Donald W. Kirk, John W Graydon
  • Patent number: 6524453
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical apparatus comprising of an electrode assembly, an internal reservoir and an internal dryer. The internal dryer consists of a chamber filled with a multitude of balls to create mechanical obstacles removing moisture from gasses present inside, reducing the volume of accumulated gasses and acting as anti-splash for the electrolyte. The invention is also directed to an electrode assembly of monopolar electrodes for use in electrical apparatus. The bipolar electrode assembly comprises a pair of electrodes (12, 14), each of the electrodes having a plurality of electrode plates (16, 18) connected in series together. The electrode plates of each of the electrodes are connected to the next electrode plate in the series by a bridging member (20) contiguous with each of the interconnected electrode plates. The invention is also directed to an electrode for use in an electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: FatPower Inc.
    Inventors: Mario De Souza, Gabi Balan
  • Patent number: 6464846
    Abstract: Electrically-conductive compression pad suitable for use in an electrolysis cell stack. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically-conductive compression pad comprises a single sheet of electrically-conductive material, such as a metal. The electrically-conductive sheet has a top surface and a bottom surface and is bent upwardly and downwardly in a step-wise fashion to form an alternating pattern of parallel ribs and channels, the alternating pattern extending across the entirety of the sheet and being reversed on the bottom surface of the sheet. The pad also comprises a plurality of elastomeric strips, each strip being positioned within a corresponding channel and being secured to the sheet by an adhesive. The strips are preferably dimensioned and made of an appropriately compressible material so that, when the pad is compressed, the strips expand laterally to fill their respective channels and lie flush with their adjacent ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William A. Titterington
  • Patent number: 6461489
    Abstract: A cathode plate particularly adapted for zinc and copper electro-winning and refining includes a panel of aluminum having a top and two opposed side edges, a sloped plastic shield along the top and plastic ribbons along the side. A head bar with two hooks is welded on the top of the plate. The top plastic molding and the side edge ribbons are manufactured simultaneously by a specially devised injection machine. When the cathode plates are immersed into the electrolyte, the top plastic shield keeps the zinc deposit level uniform and prevents the top portion and the liquid contact area of cathode plates from corrosion by acid mist generated during electrochemical reactions. The sloped lower part of top plastic shield facilitates inserting a stripping knife between the zinc deposit and the cathode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Korea Zinc. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-Young Choi
  • Publication number: 20020096437
    Abstract: An apparatus electrochemically removes fine metal particles from an oil in water emulsion. The apparatus has a container for accommodating the emulsion. A supply port supplies the emulsion to the container. A plurality of cathode plates and anode plates are located in the container to face each other. The water in the emulsion is electrolyzed when a predetermined direct voltage is applied between the plates. The fine metal particles float with hydrogen generated by the electrolysis. Al(OH)3 attaches to H2 bubbles. A discharge port is located in a lower part of the container for discharging the emulsion from which the fine metal particles, sludge, oil and greese have been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Yukio Enomoto, Toshiaki Yamamoto, Chen-Lu Yang
  • Publication number: 20020088710
    Abstract: An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged vertically which induces a vertical flow of liquid through a device. Gases formed in the electrocoagulation process are allowed to rise and can be vented to the atmosphere. The solids which precipitate out of the liquid stream are carried by the liquid stream to secondary separation. The device includes various embodiments adapted for use as a large industrial unit, a portable unit or for use within the home. The device may be operated in a pressure controlled environment, thus eliminating the need for a pump. The voltage and amperage of the electrical field chamber may be adjusted by placing selected reaction plates in electrical contact with the voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Scott Wade Powell
  • Publication number: 20020074230
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for plating a conductive material on a substrate surface in a highly desirable manner. The invention removes at least one additive adsorbed on the top portion of the workpiece more than at least one additive disposed on a cavity portion, thereby allowing plating of the conductive material take place before the additive fully re-adsorbs onto the top portion and causing greater plating of the cavity portion relative to the top portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Bulent Basol
  • Publication number: 20020074237
    Abstract: The method of this invention for producing electrolyzed water containing ozone employs an apparatus for producing electrolyzed water from a liquid. The apparatus has two plate electrodes facing each other, a D.C. power source for applying a D.C. voltage across the electrodes and a control circuit for changing a polarity of the electrodes alternately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: TOMINAGA MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Takesako, Shigeru Oyokota
  • Publication number: 20020070127
    Abstract: Disclosed are a reactor and a method for processing hazardous gas, capable of improving a removing rate of the hazardous gas and the selectivity of a reacting process using a dielectric heat produced by a non-thermal plasma and a catalyst at a process of decomposing the hazardous gas. The reactor comprises a body having an inlet and an outlet; a plurality of planar electrodes arranged parallel in the body and spaced apart from each other at a certain interval, in which the plurality of planar electrodes are alternately connected to an alternating current power, and a ground such that every other planar electrode is connected to the alternating current power and the remaining planar electrodes are connected to the ground; and a power supply unit for applying a voltage of an alternating current frequency to the planar electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Song, Min-Suk Cha, Jae-Ok Lee, Yeon-Seok Choi, Wan-Ho Shin, Kwan-Tae Kim, Seock-Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 6398939
    Abstract: An electrowinning cell, having a tank with an opened upper end defined by a tank edge, electrolyte within the tank and a plurality of flat, metallic electrode plates disposed within the tank in side-by-side, spaced-apart, parallel relationship. Adjacent electrode plates define an electrode gap therebetween. An injector manifold is disposed at the bottom of the tank for feeding electrolyte into the tank at locations below the electrode plates. A collector grid, comprised of a plurality of collectors having ports, define an upper level of electrolyte by collecting the electrolyte from the tank. The ports are disposed in spaced-apart relationship within the open upper end defined by the tank edge. The collector grid and the injector creating a flow of electrolyte upward between the plates as the electrolyte flows from the manifold locations below the plates to the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Huens, Peter Peckham
  • Patent number: 6391167
    Abstract: A water chlorinator comprises a housing having in-line inlet and outlet openings and a removable cover. The cover supports two electrode terminals which are spaced apart and have corresponding rods extending therefrom through concentric anode and cathode discs. Alternate discs are electrically connected to each rod. The power supply is a DC supply which includes an input bridge connected to a buck convertor and an output relay arranged to switch the output from the convertor to the electrodes of the chlorinator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Integrated Pool Products (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Ingo W. Grannersberger
  • Publication number: 20020056635
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged to define plurality of channels between adjacent electrodes. Each channel is in fluid communication adjacent a first end with a first adjacent channel and is in fluid communication adjacent a second end with a second adjacent channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Malcolm Barrie Bentley
  • Patent number: 6387227
    Abstract: An oxidation electrode is formed with a front-surface-side electrode member and a back-surface-side electrode member, and two switches are provided respectively between a power supply and the front-surface-side electrode member and between the power supply and the back-surface-side electrode member. Since the front-surface-side electrode member and the back-surface-side electrode member are separate, an aluminum plate and other structures provided in a anodizing bath do not hinder a replacement of the electrode members, so that the replacement can be carried out easily and at low costs. Since the front-surface-side electrode member and the back-surface-side electrode member can be independently turned on and off for a single side treatment, the energy efficiency can be improved and switching between the single side treatment and the double treatment can be facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hamanaka, Hiromitsu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6352622
    Abstract: A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Carl W. Brown, Jeries I. Bishara, Lynne M. Ernes, Andy W. Getsy, Kenneth L. Hardee, Barry L. Martin, Gerald R. Pohto, Thomas J. Schue, Thomas R. Turk
  • Patent number: 6332972
    Abstract: An apparatus for decontamination contaminated groundwater in-situ by increasing the quantity of dissolved oxygen in the contaminated groundwater and generating reactive initiators to remediate the contaminated groundwater. The apparatus includes a submersible pump, an electrolytic cell, and a distribution chamber attached to an outlet of the cell. The distribution chamber is vertically oriented and longitudinally-extending from the outlet of the cell. As the groundwater flows across charging plates of the cell, some of the molecules break into their component parts of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. A selected vertical length of the chamber provides a resident time for the fluid allowing a majority of the gaseous oxygen to transition to dissolved oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: H20 Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Orolin, Vaughn A. Sucevich, Sr., Troy T. Johnson, Scott A. Schorzman
  • Patent number: 6325916
    Abstract: A method for separating contaminants from a aqueous source containing contaminants. In one embodiment, the method involves the use of a high powdered oxidant dissolved within the aqueous system. The gas is dissolved within a reservoir in the aqueous solution and the pressure within the reservoir is controllable. This allows maximum contact of the oxidizing dissolved gas with the contaminant material. Once oxidized, the outlet of the reservoir is adapted to permit hydraulic cavitation. The net effect of the cavitation is to induce a foam formation which foam transports a floc into a separate phase from the aqueous solution. In this manner, the process is effectively a dissolved oxidizing gas mass transfer process. In another embodiment, the process may be augmented by electrocoagulation. This involves the use of an electric cell which is disposed within the reservoir containing the oxidant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Oxidation Technologies (2000) Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Lambert, Steve Kresnyak
  • Publication number: 20010042682
    Abstract: An electrode with large active surface area is made by winding a Ti-fiber tow around a rectangular Ti-plate, and an electrocatalytic coating of three layers is applied. A precoat comprising a mixture of iridium dioxide and tantalum pentoxide is applied first, using a solution of the corresponding chloride salts in hydrochloric acid with some nitric acid added to inhibit corrosion of the metal. A sealing coat is then applied, comprising tin dioxide doped with antimony, in order to improve adhesion of the final oxide coat to the precoat. The third and final coat comprises particles of titanium dioxide doped with niobium in the +4 oxidation cemented with titanium dioxide that is doped with antimony. Anodes of this description are preferably assembled together with corrosion resistant cathodes in an alternating sequence, with a plastic coated fiber glass mesh placed between the anodes and cathodes to prevent short circuiting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Oleh Weres, Henry Edward O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 6309523
    Abstract: An electrode is disclosed having a coating on part of the electrode, e.g., a front face, comprising the oxides of tin, antimony, at least one platinum group metal and at least one valve metal. Another part of the electrode, such as a back face, has a coating comprising the oxides of at least one valve metal and at least one platinum group metal. The electrode can be generally plate-shaped and most desirably has at least one chamfered corner. The electrode is particularly useful in a cell wherein brine electrolyte is electrolyzed to prepare a disinfectant solution containing hypochlorite. The disinfectant solution can be especially serviceable, such as in maritime application, for treating water, e.g., freshwater as represented by desalinated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Albert R. Prasnikar, Richard C. Carlson, Richard J. Coin, Lynne M. Ernes, Catherine M. Lezan
  • Patent number: 6309532
    Abstract: An electrically regeneratable electrochemical cell (30) for capacitive deionization and electrochemical purification and regeneration of electrodes includes two end plates (31, 32), one at each end of the cell (30). A new regeneration method is applied to the cell (30) which includes slowing or stopping the purification cycle, electrically desorbing contaminants and removing the desorbed contaminants. The cell (30) further includes a plurality of generally identical double-sided intermediate electrodes (37-43) that are equidistally separated from each other, between the two end electrodes (35, 36). As the electrolyte enters the cell, it flows through a continuous open serpentine channel (65-71) defined by the electrodes, substantially parallel to the surfaces of the electrodes. By polarizing the cell (30), ions are removed from the electrolyte and are held in the electric double layers formed at the carbon aerogel surfaces of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Tri D. Tran, Joseph C. Farmer, Laura Murguia
  • Patent number: 6264807
    Abstract: A oxygen generation system comprising a plurality of cells arranged in a stack. Each cell is comprised of a BICUVOX electrolyte and a pair of Inconel® electrodes placed in electrical contact with the BICUVOX electrolyte to produce a flow of oxygen therethrough. The BICUVOX electrolyte is comprised of a square thin plate. The electrodes are plates having the same dimensions as the electrolyte. The electrode plates are machined with gas flow channels oriented to separate high purity oxygen gas flow from oxygen-depleted gas flow. The stack is enclosed in a tubular manifold composed of magnesium oxide and has a diameter slightly larger than the diagonal length of the electrolyte and electrode plates. The stack is sealed at its four corners to the inside surface of the manifold creating four separate passages for flow of oxygen-containing gas, high purity oxygen gas, and oxygen-depleted gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Jerold E. Fenner, Nathan A. Dillon, Ming-Shih Wong
  • Patent number: 6231747
    Abstract: An absorbent base material is impregnated with electrolyzed water containing hypohalogenous acid which is obtained by supplying water containing at least halogen ions between an anode plate and cathode plates and electrolyzing the water, whereby the occurrence of rough skin caused by a remaining liquid medicine and the like can be reduced or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: T.R.P. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Fukuzuka, Shinichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6214182
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for electrochemical treatment of waste water by electroflocculation. The apparatus uses an arrangement of electrodes and an anode scraping device, whereby the sword-shaped anode(s) are flanked by cathodes made in the same manner, on which the support structure for the anode scraping devices is supported. Transport of the oxide crusts scraped off the anode surface towards the lower reactor end is supported by a gas stream fed into the electrolytic gap through hollow sections which serve the purpose of spacers for the electrodes. The anodes may consist of several individual sheets, with intermediate layers for lowering the frictional resistance when withdrawing individual sheets. The liquid seal of the upper reactor side in the area of the scraping device is achieved by a plug of elastic, electrically nonconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Johann W. Ritter