Diaphragms Patents (Class 204/295)
-
Patent number: 5712461Abstract: Methods for forming membranes of semiconductive material incorporating molecular sieve material therein can involve sol gel techniques and suction techniques. The semiconductors, such as metal oxides, sulfides or carbides have photoactivity and are useful in photocatalytic reactions. An example of such a membrane is titanium oxide including zeolite molecular sieve incorporated therein. The membranes can be used to perform useful chemical reactions such as the mineralization of organic chemicals in the presence of light. For example, many toxic organic chemicals can be converted to useful or benign products by contacting those chemicals with active metal oxide-molecular sieve membranes in accordance with the invention and illuminating the membranes with light of a suitable wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: InradInventors: Zhenyu Zhang, James R. Fehlner
-
Patent number: 5709786Abstract: A sintered layer system, includes an ion-conductive solid electrolyte layer which has a high oxygen ion conductivity and which is comprised of a solid electrolyte material comprising at least one oxide of tetravalent metals and at least one stabilizer oxide; and at least one functional layer which comprises a mixture of the solid electrolyte material and at least one further material, wherein the solid electrolyte material of the ion-conductive solid electrolyte layer and the solid electrolyte material of the at least one functional layer are comprised of nanocrystallites having a mean diameter of <100 nanometers.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Karl-Hermann Friese, Werner Gruenwald
-
Patent number: 5707499Abstract: A storage stable fluid delivery device including a gas generator in which moisture (water) is involved in the gas generation reaction in which moisture containment is utility to prevent or retard water loss as disclosed. The moisture containment may be a moisture impermeable membrane as a permanent part of the device and may be utilized in conjunction with the gas generator when the membrane has high gas permeability for the gas being generated. The fluid delivered by such device is typically a liquid having some particular utility in its environment. The liquid dispensed may be a pharmaceutical or some other liquid having a beneficial or curative effect upon an animal or human patient or it may be a liquid such as an insecticide, fumigant, fragrance or other liquid having a relatively high vapor pressure.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1995Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John H. Gordon, John J. McEvoy
-
Patent number: 5693212Abstract: Solid membranes comprising an intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture of an electronically-conductive material and an oxygen ion-conductive material and/or a mixed metal oxide of a perovskite structure are described. Electrochemical reactor components, such as reactor cells, and electrochemical reactors are also described for transporting oxygen from any oxygen-containing gas to any gas or mixture of gases that consume oxygen. The reactor cells generally comprise first and second zones separated by an element having a first surface capable of reducing oxygen to oxygen ions, a second surface capable of reacting oxygen ions with an oxygen-consuming gas, an electron-conductive path between the first and second surfaces and an oxygen ion-conductive path between the first and second surfaces. The element may further comprise (1) a porous substrate, (2) an electron-conductive metal, metal oxide or mixture thereof and/or (3) a catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: The Standard Oil CompanyInventors: Terry J. Mazanec, Thomas L. Cable, John G. Frye, Jr., Wayne R. Kliewer
-
Patent number: 5665482Abstract: A defective fluorite structure type solid electrolyte of the following formula (1):{(M.sub.1-a A.sub.a).sub.x Ce.sub.1-x }O.sub.2-y (1)wherein M is a trivalent rare earth element other than Ce, A is a monovalent alkali metal or a bivalent alkaline earth metal, and a, x and y are 0<a<0.6, 0.2<x<0.5 and 0<y<0.55, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Tosoh CorporationInventors: Toshiyuki Mori, Hideto Kuramochi, Hiroshi Yamamura
-
Patent number: 5658444Abstract: Erythrocyte exclusion membranes suited for test strips of electrochemical sensors have a porous matrix and a mobile erythrocyte aggregating agent. The membranes typically comprise a water-insoluble hydrophobic polymer incorporating a hydrophilic polymer and with the erythrocyte aggregating agent. Such membranes can have a pore size which is several times larger than the diameter of erythrocytes, and allow rapid passage of plasma by holding back the erythrocytes as rouleaux at the surface of the membrane. The membranes are preferably made by forming in situ on a test strip using spray casting.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: MediSense, Inc.Inventors: Murdo Black, Long Lin, James Guthrie
-
Patent number: 5641565Abstract: A separator for a battery using an organic electrolytic solution, which comprises a microporous film comprising a matrix comprised of a polyethylene and a propylene polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 1,000,000, the propylene polymer being present in a proportion of from 5 to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the polyethylene and the propylene polymer, the polyethylene containing a fraction having a molecular weight of not smaller than 1,000,000 in a proportion of at least 10% by weight and a fraction having a molecular weight of not greater than 100,000 in a proportion of at least 5% by weight, and wherein the microporous film has a thickness of from 10 to 500 .mu.m, a porosity of from 40 to 85% and a maximum pore diameter of from 0.05 to 5 .mu.m.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1994Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Sogo
-
Patent number: 5639437Abstract: Preparation, structure, and properties of mixed metal oxide compositions containing at least strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen are described. The crystalline mixed metal oxide compositions of this invention have, for example, structure represented bySr.sub..alpha. (Fe.sub.1-x Co.sub.x).sub..alpha.+.beta. O.sub..delta.where x is a number in a range from 0.01 to about 1, .alpha. is a number in a range from about 1 to about 4, .beta. is a number in a range upward from 0 to about 20, and .delta. is a number which renders the compound charge neutral, and wherein the composition has a non-perovskite structure. Use of the mixed metal oxides in dense ceramic membranes which exhibit oxygen ionic conductivity and selective oxygen separation, are described as well as their use in separation of oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1996Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Uthamalingam Balachandran, Mark S. Kleefisch, Thaddeus P. Kobylinski, Sherry L. Morissette, Shiyou Pei
-
Patent number: 5635040Abstract: An electrochemical cell for the treatment of water and/or water solutions comprises an internal electrode having a middle section and a pin-end at each end thereof, the diameter of each pin-end being not more than 0.75 of the diameter of the middle section; an external electrode mounted around the internal electrode; and a coaxial ceramic diaphragm mounted in a separate inter-electrode space in an electrode chamber of the cell. The external electrode is mounted in lower and upper dielectric bushings. Both the internal electrode and the external electrode are connected with positive and negative poles of a power supply. The cell further includes an upper dielectric collector head and a lower dielectric collector head which each have an axial channel; each collector head being installed in the bushing slots and adapted for turning therein. The diaphragm being fastened by elastic gaskets mounted in the slots of the bushings.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1996Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Rscecat, USA, Inc.Inventors: Vitold M. Bakhir, Jury G. Zadorozhny
-
Patent number: 5628888Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemical purification of water and for regulation of acid-alkaline properties, Red-Ox characteristics and catalytic activity of water that can be used for obtaining washing and disinfecting solutions. The apparatus includes at least one electrochemical cell which contain vertical coaxial cylindrical and rod electrodes made from material nonsoluble during electrolysis and an ultrafiltration ceramic diaphragm installed in the bushings between the electrodes to create inter-electrode space in the electrode chambers. The lower and upper bushings have a channels for the treated solution supply into and discharge from the electrode chambers. The channels are connected to the feeding and discharging adjustment lines. There is also a metering pump on the water line for sodium chloride dosing into the water to be treated. The water line contains a flow regulator connected to the feeding and discharging adjustment lines. Poles of the power supply are connected to the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1996Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: RSCECAT, USA, Inc.Inventors: Vitold M. Bakhir, Jury G. Zadorozhny, Taras Barabash
-
Patent number: 5624542Abstract: Enhancement of mechanical properties of ceramic membranes by introduction of a uniformly distributed high-temperature oxidation-resistant metal phase into the brittle ceramic phase to achieve mechanically strong ceramic/metal composites operable in an oxidation atmosphere and at elevated temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: Yousheng Shen, Ashok V. Joshi, Dale M. Taylor, Michael J. Boettcher, Kevin Krist, Anil V. Virkar
-
Patent number: 5616223Abstract: Composite ceramic mixed ionic and electronic conducting materials having high ambipolar activity which can be fabricated into thin membranes for high efficiency oxygen separation from air at intermediate temperatures. The mixed conducting materials have composite non-homogeneous microstructures of a separate predominantly oxygen ion conductive phase and a predominantly electronic conductive phase. Preferred predominantly oxygen ion conducting phases include bismuth, cerium and zirconium oxide based materials and predominantly electronic conducting phases include at least one metal electronic conductor material.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1994Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: Yousheng Shen, Ashok V. Joshi, Kevin Krist, Meilin Liu, Anil V. Virkar
-
Patent number: 5611904Abstract: The invention provides fittings for the ends of electrochromatography cols. Each fitting includes an annular electrode surrounding one end of the passage electrical fields to be applied. The fitting also contains a passageway for eluant flowing into or out of the column, an annular chamber for the electrode and a membrane separating the passageway from the annular electrode chamber. The membrane prevents gases and electrolytic products from entering the column eluent going through the chromatographic column. The membrane also isolate the electrodes from the compounds such as proteins and macromolecules being separated. A buffer solution was pumped through the electrode chamber to remove the gases and electrode products. The buffer flow through the electrode chamber maintains a constant pH and conductivity so that the electrical field applied by each electrode is constant. The buffer flow also serves to remove the heat generated in the electrode chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of CommerceInventors: Kenneth D. Cole, Heriberto Cabezas, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5591315Abstract: An electrochemical process for producing unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds from unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds and for extracting oxygen from a gas containing N.sub.2 O, NO, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, or SO.sub.3 is described. The process is characterized by the use of mixed metal oxide materials having a perovskite structure represented by the formula:A.sub.s A'.sub.t B.sub.u B'.sub.v B".sub.w O.sub.xwherein A represents a lanthanide or Y, or a mixture thereof; A' represents an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof; B represents Fe; B' represents Cr or Ti, or a mixture thereof; and B" represents Mn, Co, Vi, Ni or Cu, or a mixture thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: The Standard Oil CompanyInventors: Terry J. Mazanec, Thomas L. Cable, John G. Frye, Jr., Wayne R. Kliewer
-
Patent number: 5580430Abstract: Ceramic materials are disclosed which have comprehensive characteristics of high ion-conductivity for alkali metal cations at low temperatures, high selectivity for alkali metal ions, good current efficiency and stability in water and corrosive media under static and electrochemical conditions. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell, the electrolyte of which employs the disclosed ceramic materials, for use in electrolysis of aqueous alkali salt solutions to form caustic.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.Inventors: Shekar H. Balagopal, John H. Gordon, Anil V. Virkar, Ashok V. Joshi
-
Patent number: 5580497Abstract: Preparation, structure, and properties of mixed metal oxide compositions containing at least strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen are described. The crystalline mixed metal oxide compositions of this invention have, for example, structure represented bySr.sub..alpha. (Fe.sub.1-x Co.sub.x).sub..alpha.+.beta. O.sub..delta.where x is a number in a range from 0.01 to about 1, .alpha. is a number in a range from about 1 to about 4, .beta. is a number in a range upward from 0 to about 20, and .delta. is a number which renders the compound charge neutral, and wherein the composition has a non-perovskite structure. Use of the mixed metal oxides in dense ceramic membranes which exhibit oxygen ionic conductivity and selective oxygen separation, are described as well as their use in separation of oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Uthamalingam Balachandran, Mark S. Kleefisch, Thaddeus P. Kobylinski, Sherry L. Morissette, Shiyou Pei
-
Patent number: 5573655Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising a solid electrolyte which conducts O.sup.2- anions in contact with an anode and a cathode of identical or different composition, the solid electrolyte being comprised of a composition derived from Bi.sub.4 V.sub.2 O.sub.11 of which at least one of the constituent cationic elements is substituted by at least one substituting element such that the gamma phase structural type of Bi.sub.4 V.sub.2 O.sub.11 is maintained as well as the equilibrium of charges, at least one of the anode or of the cathode is a material containing at least one element of substitution of said composition derived from Bi.sub.4 V.sub.2 O.sub.11, that element being in a metallic or cationic state. The invention equally relates to the use of the electrochemical cell with a view towards the separation or extraction of oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1994Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignees: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Universite des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Ecole National Superieure de Chimie de LilleInventors: Gaetan Mairesse, Jean-Claude Boivin, Gilles Lagrange, Panayotis Cocolios
-
Patent number: 5478444Abstract: A composite ceramic mixed oxygen ion and electronic conducting materials having high ambipolar activity which can be fabricated into thin membranes for high efficiency oxygen separation from air at intermediate temperatures. The mixed conducting materials have composite non-homogeneous microstructures of a separate predominantly oxygen ion conductive phase and a predominantly electronic conductive phase. Predominantly oxygen ion conducting phases include bismuth, cerium and thorium oxide based materials and predominantly electronic conducting phases include at least one metal, metal oxide of at least one metal, and at least one perovskite-type electronic conductor material.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1993Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: Meilin Liu, Ashok V. Joshi, Yousheng Shen, Kevin Krist, Anil V. Virkar
-
Patent number: 5431823Abstract: The invention provides a process for supporting and cleaning a mesh anode bag of the type having one open end, one closed end, and being sealed along its lateral sides, the bag containing particles of discharged active zinc therein along its inner surfaces after the separation thereof from a discharged zinc anode, the process comprising placing the bag over a device comprising a hollow body having a liquid inlet at a first end and a plurality of liquid outlets at a second opposite end, the device being contoured and sized to be overridden by the bag, with the inner surfaces of the bag being in proximity to the outer surfaces of the body, and the plurality of outlets adjacent to the closed end of the bag, causing a flow of liquid via the inlet and through the body to the outlets, whereby liquid passing through the outlets flows around the outer surface of the body and along the inner surfaces of the bag, to entrain and remove therefrom the particles of zinc, and separating the bag from the device, as well as pType: GrantFiled: August 18, 1994Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Assignee: Electric Fuel(E.F.L.) Ltd.Inventor: Alexander Gofer
-
Patent number: 5415759Abstract: A bipolar water ionizing electrode and a process employing such an electrode in an electrodialytic cell are disclosed. The cell has a plurality of ion exchange compartments separated by cation permselective membranes and the bipolar water ionizing electrode. The bipolar electrode is permeable to gas and electric current and impervious to liquid.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1993Date of Patent: May 16, 1995Assignee: Olin CorporationInventors: David W. Cawlfield, Jerry J. Kaczur
-
Patent number: 5411645Abstract: A system is provided for regenerating reducing agents used in ancillary chemical or electrochemical processes such as restoring solderability of electronic components to be soldered in a fluxless soldering process. The system includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte system that is separated by a semipermeable ionic barrier into a catholyte and an anolyte. The catholyte includes the reduced member of a redox couple, which can be regenerated electrochemically. The redox couple of the electrolyte system is charged like a battery and discharged during the ancillary process. Regeneration of the reduced member of the redox couple is accomplished at the cathode, which may evolve hydrogen gas. Chemical balance is maintained by the semipermeable ionic barrier, which permits proton migration from the anolyte to the catholyte but acts as a barrier against diffusion and migration of cations from the catholyte to the anolyte.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1993Date of Patent: May 2, 1995Assignee: Rockwell International CorporationInventor: D. Morgan Tench
-
Patent number: 5401372Abstract: Disclosed are a process and apparatus for removing NO.sub.x in an O.sub.2 -containing exhaust emission based on electrochemically catalytic reduction processes. Advantages to the electrochemically catalytic reduction process include high NO.sub.x conversion efficiency and suitability for the removal of NO.sub.x from the O.sub.2 -containing exhaust of mobile combustion sources due to the simplicity in construction, maintenance and operation (chemical-reducing agents are not required in the process).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.Inventors: Meilin Liu, Jiemin Zhu, Ashok V. Joshin
-
Patent number: 5389433Abstract: A battery separator composed of a microporous sheet product having first and second major surfaces and a thickness of less than about 50 mils, formed from a uniform mixture of a polysulfone polymer and a filler or polysulfone polymer and structure enhancing agent, said sheet product having a fibrous sheet embedded within said mixture and between the first and second major surfaces. The porosity of the sheet product is at least about 60 volume percent composed of pores such that the average pore diameter increases from each major surface toward the interior of the sheet product's thickness.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.Inventors: Victor S. C. Chang, Richard C. Hartwig, James K. Kung, Joseph T. Lundquist, Marc E. Parham, James A. Avtges, Anthony J. Laccetti
-
Patent number: 5380413Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a bipolar membrane, according to which a cationic membrane is treated with a compound of a polyvalent metal and with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution comprising lithium hydroxide and is then joined side by side to an anionic membrane. The bipolar membrane finds an application in the manufacture of aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions by electrodialysis.No figure.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1994Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)Inventors: Francesco Posar, Mauro Ricciardi
-
Patent number: 5312525Abstract: A method for electrochemical refining of an impurity-containing melt using a solid electrolyte ionic conductor to remove the impurity from the melt is provided. Also provided are an apparatus for performing the method, and a batch and a continuous method for electrochemical refining of a melt.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1993Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Uday B. Pal, Kuo-Chih Chou
-
Patent number: 5306411Abstract: Solid membranes comprising an intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture of an electronically-conductive material and an oxygen ion-conductive material and/or a mixed metal oxide of a perovskite structure are described. Electrochemical reactor components, such as reactor cells, and electrochemical reactors are also described for transporting oxygen from any oxygen-containing gas to any gas or mixture of gases that consume oxygen. The reactor cells generally comprise first and second zones separated by an element having a first surface capable of reducing oxygen to oxygen ions, a second surface capable of reacting oxygen ions with an oxygen-consuming gas, an electron-conductive path between the first and second surfaces and an oxygen ion-conductive path between the first and second surfaces. The element may further comprise (1) a porous substrate, (2) an electron-conductive metal, metal oxide or mixture thereof and/or (3) a catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1990Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Assignee: The Standard Oil CompanyInventors: Terry J. Mazanec, Thomas L. Cable, John G. Frye, Jr., Wayne R. Kliewer
-
Patent number: 5290414Abstract: A separator/electrolyte combination for nonaqueous cells in which the electrolyte comprises a solute dissolved in a dioxolane and acyclic ether-based solvent, such as 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and the separator has a pore size between 0.005 and 5 microns, a porosity between 30% and 70%, a resistance between 2 and 15 ohm-cm.sup.2, and a tortuosity of less than 2.5.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1992Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventor: Jack W. Marple
-
Patent number: 5266350Abstract: Materials for treating and/or repairing electrolytic cell separators, especially diaphragms for chlor-alkali cells, including processes for making such treating materials and processes for using such materials to treat and/or repair an electrolytic cell separator or chlor-alkali diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1992Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Neal A. Grob, John P. McGraw, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5227040Abstract: A low electrical resistance bipolar membrane formed by the conjoining of treated anion and cation exchange membranes is disclosed. The treatment comprises contacting the membranes with an aqueous solution of at least one cation prior to conjoining and contacting at least one face of the membranes with an aqueous alkaline solution.A process for the preparation of acid and alkali using these bipolar membranes is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1991Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Unisearch LimitedInventor: Raymond G. Simons
-
Patent number: 5225051Abstract: An electrolytic process and apparatus for reducing calcium oxide in a molten electrolyte of CaCl.sub.2 -CaF.sub.2 with a graphite anode in which particles or other contamination from the anode is restricted by the use of a porous barrier in the form of a basket surrounding the anode which may be removed from the electrolyte to burn the graphite particles, and wherein the calcium oxide feed is introduced to the anode compartment to increase the oxygen ion concentration at the anode.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Davis S. Poa, R. Dean Pierce, Thomas P. Mulcahey, Gerald K. Johnson
-
Patent number: 5192401Abstract: A liquid permeable diaphragm for use in an electrolytic chlor-alkali cell, the diaphragm being made of fibrous material and having particulate zirconia deposited in the interstices of the fibrous matrix, prior to installing the diaphragm in the cell. Also described is a zirconia impregnated fibrous diaphragm having a zirconia topcoating applied to the anode face thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1991Date of Patent: March 9, 1993Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.Inventors: Donald W. DuBois, Colonel R. Dilmore
-
Patent number: 5188712Abstract: A liquid permeable diaphragm for use in an electrolytic chlor-akali cell, the diaphragm being made of fibrous material and having deposited thereon and cementitiously bonded to the anode face thereof at least one topcoating of inorganic, particulate, refractory material. The interstices of the fibrous matrix of the diaphragm may also have particulate zirconia deposited therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1991Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.Inventors: Colonel R. Dilmore, Bernard A. Maloney
-
Patent number: 5183546Abstract: An electrochemical filter which consists of a fibrous electrically conducting material to which there are bonded microscopic particles of carbon or active charcoal. A variety of fibers can be used: carbon fibers, graphite fibers, fibers of inert metal etc. A process for the production of such filters where the particles are bonded to the fibers by a pyrolyzable binder which is pyrolyzed. Electrochemical separation and filter devices based on such filter media.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1990Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: State of Israel, Israel Atomic Energy CommissionInventors: Yoram Oren, Haim Cohen, Abraham Soffer
-
Patent number: 5174866Abstract: A process is provided for extracting high purity oxygen from a gas generator turbine exhaust stream by passing the turbine exhaust over the feed side of solid electrolyte membrane selective to the permeation of oxygen over other components of the exhaust stream to separate the oxygen from the exhaust stream, and removing the oxygen product stream from the permeate side of the membrane. The reject exhaust stream is then passed through a power generating turbine to recover net power.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1992Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Chen, William P. Hegarty, William A. Steyert, deceased, by Lila O. Steyer, executrix
-
Patent number: 5174878Abstract: In an electrolyzer having bipolar cells, which are arranged in a row and consist each of two metallic partitions, spring-elastic electrodes bearing on the partitions, and a diaphragm which is disposed between the electrodes and is spaced from the electrodes by spacers, contact between the spring-elastic electrodes and the diaphragm is prevented by disposing the spacers of each cell directly opposite to each other and aligned with the spacers of the other cells.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1991Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AktiengesellschaftInventors: Heinz Wullenweber, Jurgen Borchardt
-
Patent number: 5160586Abstract: There is disclosed an ozone decomposing reactor which comprises:a catalyst structure composed of a carrier having at least one passage extending therethrough for allowing an ozone containing fluid to pass through the catalyst structure and a catalyst and an electroconductive material carried in or on the carrier; andelectrodes attached to the catalyst structure to electrify the structure, whereby to decompose ozone at elevated temperatures.The carrier is either a ceramic honeycomb mold or a fiber board.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masafumi Yoshimoto, Tadao Nakatsuji, Kazuhiko Nagano, Tetsuo Tatsu
-
Patent number: 5141604Abstract: The present invention involves a method of chemically removing a mobile atom from a mobile atom-containing reactant molecule. The method includes: (a) absorbing the mobile atom-containing reactant on one side of a solid, mobile atom transmissive membrane; (b) passing the mobile atom through the membrane to the opposite surface; (c) reacting the mobile atom; (d) desorbing the mobile atom depleted reactant molecule from the reaction side of the membrane. The mobile atom may be hydrogen and the method preferably involves controlling the flux of mobile atoms through the membrane to control the rate of removal of mobile atoms from the first reactant molecule. Electrically conductive, atom permeable, biasing means are used to control the surface potential, e.g. biasing means on the hydrogen removal reaction side as well as biasing means on the opposite side of the membrane. The reactor used in the method is another aspect of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1989Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Electron Transfer Technologies, Inc.Inventor: William M. Ayers
-
Patent number: 5135714Abstract: A process is provided for sterlizing a web of packaging materials which is to be formed into containers for aseptic packaging. The process comprises contacting the web with aqueous solution of ozone and hydrogen peroxide and subsequently irradiating the surface with ultra-violet radiation.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1990Date of Patent: August 4, 1992Assignee: FMC CorporationInventor: James J. Wang
-
Patent number: 5118395Abstract: A process is provided for extracting high purity oxygen from gas turbine exhaust streams by passing the gas turbine exhaust over the feed side of solid electrolyte membrane selective to the permeation of oxygen over other components of the exhaust stream to separate the oxygen from the exhaust stream, and removing the oxygen product stream from the permeate side of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1990Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Chen, William P. Hegarty, William A. Steyert, deceased
-
Patent number: 5112463Abstract: Apparatus for efficiently electrolyzing water comprising an electrolysis cell and gas-liquid separating mechanism, wherein the electrolysis cell is composed of a plurality of compartments, each of which has two plate electrodes with a membrane assembly sandwiched therebetween, the plate electrodes and the membrane assembly are spaced by a concavo-convex ion net and a concavo-convex nichel net respectively so that the spacing between the two electrodes is greatly reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1991Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: XueMing ZhangInventors: XueMing Zhang, Shucheng Zhang, Shuxia Zhang, Congshan Liu, Haibuo Zhang, Wenrong Li, Qingyan Ji, Shufang Zhang, Shuwei Zhang
-
Patent number: 5112465Abstract: A contamination control apparatus for sealable interconnection with plating tanks of the character used in the electrodeposition of an electrodeposit onto a substrate which is uniquely designed so as to permit the free escape of hydrogen, but to block the escape of most metal atoms released from the plating solution and to return them to the solution by force of gravity thereby eliminating the need for complex ventilating and fume scrubbing systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Inventor: George Danielson
-
Patent number: 5096549Abstract: A dehumidifier for removing moisture from a gas containing moisture comprises a first electrode which is in contact with a gas containing moisture on a first surface thereof and, when a positive voltage is applied thereto, which produces protons from said moisture, a proton conductive solid having first and second portions which is connected to a second surface of the first electrode at the first portion and allows the protons to pass therethrough, and a second electrode which is connected to the second portion of the proton conductive solid on a first surface thereof and in contact with air on a second surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the first electrode, the proton conductive solid, and the second electrode are formed as a laminate. When a negative voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, hydrogen or water is produced from the protons passed through the proton conductive solid.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1990Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shiro Yamauchi, Kenichi Mori, Eiichi Nagao, Koichi Hirooka
-
Patent number: 5087345Abstract: A highly stable cation exhange membrane for use in the electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride is disclosed, which comprises a reinforced base membrane comprised of at least one layer of a fluorocarbon polymer and a reinforcing woven fabric encapsulated therein and a coating disposed on at least one surface of the reinforced base membrane, the coating comprising particles of at least one inorganic material selected from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides and carbides of elements belonging to group IV of the periodic table, which particles have an average primary particle diameter as small as from 0.01 to 0.2 .mu.m, and a binder polymer. In the cation exchange membrane, the coating containing particles of an inorganic material, uniformly and strongly adheres to the surface of the reinforced base membrane, so that the inorganic material can remain in the coating for a prolonged period of time.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1990Date of Patent: February 11, 1992Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akio Kashiwada, Tatsuo Hiyoshi
-
Patent number: 5064513Abstract: A diaphragm is disclosed for molten salt bath electrolysis of metal halides, the diaphragm comprising carbon fibers disposed in one plane an in at least one direction, embedded at least partially in a rigid and inert material which can be graphite, carbides, oxides or nitrides. The diaphragm has a porosity between 10% and 60% in the form of apertures of an area between 1 and 50 mm.sup.2.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1990Date of Patent: November 12, 1991Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne du Zirconium CezusInventors: Jean Boutin, Pierre Brun, Airy-Pierre Lamaze
-
Patent number: 5051157Abstract: An ion-permeable spacer is provided for an electrochemical apparatus. The spacer comprises a perforated or ion-permeable, relatively-thin, synthetic plastic material sheet having two opposed faces and having a plurality of magnets completely embedded in both opposed faces thereof and including at least four vertically-upwardly slanting slits extending at an upwardly-sloping angle along each of the two opposed faces and also extending transversely through the spacer between the two opposed faces, the slits having a particularly defined width and disposed at a particular angle, thereby to provide greater combined flow and mixing of electrolyte through the spacer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1990Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: University of VictoriaInventors: Robert N. O'Brien, Kalathur S. V. Santhanam
-
Patent number: 5013418Abstract: In an electrolyzer comprising individual cells which are geometrically arranged one behind the other and consist each of two metallic partitions disposed between the cell and the adjacent cells, a diaphragm disposed between the partitions, and apertured electrodes which are mounted on both sides of and spaced from the diaphragm, a protection against short circuits and corrosion is afforded in that spacers consisting of a non-metallic high-melting hard material and firmly joined to the electrodes have been inserted into the space that is defined by the electrode and the diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1989Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AktiengesellschaftInventors: Heinz Wullenweber, Jurgen Borchardt
-
Patent number: 5006216Abstract: The present invention resides in part in a process for removing a multivalent metal ion contaminant such as can be found in an acidic waste water. The waste water may also contain one or more extraneous metals such as copper. This process aspect then more particularly involves the steps of (1) simultaneously reducing said multivalent contaminant to a lower valence state and said extraneous metal to a metal state, while at the same time inhibiting reoxidation of the multivalent contaminant to a higher valence state; and (2) removing the multivalent contaminant which has been inhibited from reoxidation.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1989Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Assignee: ELTECH Systems CorporationInventors: Joseph J. Dietrich, Andrew J. Niksa, James J. Stewart
-
Patent number: 5004524Abstract: A composite material comprises a body, e.g., a slab, of a fused refractory oxycompound (3) having a multiplicity of discrete inclusions such as lumps (1) of an aluminum-wettable RHM in its surface. These bodies are especially useful as aluminum-wettable but non-current carrying components of aluminum reduction cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1989Date of Patent: April 2, 1991Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.Inventor: Jean-Jacques Duruz
-
Patent number: 4988417Abstract: A method of electrolytically producing lithium includes providing an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. The compartments are separated by a porous electrically nonconductive membrane which will be wetted by the electrolyte and permit migration of lithium ions therethrough. Lithium carbonate is introduced into the anode compartment and produces delivery of lithium ions from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment where such ions are converted into lithium metal. The membrane is preferably a non-glass oxide membrane such as a magnesium oxide membrane. The membrane serves to resist undesired backflow of the lithium from the cathode compartment through the membrane into the anode compartment. Undesired communication between the anode and cathode is further resisted by separating the air spaces thereover. This may be accomplished by applying an inert gas purge and a positive pressure in the cathode compartment.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1988Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Assignee: Aluminum Company of AmericaInventor: David H. DeYoung
-
Patent number: 4978438Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an electrolytic cell for treating fluids with gases that are evolved by electrolysis comprising an anode compartment separated from a cathode compartment by a diaphragm, and a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable window formed in the anode and the cathode compartment, or formed in the anode or the cathode compartment, wherein the window is formed such that a gas evolved in the anode or cathode compartment or gases evolved in these two compartments are allowed to pass through the window to make contact with a fluid to be treated, said fluid being located outside said electrolytic cell, thereby treating the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1989Date of Patent: December 18, 1990Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Shimamune, Yoshinori Nishiki, Shuji Nakamatsu