Abstract: A masonry cement is prepared by blending portland cement, kiln dust, and fly ash. The cement of this invention exhibits no efflorescence, good board life, workability, and acceptable color for use with such construction materials as brick, cinder block, and concrete block.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell suitable for use in electrolyzing ionizable chemical compounds, particularly alkali metal halide brines and hydrohalic acids, which comprises a cell body having an anode compartment containing a porous anode and a cathode compartment containing a cathode said compartments being separated from each other by a prestretched, taut membrane barrier which is substantially impervious to gases and liquids and which is selected from a hydrolyzed copolymer of a perfluorinated hydrocarbon and a sulfonated perfluorinated hydrocarbon and a sulfonated perfluorovinyl ether, and a sulfostyrenated perfluorinated ethylene propylene polymer, said barrier being pretreated by hydrolyzing and stretching prior to insertion in the cell.Such cells can be operated at constant low voltage, and are not subject to erratic operating voltages which are due, in part at least, to the accumulation of gases between the anode and diaphragm.

Abstract: An improved anode structure for a chlor-alkali type diaphragm cell wherein the anode is a porous, valve metal, e.g., titanium, anode having on one side a coating of a noble metal or noble metal oxide and on the uncoated side a membrane composed essentially of a cation-active permselective material which is substantially impervious to liquids and gases. The membrane covered surface is disposed spaced from but facing the cathode member.Anodes of this improved structure give minimum cell voltage and a surprisingly reduced consumption rate of the noble metal or oxide coating.

Abstract: Boron nitride-boron nitride composite bodies may be produced by combining pure boron nitride fibers with partially nitrided fibers consisting essentially of B, N, O, and H, and hot pressing the composite at elevated temperatures and pressure. The partially nitrided material serves as a source of matrix material for the boron nitride fibers, and when fiber orientation is properly controlled, bodies of extremely high strength may be obtained. Densities in excess of 1.5 g./cc. may be obtained, in a one-step process which overcomes difficulties inherent in multiple-step nitriding and re-nitriding processes.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the electrolysis of ionizable chemical compounds is disclosed including specifically a process for the production of chlorine and caustic soda containing low concentrations of sodium chloride by the electrolysis of brine which comprises electrolyzing brine solutions in a two compartment cell equipped with a cathode and an anode separated by permselective barrier formed by sandwiching together two or more membranes consisting essentially of a hydrolyzed copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a sulfonated perfluorovinyl ether having the formulaFSO.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 OCF(CF.sub.3)CF.sub.2 OCF.dbd.CF.sub.2said copolymer having an equivalent weight of from about 900 to about 1600. By the use of a multilayer membrane sandwich as the barrier the caustic current efficiency of the process is increased over that obtained when a single layer membrane is used as the barrier separating the cathode and anode.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell, suitable for use in electrolyzing alkali metal halide brines, which comprises a cell body having an anode compartment containing an anode, a cathode compartment containing a cathode and at least two buffer compartments between said anode and cathode compartments, said anode compartment and said buffer compartments being separated from each other by a barrier which is substantially impervious to fluids and gases, selected from a hydrolyzed copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a sulfonated perfluorovinyl ether having the formula:FSO.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 OCF(CF.sub.3)CF.sub.2 OCF=CF.sub.2said copolymer having an equivalent weight of from about 900 to 1600, and a sulfostyrenated perfluorinated ethylene propylene polymer and said cathode compartment being separated from the next adjacent buffer compartment by a porous diaphragm.

Abstract: A molded electrolytic cell body or frame for housing electrodes and a membrane has a passageway therein communicating an anolyte drain header or manifold or an anolyte discharge header with the anolyte compartment of the cell, through which passageway a conductor of material resistant to electrolytic attack is passed to connect the liquid in the anolyte drain or discharge header with the anode. The conductor acts as a target anode and inhibits electrolytic damage to the anode, thereby lengthening its life.

Abstract: The voltage drop in a three compartment membrane cell used for the electrolysis of brine is diminished by treatment of the anolyte with acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, lowering the caustic concentration in the buffer zone and decreasing the current density for a period of time, during which the membrane adjacent to the anolyte is rejuvenated, and then resuming normal operations. In a similar manner the voltage drop in a two compartment membrane cell may be reduced, with the lowering of the caustic concentration being effected in the catholyte, preferably by dilution with water.

Abstract: The electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride solutions wherein chlorine is liberated at the anode, is improved through the use of an anode comprising a valve metal substrate, a coating thereon of conductive oxide bronze, and an outer coating of a noble metal oxide.

Abstract: Removable orifice defining members for improving conventional electrolytic cells of the type where fluid is fed into individual anode and cathode compartments by separate fluid supply headers. The removable orifice defining members are elongated and threadedly located in orifice receiving apertures extending through the headers and communicating with the individual anode and cathode compartments. The members each include an appropriate orifice extending generally longitudinally therethrough for properly metering fluid flow from the headers into the associated compartment. The orifice defining members may be conveniently installed or removed from outside the cell structure and separate end caps are also provided for conveniently closing the outermost ends of the orifice receiving apertures.

Abstract: A novel electrolytic cell of the vertical electrode type comprising a novel cathode busbar structure, novel cathode elements and a novel anode base structure which enable the novel electrolytic cell to be designed to operate at high current capacities upward to about 500,000 amperes while maintaining high operating efficiencies. These high current capacities provide for high production capacities which result in high production rates for given cell room floor areas and reduce capital investment and operating costs.

Abstract: A permselective membrane, suitable for use in electrolytic cells, is conditioned for such use by expanding it to a desirable extent by immersing it in or coating it with a liquid solvent system in which the membrane exhibits a substantially flat expansion vs. time curve for at least the first four hours after the completion of such immersion or coating, after which the membrane is mounted so as to be ready for use. When inserted into an electrolytic cell, in contact with the electrolyte thereof, the membrane will then be of such a size as to produce the desired amount of tension thereon, making the membrane flat and non-sagging, without over-contraction which could lead to tearing.

Abstract: An electrode, for use in electrolytic processes, comprises a valve metal substrate, such as titanium, a coating thereon of conductive tin oxide, and an outer coating of a noble metal or noble metal oxide. The electrode is particularly adapted to use in a chlorate cell wherein an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution is electrolyzed to produce an alkali metal chlorate.

Abstract: In a high amperage switching apparatus comprising multiple, spaced apart, stationary first terminals, each in interruptable circuit communication with corresponding multiple, spaced apart, stationary second terminals, said communication being by movable knife type circuit interrupting means pivotably attached to each second terminal such that it will contact the corresponding first terminal at some point in the pivot arc, the improvement comprising removably and conductively attaching to at least one stationary first terminal, at least one primary sacrificial, bimetallic contact, having highly conductive lower attachment section and highly resistant contact tip and removably and conductively attaching to at least one corresponding movable circuit interrupting means at least one secondary sacrificial bimetallic contact, being comprised of multiple laminate highly conductive metal fingers backed by a spring, compression laminate, having a high resistant metal tip, said primary and secondary sacrificial bimetall

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the electrolysis of ionizable chemical compounds is disclosed including specifically a process for the production of chlorine and caustic soda containing low concentrations of sodium chloride by the electrolysis of brine which comprises electrolyzing brine solutions in a two compartment cell equipped with a cathode and an anode separated by permselective barrier formed by sandwiching together two or more membranes consisting essentially of a hydrolyzed copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a sulfonated perfluorovinyl ether having the formulaFSO.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 OCF(CF.sub.3)CF.sub.2 OCF=CF.sub.2said copolymer having an equivalent weight of from about 900 to about 1600. By the use of a multilayer membrane sandwich as the barrier the caustic current efficiency of the process is increased over that obtained when a single layer membrane is used as the barrier separating the cathode and anode.

Abstract: A seal for preventing passage of fluid through an opening in an electrolytic cell wall through which a conductor for carrying electricity to or from a cell electrode passes includes as elements thereof a portion of the cell wall opening which is tapered so as to be larger at the outer part of the wall than at the inner part, silicone rubber in the narrower tapered opening part, an electrolyte-resistant rubber, such as neoprene, in the wider tapered opening part and means for pressing such rubber against the silicone rubber so as to help seal the silicone rubber against the tapered cell wall and the conductor. Preferably, the seal is a gas-tight seal and prevents hydrogen from escaping into the atmosphere from the catholyte compartment of an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of brine.

Abstract: A method whereby an alkali, such as an alkali metal hydroxide, is produced at the cathode by the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal halide solutions and the process is operated to produce either chlorine or HCl at the anode.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method of operating a three compartment electrolytic cell which comprises an anode compartment, a buffer compartment and a cathode compartment. More specifically, it concerns an improved method of operating a three compartment cell used in the electrolytic production of chlorine and caustic wherein the solution produced in the buffer compartment is either chemically or physically treated to optimize the overall operation of the three compartment electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An electrode for use in electrolytic processes, comprises a valve metal substrate, a coating thereon of conductive tin oxide containing a doping amount of tellurium, preferably up to about 0.3 mole percent of tellurium, based on moles of tin, and an outer coating of a noble metal or noble metal oxide.

Abstract: Solid diffusion sources for phosphorus doping comprise from 10 to 95 percent SiP.sub.2 O.sub.7 with an inert phase of ZrP.sub.2 O.sub.7. Such materials may be hot-pressed to obtain diffusion source wafers of the appropriate dimensions and porosity. A preferred composition comprises from 25 to 75 weight percent SiP.sub.2 O.sub.7, the balance ZrP.sub.2 O.sub.7. Fabrication parameters range from about 750 psi to about 6,000 psi pressure during hot-pressing, at temperatures from about 800.degree.C to about 1450.degree.C.