Abstract: The invention relates to a cell for metal electrowinning equipped with a device useful for preventing the adverse effects of dendrite growth on the cathodic deposit. The cell comprises a porous conductive screen, positioned between the anode and the cathode, capable of stopping the growth of dendrites and avoiding that they reach the anode surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode suitable for decreasing the chemical oxygen demand of waste-water comprising: a) a permanent component; and b) a sacrificial component arranged face-to-face and releasably attached to the permanent component and in electrical contact therewith, said permanent component consisting of a Substrate of a valve metal equipped with a catalytic coating containing noble metals or oxides thereof, said sacrificial component containing elemental iron. Further the invention relates to a method for abatement of the chemical oxygen demand in an aqueous waste containing oily compounds, glycols or waxes, optionally consisting of a foundry waste, by an electrolytic process involving anodic chlorine evolution in the presence of trivalent iron. Chlorine evolution may be carried out on the surface of an anode consisting of a catalytically activated-valve metal permanent component coupled to an iron-containing sacrificial component.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode suitable for electrolytic treatments of dilute solutions of sodium chloride even at low temperatures. The electrode can be used in the generation of active chlorine-based biocidal agents in ballast water for marine applications. The electrode has a titanium substrate, an inner catalytic coating containing oxides of tantalum, ruthenium and iridium, and an outer catalytic coating containing oxides of titanium, ruthenium and of at least one of nickel, iron and cobalt.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell, especially a zinc-bromine flow battery or a hydrogen/bromine flow battery, and methods for manufacturing and using the electrode is provided. The electrode has a metal substrate and a catalytic coating applied onto the substrate wherein the catalytic coating has a Ru-rich mixture of ruthenium and having 70-80 mol % Ru, 1-5 mol % Pt and 17-25 mol % Ir. The catalytic coating composition exhibits a surprisingly high voltage efficiency and operating lifetime despite its relatively low Ir/Ru and Pt/Ru ratios. The underlying metal substrate is for example a porous Ti layer or a layer with titanium suboxides TixOy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical device which simultaneously carries out the production of an oxidising solution at controlled composition containing hypochlorous acid and the sprinkling thereof in a continuous process, useful for biocide treatments in agricultural fields. The device can be installed on motor vehicles or mobile means in general.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a rod-shaped or tubular anode, an anode terminal connected to the anode, a cathode disposed at a position apart from the anode so as to face the anode, and a membrane that separates the anode from the cathode. The cathode includes a line-shaped or strip-shaped cathode-supporting portion and a cathode claw that extends to the left, right, or both left and right from the cathode-supporting portion and that is curved along an outer periphery of the anode. The cathode-supporting portion and the cathode claw form an anode-holding portion of the cathode. The membrane includes a membrane strip, and the membrane strip is disposed on the cathode claw to be in contact with the cathode claw so that the anode is held by the anode-holding portion of the cathode with the membrane strip therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell for metal electrowinning equipped with a device useful for preventing the adverse effects of dendrite growth on the cathodic deposit. The cell comprises a porous conductive screen, positioned between the anode and the cathode, capable of stopping the growth of dendrites and preventing them from reaching the anode surface.

Abstract: Safe anode for electrochemical cells, of the type of vertical anodes constituted of a hanging structure based on a first horizontal bar, second vertical distribution bars defined by a copper or aluminum core with a titanium exterior layer, and coated or uncoated titanium anode plates attached to the second distribution bars, on both sides, such that the safe anode incorporates an adapter element that comprises, at least, one current limiter assembly, arranged between, at least, one of the second vertical distribution bars, and, at least, one coated or uncoated titanium anode plate, connecting the vertical distribution bar to the coated or uncoated titanium anode plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an effluent COD treatment procedure by anodic oxidation combining the use of two different types of anode with a suitable apportionment of current. The first type of anode comprises an anode based on diamond doped-synthetic diamond. The second type of anode comprises an anode with high oxygen overvoltage containing tin and antimony oxides.

Abstract: There is disclosed a treatment process of wastes containing organic molecules with electron-withdrawing groups on conjugated unsaturated bonds, for instance belonging to aromatic rings. The process comprises an electrochemical reduction step and a simultaneous or subsequent oxidation step, optionally also of electrochemical nature.

Abstract: A bipolar electrolytic cell particularly useful for electrochemical processes carried out with periodic reversal of polarity is provided. The cell is equipped with a series of concentric electrode pairs, the innermost pair and the outermost pair being connected to the poles of a DC generator and the intermediate pairs acting as bipolar electrodes. The different pairs of electrodes are arranged and connected in such a way that, at each stage of the process, the overall cathodic area is equal to the anodic area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for direct detection of current supplied to the electrodes of electrolytic cells, particularly useful in non-ferrous metal electrowinning or electrorefining plants. The current distribution on a practically unlimited number of electrodes can be obtained through direct measurement on the electrode hanging bars without requiring the manual intervention of plant staff.

Abstract: A three-compartment cell for production of oxidising disinfectant solutions is provided. The intermediate compartment of the cell is separated from the anodic compartment by a fibrous diaphragm in intimate contact with an anion-exchange membrane.

Abstract: An electrolytic enrichment method for heavy water includes enriching heavy water by electrolysis using an alkaline water electrolysis cell including an anode chamber that holds an anode, a cathode chamber that holds a cathode, and a diaphragm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyser for electrowinning of non-ferrous metals comprising a plurality of intercalated elementary cells, wherein each elementary cell is equipped with a device suitable for the detection of anomalies in the distribution of electric current to the respective anode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cathode for electrolytic processes provided with a catalytic coating based on ruthenium crystallites with highly controlled size falling in a range of 1-10 nm. The coating can be produced by physical vapor deposition of a ruthenium or ruthenium oxide layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the continuous monitoring of current distribution in the cathodes and anodes of an electrolyzer comprised of at least two adjacent electrolytic cells, each containing a multiplicity of said cathodes and anodes. The device according to the invention is composed essentially of at least one current-collecting bus-bar having housings suitable for supporting the electrodes and a base of insulating material whereon the bus-bar abuts. The base has integrated probes for measuring voltage. The invention also relates to a permanent monitoring system allowing to evaluate in continuous current distribution on each electrode in cells used in particular in metal electrowinning or electrorefining. The invention also relates to a method for retrofitting of an electrolyzer comprising the replacement of an existing insulating base with a new base element having integrated probes for measuring voltage.

Abstract: An improved carbon supported-noble metal sulphide electrocatalyst suitable for being incorporated in gas-diffusion electrode structures, in particular in oxygen-reducing gas-diffusion cathodes for aqueous hydrochloric acid electrolysis. The noble metal sulphide particles are monodispersed on the active carbon particles and the surface area ratio of noble metal sulphide particles to active carbon particles is at least 0.20.

Abstract: The invention relates to a current collecting bus-bar comprising electrode housings for accommodating a multiplicity of electrodes in electrical contact therewith. Probes for measuring the electric potential locally established in correspondence of the electrical contacts during the passage of electric current are also connected to the bus-bar. The invention further relates to a permanent monitoring system allowing the continuous evaluation of current distribution on each electrode of electrolysis cells of metal electrowinning or electrorefining plants, connected to an alerting system and to means for disconnecting individual electrodes in case on non-compliance with preset values.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell, particularly useful in electrochemical processes carried out with periodic reversal of polarity. The cell is equipped with concentric pairs of electrodes arranged in such a way that, in each stage of the process, the cathodic area is equal to the anodic area.