Patents Assigned to Ionics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4551209
    Abstract: A conductive metal oxide electrode can be calibrated by immersing the electrode and a reference electrode in a solution of known pH and applying to them a setting potential which is approximately equal to the steady state potential that would be observed for that electrode with respect to the reference electrode in a solution of that value of pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Integrated Ionics, Inc.
    Inventor: Imants R. Lauks
  • Patent number: 4310631
    Abstract: The reaction of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with an ionogenic methacrylate ester containing amine groups of the tertiary type such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) in the presence of an acidic water solution produces a new and novel water soluble, ionic, cross-linking, methacrylate bifunctional monomer wnhich is useful in the manufacture of anion exchange polymers while employing an aqueous solvent system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Russell J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 4299677
    Abstract: This invention describes the process of separating fructose preferentially from a mixture of glucose and fructose by using ion exchange membranes. More particularly it relates to the process comprising the steps of (1) passing a liquid mixture of fructose and glucose through a first feed chamber of an electro-osmosis cell comprising at least two chambers defined between ion exchange membranes having alternating high and low permeability coefficients with respect to each other, (2) passing a direct electric current transversely through said membranes and chambers in a direction to cause the fructose to pass from said feed chamber through said high permeability coefficient membrane into a second chamber with said fructose being substantially retained in the second chamber, and (3) recovering a glucose enriched and a fructose enriched effluent from the separate chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignees: The Hubinger Co., Ionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyanasundram Venkatasubramanian, Surendar M. Jain, Anthony J. Giuffrida
  • Patent number: 4276140
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for the fractionation of liquid solutions of protein mixtures which includes the steps of subjecting such solutions to electrodialysis (ED) while in the pH range of about between 5-8 until a partial or a substantially complete desalting takes place, the ED preferably being conducted between about 15.degree. C. to 40.degree. C., separating the fraction of protein which precipitates, passing the resulting supernatant salt depleted protein mixture into the concentrating compartments of the ED apparatus whereby the salts entering the salt concentrating chambers from the adjacent salt diluting chambers will substantially restore the original salt content of the desalted protein mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Surendar M. Jain
  • Patent number: 4275227
    Abstract: The reaction of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with an ionogenic methacrylate ester containing amine groups of the tertiary type such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) in the presence of an acidic water solution produces a new and novel water soluble, ionic, cross-linking, methacrylate bifunctional monomer which is useful in the manufacture of anion exchange polymers while employing an aqueous solvent system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Russell J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 4242185
    Abstract: An improved integrated and cyclic process and apparatus are disclosed wherein portions of various process and waste fluids are recycled to control impurities in the influents to membrane chlor-alkali cells and simultaneously to minimize liquid pollutants from the process. The improved process and apparatus reduces energy costs and wastes while simultaneously controlling impurities important to operation of membrane chlor-alkali electrolytic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. McRae
  • Patent number: 4230544
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for pH control in the anode compartments of membrane chlor-alkali cells is disclosed wherein an anode is used having an oxygen evolution efficiency substantially equivalent chemically to the hydroxide ion transfer efficiency of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. McRae
  • Patent number: 4217186
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for pH control and energy savings in chlor-alkali electrolysis cells is disclosed wherein a fuel cell type spaced porous catalytic anode is utilized to chemically oxidize a controlled, sub stoichiometric amount of hydrogen to provide hydrogen ions to a recirculating anolyte. The pH is monitored and the flow of hydrogen fuel adjusted to provide a resultant desired pH in the range of about 2 to about 4. Optionally, hydrogen gas produced at the cell cathode may comprise the fuel supply and a spaced porous catalytic cathode may be employed for hydrogen supply control and depolarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. McRae
  • Patent number: 4216073
    Abstract: This invention is directed to electrodialysis, electrochemical cell and membrane cell equipment particularly to components comprising the ion exchange membranes. These membranes are fabricated with the polymer containing occluded particles of activated carbon. The activated carbon lessens the tendency for membranes, especially the anion selective type, to foul when employed in the electrodialysis of solutions containing fouling constituents. The membranes are obtained by polymerizing a mixture of a liquid monomer and activated carbon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 4183399
    Abstract: A heat pipe recuperator for recovering heat from flue gas stacks is disclosed. The recuperator consists of a toroidal shell forming a fluid heating chamber having inlet and outlet fluid circulating ports. A plurality of heat pipes are mounted within the chamber and are attached to the inner wall of the shell such that the condensor sides of the pipe reside within the shell and the evaporator sides extend outside the shell into the center of the toroid. The recuperator is positioned in a flue gas stack wherein the hot flue gas stream contacts the heat pipes which transfer heat into the fluid heating chamber. Fluid, gas or liquid, is passed through the chamber resulting in a rise in temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: Ionics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jobst W. Seehausen
  • Patent number: 4180451
    Abstract: A process for treating liquid whey is disclosed in which raw whey is first partially demineralized by electrodialysis and then subjected to forced flow electrophoresis to effect the separation of lactose and a simultaneous increase in the percentage solids content in the resulting product whey solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. McRae
  • Patent number: 4173524
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for pH control and energy savings in chlor-alkali electrolyis cells is disclosed wherein a fuel cell type spaced porous catalytic anode is utilized to chemically oxidize a controlled, sub stoichiometric amount of hydrogen to provide hydrogen ions to a recirculating anolyte. The pH is monitored and the flow of hydrogen fuel adjusted to provide a resultant desired pH in the range of about 2 to about 4. Optionally, hydrogen gas produced at the cell cathode may comprise the fuel supply and a spaced porous catalytic cathode may be employed for hydrogen supply control and depolarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. McRae
  • Patent number: 4146455
    Abstract: A process for treating liquid whey is disclosed in which raw whey is first partially demineralized by electrodialysis and then subjected to forced flow electrophoresis to effect the separation of lactose and a simultaneous increase in the percentage solids content in the resulting product whey solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. McRae
  • Patent number: 4133641
    Abstract: A high thermal conductivity combustion cone in combination with a chemical analysis instrument is disclosed. The cone functions to capture and rapidly volatilize a liquid sample drop injected into the instrument. The volatilized components are then reacted with a feed or carrier gas in the presence of a heated catalyst bed. Changes in the reacted gas are detected by a sensor and quantitatively analyzed as an indicator of the chemical nature of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Dale E. Lueck
  • Patent number: 4115225
    Abstract: An electrode reversal system for an electrodialysis cell is disclosed in which acidic anolyte produced in the anode chamber is collected and simultaneously recirculated through both the anode and cathode chambers. The cathode effluent is removed from the cell and on reversal of electrical polarity, the hydraulic flow paths to and from the chambers are reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Ionics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edgardo J. Parsi
  • Patent number: 4110265
    Abstract: A sulfonated cation exchange polyelectrolyte obtained by reacting a polyphenylene sulfide polymer with oleum containing 10 to 65% by weight of sulfur trioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: Ionics Inc.
    Inventor: Russell B. Hodgdon
  • Patent number: 4067794
    Abstract: A gasket for preventing fluid flow from the interior to the exterior of a chamber is disclosed in which tab members or projections from a body portion lockingly cooperate with corresponding recesses in the chamber wall. Transverse openings in the gasket body allow access to the interior of the chamber. The apparatus is particularly applicable as a means for sealing an electrode terminal extending from the interior to the exterior of an electrodialysis filter press stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: Ionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Anil D. Jha
  • Patent number: 4062756
    Abstract: A liquid flow distribution screen is disclosed in which two sets of spaced apart strands are oriented at an angle to each other to form a mesh screen. A portion of the screen is composed of areas in which the two sets of strands are more or less of the same thickness and the remaining portion composed of strands in which one of the sets is of greater thickness than the other, resulting in the creation of liquid flow channels between and among the channels. Using this concept, any desired flow pattern may be achieved when the screen is placed between two surface barriers. The device is particularly suited as a membrane support and spacer in electrodialysis or electrochemical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: Ionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil D. Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
  • Patent number: D248157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: Ionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Kenneth O'Donoghue, Anil D. Jha