Patents Assigned to Permelec Electrode Ltd.
  • Patent number: 6666030
    Abstract: An ice composition obtained by freezing a liquid containing, dissolved therein, hydrogen peroxide produced by electrolysis; and a method of food storage using the composition. Hydrogen peroxide has a lower rate of dissipation into the air and better suitability for long-term storage than ozone. Furthermore, since hydrogen peroxide is electrolytically produced, it eliminates the trouble of transportation, storage, and dissolution. When seawater is used as a feed water for electrolysis, the ice composition thus obtained has a higher cooling effect because it has a melting point lower than 0° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneto Furuta, Yoshinori Nishiki, Masao Sekimoto, Shyuhei Wakita
  • Publication number: 20030226810
    Abstract: An oxoacid or oxoacid salt is added from an oxoacid addition device to a liquid to be treated which contains organic compound, and a peracid is electrochemically synthesized therefrom in an electrolytic cell. The organic compound in the liquid is thus oxidatively decomposed with the peracid. The organic compound is converted to carbon dioxide and water, yielding almost no solid matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: PERMELEC ELECTRODE LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuneto Furuta, Yoshinori Nishiki, Masao Sekimoto, Hozumi Tanaka, Shuhei Wakita
  • Publication number: 20030188764
    Abstract: A functional water containing a fluorine-containing component obtained by electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing fluoride ion using electrodes having conductive diamonds, a method of producing the same, and a method and an apparatus of rinsing electronic parts using the functional water as a rinsing water. The fluorine-containing component produced by electrolyzing the fluoride ion using the conductive diamond, has stronger rinsing effect than that of a fluorine-containing component obtained by electrolyzing the fluoride ion itself before electrolysis or the fluoride ion using other electrodes. Therefore, an amount of hydrofluoric acid used can greatly be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicants: PERMELEC ELECTRODE LTD., PURETRON LTD.
    Inventors: Teruo Haibara, Kenichi Uemura, Masaaki Kato, Kuniaki Yamada, Yoshinori Nishiki, Tsuneto Furuta
  • Patent number: 6547947
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for water treatment. The method comprises supplying an oxygen-containing gas to cathode 6 to yield hydrogen peroxide, supplying an inorganic acid to anode 5 through an acid solution addition opening 4 to yield an oxidation product, e.g., hypochlorous acid, and using both the hydrogen peroxide and oxidation product thus generated to treat a liquid to be treated. The atmosphere around the cathode surface is kept neutral to acidic due to the acidity of the coexisting oxidation product to thereby inhibit the deposition of metal hydroxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Uno, Shuhei Wakita, Shuji Nakamatsu, Yoshinori Nishiki
  • Patent number: 6527940
    Abstract: Electrolysis is carried out while supplying an aqueous sodium chloride solution having a weak acidic property to the anode chamber of a water electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell is partitioned with a cation-exchange membrane into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. Furthermore, because the pH of the anolyte is sufficiently reduced due to the acid content and pH of the liquid supplied to the anode chamber from the start of electrolysis, which is different from a conventional electrolytic method, the electrolysis of the present invention may be carried out for a time needed to obtain a sufficiently high oxidation reduction potential. Thus, acid water almost the same as that obtained in a conventional method is obtained in the present invention by consuming about {fraction (1/10)} the electric power that is used in a conventional method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimamune, Masashi Tanaka, Yasuo Nakajima, Yoshinori Nishiki, Hideto Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20020153262
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell and method of electrolysis for producing hydrogen peroxide at a moderate current density while preventing metal deposition on the cathode surface. A feed water from which multivalent metal ions have been removed and in which a salt of a univalent metal, e.g., sodium sulfate, has been dissolved in a given concentration is prepared with an apparatus for removing multivalent metal ions and dissolving a salt in low concentration. The feed water is supplied to an electrolytic cell. Even when electrolysis is continued, almost no deposition of a hydroxide or carbonate occurs on the cathode because multivalent metal ions are not present in the electrolytic solution. Due to the dissolved salt, a sufficient current density is secured to prevent an excessive load from being imposed on the electrodes, etc. Thus, stable production of hydrogen peroxide is possible over a long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: PERMELEC ELECTRODE LTD.
    Inventors: Masaharu Uno, Shuhei Wakita, Masao Sekimoto, Tsuneto Furuta, Yoshinori Nishiki
  • Publication number: 20020134687
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell and process for the simultaneous production of hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous ion. The electrolytic cell has an anode chamber housing an insoluble anode capable of oxidizing halide ion, a cathode chamber housing a gas diffusion cathode capable of oxidizing an oxygen-containing gas to produce hydrogen peroxide, a membrane separating the anode and cathode chambers, and means for supplying water containing halide ion to the anode chamber and an oxygen-containing gas and an electrolyte to the cathode chamber, whereby hypohalide and hydrogen peroxide are produced in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, respectively. Also disclosed is a process for treating water using the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: PERMELEC ELECTRODE LTD., and KATAYAMA CHEMICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuo Nakajima, Yoshinori Nishiki, Genzo Yamane, Masaharu Uno, Akira Katsumoto, Kunio Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20020130048
    Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen peroxide solution from seawater as a starting material substantially free of effective chlorine or organic halogen compounds. An electric current is passed through an insoluble anode and an oxygen gas diffusion cathode while keeping the halide ion concentration of anolyte supplied to the anode chamber to a level not greater than 1 g/l. Hydrogen peroxide thus generated dissolves in the catholyte. Anodic oxidation of halide ions is suppressed, to thereby inhibit the production of effective chlorine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: PERMELEC ELECTRODE LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Nakajima, Yoshinori Nishiki, Masaharu Uno, Akira Katsumoto, Kunio Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6432293
    Abstract: A process for copper-plating a wafer which comprises electroplating a semiconductor wafer with an electrode comprising a corrosion-resistant metal substrate and a coat mainly composed of iridium oxide provided on the substrate as an anode and the wafer as a cathode in a solution containing copper ion. The anode is preferably an insoluble electrode comprising a corrosion-resistant metal substrate and a coat mainly composed of iridium oxide and further containing a metal or metal oxide selected from platinum, tantalum, titanium, niobium and oxides of these metals provided on the substrate. A neutral membrane or ion exchange membrane may be interposed between the anode and the cathode as a separating membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Setsuro Ogata, Kenichi Ueno
  • Publication number: 20020106550
    Abstract: An electrode-membrane assembly comprising a pair of electrodes at least one of which is porous, and a thermoplastic resin membrane having a functional group capable of being modified to a free ion exchange group upon hydrolysis, which is interposed between the two electrodes and partly penetrates into the pores of the electrode. In this arrangement, the ion exchange membrane can be mechanically integrated to the anode and cathode to compensate for the insufficiency of mechanical strength of the ion exchange membrane. Thus, an electrode-membrane assembly which can be used in an industrial electrolytic cell or fuel cell is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: PERMELEC ELECTRODE LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nishiki, Takayuki Shimamune, Tsuneto Furuta, Kyoji Kimoto
  • Patent number: 6375827
    Abstract: An electrochemical treating apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell comprising an anode and a cathode spaced apart from the anode, the anode including an electrode material made of diamond and the cathode including an electrode material made of diamond. Also disclosed is an electrochemical treating method for electrochemically decomposing a substance contained in a gas or solution, which comprises introducing a gas or solution containing a substance to be treated into the electrolytic cell, passing an electric current through the electrolytic cell, and recovering a treated gas or solution. In a preferred embodiment, the electrolytic cell comprises an anode including an electrode material made of diamond, a cathode including an electrode material made of diamond and an ion exchange resin or an ion exchange membrane as an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Tateki Kurosu, Shuhei Wakita, Miwako Nara, Shuji Nakamatsu, Yoshinori Nishiki
  • Patent number: 6328861
    Abstract: An electrolytic apparatus which comprises effecting electrolysis of an electrolytic solution in an electrolytic chamber separated from a reaction chamber by a hydrogen-storing metal member with one surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member as a cathode opposing an anode so that hydrogen thus produced is adsorbed by the hydrogen-storing metal member while allowing hydrogen thus adsorbed and a material to be treated to undergo continuous catalytic reaction in the reaction chamber on the other surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member to cause hydrogenation or reduction reaction by hydrogen thus adsorbed, wherein an electrolytic apparatus having a porous catalyst layer provided on the catalytic reaction surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuki Yoshida, Setsuro Ogata, Masaharu Uno, Masashi Tanaka, Yoshinori Nishiki, Takayuki Shimamune, Hiroshi Inoue, Chiaki Iwakura
  • Patent number: 6312571
    Abstract: An activated cathode comprising an electrically conductive substrate, an interlayer comprising a nickel oxide formed on the surface of the electrically conductive substrate, and a catalyst layer containing at least one lanthanum component selected from oxides and hydroxides of lanthanum metals and at least one platinum component selected from platinum metals and silver and oxides and hydroxides thereof formed on the interlayer. A process for the preparation of an activated cathode is also disclosed which comprises forming an interlayer comprising a nickel oxide on the surface of an electrically conductive substrate, and then forming a catalyst layer containing at least one lanthanum component selected from oxides and hydroxides of lanthanum metals and at least one platinum. component selected from platinum metals and silver and oxides and hydroxides thereof on the surface of the interlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Miwako Nara, Masashi Tanaka, Yoshinori Nishiki, Shuji Nakamatsu
  • Patent number: 6254762
    Abstract: A process and apparatuses for producing hydrogen peroxide which provides good current density and production efficiency from an electrolytic liquid having an exceedingly low conductivity, such as ultrapure water. An electrolytic cell main body containing an anode 5 and a cathode 6 which are electrically connected to each other via ion-exchange resin particles 9 is used to conduct electrolysis while maintaining the electrical connection. High-purity, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide is produced at a high current efficiency even when the electrolytic liquid has an exceedingly low conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Uno, Shuhei Wakita, Yoshinori Nishiki
  • Patent number: 6251254
    Abstract: An electrode adapted for chromium plating from trivalent chromium baths which comprises a conductive base, an electrode material layer comprising iridium oxide formed thereon, and a porous layer formed on the surface of the electrode material layer. The porous can comprise an oxide containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, molybdenum, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, and tungsten. Use of this electrode for chromium plating reduces the oxidation of trivalent chromium into hexavalent chromium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Katoh, Miwako Nara, Yukiei Matsumoto, Setsuro Ogata
  • Patent number: 6238530
    Abstract: A cathode for electrolysis comprising a hydrogen-occluding material for use in an electrolytic cell partitioned by the cathode into two chambers including a reaction chamber and an electrolysis chamber. The cell is arranged so that a reactant is reduced or hydrogenated in the reaction chamber. The cathode comprises an ion exchange membrane or porous membrane. A first layer made of a hydrogen-occluding metallic palladium or a palladium alloy is formed on the reaction chamber side of the membrane. A second layer which is a porous catalyst layer made of a platinum metal black or gold is formed on the first layer. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell using the cathode for electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuki Yoshida, Masashi Tanaka, Setsuro Ogata, Hiroshi Inoue, Chiaki Iwakura
  • Patent number: 6165333
    Abstract: A cathode assembly comprising a cathode, an ion-exchange membrane, and an electroconductive porous member permeable to gas and liquid sandwiched between the cathode and the membrane. The porous member may have, deposited on a part thereof, a catalyst active in hydrogen generation. The porous member preferably is in the form of a plate, sheet, fibers, web, paper, net, or sinter of any of these, and comprises at least a carbonaceous material and has a thickness of from 0.05 to 5 mm and a porosity of from 10 to 95%. Also disclosed is a method of reactivating a cathode assembly, which comprises conducting electrolysis using the cathode assembly until its activity decreases, and then depositing a catalyst active in hydrogen generation on the porous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Shuji Nakamatsu, Yoshinori Nishiki
  • Patent number: 6159349
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for producing a brine containing hydrogen peroxide is disclosed. Units for hydrogen peroxide production 3 and units for water electrolysis 2 are alternately arranged in the same electrolytic cell 1. Electrolysis is conducted while supplying hydrogen gas and oxygen gas generating in the respective water electrolysis units to a gas diffusion anode 11 and a gas diffusion cathode 13 of each unit for hydrogen peroxide production, to thereby obtain a brine containing hydrogen peroxide in a high concentration. Furthermore, because the anode of the hydrogen peroxide production units is a hydrogen gas diffusion anode having a reduced oxidizing ability, halogen ions contained in the seawater do not yield harmful halogenated organic substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Wakita, Yoshinori Nishiki, Takayuki Shimamune, Yasuo Nakajima, Masaaki Katoh, Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi, Takahiro Ashida, Masaharu Uno
  • Patent number: 6143163
    Abstract: A method of water electrolysis for producing acidic water and alkaline water is disclosed, which is effective in preventing the dissolution of electrode material in the acidic water, etc. attributable to a reverse current flowing in a power supply cutoff state and also in preventing electrode deactivation caused by the electrode material dissolution. This enables the electrolytic cell to be operated stably over a long period of time to yield high-purity acidic and alkaline waters. An electrolytic cell 1 partitioned into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber with a cation-exchange membrane 2 as a solid electrolyte is used to electrolytically produce acidic water and alkaline water. A voltage of 1.2 V or higher and/or a current of 20 mA/dm.sup.2 or higher is applied between the anode 7 and the cathode 8 when the electrolytic cell is in a power supply cutoff state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Permelec Electrode Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Isao Sawamoto, Kuniaki Yamada, Yoshinori Nishiki, Masashi Tanaka, Naoaki Sakurai, Naoya Hayamizu
  • Patent number: 6126796
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the production of acid water which performs simple operation to produce acid water without complicated control over the concentration of hydrochloric acid to be added or precipitation of alkaline earth metal salts, which are disadvantages of the prior art electrolysis for the production of acid water. An electrolytic cell for the production of acid water, which comprises a power supply for applying a voltage across an anode chamber and a cathode chamber partitioned by an ion-exchange membrane. The anode in the anode chamber is disposed in close contact with the ion-exchange membrane. The electrolytic cell further comprises means for supplying an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid and water to the cathode chamber and the anode chamber, respectively. Hydrochloric acid is not directly added to the anode chamber but indirectly added to the anode chamber by diffusing through the ion-exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimamune, Masashi Tanaka, Yasuo Nakajima, Yoshinori Nishiki