Abstract: An improved flexible sheet elastomer cover for sealing the electrolyte tank of a De Nora type chlorine generating cell. Elastomer materials of different compositions are used for the opposite surfaces of the cover with the inside surface composed of a chlorinated polyethylene compound and the outside surface composed of an ethylene-propylene terpolymer compound.

Abstract: An active coating comprised of a mixture of palladium oxide and zirconium dioxide deposited on a metal substrate selected from a group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys thereof, results in a lower hydrogen overpotential at the cathode in the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal halide solutions. Salts of the component metals of the coating are deposited on the cathode surface preferably by painting. The coating metals are then converted to the corresponding metal oxides through the heating of the coating and substrate to 300.degree. to 600.degree. C in an oxidizing atmosphere such as air or oxygen. The coating results in a lowering of the hydrogen discharge overpotential at the cathode surface of about 50 to 100 millivolts as compared with the hydrogen discharge overpotential for the mild steel substrate commonly used as a cathode in electrolysis cells.

Abstract: A novel cathode is provided which comprises a porous titanium sheet having a cathodic exposed surface of hydrided titanium, preferably where the core of the sheet is of less porosity or higher density than the surface. The hydrided surface of the cathode may include a coating of silver thereon and therein within the pores, or the hydrided surface of the cathode, either as such or one provided with the silver coating may further include a coating of MoS.sub.2 thereon and therein within the pores. Such cathode can be either a monopolar or a bipolar electrode. The core of the cathode is of low porosity to provide improved current transfer and has a surface area of large pore size to enable low cathodic overvoltage.

Abstract: The electrodes of a water purification cell are immersed in the water to be sterilized. The current through the cell is kept constant by varying the resistance of an emitter-collector circuit of a transistor connected in series with the cell to compensate for changes in the cell's internal resistance. The voltage across the cell is monitored by two threshold circuits to determine if the conductivity of the water is within an allowable conductivity range. If the conductivity falls outside the range, a light-emitting diode is energized. The light-emitting diode is also energized if the voltage of the battery supplying the power for the cell falls below a given value. If no water is present in the supply line to the cell, a switching transistor is blocked, thereby disconnecting most of the equipment from one side of the battery.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous electrowinning of copper bearing slurries, including an electrowinning cell wherein a slurry composed of a suitable electrolyte and a copper-bearing solid material, is subjected to the simultaneous reactions of dissolving the copper material and plating out elemental copper as a relatively pure copper product. The apparatus and process also includes means to purify the copper-bearing material before passage to the electrowinning cell so as to prevent contamination of the electrolyte in the cell and, also, a means to recover sulfur which is released during the electrowinning and unreacted copper material.

Abstract: An expandable electrode assembly is provided having two opposed working faces of flexible electrically conductive material, said faces defining a riserless open chamber therebetween, a plurality of spring means interposed between the working faces for biasing the faces a limited distance away from each other and for allowing inward movement of the faces toward each other in response to inward force applied to the working faces, and an electrical conductor means affixed to one edge of each of the planar faces to a supportive backplate without limiting the inward movement of the edge of the faces opposite the one edge.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of bonding refractory hard metal materials such as TiB.sub.2 wherein aluminum carbide is formed in situ at the interface between the refractory hard metal and a substrate. The bond formation is greatly accelerated by passing an electrical current across the interface.

Abstract: Device for electrochemical treatment of workpieces includes a change-over means for actuating the delivery of the workpiece of an electrolyte or a washing medium and their discharge after the workpiece is treated. This change-over means consists of a distribution valve, a control element and a mechanism for separating the discharge of the electrolyte and the washing medium. The distribution valve is located at the junction of separate conduits for the electrolyte and washing medium and operatively connected with the control element so that the distribution valve shuts off alternately the conduit for the electrolyte or the conduit for the washing medium.

Abstract: The operating characteristics of a Downs-type electrolytic cell are improved by incorporating a sealed weir between the riser/cooler and the molten metal receiver and by providing means for venting inert gas from the receiver through the vapor space of the riser/cooler.

Abstract: A method of compensating the magnetic fields of adjacent rows of transversely arranged igneous electrolysis cells, in which the distribution of the current in the conductors feeding the anode of a downstream cell from the cathode of the adjacent upstream cell is modified so as to superimpose upon the cell an electrical loop which produces an additional magnetic field substantially equal to that created by the adjacent row and opposite to it in direction, wherein the electrical loop develops its compensating effect solely on the outer head of the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the electrochemical separation of selected metals from electrodissociatable compounds thereof in the molten state utilizing as electrode separator a plurality of solid electrolyte tubes which, under the influence of an electrical potential, are permeable to the flow of selected cations, but impermeable to fluids and the flow of anions and other cations.

Abstract: An electrolytic water purification system operated from a battery includes an electrolytic cell which may purify water properly only when an applied voltage exceeds the battery output voltage. A power supply circuit energized by the battery furnishes the necessary higher voltage. An electrically driven pump is directly energized by the battery for pumping the water to be purified through the cell. The pump is automatically deenergized when the conductivity of the water or the available voltage is outside prescribed limits.

Abstract: The invention is for placement in a molten salt electrolysis cell and a jacket means on the cell for providing a chamber for containment of a coolant. The cell and the jacket means have an orifice extending from the exterior of the jacket means into the interior of the cell. The invention, a tapping apparatus, includes a tapping tube in the orifice extending into the interior of the cell, and a packing tube and packing in the orifice and surrounding the tapping tube, with the improvement including the extending of the packing tube and packing past the jacket means.

Abstract: A novel electrode is provided which comprises a porous titanium sheet having a cathode exposed surface which may be untreated titanium or hydrided titanium, and a core of a dense (e.g. expanded) titanium material (e.g. sheet) which is of less porosity or higher density than the surface, the core extending beyond the cathodic surface to provide an anodic member, or a means for connection for current transfer. The cathodic element may include a coating of silver thereon and therein within the pores, or the hydrided surface of the cathode, either as such or one provided with the silver coating may further include a coating of MoS.sub.2 thereon and therein within the pores. The exposed cathodic surface of the electrode is of large pore size to enable low cathodic overvoltage. The extending anodic element is coated (e.g. with platinum) to provide the anodic function.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved electrode assembly and electrochemical drilling machine for drilling small diameter holes. The electrode assembly includes a metallic working electrode tube having an inlet end for electrolyte entry and an outlet end for drilling, the tube having preselected dimensions to provide the desired diameter and depth of hole. The assembly also includes a filter tube one end portion of which defines a plurality of individual access openings for electrolyte entry from an electrolyte source, each opening having a smaller cross section than the bore of the working electrode tube to filter out particles in the electrolyte which could clog the electrode tube and the other end of which is in fluid communication with the inlet end of the electrode tube for delivering filtered electrolyte thereto.

Abstract: A novel method of renewing electrode surfaces of metal electrodes with elongated supporting riser with at least the surface thereof being comprised of a valve metal or valve metal alloy supporting a generally planar electrode member with an electrocatalytic coating thereon.

Abstract: A flexible elastomeric cover particularly for an electrolytic cell of the mercury type. The cover has at least one layer comprised of a corrosion resistant elastomeric composition including a vulcanized rubbery polymer to resist deleterious fluids and a multiplicity of small, non-porous, inert particles of a plate-like structure dispersed throughout the polymer to further resist the permeation and penetration of such fluids into the cover with the preponderance of the particles having an aspect ratio of at least 20:1 and being oriented in a direction generally parallel to a surface of the cover to provide a barrier to the migration of such deleterious fluids. The rubbery polymer is preferably polyisoprene and the plate-like or platy particles are preferably graphite or glass flakes.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell is provided which is particularly suitable for the production of oxy-halogen compounds such as sodium chlorate by the electrolysis of an alkali metal halide such as sodium chloride. A removable casing divides the cell into a separate cell chamber and a cooling and concentration chamber outside of said casing; means are provided for the circulation of the electrolytic solution between the cooling and concentration chamber and the cell chamber, but there is a substantial seal against the passage of gas from one to the other. Gas such as hydrogen is separately removed from the interior of the casing, a gas sweep is provided across the surface of the electrolyte in the cooling and concentration chamber to cool the electrolyte and evaporate part of it so as to concentrate it. In accordance with this invention, such can be accomplished without danger of explosion.

Abstract: A potshell for an electrolytic cell for the electrolytic reduction of aluminum includes a bottom plate, side walls and end walls of steel plates, and also a reinforcing structure surrounding structure. Up against the side walls and end walls, on the outside thereof are disposed vertical stiffeners and outside these stiffeners there is disposed an essentially horizontal reinforcing frame in such a manner that between the stiffeners there are formed vertical, free air passages up against the side walls and the end walls, and in such a manner that the stiffeners act as cooling ribs for conducting and dissipiating the heat from the side walls and the end walls.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrochemical machining of workpieces, comprising an electrolyte splashing-preventing device comprising a protective casing mounted on a movable crossbeam and connected with the exhaust pipe of an exhaust device, likewise mounted on the movable crossbeam and connected telescopingly with a ventilation conduit for movement therein against an abutment to close off the ventilation conduit when the electrode is retracted from the workpiece being machined.