Abstract: An improved bipolar separator for electrochemical cells comprising a molded aggregate of an electrically conductive powdered material and a powdered thermosetting resin in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 9:1 and having a resistivity coefficient, in the direction perpendicular to the major surfaces of the separator, of less than 0.3.OMEGA. cm and having the entire surface exposed to the anolyte, except the area of electrical contact with the anode, coated with a layer of a chemically resistant and electrically non-conductive thermosetting resin and electrochemical cells containing the said bipolar separator and method of producing the said bipolar separator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an easily assembled and disassembled stationary particulate bed dual electrode for recovering metal values from electrolytic solutions. The electrode comprises two assemblies adapted for mating with one another. Each assembly has a perforated flow distributing plate and a basket-like compartment for holding carbonaceous, conductive particles onto which the metal values deposit. This compartment is quickly and easily disassembled for removal of the metal-clad particulate bed.

Abstract: A perforated support for helping prevent damage to a non-adherent membrane in a chlorine gas-producing cell configuration having downwardly open, gas-trapping pockets adjacent such a membrane in the upper end of a chlorine-producing anolyte chamber. The cathode chamber can be at a greater pressure than the anode chamber to force the diaphragm against the support.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte feed system for feeding an individual supply of electrolyte to electrolytic cells in a filter press cell circuit. The system includes a primary electrolyte feed line, having one closed end and a plurality of outlets, or orifices, therein spaced along the length of the line. The primary feed line is encased in a larger, secondary feed line. The secondary feed line has a plurality of outlets, or orifices, therein spaced along its length corresponding to the outlets in the primary feed line. In a preferred embodiment, the feed lines are circular in cross-section and are in the form of pipes or tubes. The outlets in the primary and secondary feed lines are spacedly aligned, and the outlets in the secondary feed line are communicatively connected with the electrolyte inlets in the cell compartments of the individual cells in the cell circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing chlorine gas comprising a plurality of separately housed electrolytic cells containing bimetallic electrodes electrically connected in series. Each electrolytic cell is divided into an anode and a cathode compartment separated by an ion permeable membrane which is impermeable to gases and water. Each cell housing contains passageways for simultaneously delivering a pure alkali metal chloride brine solution to the anode compartments and transporting chlorine gas produced at the anode and spent brine solution from the anode compartments. Passageways are also provided in each cell housing for delivering deionized water to the cathode compartments and conveying hydrogen gas produced at the cathode and an alkali metal hydroxide solution from the cathode chamber. Approporiate piping is provided for delivering brine solution and deionized water to the cell housing and conveying chlorine gas and spent brine and hydrogen gas and an alkali metal hydroxide solution from the cell housing.

Abstract: An electrolytic reduction cell for the production of aluminium has current collector bars running across the floor of the cell unitarily or in separate sections. Deformation of the molten metal/electrolytic bath interface is reduced by leading current out of the collector bars or bar sections at positions remote from their ends by connector bars connected to said positions.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for compensation for detrimental magnetic influence between two or more rows of transverse electrolytic pots or cells for producing aluminum, by electrolytic reduction in a molten bath, in which most of the current conducted from the rear side of a pot in the pot row to the succeeding pot in the row, is carried by two or more conductors underneath the pot. Another and smaller proportion of the current conducted to the succeeding pot in the row is conducted in its entirety around that short side of the pot which faces the magnetically dominating adjacent pot row. Preferably, this smaller proportion of the current amounts to a maximum of twenty percent of the total electrolysis current.

Abstract: The surface of a semiconductor is prepared by electrolytically removing the surface of the semiconductor. A two component electrolyte is used. A first component forms an oxide on the surface of the semiconductor and the second component dissolves the oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stack pack type electrolytic cell for the generation of chlorates or hypochlorites of sodium or potassium having the ability to make economical use of materials while eliminating the necessity for large external studs for the electrode components, housings to retain fluids and intercell piping connections since the cell can be increased in capacity by adding chambers and electrode stack packs to the cell makeup or adding electrodes to the stack packs. Such an electrolyzer can utilize mass produced components to produce various capacities and can be assembled either monopolar or bipolar in configuration to make most efficient use of existing electrical supply equipment.

Abstract: A traveling wire electrical machining system makes use of a single-strand traveling wire which is guided in a plurality of passes across a workpiece to cut through the latter at a plurality of parallel locations. According to the invention, the machining power supply has a plurality of outputs each of which is connected to a respective stretch of the traveling wire, thereby equalizing the machining current for each of the multiple stretches.

Abstract: A plurality of individual treaters, each containing a pair of oppositely charged electrodes, are arranged circularly around a centrally disposed tank into which all of the treaters empty. A common supply manifold for all of the treaters brings waste water or other liquids into the system for treatment by any selected one of the treaters upon opening a control valve associated with such selected treater and closing control valves associated with the remaining treaters. Each treater contains an electrode that is constructed from a material differing from that of electrodes in the remaining treaters so that a particular treater may be selected for use based upon the predicted reaction of the material from which its electrode is made with the particular constituents of the waste liquid being treated.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an interconnect structure on an integrated circuit chip by employing a single chamber for both the required etching and anodization. It has been discovered that an etchant-electrolyte such as phosphoric acid solution in the ratios of one part phosphoric acid to four parts of water can serve as both an etchant and an electrolyte without causing deterioration of the photoresist pattern representing the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A casing suitable for covering a substantially rectangular electrode for a diaphragm-type electrolytic cell comprises a closed end, an open end, and two closed, reinforced sides.The casing is formed of a single flexible material which is folded or sealed to provide a plurality of fingers each having a closed end and then sealed to form two closed sides, such casing preferably having reinforced edges.

Abstract: Apparatus for upgrading and final enrichment of heavy water comprising means for contacting partially enriched heavy water feed in a catalyst column with hydrogen gas (essentially D.sub.2) originating in an electrolysis cell so as to enrich the feed water with deuterium extracted from the electrolytic hydrogen gas and means for passing the deuterium enriched water to the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing tritium from heavy water and light water comprising contacting tritiated feed water in a catalyst column in countercurrent flow with hydrogen gas originating from an electrolysis cell so as to enrich this feed water with tritium from the electrolytic hydrogen gas and passing the tritium enriched water to an electrolysis cell wherein the electrolytic hydrogen gas is generated and then fed upwards through the catalyst column. The tritium content of the hydrogen gas leaving the top of the enricher catalyst column is further reduced in a stripper column containing catalyst which transfers the tritium to a countercurrent flow of liquid water.

Abstract: A system of busbars for aluminium-producing electrolyzers located at the ends of groups of series-connected electrolyzers arranged lengthwise in at least two parallel rows, incorporates stacks of cathode buses located to the left and to the right of a longitudinal axis of each row of electrolyzers in the direction of the current flow through the electrolyzers. The system incorporates a busbar jumper connecting the busbars of the first electrolyzer located at the end of one of the two rows of electrolyzers wih the busbars of the second electrolyzer located at the end of the other of the two rows of electrolyzers.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode for an electolyser. It is characterized in that the anode surface and the cathode surface of said electrode both comprise a porous conductive material which includes sintered nickel previously impregnated with nickel molybdate. The invention is used for manufacturing hydrogen by electrolysing an aqueous alkaline solution.

Abstract: A cathode for use in the electrolytic refining of copper, comprises a stainless steel hanger bar having a flat undersurface with end portions to rest on supports and electrical contacts, and a flat stainless steel starter sheet welded to the undersurface between said end portions and by one edge so to project perpendicularly from that surface. At least the upright side edges of the sheet are masked to prevent copper deposit thereon, and to improve conductivity from bus-bar to hanger bar and to starter sheet, the hanger bar and that edge margin of the starter sheet welded to it are clad with copper.

Abstract: A buccal tube device has a body attached to a tooth band. The body contains at least one channel with a non-circular cross-section. The channel is formed in the body by an electroerosion process. In a preferred form, the channel cross-section is four cornered and is inclined. The invention also includes a process for forming such buccal tubes by providing an electroerosion electrode with a non-circular cross-section and using it to form a channel of corresponding cross-section. The electroerosion process may include flushing the channel thus formed during the electroerosion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolytic gold and silver refining cell for extracting gold and silver contained in a material. The cell is part of a plurality of cells arranged in at least one common vessel provided with a solution feeding inlet, an exhausted solution outlet, and a stirrer. The cell is also provided with a plate cathode consisting of an acid-proof material and a plate anode consisting of the abovementioned material containing Au and Ag. The material is introduced into a filtering bag. The cathode and anode electrodes are suspended parallel to each other within the common vessel and are inserted in parallel in a d.c. supplied network. The invention is characterized by the fact that the vessel, housing a plurality of side by side cells, is provided with a hopper bottom with an outlet conduit controlled by a first normally open valve and connected to a larger conduit provided at its end with a second normally closed valve.