Abstract: An especially efficient and durable electrolytic cell is provided by utilizing a combined cathode and diaphragm unit wherein the cathode is made by spray coating a ferrous metal substrate with a powder metal having lower hydrogen overvoltage than said substrate to form a protected cathode surface having a larger surface area than the substrate, and vacuum depositing a polymer impregnated asbestos fiber diaphragm onto a spray coated surface of the cathode to form a fibrous diaphragm thereon. Preferably, the cathode surface is made with nickel and the polymer impregnated asbestos diaphragm contains from about 10 to about 30 percent based on the weight of asbestos of an organic cementing agent such as a fluorohydrocarbon polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting a diaphragm electrolytic cell to a membrane electrolytic cell by using the standard diaphragm cell equipment and applying a membrane over top of a matting material upon the cathode surface. This method permits a manufacturer having diaphragm electrolytic cells to convert those cells to membrane electrolytic cells without significant capital expenditure to achieve the desirable characteristics of a membrane electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A fluid, such as air or water, carrying suspended solids is directed between a pair of oppositely charged, corrugated surfaces in order to subject the flow to an undulating action that increases the frequency with which the solid particles impinge against one another, thereby increasing the rate of flocculation of the solids. In the case of airborne particles, the corrugated surfaces are arranged in an upright condition so that the flocculated particles attracted to one or the other of such surfaces gravitate therefrom into a conveying mechanism that delivers such particles to a collecting receptacle. In the case of liquid-borne particles, the flow is forced to travel upwardly against the force of gravity after passing between the surfaces, thereby encouraging the flocculated particles to settle out into a sump that is associated with the uphill flow passage.

Abstract: The material H(UO.sub.2)XO.sub.4.nH.sub.2 O, where X is P, As or I(OH).sub.2, conducts protons and when pressed under steadily increasing pressure (subsequently gradually released) may find use as a component of a battery, fuel cell, electrochromic cell, water vapor pressure meter or the like.

Abstract: A system for supplying arsine having automatic arsine monitoring and controls to a semiconductor reactor is described wherein arsine is electrochemically generated from an electrolyte solution such as an inorganic acid and an arsenite salt. The electrolytic cell vessel also comprises the cathode structure. A circular concentric barrier is provided to isolate the oxygen produced at the cathode in an annular region from the arsine generated at the anode located centrally within the cell.

Abstract: The electrolytic pickling of silicon electrical steel sheet that follows hot rolling, is improved by limiting the potential imposed on the steel, during the anodic phase thereof, to less than +1 V with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode, preferably less than +0.8 V. The avoidance of electrolysis of the aqueous medium shortens the treatment time, reduces energy consumption, avoids over-pickling, facilitates subsequent rolling, reduces the subsequent rolling load, improves adherence of the subsequently applied glass film, and renders more uniform the magnetic characteristics of the steel.

Abstract: An improved cathode element for use in a metal, e.g., aluminum reduction cell, said cathode element comprising an elongated hollow body, the lower end of which is affixed to or imbedded in the floor of the cell, the upper end of which terminates proximate the anode said upper end provided with a cap element formed of an electrically conductive material said cap element being in electrically conductive communication with a body of molten metal confined within the hollow body.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for compensating for detrimental magnetic horizontal fields at the plus or upstream end of longitudinally oriented pots in plants for melt-electrolytic production of aluminium, in particular where compensation for vertical magnetic influence from one pot row to another is provided for by utilizing an anode current supply to the minus or downstream end of each pot. A smaller proportion of the current supply to the minus end of the pot takes place through one or more conductors being located underneath the pot in the longitudinal direction thereof, said smaller proportion of the current supply being preferably no more than 20% of the total anode current supply.

Abstract: A hand held plating applicator for electroplating a relatively soft metal onto a substrate consisting of an anode composed of the relatively soft metal, an electrically insulating handle, and a backing composed of a metal substantially harder than the relatively soft metal. The backing is secured to the handle, and has a plurality of countersunk apertures therein, the soft anode having integral protuberances which extend through the apertures and hold the anode in firm contact with one face of the backing. The protuberances are flattened at their ends to fill up the countersunk portions of the apertures, and provide surfaces which are flush with the opposite face of the backing.

Abstract: An especially efficient and durable electrolytic cell is provided by utilizing a combined cathode and diaphragm unit wherein the cathode is made by spray coating a ferrous metal substrate with a powder metal having lower hydrogen overvoltage than said substrate to form a protected cathode surface having a larger surface area than the substrate, and vacuum depositing fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer fibers onto the spray coated surface of the cathode to form a fibrous diaphragm securely adhered thereto. Preferably, the cathode surface is made with nickel and the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene and copolymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene and at least one compatible monomer with units of chlorotrifluoroethylene accounting for at least 80 percent of the monomeric units of said copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolytic cell having electrode units of opposite polarity where each of the electrode units have fingered electrodes extending outwardly therefrom toward the electrode unit of opposite polarity. In this way, the electrodes are interleaved between electrodes of opposite polarity. At least one of the electrode units has a base plate with fingered electrodes mechanically and electrically connected thereto. The fingered electrodes bear a synthetic separator such as a microporous diaphragm or a permionic membrane thereon with lap at the base. The electrolytic cell is characterized by a fingered, interleaved electrode of the electrode unit of opposite polarity compressively bearing upon the lap, whereby to provide an electrolyte-tight seal.

Abstract: An electrolytic apparatus is disclosed for recovering a metal from a solution in which the metal is present in ionic form. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an elongated strip of plastic film coated on both sides thereof with conductive coatings to form anodic and cathodic surfaces. The film strip is located between two end plates to form a cell. The strip is formed into a spiral or helix so as to place the anodic surface opposite the cathodic surface. The cell is mounted within a canister and fluid passageways are provided to enable metal ion-containing solution to pass through the helical cell. Electrical leads are provided to equally distribute the plating current throughout the cell.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell assembly of the filter press type having plastic frames and a membrane wherein the membrane is formed to fit between adjacent frames with one or more recesses provided on one or both of the adjacent frames together with sealing gasket means which are formed for effectively controlling electrode spacing and for retaining the membrane in position without membrane damage. The construction not only provides proper sealing and protection of the membrane during use, but also allows for the membrane to be removed, reactivated, and reused.

Abstract: An electrode guide is used in an apparatus for electrochemically drilling an axial hole in a longitudinally extending workpiece such as a suture needle. An electrode is telescopically received in one end of the tubular guide and the workpiece in the other. Electrically non-conductive inserts are provided in the guide to position the electrode and the workpiece in axial alignment. The depth of the hole to be drilled is limited by one of the inserts which abuts the end of the needle to prevent further axial motion when the hole has reached a predetermined depth. A plurality of the electrodes are disposed in a side by side arrangement. The inlet end portions of adjacent electrodes diverge to facilitate connecting an electrolyte conducting conduit to each electrode.

Abstract: An improved electrolytic cell comprises the combination of a wide electrode, or more closely spaced electrodes, to achieve a narrow gap between electrodes, the electrodes being of conventional, simple, non-adjustable construction, guide spacers separating the anode elements and cathode elements of the electrolytic cell, and a hard, dimensionally stable, diaphragm.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for adjusting the space between an adjustable anode and a cathode in an electrolytic cell wherein current measurements and voltage measurements are obtained for conductors to the anode sets and compared with predetermined standards for the same conductors and anode sets. Measurement of deviation from the predetermined standards are used to determine the direction of anode adjustment. A digital computer operably connected to motor drive means adapted to raise or lower anode sets upon appropriate electric signals from the computer is a preferred embodiment of this invention.In a preferred embodiment, potential incipient short circuits are detected and avoided by the improvement which comprises:(a) obtaining the difference between two successive current signals for a selected conductor and doubling the difference to obtain a total current difference, .DELTA..sub.

Abstract: A compound cell for performing an electrochemical reaction at high temperature consists essentially of hollow, cylindrical bodies of a ceramic electrolyte, rings of an electronically conductive material coaxially interposed between each pair of electrolyte bodies, annular layers of ceramic insulating material bonding each ring to at least one of the two adjacent electrolyte bodies, the bodies, rings, and annular layers being diffusion welded to each other to form a cylindrical, gas-tight tube. A pair of electrode layers is associated with each electrolyte body, one layer of the pair covering the associated body inside the tube and conductively engaging one of the two adjacent rings, the other electrode layer of the pair covering the associated body outside the tube and conductively engaging the other adjacent ring.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for electrolysis of sea water comprisinga housing having an opening at the bottom and top of the housing for in-flow of sea water and out-flow of electrolyzed sea water, respectively;a plurality of flat plate-like anodes vertically disposed in the housing with the major surface area of the anodes being parallel to the flow of sea water through the cell;a plurality of flat plate-like cathodes vertically disposed in the housing with the major surface area of the cathodes being parallel to the flow of sea water through the cell;an outwardly projecting portion for passing an electric current provided at the lower side edge of each of the anodes;an outwardly projecting portion for passing an electric current provided at the upper side edge of each of the cathodes;an electric current-passing plate secured to the lower portion of the housing and connected to the portions for passing an electric current to each of the anodes; andan electric current-passing plate secured to the upper portion of th

Abstract: Method for treating metal containing waste water employing a vessel containing the waste water in which there is provided at least one anode and a cathode comprised of a plurality of electrically conductive elements and in which the waste water is subjected to electrolysis during which the cathode elements are being moved. The cathode elements are provided in the form of rods which are arranged in the vessel by means of at least two holding devices so that the rods extend parallel to one another and can be moved in the holding devices relative to one another. The holding devices are moved during the electrolysis process so that the rods strike one another again and again at spaced intervals. An apparatus is provided for practicing the method.

Abstract: A shielded anode for use in controlling corrosion, for example, in a truck or a tanker, comprising a perforated plastic shield encompassing the anode and having a hinged flap on opposite sides thereof supporting at its free end a float member, such that the flap will lift from closed or down position to a raised position due to buoyancy of the float member during immersion of the anode. When the tank in which the shielded anode is located is empty, the flaps will close, thus protecting the anode due to hazards which may result from falling or contact with other metal bodies. The aforesaid hinge may take the form of a living hinge, i.e. integrally with the shield, and in conjunction with the integral float member will permit the anode to function normally to prevent or at least minimize corrosion while still providing the desired protection against sparks caused by falls or other accidents.