Abstract: An improved porous electrode comprised of a porous, electrically conductive layer and an electrically conductive grid in which the normally high internal resistance of the electrode is substantially reduced by the presence of electrically conductive fibers in contact with the porous layer.

Abstract: A device for production of high outputs and efficiencies with high current densities in an electrochemical system, particularly a metal - air cell, comprising a consumable electrode, an air electrode, an electrolyte disposed in an electrolyte space and current take-off. The consumable electrode has a rod-shape spacial form made at least partially of compact metal, the consumable electrode having a front face constituting a sole working surface and projects sealed in the electrolyte space. An air electrode is spaced by the smallest distance parallel to the working surface of the consumable electrode, and an adjustable mounting for one of the electrodes, particularly the consumable electrode, uniformly maintains the spacing between the electrodes in the axial direction.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode for electrochemical cells with acid electrolytes, comprises a hydrophobic layer of gas permeable electrically conductive material having up to 0.2 mm of thickness and having pores with a most frequent pore diameter of about 1.8 microns, and a hydrophilic layer containing a catalyst which is closely bonded to the hydrophobic layer. The hydrophilic layer has pores with a most frequent pore diameter of 0.08 microns.

Abstract: An air electrode for electrochemical cells, particularly for fuel cells with an alkaline electrolyte, which contains silver coated carbon as the catalytic material in which the catalytic material also contains nickel hydroxide, the nickel content being up to about 2% by weight, with the weight ratio of silver to carbon preferably about 1:1.

Abstract: Electrochemical heat engines produce electrochemical work, and mechanical motion is limited to valve and switching actions as the heat-to-work cycles are performed. The electrochemical cells of said heat engines use molten or solid electrolytes at high temperatures. One or more reactions in the cycle will generate a gas at high temperature which can be condensed at a lower temperature with later return of the condensate to electrochemical cells. Sodium, potassium, and cesium are used as the working gases for high temperature cells (above 600 K) with halogen gases or volatile halides being used at lower temperature. Carbonates and halides are used as molten electrolytes and the solid electrolyte in these melts can also be used as a cell separator.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for removing substantially all oxygen from an electrolytic melt of a fluoride of alkali metal fluorides or alkalide earth metal fluorides is improved by using a hollow carbon anode. The melt is maintained above its melting temperature, the hollow carbon anode is immersed in the melt, an ambient pressure is maintained on the melt which is less than one-third the pressure within the hollow anode and a positive potential is maintained on the anode relative to the melt which is sufficient to remove oxygen but less than the potential at which anode effect occurs.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell includes a device for reactivation of the cell after long periods of storage time. The device includes a movable diaphragm embedded in the cover portion which is coupled to an ampule having retained therein the activation material. The ampule is in close proximity with the anode and cathode elements immersed in the electrolyte and upon movement of the diaphragm the ampule is caused to release the reactivation material contained therein.

Abstract: Storage battery separators with greater security against short circuit due to pinholes are made by using at least two adjacent microporous sheets, each thinner than those normally used when one alone is present. Sawdust may be added to the composition of one or both of the sheets.

Abstract: A battery containing an alkaline electrolyte, having within a container, said electrolyte and two electrodes separated by a separator; said separator being made of a partially reticulated polyvinyl acetal produced by the action of at least one aldehyde on polyvinyl alcohol; preferably an aromatic aldehyde, which may also have at least one hydroxyl radical, being used together with formaldehyde.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a biological source of electrical power is provided. The electrical power source comprises a pair of electrodes formed of elements having differing electromotive force. Interposed between the electrodes and in contact with them is an electrolytic material comprising an aqueous brine solution containing coexistent aerobic and anaerobic bacteria derived from a marine organism source mixed with a bacteria nutrient and filler composed of a finely divided cellulose material. All of the aqueous brine solution containing the bacteria is absorbed and carried by the finely divided cellulose material insuring that no free liquid remains. The aqueous brine solution containing the bacteria acts as the electrolyte for the power source and when an external load is applied to the terminals a usable voltage and current are produced.

Abstract: A water separation cell for removing the reaction water from the electrolyte of fuel cells and fuel cell batteries which comprise a liquid chamber bounded on at least one side by a porous diaphragm, and a gas chamber bounded by the diaphragm and a condensation surface adapted for cooling, in which the liquid chamber is subdivided into two chambers of different size which are arranged on top of each other with the upper, larger chamber serving as the electrolyte space and the lower, smaller chamber taking up the condensate which passes through the porous diaphragm into this chamber due to the pressure of a gas present in the gas chamber.

Abstract: In a cell which uses a light metal negative electrode, the positive electrode mass has an electrochemically reducible component which is mainly Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and the electrolyte is a conductive salt dissolved in a mixture composed mainly of propylene carbonate and dimethoxyethane.

Abstract: An anode coating for anhydrous electrochemical generating cells is disclosed wherein the anode active material is coated with the insoluble reaction product of the anode metal with an inhibiting reactant such as CO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, O.sub.2, NH.sub.3, and N.sub.2 saturated with respect to water vapor H.sub.2 O. This coating is insoluble in the cell under open circuit conditions and is stable with regard to said electrolyte but is soluble in said electrolyte, when the cell is discharged with a negligible over voltage. The coated anodes and the method for making same are specifically described. Cells with anodes treated according to this invention have been stored at 55.degree. C, for extended periods with negligible self discharge.

Abstract: A battery-connection system for a battery having a pair of battery terminals of opposite polarity and positionable in either of two reversed positionings relative to distribution means. The distribution means includes a pair of spaced electrical terminals of particular and opposite polarity electrically connected with a unit to be powered. A carrier interpositioned between the battery and distribution means including a first pair of electrical contacts in singularly-polarized electrical contacting engagement with the respective battery terminals and a second pair of spaced electrical contacts electrically connected with respective ones of the first pair of contacts for singularly-polarized electrical contacting engagement with the respective pair of distribution means terminals. Each contact of the carrier second pair is of opposite polarity to the other, and comprises a set of plural alternate contacts of the same polarity.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for generating and temporarily storing generated electrical power in electro-chemical, chemical and electro-mechanical mediums and for efficiently reconverting the stored energy back to usable AC electrical energy. In one embodiment of the process, alternating current is converted to direct current which is used to power a chlorine-sodium hydroxide electrolysis cell. Process steam, from a steam generating source, and fuel gas are combined in a reformer process to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide is then recycled with process steam to form additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide. In addition, the process steam is used to liquify air to form oxygen. The chlorine, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen gases produced by the processes, are compressed and/or stored in appropriate tanks. The sodium hydroxide is processed, stored and then fed to hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells.

Abstract: In the electrodeposition of titanium metal from an electrolyte containing one or more dissolved or fused titanium chlorides and other dissolved or fused chloride salts, such as, MgCl.sub.2,CaCl.sub.2,NaCl, and the like; the hardness of the electrodeposited titanium is adjusted by adding to the electrolyte one or more oxides, such as titanium oxide and oxides of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals, and/or one or more fluorides of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals.

Abstract: P-Benzoquinone diketals of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, preferably CH.sub.3, Cl or F. The diketals obtained may be converted into the corresponding p-quinones by acidic hydrolysis and are, consequently, valuable intermediates for the preparation of the latters as well as for the transformation into the corresponding hydroquinones, which in their turn may be used in known manner in photography, as stabilizers for monomers, as starting material for dyestuff preparation etc.

Abstract: An integrated power generating plant includes a fuel cell for generating electrical energy directly, an auxiliary power generating plant that utilizes both the sensible heat and the heating value of effluents from the fuel cell by using working fluids in a closed cycle. The working fluid is vaporized by sensible heat and is superheated by combusting incompletely reacted fuels from the fuel cell.

Abstract: Cells are fed in series with an alkaline solution containing zinc in suspension and electrically connected in series. The cells are grouped in modules fed in parallel with the solution and electrically connected in series, each module being fed with the solution through an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. Electrolytic resistors are connected in the hydraulic circuit of each pipe to maintain a potential difference in the solution between the modules and a tank for storing the solution.

Abstract: An improved molten carbonate fuel cell electrolyte wherein the inert support matrix is predominately LiAl0.sub.2 having crystalline structure with an average L/D greater than about 3 and surface area greater than about 5 sq. meters/gram and the carbonates composition is a ternary lithium-potassium-sodium or binary lithium-potassium or lithium-sodium carbonates composition having a thermal expansion of about 1.5 to about 3.5 .times. 10.sup.-5 inch/inch .degree. C. The improved molten carbonate fuel cell electrolyte of this invention provides fuel cell electrolytes capable of containing 50 to 70 wt. percent carbonate components to provide high power densities while providing a thin electrolyte which is resistant to physical damage on thermal cycling of the fuel cell. The electrolyte of this invention may also be reinforced with metallic alloys to provide additional strength characteristics.