Abstract: Sealed galvanic dry cells having at least one gas venting passage disposed at the interface of the top surface of the cover and the curled over rim of the container. The passage is defined as being a recess in the cover disposed below the curled over rim and/or a notch in a portion of the curled over rim.

Abstract: A porous conducting particle, hydrophobic bonded, substrate supported electrode is prewetted with the electrolyte. A D.C. voltage is applied to the electrode to assist in the prewetting with the electrolyte. A soluble catalyst-containing material is then introduced into the electrode structure and the catalyst deposited within the electrode. By appropriate selection of the porous conducting particles and the catalyst-applying techniques, precise control of the location of the catalyst can be obtained. If graphite materials are used as the conducting particles, a catalyst-containing salt is allowed to dissolve in the electrolyte in the prewetted electrode, and the catalyst-containing material is reduced to the metal. If the reduction is done by reaction with a reducing gas such as hydrogen, the catalyst will be deposited only in those regions of the electrode at which there is an electrolyte-reactant gas interface which is in electrical-conducting relationship with the substrate.

Abstract: An improved electrochemical gas electrode and improved electrochemical fuel, gas detection and gas separation cells employing same as an anode therein, said improved electrode comprising a cohesive, gas-permeable conductive mass having a thin, gas-permeable hydrophobic film bonded to its gas-contacting surface, the conductive mass consisting essentially of 8-75 weight % of silicon and 25-92 weight % of one or more metals selected from vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, said conductive mass optionally containing as a non-essential component up to 75 weight % of a conductive additive, based upon the combined weights of additive, silicon and metal, for example, carbon black or graphite.

Abstract: In the production of alumina for supply to electrolytic reduction cells in the production of aluminum metal, alumina trihydrate is calcined in a calcination furnace to convert it to alumina, typically having a water content of less than 2%. In the course of this operation fine particles in a size range below 44 microns are separated from the exhaust gases from the calciner. In conventional procedures these particles which are only partially dehydrated, are either recycled to the calciner or directly added to the calciner product alumina. With the dual objective of reducing environmental pollution and saving valuable alumina the present invention converts these collected fines into compacted granules in a size range of 150-5000 microns for supply to an electrolytic reduction cell either directly or after readmixture with the calciner product alumina.

Abstract: The fluid reactant is circulated through a close loop in which is introduced additional fresh fluid under a substantially constant pressure. A fraction of the fluid flow is discharged from the loop during a first period at a substantially constant flow rate, this fluid discharge being discontinued during a second period, said periods repeatedly following one another.

Abstract: A method of substantially sealing a lead-acid storage battery, capable of activation by the addition of electrolyte or water after storage, is provided which prevents excessive internal pressure build-up during the storage. In one embodiment, the substantial sealing is provided by a vent seal which can be formed with surfaces duplicating the diameter of the cell vent collar so that a conventional vent cap can be fitted and retained in place, substantially in the final operating position. When the substantial sealing is provided by means other than the vent seal, the seal, without the vent feature, serves to allow positioning of the normal battery vent caps in substantially their final operational positions. In the preferred embodiment, the vent seal includes a tear tab so that if accidentally replaced after removal and activation of the battery and partial separation of the tear tab, adequate venting of the gases generated within the battery such as would occur during charging is provided.

Abstract: Magnesium is produced by decomposition of magnesium chloride contained in an electrolyte. The magnesium chloride containing electrolyte is provided in a refractory lined electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode wherein magnesium is produced at the cathode and chlorine at the anode, the magnesium accumulating in a layer on the surface of the electrolyte. A shroud having a skirt portion therein formed from a nitride-based refractory projects into the electrolyte such that chlorine produced at the anode is removed from the cell without contacting the molten magnesium layer, the shroud being resistant to attack by molten magnesium, electrolyte and gases emanating therefrom.

Abstract: The component plates stacked in a filter press type structure in a repeated cathode, separator, anode and conductive plate sequence are of hexagonal or duodecagonal shape with an outer frame carrying the channels for supplying and withdrawing the reagents. Hollowed-out inlet and outlet portions communicating with appropriate channels passing through the frames are provided for passing the reagents across the active portions of the components at a desired cross-feed angle between adjacent units, 30.degree. in some cases and 60.degree. in others.

Abstract: This application discloses a secondary fuel cell having improved electrode zones. Each cell has two electrode zones each containing a pair of electrode structures. A first such electrode structure in each zone is more efficient in operation during discharge of the fuel cell. Electrical structure is provided so that the first electrode structures are utilized during charging of the fuel cell and the second electrode structures are utilized during discharge of the fuel cell. The size and configuration of each of the electrode structures is a variable depending upon the particular cycle the fuel cell is to be subjected to in operation.

Abstract: An indicating device for a storage battery comprising: a bar-like body which is transparent, inserted through and held on the upper wall of the electrolytic vessel of a storage battery, has a pointed lower end and is immersed in the electrolyte in the storage battery; and an indicating member which is disposed in the electrolyte near the lower end of the bar-like body, rotatable around a horizontal axis, has its specific gravity correlated with that of the electrolyte and has its center of buoyancy deviated from the rotative axis thereof so that the indicating member is rotated as it sinks and floats according as the specific gravity of the electrolyte varies, the arrangement being such that when the indicating member is seen through the transparent bar-like body from above the storage battery, the indicating member, for example, selectively moves into and out of a visible range so that the manner of indication is changed according to the specific gravity of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for the production of metallic magnesium wherein a molten salt bath containing sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium fluoride is electrolytically decomposed with a cathode and an anode and wherein there is added periodically inorganic salts of molybdenum or tungsten, metallic molybdenum or tungsten, or mixtures thereof in sufficient amounts to coat the cathode surface with molybdenum or tungsten and thereby increase the recovery of magnesium.The advantage of the process is that less sludge is formed and of the sludge that is formed there is less magnesium entrapped therein. A further advantage is that the magnesium is produced with a higher cell efficiency.

Abstract: A closure plug containing a recombination catalyst is adapted to fit into an opening of a battery. It contains means for directing evolved oxygen and hydrogen gases to the recombination catalyst and also contains gas communication means to conduct the recombined water vapor below the surface of the electrolyte where it is condensed. The method is directed to operating a battery wherein gaseous oxygen and hydrogen are recombined to form water vapor in the upper portion of the battery and the recombined water vapor is then conducted through a conduit extending into the electrolyte wherein it is condensed.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device comprising at least one cell containing a normally positive electrode at which a halogen is reduced and a normally negative electrode at which a metal is oxidized during an electrical discharge of the storage device. The halogen and oxidizable metal components consumed during the electrical discharge of the device are regenerated during an electrical recharging of the storage device and the halogen component is recovered and converted to a halogen hydrate for storage in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus to be used in a process for bioelectric neutralization of a body of water having a bottom of anaerobic mud and an acid supernatant liquid, the apparatus comprising a buoy riding on the surface of the water, and upper electrode preferably of carbon suspended from the buoy in the acid supernatant liquid, a lower electrode preferably of iron embedded in the anaerobic mud and a flexible, insulated electrical conductor preferably an insulated copper cable, conductively attached to the upper and lower electrodes. A plurality of sets of apparatus may be used spaced apart from each other in the body of water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for compensating the magnetic fields in adjacent rows of transversely arranged igneous electrolysis cells.In this method, the distribution of current in the conductors feeding the anode of a downstream cell from the cathode of the adjacent upstream cell is modified in such a way 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 in direction.The invention is applicable to the compensation of the magnetic fields of adjacent rows of transversely arranged igneous electrolysis cells and, more particularly, to cells for the production of aluminium.

Abstract: A method for the electrolytic production of metal, including electrolyzing, between anodic and cathodic surface areas, a compound of the metal dissolved in a molten solvent, the electrolyzing being performed at a temperature such that the metal is formed in the molten state, the metal collecting in a molten metal pad, wherein the improvement includes the provision of cathodic surface area in the form of an array of elements protruding out of the pad into the solvent toward the anodic surface area for establishing a series of locations at which the anode-cathode distance is up to 11/4 inches.

Abstract: A method for recovering manganese metal from ferromanganese is disclosed which comprises:A. contacting ferromanganese and an iron chloride selected from the group consisting of ferrous chloride and ferric chloride in a molten bath of a metal chloride wherein the metal has a greater chemical affinity for chlorine than iron, to provide a liquid phase containing manganese chloride and a solid phase containing iron precipitate;B. separating the manganese chloride liquid phase from the iron precipitate solid phase;C. electrolyzing the manganese chloride liquid phase to provide manganese metal.

Abstract: An improved lithium electrode structure comprises an alloy of lithium, silicon, and iron in specified proportions and a supporting current-collecting matrix in intimate contact with said alloy. The lithium electrode of the present invention is utilized as the negative electrode in a rechargeable electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An instantly refuelable energy conversion system comprises a multicell array wherein each cell has a cathode, a solid anode fuel selected from the class consisting of iron, zinc and nickel and a ferric (and/or +3 valence nickel or zinc) chloride liquid oxidizer. In power delivery (discharging) e.g., using iron alone, the reactions are:At the anode, Fe.fwdarw.Fe.sup.++ + 2e yielding 0.44 volts,At the cathode, Fe.sup.+++ +e.fwdarw.Fe.sup.++ yielding 0.75 volts, the overall reaction being:Fe + 2FeCl.sub.3 .fwdarw.3FeCl.sub.2, i.e., 1.2 volts overall.These reactions are reversible for electrical charging purposes. The oxidizer is recirculated continuously and chemical reaction between the oxidizer and solid fuel in the fully charged or partially charged system is limited by a diffusion barrier between the oxidizer and fuel so that reactions therebetween are predominantly electrochemical.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for removing a gas cushion formed at the anode in an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum by electrolysis of aluminum oxide dissolved in molten cryolite. There is employed a tubular lance which through a flexible hose is connected to a source of pressurized gas, and which is with its mouth adapted to be introduced towards the gas cushion in order to have this blown away. As the source of gas there is employed an exhaust gas system of a combustion engine located in a movable machine.