Abstract: An improved electrochemical cell having circular anodes, cathodes, and electrolyte reservoirs; semicircular separators and gas flow spaces, is constructed such that approximately one-half of each of the two major faces of each cathode is adjacent to separator material, and the other half of each major face is adjacent to a gas flow space such that the area on each cathode major face adjacent to separator material is opposite (through the cathode) the area of the other major face which is adjacent to a gas flow space. Approximately one-half of each of the two major faces of each anode is also positioned adjacent to separator material and the other half of each major anode face is adjacent to a gas flow space. In the fabricated stack each separator has an adjacent anode face and an adjacent cathode face opposite each other across the separator. Electrolyte reservoirs are positioned adjacent anodes at the top and bottom ends of the stack.

Abstract: Zinc-air electrochemical cell comprising several elements fed with an electrolytic solution comprising zinc powder in suspension, conveyed by forced flow in the said elements, those elements being grouped together in modules, electrically connected in series and fed by the said solution also in series within each of the said modules. Such a cell comprises one or several unitary cell blocks each comprising two substantially identical modules arranged one above the other and electrically connected together in parallel, the module situated at the upper level receiving the said electrolytic solution which, after it has crossed through that module, is transferred to the input of the upper element of the second module situated at the lower level and lastly, flows out through the output of its lower element.

Abstract: In this fuel cell formed of a stack of electrodes, each electrode is provided, on one of its faces, with protrusions or ribs of limited height which contact the opposite face of an adjacent electrode of the stack.

Abstract: A product-water management system removes steam produced by the reaction of ydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell, by circulating a hydrogen stream, containing the steam, from the fuel cell to a condenser where the water is liquified and collected in a sump. A continuously operating pump forces water and/or hydrogen from the sump through a transfer line to a water storage tank. Hydrogen is vented back to the condenser from the storage tank through a vent line concentrically mounted within the transfer line. A tank drain on the storage tank allows hydrogen to be purged between missions.

Abstract: Fuel cell block comprising sealed compartments for fluid reactants and electrolyte, these compartments being delimited by plates, for example, the electrodes of the fuel cell.At least some of the plates delimiting the compartments are subjected to magnetic attractive forces balancing the action of the pressing forces exerted on these plates by the fluid contained in the compartments.

Abstract: A fuel cell is described comprising a halogen-fueled porous cathode, an active metal anode and an organic electrolyte having dissolved therein sulfur dioxide, to improve the solubility of the halogen fuel, to prevent passivation of the electrodes by the products of the reaction of the halogen with the active metal anode and to protect the active metal anode from reacting directly with the halogen dissolved in the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrolyte reservoir layer disposed behind and adjacent one of the catalyst layers of a fuel cell is a porous, hydrophilic material. Excess liquid volume wicks into the reservoir layer through the catalyst layer and fills the smaller pores within the reservoir. The larger pores remain empty and provide clear passageways for the reactant gas to reach the catalyst. Wetproofing of the reservoir layer is not required. In a preferred embodiment the reservoir layer is the electrode substrate whereby the catalyst layer is bonded to the surface thereof.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel cell is disclosed which has a solid hydronium beta-alumina electrolyte positioned between and in direct electrical contact with a pair of gas permeable, electronically conductive electrodes.

Abstract: An iron-air battery cell including positive and negative electrodes and an alkaline electrolyte. The positive electrode contains at least one of the metals cobalt, nickel and silver. The negative electrode contains an electrochemically active iron. The electrolyte contains a sulphur-containing compound in a concentration of at least about 10 ppm and up to about 1,000 ppm counted on the weight of the active iron material.

Abstract: A mix suitable for use as seam mix in an electrolytic cell for producing aluminum, of the type which has conventionally consisted essentially of carbon aggregate and binder and which has been heated for the purpose of obtaining sufficient workability to enable a tamping operation to produce liquid-tight and electrically conductive seams, wherein the improvement includes the presence of a solvent having a boiling point of from 150.degree. to 350.degree. C and consisting essentially of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons having only saturated side chains, the solvent being present in an amount sufficient to render the mix capable of being tamped without the application of heat.

Abstract: Powdered wetproofed materials, useful for the manufacture of gas-diffusion electrodes, are produced by forming a suspension of an electroconductive powder in a liquid which is water or an organic solvent in the presence of a wetproofing agent and recovering the wetproofed material.

Abstract: Electrocatalysts which may be used in the preparation of electrodes for electrochemical cells such as fuel cells comprising a refractory inorganic oxide having a carbonaceous pyropolymer forming at least a monolayer on the refractory oxide, the surface of said pyropolymer having at least one catalytically active metal impregnated thereon may be prepared by treating a refractory inorganic oxide with a pyrolyzable organic compound to form at least a monolayer of a carbonaceous pyropolymer on the surface of said refractory inorganic oxide, thereafter impregnating the resulting composite with a complex of a soluble salt of at least one catalytically active metal and a sulfur-containing carboxylic acid, heating the impregnated composite to remove the solvent, reducing the dried composite and thereafter recovering the resultant electrocatalyst.

Abstract: A hydrogen-oxidizing catalyst, comprising a body of yttrium coated with a thin surface layer of copper or platinum. The catalyst is preferably in powder form, and is especially useful as the catalyst at the hydrogen electrode of a fuel cell. The copper-yttrium combination shows better catalytic activity than shiny platinum in terms of current density for a given anode voltage, and the platinum-yttrium combination is even better, although more expensive than the Cu-Y combination.

Abstract: An electrode for use in electrochemical cells in which a halogen is an active electrochemical agent. The electrode comprises a high surface area conductive matrix, preferably of carbon, with a polymer grafted thereto. The polymer has halogen active quaternary ammonium, sulfonium, or phosphonium sites or mixtures thereof incorporated into its structure which holds the halogen at the electrode until discharge.A cell and battery which utilize the electrode and an aqueous electrolyte containing beneficial additives are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the direct electrochemical recovery of copper values from dilute ammoniacal leach liquors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sodium sulfur storage battery including sulfur as a cathodic reactant, sodium as an anodic reactant and a non-porous solid electrolyte, the storage battery having a partition means in a chamber of sodium. According to this invention, even if a part of the solid electrolyte is broken, direct reaction between the both reactants is controlled in a smaller scale thus preventing the spread of electrolyte deterioration.

Abstract: There is disclosed rechargeable accumulator battery apparatus in which either the zinc anode part or the porous separator part of each cell is vibrated in its own plane to produce macro and micro turbulence effects in the surrounding electrolyte to inhibit the occurrence of irregular zinc deposits on the anode in the course of repeated charge cycles. In one form, the amplitude of vibration appropriate during the charging of the particular battery is fixed mechanically by an eccentric element rotatably mounted in a permanent fashion on the battery case and adapted to be coupled to externally located motor means having a rotary power output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a proton permselective solid-state member which is formed of a heteropoly acid represented by the generic formula, H.sub.m [X.sub.x.sup.. Y.sub.y.sup.. O.sub.z ].sup.. nH.sub.2 O, or a salt thereof. Said permselective member can be used as an electrolyte in the fuel cell and as a permselective membrane in the hydrogen gas refining system.

Abstract: An air-depolarized cell comprises encased coaxially positioned positive and negative electrodes separated by an ion-conducting membrane, a corrugated perforated lead-out of the positive electrode, the mass of said positive electrode being pressed on the inner surface of said lead-out, and a lead-out of the negative electrode positioned in its axis plane with a separating bushing slipped thereon, an annular projection of said bushing being inserted into the material of the ion-conducting membrane, the lead-out of the negative electrode contacts a metal lid with holes covered by an insulating gasket and a sealing coupling fitted on the lead-out of the negative electrode.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum by electrolyzing aluminum oxide dissolved in a molten salt bath using a Soderberg anode with vertical contact studs, wherein a molded anode paste having a composition that does not form a soup-like or liquid layer is used, and the electrolysis is carried out while maintaining the anode such that it forms three layers, an upper layer of the anode comprising the molded anode paste which exerts a specific load on lower layers of the anode and has a specific surface temperature, an unbaked interlayer which, for a period of time after pulling out the contact studs does not clog the holes left upon the removal of the studs, and a lower baked layer. The anode has a high apparent density and superior mechanical strength and electrical characteristics, and the process can provide aluminum at low unit production costs for the electrode and electric power without suffering from anode troubles.