Abstract: A cathodic member for electrochemical cells used in hypochlorite production comprises a zirconium plate coated with a zirconium oxide layer, which is particularly suitable for minimising the decomposition of the hypochlorite product while ensuring a prolonged lifetime. The coated zirconium plate can be used as the cathodic plate in a monopolar cell, or can be welded to a titanium plate for use in a bipolar configuration.

Abstract: A cathodic member for electrochemical cells used in hypochlorite production comprises a zirconium plate coated with a zirconium oxide layer, which is particularly suitable for minimising the decomposition of the hypochlorite product while ensuring a prolonged lifetime. The coated zirconium plate can be used as the cathodic plate in a monopolar cell, or can be welded to a titanium plate for use in a bipolar configuration.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for protecting electrowinning anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings in a bank of electrolytic cells from being damaged by reverse currents. In the first embodiment, one or more auxiliary power sources are provided that, when triggered by one or more predetermined conditions being met, keep the bank of electrolytic cells in an electrical state that is relatively harmless to the anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings. In a second embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining the polarization of anodes in an electrowinning cell positive of the cathodes (i.e. in a potential region where the anode coating is not susceptible to significant damage). In a final embodiment, the invention is directed to various methods for the installation of replacement anodes and maintenance of electrowinning cells.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for cooper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for copper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.

Abstract: A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a mesh member, e.g., a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure as by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.

Abstract: A method of protecting reinforced concrete structures comprising of applying a protective cathodic coating containing a non-corroding metal and an electrochemically active material on concrete wherein the protective coating is formed by thermally spraying a mixture of said non-corroding metal such as a valve metal and said electrochemically active material. The coating may also be formed by applying a precursor of the electrochemically active material and a metal-containing layer to concrete, then anodically polarizing said metal layer to convert the precursor into an electrochemically active material.

Abstract: A metal coating of typically a valve metal, especially a titanium metal coating, is applied by thermal spraying to the surface of concrete, most particularly steel-reinforced concrete. The metal such as titanium may be sprayed by any one of several thermal spraying techniques including flame spray, electric-arc spray, plasma spray, high-velocity oxyfuel spray, or detonation gun spray. The metal coating should be tightly adhered to the concrete and desirably will have a porosity to facilitate extensive coating of the metal itself, as well as facilitate any activation that may be needed for the metal. Such activation can be in the form of an electrochemically active material which allows the coating to function in electrochemically active form. One coating option is to apply a solution onto the spray-applied metal, then polarize the metal anodically to effect deposition of active material on the metal.

Abstract: A composite fiber is made of non-organic particulates bound to an organic polymer in fiber form. Many non-organic substances are serviceable and valve metal oxides are highly suitable. The organic polymer fiber is advantageously derived from fluorine-containing polymer. The composite fibers can serve as a filter, for instance as a filter-packing material for column chromatography, or can be suitable for separations, e.g., battery separations. The fiber may be compressed, or compressed and sintered, and thereby be useful as bearings or gaskets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and useful composite fiber. The composite fiber is comprised of non-organic particulates bound to an organic polymer in fiber form. Many non-organic substances are serviceable and valve metal oxides are highly suitable. The organic polymer fiber is advantageously derived from fluorine-containing polymer. The composite fibers can serve as a filter, for instance as a filter-packing material for column chromatography, or can be suitable for separations, e.g., battery separations. The fiber may be compressed, or compressed and sintered, and thereby be useful as bearings or gaskets.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a closed-loop filter system for continuously removing a metal hydroxide precipitate from an alkali metal hydroxide solution. The filter system comprises a filter having a filter surface and a plurality of small diameter openings in said surface. The alkali metal hydroxide solution is impacted onto said filter surface, metal hydroxide precipitate agglomerating on said surface. The filter surface openings have an average diameter effective for said agglomerating. Means are provided to remove the agglomerated precipitate from said filter surface, and to separate the agglomerated precipitate from the alkali metal hydroxide solution, the agglomerated precipitate having a particle weight to surface area ratio effective for said separation.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable separator comprising inorganic/polymer composite fibers and a method of making same is disclosed. The separator can be employed as a diaphragm for use in electrolytic cells, such as for the production of chlorine and caustic. The methods of separator preparation can include direct coating onto a foraminous substrate, e.g., a cathode, from a slurry or paste of inorganic/polymer composite fibers.