Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an oxygen (air) cathode start-up procedure capable of reducing operating voltage for such cathode without reducing useful electrode life by subjecting it to less (gauge) pressure than it will encounter during operation in conjunction with hot alkali, e.g., about 60.degree. to about 85.degree. C. for about 1 to about 24 hours. Preferably zero gauge pressure is used in conjunction with alkali at 60.degree. to 80.degree. C. for from 1 to 8 hours and a low current density of from about 30 to about 90 milliamperes/cm.sup.2 is employed. Even more preferably, air or oxygen is supplied to such cathode at a flow rate from about 3 to about 10 times the stoichiometric rate required to conduct oxygen reduction. When air is used, preferably it is CO.sub.2 -free air.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to operating gas electrodes, e.g., oxygen (air) cathodes at "blow-through" pressures of oxygen-containing gas, viz., oxygen or air pressures exceeding the pressure(s) at which bubble-through of such gas occurs, which pressures result in savings due to reduced cathode potential (voltage) during operation. Depending upon the specific oxygen (air) cathode employed, the pressures required to obtain blow-through can vary widely. Usually, however, oxygen (air) pressures of 2 to 15 psig are satisfactory to accomplish blow-through.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a shutdown procedure for use in gas electrodes, e.g., oxygen (air) cathodes, which comprises imposing a nitrogen purge on the cell containing said electrode upon power shutdown and maintaining this nitrogen atmosphere (blanket) during the period of the shutdown. It has been discovered that the use of this procedure enables maintaining of the low voltage operation achieved prior to power shutdown upon restart of the cell when the power has been restored.