Patents by Inventor Henri Virtanen

Henri Virtanen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7122109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the improvement of current efficiency in electrolysis. According to the method, a theoretical cell voltage is first calculated, which is compared with the measured voltage. The cumulative difference between the theoretical and measured cell voltage is monitored constantly and when this difference is proportioned to the current efficiency, information on the status of the process can be obtained continually. A decrease in current efficiency is a clear indicator of short circuits between the electrodes, and by means of the method according to the invention, it is possible to concentrate the short circuit removal work onto the correct cell groups, from the point of view of the current efficiency of the electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Outokumpu Technology Oy
    Inventors: Ari Rantala, Henri Virtanen
  • Patent number: 7002171
    Abstract: The invention relates to the improvement in the quality of cathodes produced in an electrolysis process. The surface of a cathode lifted from the cell during the cathode cycle is photographed and the physical quality of the cathode can be investigated in real time by means of equipment based on image-analysis. On the basis of the quality of the cathode surface, it is possible to monitor and control the electrolysis conditions in order to improve the quality of the cathode. The method is extremely suitable for the electrolytic purification of copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Outokumpu Technology Oy
    Inventors: Ari Rantala, Henri Virtanen
  • Publication number: 20040232002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the improvement of current efficiency in electrolysis. According to the method, a theoretical cell voltage is first calculated, which is compared with the measured voltage. The cumulative difference between the theoretical and measured cell voltage is monitored constantly and when this difference is proportioned to the current efficiency, information on the status of the process can be obtained continually. A decrease in current efficiency is a clear indicator of short circuits between the electrodes, and by means of the method according to the invention, it is possible to concentrate the short circuit removal work onto the correct cell groups, from the point of view of the current efficiency of the electrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Ari Rantala, Henri Virtanen
  • Publication number: 20040173453
    Abstract: The invention relates to the improvement in the quality of cathodes produced in an electrolysis process. The surface of a cathode lifted from the cell during the cathode cycle is photographed and the physical quality of the cathode can be investigated in real time by means of equipment based on image-analysis. On the basis of the quality of the cathode surface, it is possible to monitor and control the electrolysis conditions in order to improve the quality of the cathode. The method is extremely suitable for the electrolytic purification of copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Ari Rantala, Henri Virtanen
  • Patent number: 6511591
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the prevention of anode passivation in the electrolytic refining of copper, when periodic reversal current technology is used in electrolysis. The method is particularly suitable for the electrolytic refining of copper at high current densities. Irregular periodic reversal current technology is used in the present method, whereby current reversal is adjusted on the basis of an increase in electrolysis cell voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Outokumpu, Oyj
    Inventors: Henri Virtanen, Hannu Pouru
  • Patent number: 6495024
    Abstract: The object of this invention is a method by which arsenic is removed from sulfuric acid solution, in which the sulfuric add concentration is at least 300 g/l, at a temperature of 50-105° C. by reducing the arsenic in the solution with the aid of sulfur dioxide. The arsenic trioxide produced is crystallized from the sulfuric acid solution by cooling. The method is particularly suitable for use in connection with the electrolytic refining of metals, as in copper refining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Cutokumpo OYJ
    Inventors: Leo Lindroos, Henri Virtanen
  • Patent number: 6342136
    Abstract: This invention applies to an electrolytic cell busbar construction for the purpose of the electrolytic recovery of metals. The construction is formed so that the gap between the electrodes can be changed easily. All parts of the construction are in the form of an integral profile longitudinally to the cell and the support lugs of the electrodes in the cell are unnotched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventors: Henri Virtanen, Ismo Virtanen, Tuomo Kivistö, Tom Marttila
  • Patent number: 6187156
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anode used in the electrolytic refining of copper, said anode (1) comprising two support parts (2), whereby the anode (1) is suspended during the electrolytic process against the electrolytic tank walls. According to the invention, in the anode support parts (2) there are formed brackets (3) for gripping the anode (1) and for supporting the anode (1) when it is being transferred from one position to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Outokumpu OYJ
    Inventors: Henri Virtanen, Ismo Virtanen, Tuomo Kivistö, Tom Marttila