Abstract: The invention is a method of recharging a thermal battery after it has been activated and at least partially discharged and the battery is still at a temperature where the electrolyte is still active. The method comprises the step of at least partially recharging the battery prior to the battery temperature reaching a level where the electrolyte becomes non-active. The method optionally may include insulation or supplemental heater system about the thermal battery.

Abstract: The invention is a method of recharging a thermal battery after it has been activated and at least partially discharged and the battery is still at a temperature where the electrolyte is still active. The method comprises the step of at least partially recharging the battery prior to the battery temperature reaching a level where the electrolyte becomes non-active. The method optionally may include insulation or supplemental heater system about the thermal battery.

Abstract: The invention is a thermal battery system. In detail, the battery system includes housing. A plurality of battery cells containing an electrolyte that is in a non-operating condition at ambient temperatures and in an operating at condition at elevated temperatures is mounted within the housing. A wire heating assembly is mounted within the housing for heating the electrolyte to operating temperatures, upon the application of electric power thereto. Preferably, the heating assembly comprises a plurality of heating coils wound about the battery cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cathodic protection system for inhibiting oxidation of a reinforcing member disposed within a cementitious structure. The system comprises a compact, autonomous battery adapted to mount to the cementitious structure at an open-air location, the battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, a conductor adapted to electrically connect the negative terminal of the battery to the reinforcing member of the cementitious structure, an anode jacket constructed of a cementitious material and being adapted to be placed in physical contact with the cementitious structure, and an anode disposed within the anode jacket and being adapted to be positioned proximate to a portion of the reinforcing member disposed within the cementitious structure that is to be cathodically protected, the anode being electrically connected to the positive terminal of the battery.

Abstract: An anode immersed in liquid electrolyte of a battery is threadily engaged with a plastic holder impervious to the corrosive action of the electrolyte. Electrical connection is made to the underside of the anode through a liquid-tight fitting which passes up through the underside of the holder. A sealing gasket is placed at the lower interface between the anode and its holder and the threads are provided with a sealing tape. Additional anode capacity may be provide with the provision of a threaded aperture on the surface of the anode for receiving a supplemental anode having a threaded projection which engages the aperture.

Abstract: A metal-air battery having a liquid electrolyte above which is an air plenum. The battery includes a horizontally or vertically disposed anode completely within the electrolyte and a reticulated cathode arrangement which floats at the surface of the electrolyte and can accommodate for changes in the liquid level.

Abstract: A metal-air battery having a case within which is contained an anode, an air cathode and a liquid electrolyte, above which is an air plenum. The battery includes a standpipe arrangement which extends to a source of air for providing the necessary oxygen to the air plenum for proper battery operation.

Abstract: An alkali metal battery has an alkali metal anode such as lithium in an organic anolyte and a cathode in an aqueous catholyte. An ion conductive diaphragm allows ions to migrate between the anolyte and the catholyte while limiting the transport of water from the catholyte to the anolyte.In a preferred embodiment, the ion conductive diaphragm is nonporous so that there is no transport of water ion to the anolyte.The battery is particularly useful for long durations of up to a week or longer in seawater.

Abstract: A lithium-water battery provides reliable power for long durations in the ocean at temperatures down to 0.degree. C. and pressures up to 680 atmospheres (10,000 psi) without the need for mechanical pumps or valves to admit reactant water from the ocean into the battery or to maintain a circulating electrolytic solution in the battery. The battery has a natural circulation, alkaline, aqueous electrolyte contained in the housing with a lithium anode and a cathode disposed in the electrolytic solution. A hydrophilic cation exchange membrane attached to the housing is disposed between the electrolytic solution and the ocean environment surrounding the battery for retaining the hydroxyl ions in the alkaline electrolytic solution while admitting water into the solution from the environment.Advantageously, a low power lithium-water battery can provide several watts at about 1.4-1.5 volts for up to a year or more anywhere in the ocean.

Abstract: A surfactant is present in an aqeuous alkaline electrolyte of a consumable metal anode electrochemical cell in a concentration sufficient to substantially reduce both the surface tension of the electrolyte and the rate of the parasitic corrosion reaction occurring between the electrolyte and the anode. The surfactant is useful in minimizing the harmful side effects, such as increased heat generation, anode consumption without producing useful energy and increased hydrogen gas production rates, such as are associated with the parasitic corrosion reaction experienced in such electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A system and a method of controlled electrochemical power generation are disclosed. The system includes an electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal anode, a cathode initially spaced about 10-25 mils from the anode to define a flow channel, an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the alkali metal and, for example, a separator system adapted for providing a substantially uniform pattern of flow of the electrolyte through the flow channel is utilized in a system and method of controlled power generation. Flow control valves may, for example, be used to control the volumetric flow rate of the electrolyte through the flow channel thereby attaining substantially uniform voltage from the cell.

Abstract: A separator system for electrochemical cells whereby a reactive metal anode and active porous cathode are isolated from one another while the uniformity and turbulence of the electrolyte flow therebetween is increased. The separator system includes a rigid porous member adjacent to the cathode and a resilient porous member adjacent to the rigid porous member and between the rigid porous member and the anode. This orientation of the separator system components results in a cell having improved controllability and reduced polarization during operation.

Abstract: A method of improving performance in an electrochemical cell having a consumable metal anode defining an anode face and a cathode spaced from the anode face and defining an electrolyte flow channel therebetween whereby an aqueous alkaline electrolyte flows through a system of flow baffles disposed in the electrolyte flow channel of the cell. The flow baffles define an electrolyte flow path having a directional vector component perpendicular to a sufficient component of a flow vector of the electrolyte to increase the speed at which the electrolyte passes across the anode face at any selected volumetric flow rate as compared to an otherwise identical cell without such baffles.

Abstract: A consumable metal electrode incorporates a fibrous reinforcing network of electrically insulating material extending through at least a portion of the body of the electrode and disposed in close proximity to a surface of the electrode which will be contacted by liquid electrolyte and eroded during operation of an electrochemical cell incorporating the electrode. Local turbulence is generated by the fibrous network at the electrode surface during operation of the cell in order to maximize electrical output.

Abstract: Chromic acid is now efficiently prepared in a process using dichromate, such as the dichromate typically available as an intermediate in the chromic acid production from chrome ore. In the process, the dichromate is introduced into the center compartment of a three-compartment electrolytic cell and dichromate-containing center compartment electrolyte flows through a porous diaphragm into the anode compartment of the cell. Electrolyte is introduced to the cell cathode compartment which is separated from the center compartment by a substantially hydraulically impermeable cation-exchange membrane means. During electrolysis, chromic acid is prepared in the anolyte and alkali product is produced in the catholyte.

Abstract: Chromic acid production is now simplified in a process using the concentrated dichromate typically available at an intermediate stage when chromic acid is produced from chrome ore. In the process, the dichromate is treated in a three-compartment cell as, for example, after removal of the sulfate or carbonate salt evolved in the overall production process. The dichromate feed enters the center compartment of the three-compartment cell and then flows through a porous diaphragm to the anode compartment of the cell and is electrolyzed at elevated current density. Depleted feed solution may be withdrawn from the center compartment and recirculated for reuse. Concentrated, water-white alkali product is produced in the cathode compartment. The anolyte from the cell, rich in chromic acid, can be concentrated, cooled, and the chromic acid recovered. Liquid removed from chromic acid recovery can be recirculated for subsequent electrolysis, as by combination with the feed.

Abstract: Chromic acid is now produced in simplified processing that also reduces acid contaminants, while using the alkali metal chromate typically available at an early stage in chromic acid production from chrome ore. In the process, chromate is converted to dichromate in the anode compartment of either a two-compartment, or three-compartment, electrolytic cell. During electrolysis, metal ion contamination is reduced. Withdrawn anolyte from this first cell may then be concentrated. The dichromate feed, possibly concentrated, is then introduced to the center compartment of a three-compartment electrolytic cell and flows through a porous diaphragm to the anode compartment of the cell. The anolyte from this later electrolytic cell, rich in chromic acid, can be concentrated, cooled, and the chromic acid recovered. Liquid removed from chromic acid recovery can be recycled. Alkali product is produced in the cathode compartment of each cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for the electrochemical production of pinacols from organic carbonyl compounds at high current efficiency in an acid medium in a cell having a hydraulically impermeable cation-exchange membrane. Aqueous organic carbonyl compound and sulfuric acid are introduced to the cathode compartment of the cell along with copper ions in controlled concentrations. After passing an electrolyzing current between the anode and cathode of the cell the pinacol is recovered from the cathode compartment effluent.