Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method, system and equipment for the elaboration of electrolytic chlorine oxidants, hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite substances, using elements that result in an ecological process and confers a high efficiency in the production of these substances, permitting the generation of a product of very high performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A system for recovering lead from lead-bearing materials by circulating an aqueous solution of ferric fluoroborate in fluoroboric acid through a leaching vessel to leach lead from the lead-bearing material and an electrolytic cell for recovering the lead includes a cooler for cooling at least a portion of the circulating solution sufficiently to precipitate alkali salts and alkali-earth salts, and a filter for removing the precipitated salts from the solution. A process for recovering lead from lead-bearing materials by leaching the lead from the lead-bearing material with a solution of ferric fluoroborate in fluoroboric acid and recovering the lead from the solution includes cooling at least a portion of the circulating solution sufficiently to precipitate alkali salts and alkali-earth salts, and filtering the salts from the solution.

Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process which is used to plate functional layers of acidic or alkaline zinc or zinc alloy baths which contain nitrogenous organic additives, a soluble zinc salt and if necessary other metal salts selected from Fe, Ni, Co and Sn salts, where the bath composition for the regeneration is conveyed through an appropriate device having an ion exchanger resin to remove cyanide ions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electrochemically processing microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system includes (a) a processing unit having a first flow system configured to convey a flow of a first processing fluid to a microfeature workpiece, (b) an electrode unit having an electrode and a second flow system configured to convey a flow of a second processing fluid at least proximate to the electrode, (c) a barrier between the processing unit and the electrode unit to separate the first and second processing fluids, and (d) a water balance unit for maintaining the concentration of water in the first processing fluid within a desired range.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cooling system for a high intensity electric circuit designed to power an electrolysis vessel with high intensity current. Said system comprises a tube (18) made of conductive metal in series and/or in parallel in the electric circuit, conveying the high intensity current and liquid circulating circuit (34) comprising a pump with variable flow rate (28) maintaining a liquid flow in the tube for recovering the heat released by the passage of high intensity current in said tube and a heat exchanger (30) for evacuating the heat recovered in the tube and restore it to the electrolysis vessel for maintaining its temperature above a crystallisation threshold of the electrolysis, the variable flow rate of the pump being able to be adapted based on the value of the intensity of the high intensity current.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the regenerative electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication a water storage device, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication with both an oxygen source and with a gaseous portion of an water phase separation device; an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via a fuel cell oxygen outlet, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen.

Abstract: A water purifier removes harmful materials from tap water by electrochemical oxidation-reduction and distillation without using any filters. The water purifier has an electrochemical oxidation-reduction unit which removes heavy metals and organic materials from tap water by an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction, thus providing pre-purified water. A distillation unit heats the pre-purified water in order to vaporize the water while distilling off harmful materials. The vapor is discharged from the distillation unit and is condensed by a condenser while flowing in a vapor guide pipe, thus providing finally-purified water.

Abstract: An electrochemical system for the recovery of metals from metal ores in which reactions are carried out in separate anode and cathode tanks with the liquid product from the anode tank being separated and purified before being returned to the cathode tank for metal deposition. The separation includes thickening such as liquid solid separation with the liquid proceeding to the cathode tank. A reaction stage may be included before the thickening stage. Purification may include removal of impurities, adjustment of chemical and physical conditions and the addition of cathode reaction enhancers.

Abstract: Apparatus for the electroplating of thin plastic films (1), which are provided on one or both sides with a conductive coating and, if appropriate, may be provided with through-holes, comprises a conveying device (20 to 23) which moves the plastic film (1) horizontally in the region of the chamber (6) filled with electrolyte. The bonding devices (9 to 16), which bring the plastic film (1) to cathodic potential, are located outside the chamber (6) in the "dry". The conveying device includes at least one pair of squeezing rolls at both the inlet and the outlet of chamber (6), the circumferential speed of the pairs of squeezing rolls increasing in the direction of movement of the plastic film (1).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing heavy metals from waste water, soils, or process streams by electrolytic cell means. The method includes cooling a cell cathode to form an ice layer over the cathode and then applying an electric current to deposit a layer of the heavy metal over the ice. The metal is then easily removed after melting the ice. In a second embodiment, the same ice-covered electrode can be employed to form powdered metals.

Abstract: Silver is recovered from the rinse water from a photographic film processing unit by means of a silver recovery device in which the rinse water is passed through at least one bed of ion exchange resin particles maintained in fluidized condition by the water flow. A plurality of such beds are preferably connected in series with rinse water being recirculated until fresh rinse water causes overflow to the next bed and finally to a collection vessel. Fluidization is interrupted periodically to create quiescent periods which aid in removal from the resin particles of accumulated gelatin from the processed film.

Abstract: For replenishing a plating bath with copper or other metal to be electrodeposited with the use of an insoluble anode, scrap metal such as copper wires is received in a makeup tank, into which are passed the gases generated within the plating tank with the progress of electroplating operation. The plating solution in the plating tank is also directed into the makeup tank and sprayed on the scrap copper wires, thereby dissolving same. The dissolved copper is then filtered, heated, and introduced into the plating tank.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus for applying a protecting metallic coating on the surface of a workpiece, the apparatus featuring a process chamber for containing an electrolytic solution, and means for leading an electric current to the workpiece and to the solution. A pneumatic pressure reducing pump is further provided for creating subatmospheric pressure about said process chamber and the spaces containing said electrolytic solution which is in communication with the electrolytic solution in the process chamber, whereby the use of a high electrical current density during electroplating is possible.

Abstract: A device for regulating drinking water includes an electrolyzer divided into a negative electrode chamber and a positive electrode chamber by an unglazed partition, and electrodes disposed in the chambers and adapted to be energized by direct current for a prescribed period of time for separating water in the electrolyzer into two components having a hydroxyl radical in different densities, due to the electrolysis and electroendosmose. The negative electrode has a heating element disposed in a hollow space formed in the negative electrode to warm up the water body in the electrolyzer at each time of the electrolysis. A thermistor, or the like, is electrically connected to the heating element to control the temperature of the water body in the electrolyzer and to prevent overheating of the negative electrode.

Abstract: Sludge formation is reduced in the continuous production of iron by electrolysis of a ferrous electrolyte in a electrodeposition cell by cooling spent electrolyte returning to a holding or regeneration tank, and heating reconstituted electrolyte returning to the electrode-position cell. By reducing the temperature of the spent electrolyte the rate of hydrolysis of ferric ions to form oxides of iron, called sludge, is reduced, thus increasing the interval between periodic cleaning of the electrolyte regeneration system and the electrodeposition cell. In preferred forms of the invention heat energy is transferred from the spent electrolyte to the reconstituted electrolyte by means of at least one counter flow heat exchanger in the form of a hollow cylinder containing a plurality of tubes made of titanium. There may be a controllable cooling device disposed between the holding tank and the or the last heat exchanger for maintaining the temperature of electrolyte in the holding tank at a selected value.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing percentage yield concurrent with increased current efficiency in electrolytic conversion of alkali metal chloride in an electrolyzer into alkali metal chlorate and formation of the chlorate by chemical disproportionation in separate chlorate formation zones, the use of bipolar electrolyzers is preferred but not necessary.