Abstract: A device for treating water within a swimming pool wherein a portion of such water is diverted to the device. The device utilizes a canister in which dissimilar metals preferably silver and copper are positioned such that the water passing between them acts as a conductor and establishes a voltaic cell whereby the metals are eroded so as to supply the water with an effective level of silver and copper ions. Such metal ions effectively act as germicides and algaecides.

Abstract: A method of ionizing a fluid uses the principle of a Voltaic cell wherein, first and second electro-conductive members formed of materials having different electrochemical potentials are spaced from each other and are immersed in fluid such as water to be ionized, the fluid serves as an electrolyte, and these electro-conductive members are electrically connected to cause electric energy to flow in the fluid, whereby the fluid is ionized. A device for carrying out this method includes first and second electro-conductive members formed of materials having different electrochemical potentials and spaced from each other to permit the fluid to flow therebetween, the members being electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: A method of precipitating colloidal materials from aqueous systems and a dynamic bimetallic galvanic cell is disclosed, said cell including a metallic electrode which provides a source of flocculating agent and an inert electrode to which the metallic electrode is short circuited. When water containing colloidal particles is passed through the galvanic cell and the electrodes are short circuited, the metallic electrode provides a source of flocculating agent which coprecipitates with the colloidal particles, forming a sediment which can be readily removed. The cell is constructed to maximize the contact between the water and the electrode surfaces and to maintain the metallic electrode short circuited against the inert electrode as the metallic electrode is consumed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing hardening calcium-containing and similar minerals from water, in which raw water is passed through a passage, having a reduced cross-sectional area, in an elongated core of a suitable alloy. The passage is provided with closely-spaced parallel walls which have been polished to an image reflective smoothness and etched to create a multiplicity of randomly-positioned microscopic channels and a multiplicity of complementary mesas having smooth, flat tops. The reduced cross-sectional area causes a pressure drop in accordance with Bernoulli's Principle, which causes carbon dioxide to come out of solution, the presence of which inhibits precipitation of calcium carbonate and forms carbonic acid to attack existing scale. The small size and shape of the mesas allow calcite crystals to begin to grow but permit them to break off after a certain size has been attained. The freed calcite crystals then provide nuclei for crystals to grow from the supersaturated solution.

Abstract: A process for electrochemical neutralization of acid electrolyte, such as acid mine drainage. A vessel is provided with an anode electrically connected to a cathode with the cathode material being of lesser electroactivity than that of the anode. An acid-containing electrolyte is introduced into the vessel. A voltage gradient is established between the anode and cathode by causing the electrolyte to interact chemically with the anode to effect an oxidation reaction. The cell is caused to convert hydrogen ions into elemental hydrogen and the electrolyte is withdrawn at a pH higher than the pH it had when it entered the vessel. In a preferred embodiment iron is employed in the anode to serve as a sacrificial anode with respect to pyrite which is used in the cathode. A plurality of anodes and cathodes may be provided with electrically nonconductive inert material interposed between adjacent anode and cathode elements or between adjacent anode and cathode pairs.

Abstract: Valuable metals in manganese nodules have their solvent solubilities altered by forming an alkaline-manganese electric cell using manganese nodules as a cathode active material component and discharging the cell with a selected discharge load. Thus, the solvent extraction percentage for Mn in manganese nodules can be controlled to less than 60% and that for other valuable metals be elevated to at least 80% by selecting the discharge load properly.

Abstract: A planar photoelectrochemical structure includes a thin, porous layer of semiconductor powder material on a catalytic film. Using incident light absorbed by the semiconductor, the structure is suited to photosensitizing redox reactions of substrates introduced to the structure in an aqueous gas-phase environment. Conducting catalyst films allow significant external electrical interaction with the photoelectrochemical process occurring in the layer.

Abstract: This invention is for an inexpensive flexible heater material (heat pad) for food heating, medical compresses and the like. The heat pad is a composite material consisting of a supercorroding metallic alloy powder dispersed throughout a porous polyethylene matrix. The supercorroding alloy material consists of a powdered alloy of magnesium and iron which is produced by high energy powder metallurgical milling techniques. Pressureless sintering of a mixture of the supercorroding alloy powders with UHMW polyethylene powder results in the formation of a flexible porous matrix material with active ingredients therein that are readily activated with a suitable electrolyte fluid.

Abstract: An anode for the internal protection of hollow corrodible magnetically receptive metallic substrates is attached to a flexible permanent magnet along its length, thereby enabling it to hold to the substrate. This prevents abrasion and electrical short-circuiting of the anode when turbulent flow would cause an unattached anode to abrasively contact the substrate. A method of inserting the anode into a substrate, such as a pipe, is also described.

Abstract: This disclosure relates primarily to the recovery of hydrogen-reduced metals from aqueous solutions of salts thereof, such as, for example, copper from copper sulphate solution, by hydrogen reduction at a catalytic barrier made pervious to the solution, in an apparatus provided with means to supply hydrogen along a face of said barrier at which the aqueous solution is applied to effect deposition thereupon and flowing the solution transversely through the barrier to continue deposition upon the other face of the barrier.

Abstract: A photovoltaic-electrolytic unit is provided to produce an electric current from solar energy and utilize the current to produce hydrogen by the electrolysis of water. The unit floats in an aqueous medium so that photoelectric cells are exposed to solar radiation, and electrodes submerged in the medium produce oxygen which is vented and hydrogen which is collected in the unit.

Abstract: A self-energizing water treating assembly capable of being either removably disposed in a container through which a stream of water flows or in a tank containing a stationary body of water to render the water slightly alkaline, remove free dissolved oxygen from the water, forms gelatinous thixotropic suspensions that envelops foreign particled material in the water and render the same substantially tasteless and odorless, and minimizes the tendency of minerals in the water being deposited as hard scale on the tubes or containers in which the water is heated or transformed to steam.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of halogens and alkali metal hydroxide by electrolysis of aqueous solution of alkali metal halides in a flowing mercury electrolysis cell wherein the salt solutions do not have to purified and to novel amalgam denuders and a mercury electrolytic cell plant without a salt purification step.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte galvanic energy conversion cell capable of being heated to at least 2000.degree. C. containing a form of carbon as a fuel internally and being exposed externally to a source of oxygen, such as air, to cause the passage of oxygen ions through the electrolyte thus causing the formation of CO or CO.sub.2 as desired. The carbon, for example, a rod, is in electrical contact with a solid electrolyte material having an oxygen ion permeability at a temperature of at least 705.degree. C. In one embodiment, an end of the cell is heated at the focal point of a parabolic solar energy collector and generates electrical energy while expelling CO gas which may later be oxidized to CO.sub.2 either by combustion or by means of a secondary galvanic cell to generate additional electrical energy.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell having auxiliary circuit means for applying a cathodic protection current to cathode and exposed metal parts to help prevent corrosion thereof during cell shut-down.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical metal plating and purification process includes at least one electrolyte containing a reduction-oxidation couple, one species of which is a metal cation which can be reduced to elemental metal at an electrode. The system includes an N-type photosensitive semiconductor electrode at which, under illumination, an oxidation reaction occurs, with concurrent reduction of the metal cation at the counter electrode. In operation, one ionic species of the electrolyte is oxidized while metal ions are reduced and collected as the elemental metal at the counter electrode. In cases where the elemental metal is liquid at the operation temperature, it is collected as a liquid metal pool under the counter electrode.

Abstract: Photochemical diodes are provided which use light to drive both endoergic and exoergic chemical reactions such that optical energy is converted into chemical energy. The photochemical diodes are typically suspended in a bulk volume matrix of the constituent chemical reactants. The photochemical diodes, in the form of either Schottky-type diodes or p-n type diodes, are employed, for example, to convert water into hydrogen plus oxygen (or hydrogen peroxide); to convert hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen plus sulfur; and to photo-catalyze chemical reactions. The photochemical diodes of the invention comprise two portions, a first portion comprising an appropriately doped semiconductor material of a given conductivity and provided with an ohmic contact and a second portion comprising either metal (Schottky-type) or an appropriately doped semiconductor material of a conductivity type opposite to that of the first portion and provided with an ohmic contact (p-n type).

Abstract: A graphite-base filling material for the decomposition of alkali metal amalgams, said material containing titanium carbide and incorporating the ingredients in an amount between 69 and 35 wt % for the graphite and between 31 and 65 wt % for the titanium carbide.The method of producing the material disclosed consists in that a carbon filler, a carbon-containing binding agent and titanium or titanium carbide or titanium oxide are intermixed. The titanium or said titanium compounds is used in an amount between 24.8 and 52 wt %, the titanium carbide or titanium oxide being taken in terms of titanium. The mixture obtained is moulded and the blanks moulded are fired at a temperature between 500.degree. and 1200.degree. C. Next, the blanks fired are graphitized at a temperature between 1700.degree. and 1800.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for removing metals from waste liquids without the use of an externally supplied source of current. The method consists in (i) immersing in the waste liquid at a pH of less than 3.5, two materials which are different from each other and the metal to be removed, one of the immersed materials being electropositive, the other being carbon or electronegative, (ii) connecting the two immersed materials to each other, thus giving rise to an electric current, (iii) precipitating the metal or metals to be removed, and (iv) recovering the purified waste liquid.

Abstract: In the disclosed process, the winning of noble or relatively electronegative metals (e.g. Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, etc.) from substantially aqueous solutions containing ions of the metal through the use of relatively electropositive precipitant metals (e.g. Fe, Zn, Al, etc.) is carried out along with recovery or utilization of some of the energy which can be produced by chemical or electrochemical action. In this process, an electrochemical primary cell-like arrangement with a one-fluid or two-fluid electrolyte (wherein the precipitant metal can be an anode) can also provide improvements in the character (orderliness, efficiency, purity of product, etc.) and control of the cementation reactions. For example, bright (high purity) copper can be obtained in a cathode compartment in a two-fluid cell using a scrap iron anode, a pregnant hydrometallurgical cuprous or cupric leach solution as the catholyte, and an external circuit connecting the cathode to the anode.

Abstract: The copper and palladium ethylene-oxidation catalyst used in the preparation of vinyl acetate is regenerated in a process including deposition of the metals from solution in a Daniell-type galvanic cell and subsequent reconversion to the halides.

Abstract: A method for electrochemically refining copper, which comprises placing a catholyte solution consisting of a copper ion aqueous solution and an anolyte solution consisting of an aqueous dispersion of particles of matte, white metal or blister copper or particles of ferrous hydroxide in an electrolyte in a cathode compartment and the anode compartment, respectively of a galvanic cell partitioned into the cathode compartment and the anode compartment by a diaphragm; and short-circuiting a cathode dipped in the catholytic solution and an anode dipped in the anolyte solution by means of a conductor while maintaining the pH of the catholyte solution at -1 to 5 and the pH of the anolyte solution at 8 to 14, thereby to precipitate pure copper on the cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus for unlatching a door to a hygienic area actuated by sensor electrodes in contact with the electrolytic residue of a cleansing agent upon the hand or limb of a person desiring access to the hygienic area.

Abstract: Micro electrochemical cells which utilize an intimate mixture of active and assive metals are reacted with seawater for producing heat and hydrogen gas for use as a heat source, energy source, or buoyancy generator for use in remote areas.

Abstract: A strong base layer for painting on an aluminous material, a thermosetting resin paint and a painted film having high cohesion and corrosion resistance are produced by forming a boehmite layer in various processes on the aluminous material and immersing the aluminous material provided with the boehmite layer in a water soluble thermosetting resin paint at 40.degree.-60.degree.C containing an organic amine and removing the aluminous material from the paint bath and heating the paint thus deposited on the aluminous material to bake and cure the paint.