Diaphragm Type Patents (Class 204/252)
  • Publication number: 20120152734
    Abstract: An Alkaline Electrolyzer Cell Configuration (AECC) has a hydrogen half cell; an oxygen half cell; a GSM (Gas Separation Membrane); two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens; an outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen; a hydrogen electrode; two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens; an outer oxygen half cell spacer screen; and an oxygen electrode. The hydrogen half cell includes the hydrogen electrode which is located between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens and said outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen. The oxygen half cell includes the oxygen electrode which is located between said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens and said outer oxygen half cell spacer screen. The GSM is provided between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens of the hydrogen half cell and said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens of the oxygen half cell to from the electrolyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: William R. RICHARDS, Alan L. VOLKER
  • Patent number: 8202411
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for electrowinning metal from a fluid stream. A representative apparatus comprises at least one spouted bed reactor wherein each said reactor includes an anolyte chamber comprising an anode and configured for containing an anolyte, a catholyte chamber comprising a current collector and configured for containing a particulate cathode bed and a flowing stream of an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid, and a membrane separating said anolyte chamber and said catholyte chamber, an inlet for an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid stream; and a particle bed churning device configured for spouting particle bed particles in the catholyte chamber independently of the flow of said metal-containing fluid stream. In operation, reduced heavy metals or their oxides are recovered from the cathode particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Eltron Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne E. Buschmann
  • Publication number: 20120145559
    Abstract: Provided is a gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer including an anode, an ion exchange membrane, and a cathode chamber in which a gas diffusion electrode is disposed, wherein the ion exchange membrane and a cathode chamber inner space in which the gas diffusion electrode is disposed are separated by a liquid retaining member, the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is held in a void formed in a gasket or a cathode chamber frame constituting the cathode chamber, or the outer periphery and the end face of the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member are sealed, or the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is joined to and integrated with the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: CHLORINE ENGINEERS CORP., LTD., KANEKA CORPORATION, TOAGOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyohito Asaumi, Yukinori Iguchi, Mitsuharu Hamamori, Tomonori Izutsu
  • Patent number: 8197658
    Abstract: In order to solve various problems such as a reduction in a paint resin with the progress of electrodeposition coating treatment and remelting of a coating film or the occurrence of pinholes caused by an increased concentration of an electrolyte as a result of the reduction, upsizing of a hollow electrode with a membrane for electrodeposition coating combined with a barrier membrane (e.g., an ion exchange membrane) and an increase in the number of components should be avoided. In order to realize this, a barrier membrane 20 such as an ion exchange membrane is attached to the exterior surface of an electrode main body 10, which is in a hollow state made of a conductive material and configured so as to allow a liquid to pass through freely between the inside and outside of the electrode serving as a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Daiso Co., Ltd., AGC Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouhei Matsui, Yasushi Yoshida, Nobuyoshi Shoji, Yukio Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8197649
    Abstract: [Problems] The liquid pressure of an anode chamber in a two-chamber ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell using a gas diffusion electrode are different among one another depending on depths so that the liquid pressures are applied on an anode or an ion exchange membrane, thereby introducing damage or deformation of the elements. [Means for Solving] A cushion material 10 is accommodated between a cathode gas chamber back plate 9 and a gas diffusion electrode 7 of an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell 1 such that a repulsive force of the cushion material at the bottom part of the cathode gas chamber is larger than that at the top part. The excessive pressure applied to an ion exchange membrane is suppressed to prevent the generation of scratches or the like by decreasing the repulsive force of the cushion material toward the top in accordance with a differential pressure between an anode chamber pressure and a cathode gas chamber pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd., Kaneka Corporation, Toagosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Saiki, Kiyohito Asaumi, Mitsuharu Hamamori, Tsugiyoshi Osakabe
  • Publication number: 20120138456
    Abstract: The solar fuels generator includes photoanodes that each extends outward from a first side of a membrane. The generator also includes photocathodes that each extends outward from a second side of the membrane. The photocathodes each includes a p-type semiconductor and the photoanodes each includes an n-type semiconductor. The p-type semiconductors are in electrical communication with the n-type semiconductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Joshua M. Spurgeon, Nathan S. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20120138455
    Abstract: An apparatus for anodizing substrates immersed in an electrolyte solution. A substrate holder mounted in a storage tank includes a first support unit having first support elements for supporting, in a liquid-tight condition, only lower circumferential portions of the substrates, and a second support unit attachable to and detachable from the first support unit and having second support elements for supporting, in a liquid-tight condition, remaining circumferential portions of the substrates. A drive mechanism separates the first support unit and the second support unit when loading and unloading the substrates, and for connecting the first support unit and the second support unit after the substrates are placed in the substrate holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi MIYAJI, Noriyuki HAYASHI, Takamitsu INAHARA, Takao YONEHARA, Karl-Josef KRAMER, Subramanian TAMILMANI
  • Publication number: 20120138478
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell includes at least one free-standing diamond electrode and a second electrode, which may also be a free-standing diamond, separated by a membrane. The electrolytic cell is capable of conducting sustained current flows at current densities of at least about 1 ampere per square centimeter. A method of operating an electrolytic cell having two diamond electrodes includes alternately reversing the polarity of the voltage across the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLYTIC OZONE INC.
    Inventors: William J. Yost, III, Carl David Lutz, Jeffrey D. Booth, Donald J. Boudreau, Nicholas R. Lauder
  • Publication number: 20120138474
    Abstract: A continuous electrochemical pump comprising a water generator compartment, an anode compartment on one side of said generator compartment, a cation exchange barrier, separating the generator compartment from the anode compartment, it first electrode in electrical communication with the anode compartment, a cathode compartment adjacent the generator chamber, an anion exchange barrier, separating the generation compartment from the cathode compartment, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the cathode compartment. Use of the pump as a sample concentrator. A feedback loop for the pump. A reservoir, with or without an intermediate piston, on the output side of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Hamish Small, Yan Liu, Christopher A. Pohl
  • Publication number: 20120132520
    Abstract: An electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode includes a proton exchange membrane (2), an anode electrocatalyst layer (3), an anode diffusion layer (4), a flow field plate (5), a cathode structure (1) and a frame body (6). The frame boy (6) has a frame sealing groove (11) therein. A seal (7) is provided in the frame sealing groove (11). The frame body (6) is tightly connected with the cathode structure (1) through screws (9) so that the seal (7) is to seal the proton exchange membrane (2), the anode electrocatalyst layer (3) and the frame body (6) completely and tightly. The present invention has a simple structure, is cost-effective and provides a better seal effect to achieve mass production. After a period of operation, the electrolytic ozone generator still keeps an excellent seal, so that the electrolytic ozone generator can generate ozone steadily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Mingyung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120132521
    Abstract: The invention relates to bio-electrochemical systems for the generation of methane from organic material and for reducing chemical oxygen demand and nitrogenous waste through denitrification. The invention further relates to an electrode for use in, and a system for, the adaptive control of bio-electrochemical systems as well as a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew Silver, Justin Buck, Noah Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120129079
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a high differential pressure electrochemical cell which encompasses a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, said chambers being separated by a membrane, the membrane being ion-conductive, in particular proton-conductive, and electrically insulating, the membrane having a first surface in the high pressure chamber and a second surface in the low pressure chamber, the first surface being provided with a first electrode, and the second surface being provided with a second electrode, the first and second electrodes being electroconductively connected to each other via an electric circuit, wherein the membrane comprises at least two ion-conductive layers, wherein at least one of said ion-conductive layers is electrically insulating and at least one of said ion-conductive layers is electrically conductive. The high differential pressure electrochemical cell preferably is an ionic gas compressor, an ionic gas decompressor, or a high pressure electrolyser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HYET HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Middelman, Marleen Middelman-Koornneef
  • Publication number: 20120125779
    Abstract: The electrolysis occurs as a high-pressure electrolyzer, oxygen being produced on one side and hydrogen on the other side, with corresponding pressure. The gases may optionally be stored without additional compression. The PEM fuel cell process is used in reverse for the process. It is advantageous that excess energy may be used by wind power plants. In the associated device, a high-pressure electrolyzer (1) is present which is operated using environmentally friendly air power. Due to the improved operating point of the high-pressure electrolyzer, improved economy results for the generation process compared to the prior art, in particular for hydrogen as an energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander Hahn, Wolfgang Schilling, Werner Straub, Manfred waidhas
  • Patent number: 8182658
    Abstract: An anode 20 of an electrochemical device 10 is connected to the cathode of a battery 30, and a cathode 22 of the electrochemical device 10 is connected to the anode of the battery. An electrolyte layer 24 containing electrolytes is arranged between the anode 20 and the cathode 22. Electrolyte layer 24 is formed by alternately laminating two types of electrolytes formed in the shape of plates. A first electrolyte is a proton conductor 26, and a second electrolyte is an oxygen ion conductor 28. A purification apparatus 120 includes a plurality of electrochemical devices 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Naotaka Koide, Nami Ikeda, Hiroyasu Kawauchi, Yoshifumi Kato
  • Patent number: 8182659
    Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode or the outer face of the anode. The porous pad comprises a particulate or mat of one or more doped- or reduced-valve metal oxides, which are bound together with one or more thermoplastic resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, Larry L. Swette
  • Publication number: 20120123168
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a hexose sugar. The hexose sugar may be derived from biomass. The hexose sugar is reacted to form an alkali metal levulinate, an alkali metal valerate, an alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or an alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. An anolyte is then prepared for use in a electrolytic cell. The anolyte contains the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. The anolyte is then decarboxylated. This decarboxylating operates to decarboxylate the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate to form radicals, wherein the radicals react to form a hydrocarbon fuel compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Sai Bhavaraju
  • Patent number: 8177944
    Abstract: A plating apparatus can form a bump having a flat top or can form a metal film having a good in-plane uniformity even when the plating of a plating object (substrate) is carried out under high-current density conditions. The plating apparatus includes a plating tank for holding a plating solution; an anode to be immersed in the plating solution in the plating tank; a holder for holding a plating object and disposing the plating object at a position opposite the anode; a paddle, disposed between the anode and the plating object held by the holder, which reciprocates parallel to the plating object to stir the plating solution; and a control section for controlling a paddle drive section which drives the paddle. The control section controls the paddle drive section so that the paddle moves at a velocity whose average absolute value is 70 cm/sec to 100 cm/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Saito, Jumpei Fujikata, Tadaaki Yamamoto, Kenji Kamimura
  • Patent number: 8178059
    Abstract: A system for supplying chlorine to and recovering chlorine from a polysilicon plant may include a brine treatment system, at least one membrane cell, a chlorine drying system, a chlorine compression system, a hydrogen drying system, a hydrogen compression system, a hydrogen chloride synthesis/desorption system, a hydrogen chloride liquefaction system, a liquefied hydrogen chloride storage system, a hydrogen chloride vaporizer, and a waste conversion and filtration system. These systems may be operatively joined to generate hydrogen chloride gas for delivery to the polysilicon plant. A method for supplying chlorine to the polysilicon plant may include generating hydrogen gas and chlorine gas from recovered and raw salt, converting at least a portion of the hydrogen gas and at least a portion of the chlorine gas to hydrogen chloride, passing the hydrogen chloride through a cryogenic column, vaporizing the hydrogen chloride, and providing the vaporized hydrogen chloride to the polysilicon plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: CH2M HILL Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Sims
  • Patent number: 8177863
    Abstract: A method for production of a membrane/electrode unit for a fuel cell is disclosed. The conducting polymer membrane is compressed with two electrodes until a given compression is achieved. The method permits an increase in resting voltage of the membrane/electrode unit in use, the amount of damage during production is reduced, and a constant thickness within a production run is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Padberg, Jürgen Sinschek, Torsten Raap, Ulf Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20120103829
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for the electrolytic production of hydrogen which can operate discontinuously or associated to strong power fluctuations and provide dry pressurized directly hydrogen, with high purity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Alessandro Tampucci, Paolo Bert
  • Patent number: 8157981
    Abstract: The present electrolytic system and method for extracting components includes a means for providing a carrier fluid; a means for providing a pair of electrodes interposed by a permeable membrane to create a first channel and a second channel; a means for flowing the carrier fluid through the first and second channel; a means for applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes to produce a first ionized carrier fluid in the first channel and a second ionized carrier fluid in the second channel; a means for injecting at least one of the first ionized carrier fluid and the second ionized carrier fluid into the subsurface reservoir to release the components; and a means for recovering the at least one of the first ionized carrier fluid and the second ionized carrier fluid and the components from a subsurface strata or ex-situ mineral deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Strategic Resource Optimization, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Peters, David D. Faulder
  • Publication number: 20120085658
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a cation-conductive ceramic membrane and an acidic anolyte. Generally, the cell includes a catholyte compartment and an anolyte compartment that are separated by a cation-conductive membrane. While the catholyte compartment houses a primary cathode, the anolyte compartment houses an anode and a secondary cathode. In some cases, a current is passed through the electrodes to cause the secondary cathode to evolve hydrogen gas. In other cases, a current is passed between the electrodes to cause the secondary cathode to evolve hydroxyl ions and hydrogen gas. In still other cases, hydrogen peroxide is channeled between the secondary cathode and the membrane to form hydroxyl ions. In yet other cases, the cell includes a diffusion membrane disposed between the secondary cathode and the anode. In each of the aforementioned cases, the cell functions to maintain the pH of a fluid contacting the membrane at an acceptably high level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Ashok V. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20120088182
    Abstract: A catalyst member can comprise nano-scale nickel particles. The catalyst member can be used for a plurality of different uses, for example, electrodes of a fuel cell or an electrolysis device. The nano-scale nickel particles can be sintered or combined in other manners to form the desired shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.
    Inventor: Ray Douglas Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8153838
    Abstract: An isocyanate is produced by: (a) reacting chlorine with carbon monoxide to form phosgene, (b) reacting the phosgene with an organic amine to form an isocyanate and hydrogen chloride, (c) separating the isocyanate and hydrogen chloride, (d) optionally, purifying the hydrogen chloride, (e) preparing an aqueous solution of the hydrogen chloride, (f) optionally, purifying the aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, (g) subjecting the aqueous hydrogen chloride solution to electrochemical oxidation to form chlorine, and (h) returning at least a portion of the chlorine produced in (g) to (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Andreas Bulan, Rainer Weber, Wolfgang Lorenz, Gerhard Moormann, Friedhelm Kämper, Berthold Keggenhoff
  • Patent number: 8152974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a porous electrode used in an electrochemical cell, containing a carrier and/or catalytic agent, which is characterized by that it consists of two or more layers with different average pore sizes, out of which layers the contact layer with the smallest average pore size is in contact with the membrane, and one or more supporting layers with a greater average pore size are linked to the other side of this contact layer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a procedure for the manufacturing of such electrodes and to electrochemical cells containing such electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ThalesNano Zrt.
    Inventors: Ferenc Darvas, Dániel Szalay, Lajos Gödörházy
  • Patent number: 8147663
    Abstract: A scaffold holding one or more ion-conductive ceramic membranes for use in an electrochemical cell is described. Generally, the scaffold includes a thermoplastic plate defining one or more orifices. Each orifice is typically defined by a first, second, and third aperture, wherein the second aperture is disposed between the first and third apertures. The diameter of the second aperture can be larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures. While at an operating temperature the diameter of the ceramic membrane is larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures, heating the scaffold to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time causes the third aperture's diameter to become larger than the membrane's diameter. Thus, heating the scaffold may allow the membrane to be inserted into the orifice. Cooling the scaffold can then cause the third aperture's diameter to shrink and trap the membrane within the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cekamatec, Inc
    Inventors: Scott Suarez, Steven Matthew Quist
  • Patent number: 8137513
    Abstract: In a sulfuric acid electrolytic cell to electrolyze sulfuric acid supplied to an anode compartment and a cathode compartment comprising a diaphragm, said anode compartment and said cathode compartment separated by said diaphragm, a cathode provided in said cathode compartment and a conductive diamond anode provided in said anode compartment, as said conductive diamond anode, a conductive diamond film is formed on the surface of said conductive substrate, the rear face of said conductive substrate is pasted, with conductive paste, on an current collector comprising a rigid body with size equal to, or larger than, said conductive substrate, an anode compartment frame constituting said anode compartment is contacted via gasket with the periphery on the side of the conductive diamond film of said diamond anode, said diaphragm is contacted with the front face of said anode compartment, further, with the front face of said diaphragm, the cathode compartment frame constituting said cathode compartment, a gasket, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd., Toshiba Corp., Ltd., Shibaura Mechatronics Corp., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kato, Yoshiyuki Seya, Naoya Hayamizu, Makiko Tange, Yoshiaki Kurokawa, Nobuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8127758
    Abstract: An aerospace platform includes a structure having a cavity and a light-transmissive portion that exposes the cavity to sunlight. The aerospace platform further includes a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system includes a fluid-carrying, thermally absorptive structure within the cavity, and a solar collector for collecting light transmitted through the light-transmissive portion and focusing the collected light onto the absorptive structure. The thermally absorptive structure has a high surface absorptivity that retains thermal energy when exposed to solar irradiance and heats fluid contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Shailesh Atreya, Michael F. Stoia, Tina R. Stoia, Russell K. Jones
  • Publication number: 20120048729
    Abstract: Articles, systems, and methods related to the configuration of electrically non-conductive materials and related components in electrochemical cells are generally described. Some inventive electrochemical cell configurations include an electrically non-conductive material (e.g., as part of the electrolyte) that is configured to wrap around the edge of an electrode to prevent short circuiting of the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the electrically non-conductive material layer can be arranged such that it includes first and second portions (one on either side of an electrode) as well as a third portion adjacent the edge of the electrode that directly connects (and, in some cases, is substantially continuous with) the first and second portions. The electrically non-conductive material layer can be relatively thin while maintaining relatively high electrical insulation between the anode and the cathode, allowing one to produce an electrochemical cell with a relatively low mass and/or volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, John D. Affinito, Igor Kovalev, Riley Oaks Schock
  • Publication number: 20120052413
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells including a casing or cup for direct electrical contact with a negative electrode or counter electrode and serving as the current collector for the electrode. The casing includes a substrate having a plated coating of an alloy including copper, tin and zinc, the coating having a composition gradient between the substrate and the external surface of the coating wherein the copper content is greater adjacent the substrate than at the external surface of the coating and the tin content is greater at the external surface of the coating than adjacent the substrate. Methods for forming a coated casing and an electrochemical cell including a coated casing are disclosed, preferably including providing an electrode casing with a coating utilizing variable current density plating that reduces discoloration of a surface exposed to the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Jason L. Stimits
  • Patent number: 8123915
    Abstract: An Alkaline Electrolyzer Cell Configuration (AECC) has a hydrogen half cell; an oxygen half cell; a GSM (Gas Separation Membrane); two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens; an outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen; a hydrogen electrode; two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens; an outer oxygen half cell spacer screen; and an oxygen electrode. The hydrogen half cell includes the hydrogen electrode which is located between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens and said outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen. The oxygen half cell includes the oxygen electrode which is located between said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens and said outer oxygen half cell spacer screen. The GSM is provided between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens of the hydrogen half cell and said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens of the oxygen half cell to from the electrolyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: William R. Richards, Alan L. Volker
  • Publication number: 20120043221
    Abstract: A method and device for charging a metal hydride hydrogen store (13) is described. It comprises generating gaseous hydrogen in an electrolyser (1), transporting the gaseous hydrogen to the metal hydride store and feeding the metal hydride store with the hydrogen. For having the hydrogen free of water contamination, the gaseous hydrogen is first transported under a first pressure of at least 1 MPa which pressure is then reduced by a pressure adjusting means (11) to a second, designated pressure lower to the first pressure, the second pressure being the feeding pressure to the metal hydride store. FIG. 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Zhijun Gu, Zheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20120037511
    Abstract: A super-capacitor desalination device is described and includes a pair of terminal electrodes and at least one bipolar electrode located between the terminal electrodes. The at least one bipolar electrode has an ion exchange material disposed on opposing surfaces thereof The ion exchange material is a cation exchange material or an anion exchange material. A method for super-capacitor desalination is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Rihua Xiong, Hai Yang, Wei Cai
  • Publication number: 20120031769
    Abstract: A method for producing and recovering a carboxylic acid in an electrolysis cell. The electrolysis cell is a multi-compartment electrolysis cell. The multi-compartment electrolysis cell includes an anodic compartment, a cathodic compartment, and a solid alkali ion transporting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). An anolyte is added to the anodic compartment. The anolyte comprises an alkali salt of a carboxylic acid, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The alkali salt of the carboxylic acid is partitioned into the first solvent. The anolyte is then electrolyzed to produce a carboxylic acid, wherein the produced carboxylic acid is partitioned into the second solvent. The second solvent may then be separated from the first solvent and the produced carboxylic acid may be recovered from the second solvent. The first solvent may be water and the second solvent may be an organic solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Kean Duffy
  • Publication number: 20120024715
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively removing hydrogen gas from a hydrogen-containing fluid volume are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a proton exchange membrane (PEM) selectively permeable to hydrogen by exclusively conducting hydrogen ions. The system also includes metal deposited as layers onto opposite sides or faces of the PEM to form a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), each layer functioning as an electrode so that the MEA functions as an electrochemical cell in which the ionic conductors are hydrogen ions, and the MEA functioning as a hydrogen selective membrane (HSM) when located at the boundary between a hydrogen-containing fluid volume and a second fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory C. Glatzmaier
  • Publication number: 20120024716
    Abstract: A device for reducing carbon dioxide includes a vessel for holding an electrolyte solution including carbon dioxide, a working electrode and a counter electrode. The working electrode contains metal hexaboride particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji ZENITANI, Reiko TANIGUCHI, Satoshi YOTSUHASHI, Masahiro DEGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120024697
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a composite membrane comprising a porous support and a polymeric separation layer having acidic or basic groups comprising the steps of: (i) applying a composition to a porous support; and (ii) curing the composition to form the polymeric separation layer thereon; wherein the composition comprises the components (a) a compound having one ethylenically unsaturated group; and (b) a crosslinking agent having an acrylamide group; and wherein the curing is achieved by irradiating the composition for less than 30 seconds. The membranes are useful in reverse electrodialysis e.g. for generating blue energy and have good resistance to deterioration, even under hot and high pH conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Harro Antheunis, Dana Manuela Sterescu
  • Publication number: 20120012471
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the electrochemical separation of hydrogen from a hydrogen-comprising reaction mixture R by means of a gastight membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane and at least one electrode catalyst on each side of the membrane, where at least part of the hydrogen present in the reaction mixture R is oxidized to protons over the anode catalyst on the retentate side of the membrane and the protons are, after passing through the membrane to the permeate side, I reduced to hydrogen over the cathode catalyst and/or II reacted with oxygen over the cathode catalyst to form water, with the oxygen originating from an oxygen-comprising stream O which is brought into contact with the permeate side of the membrane, and also a reactor equipped with at least one membrane-electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Joana Coelho Tsou, Alexander Panchenko, Annebart Engbert Wentink, Sebastian Ahrens, Thomas Heidemann, Guenther Huber, Albena Kostova
  • Publication number: 20120012466
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter comprises a method and system for producing cleaning and/or sanitizing solutions using a replaceable cartridge system. Particularly, the consumables needed to electrochemically or chemically produce the cleaning and/or sanitizing solutions can be supplied in a cartridge in a quantity measured to last for the chosen design life of the cartridge. Alternatively, the cartridge can comprise cleaning and/or sanitizing precursors that can be pre-prepared and supplied in a highly concentrated form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SEALED AIR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles R. Sperry, Vincent A. Piucci, JR., Stephen D. Smith, Suzanne M. Scott, Dennis F. McNamara, JR., John Koke
  • Publication number: 20120000789
    Abstract: Electrolysis cell for membrane-supported electrolysis, comprising an oxygen-consuming cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Bayer Technology Services GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Turek, Imad Moussallem
  • Patent number: 8088261
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell for producing copper having a dense graphite anode electrode and a dense graphite cathode electrode disposed in a CuCl solution. An anion exchange membrane made of poly(ethylene vinyl alcohol) and polyethylenimine cross-linked with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of acetone, formaldehyde, glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, and mixtures thereof is disposed between the two electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Qinbai Fan, Renxuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20110315562
    Abstract: An electrolysis device including a bioanode and a cathode catalyst, a method for implementing the same, and the use thereof for producing hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INSTITUT NATIONAL POLYTECHNIQUE DE TOULOUSE
    Inventors: Regine Basseyguy, Alain Bergel, Benjamin Erable, Luc Etcheverry, Serge Da Silva
  • Publication number: 20110308968
    Abstract: A method for dispersing nanomaterial comprising an electrochemical process, a solution of dispersed nanomaterial, comprising individual charged nanomaterial at a concentration of about O.1 mgm?1 or more and a solvent and an electrochemical cell are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: UCL Business PLC
    Inventors: Christopher Howard, Neal Skipper, Milo Shaffer, Sian Fogden
  • Publication number: 20110308962
    Abstract: A system includes an ionic exchange conduit through which a flow of photosynthetic biomass is drawn capturing an electrical charge which is used to alternately power a photonic activated reservoir housing a living photosynthetic biomass suspended in a flowing liquid medium which self generates an electrical charge as it migrates towards and through a cathode separated from an anode by a membrane. Upon electrical transfer through the circuit an electrolysis process begins and releases hydrogen and oxygen into enclosed atmosphere chambers where these separated gases can be captured for use in a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Nicholas Eckelberry, Michael Green
  • Patent number: 8075748
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising a containment vessel; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and a separator; wherein the separator includes an inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and the combined density of the electrolyte and the gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 8075749
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising: a containment vessel configured for pressurization; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a first gas, wherein the first gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; a second gas, wherein the second gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the second electrode; a separator; a first gas collection vessel; and a second gas collection vessel, wherein the separator includes a first inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the first gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the first gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the second electrode and towards the first gas collection vessel, and wherein the separa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 8075745
    Abstract: A polishing pad includes a guide plate having a plurality of holes therein and being affixed to a compressible under-layer; and a plurality of conducting polishing elements each affixed to the compressible under-layer and passing through a sealed contact with a proton exchange membrane and corresponding hole in the guide plate so as to be maintained in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the compressible under-layer but being translatable in a vertical direction with respect to the guide plate. The polishing pad may also include a slurry distribution material fastened to the guide plate by an adhesive. Pad wear sensors may also be provided in the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Semiquest Inc.
    Inventor: Rajeev Bajaj
  • Patent number: 8070922
    Abstract: An oxygen generator includes a monolithic body having first and second channels extending longitudinally therein. An electrode is operatively disposed in the first channels and a counter-electrode is operatively disposed in the second channels. The second channels are formed in the monolithic body so each second channel is electrically isolated from, yet adjacent to a first channel, resulting in an alternating configuration of first and second channels. The first channels have fluid or oxygen flowing therethrough, while the second channels have the other of oxygen or fluid flowing therethrough. An output manifold, having an oxygen collection area separated from a fluid collection area, operatively engages with the monolithic body. The oxygen collection area receives substantially pure oxygen from one of the second or first channels, and the fluid collection area receives oxygen-depleted fluid from the other of the first or second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Oxus America, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Nelson, Gerald R. Stabel, Joshua J. Titus, Alfred R. Webster
  • Patent number: 8066784
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of a membrane/electrode unit, whereby a conducting polymer membrane is compressed with two electrodes until a given compression is achieved. Said method permits an increase in resting voltage of the membrane/electrode unit in use, the amount of damage during production is reduced and a constant thickness within a production run is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Padberg, Jürgen Sinschek, Torsten Raap, Ulf Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20110284391
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the electrochemical treatment of aromatic nitro compounds, which comprises the steps: introducing an aqueous composition comprising at least one aromatic nitro compound into the anode space of an electrolysis cell and carrying out an electrolysis at an anodic current density in the range from 0.1 to 10 kA/m2 and a cell potential in the range from 4 to 15 V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: Verein fuer Kernve. und Analyt. Rosse. e.V. (VKTA), BASF SE
    Inventors: Rüdiger FRITZ, Stefanie Haase, Holger Allardt, Michael Zoellinger, Reiner Reetz, Hans-Juergen Friedrich