With Feeding And/or Withdrawal Means Patents (Class 204/263)
  • Patent number: 9809470
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrolytic membrane separation (EMS) subsystem is configured to remove one or more impurities from a contaminated reject solution and to recycle the reusable reject solution for subsequent use in regenerating ion exchange resins. According to another embodiment of the invention, the EMS subsystem is configured to concentrate the impurities recovered from the contaminated brine solution for subsequent disposal or treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Exergy Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Fred P. Reinhard
  • Patent number: 9804090
    Abstract: An energy store system, including at least one cell element situated in a cell region having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte system that is situated between the anode and the cathode and that is particularly at least partially liquid, the anode, the cathode and/or the electrolyte system being configured so that, as a function of a charging or discharging process of the cell element, functioning material is situated in the electrolyte system, and the functional material situated in the electrolyte system being ascertainable qualitatively and/or quantitatively. Because of such an energy store system, operating states of an energy store or a cell may be ascertained particularly simply and accurately. Also described is a related state detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Marcus Wegner, Jens Grimminger, Martin Tenzer, Jean Fanous
  • Patent number: 9803058
    Abstract: An ion exchange membrane (52) for a fuel cell comprises a polymer having an acid functional group normally including protons, and having alkali metal ions partially ion-exchanged with the protons of the acid functional group of the membrane. The partial ion exchange of alkali metal ions into the membrane relates either to patterning of the exchanged ion make-up of the membrane, with some being ion exchanged and some not, or to the extent or concentration of the ion exchange in any particular location, or to both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Vishal Onkarmal Mittal, Lesia V. Protsailo, Sathya Motupally
  • Patent number: 9764335
    Abstract: A system for extracting metals (e.g. precious metals or dangerous metals) from a substrate material such as sludge from a lake bed or sewage treatment facility includes processing the substrate material and metals by exposing the substrate material and metals to the plasma of an electric arc. Then, the exposed substrate material and metals are passed through an electrically charged collection grid in which the metals, now electrically charged, are attracted to the collection grid and hold to the collection grid and the substrate material exits the collection grid with less concentrations (or none) of the metals. In some embodiments, in addition to recovering the metals (e.g. precious metals, dangerous metals, etc.), a flammable gas is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNEGAS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ermanno Santilli
  • Patent number: 9719178
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell for the continuous acidification of alkaline water sources and recovery of carbon dioxide with simultaneous continuous hydrogen gas production having a center compartment, an electrolyte-free anode compartment having a mesh anode in direct contact with an ion permeable membrane, an endblock in direct contact with the anode where the endblock provides a gas escape route behind the anode, an electrolyte-free cathode compartment having a mesh cathode in direct contact with an ion permeable membrane, and an endblock in direct contact with the cathode where the endblock provides a gas escape route behind the cathode. Current applied to the electrochemical cell for generating hydrogen gas also lowers the pH of the alkaline water to produce carbon dioxide with no additional current or power. Also disclosed is the related method for continuously acidifying alkaline water sources and recovering carbon dioxide with continuous hydrogen gas production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Felice DiMascio, Heather D. Willauer, Dennis R. Hardy, Frederick Williams, M. Kathleen Lewis
  • Patent number: 9718711
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods method for filtering water fluid by screening ionic minerals including sodium chloride from the water fluid. In one embodiment, the water fluid is passed into a work zone defined at least in part by oppositely-arranged first and second porous structures, each of which have a plurality of gated channels. The water fluid is processed in the work zone by applying respective electric voltages to electrically bias the first porous structure and the second porous structure. The respective electric voltages deplete sodium chloride ions in the water fluid in the work zone due to ion-flux continuity. In response to processing of the water fluid, ion-filtered water is collected from the work zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Kee-Hyun Paik, Yang Liu, Robert W. Dutton, Qiushi Ran
  • Patent number: 9605352
    Abstract: Provided is a cation exchange membrane having excellent mechanical strength against folding and the like and capable of delivering stable electrolytic performance for a long time, an electrolysis vessel using the cation exchange membrane and a method for producing the cation exchange membrane. A cation exchange membrane 1 at least includes: a membrane body containing a fluorine-based polymer having an ion-exchange group; and two or more reinforcing core materials arranged approximately in parallel within the membrane body. The membrane body is provided with two or more elution holes 12 formed between the reinforcing core materials 10 adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kameyama, Manabu Sugimoto, Yoshifumi Kado
  • Patent number: 9599373
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage heat pump, including: a hydrogen storage unit in which hydrogen gas is stored in a compressed state; a hydrogen flow tube through which the hydrogen gas, which is supplied from the hydrogen storage unit, flows; plural hydrogen absorbing materials that are provided at the hydrogen flow tube, that each have a different absorption pressure at which hydrogen is absorbed, and that are arranged in an order such that the absorption pressure decreases in a hydrogen gas flow direction from the hydrogen storage unit; and a switching valve that is disposed between the hydrogen absorbing materials in the hydrogen flow tube and that switches a flow rate of the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Takafumi Yamauchi, Yasuki Hirota, Masakazu Aoki, Takashi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9551076
    Abstract: The electrochemical reactors disclosed herein provide novel oxidation and reduction chemistries and employ increased mass transport rates of materials to and from the surfaces of electrodes therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Clean Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Buschmann
  • Patent number: 9493368
    Abstract: A method of precipitating scale from water includes providing an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a primary cathode chamber including a first electrode therein, a primary anode chamber including a second electrode therein, and a cation exchange membrane separating the primary cathode chamber from the primary anode chamber. A flow of feed water is split into separate input flows to each of the primary cathode chamber and the primary anode chamber. The pH of the water in the primary anode chamber is reduced by electrolysis. The pH of water in the primary cathode chamber is increased by electrolysis, and cations are removed from the water in the primary cathode chamber by forming scale on the first electrode in the primary cathode chamber. Separate treated water output flows, from each of the primary cathode chamber and primary anode chamber, are combined into a combined conditioned water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: TANGENT COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Lyle E. Kirman
  • Patent number: 9404191
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an anode for a zero-gap brine electrolyzer which through employment of a highly roughened surface at a catalyst layer at an anode for a zero-gap brine electrolyzer makes it possible to achieve sufficient liquid permeability and further reduction in electrolyzing voltage and a brine electrolysis method employing same. The present invention relates to an anode for a zero-gap brine electrolyzer equipped with a liquid-permeable conductive substrate 21, and with a catalyst layer 22 which is provided on the conductive substrate 21 and which is such that the maximum difference in height of surface irregularities is 55 ?m to 70 ?m; a zero-gap brine electrolyzer equipped with the anode 20, a cathode 30, and an ion-exchange membrane I disposed between and in contact with the anode 20 and the cathode 30; and a brine electrolysis method employing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: OSAKA SODA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kanefusa Hara, Satoshi Hatano
  • Patent number: 9206517
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an anodic compartment for metal electrowinning cells delimited by a frame-shaped skeleton comprising an envelope including a permeable separator secured to said frame-shaped skeleton by means of a frame-shaped flange, at least one anode obtained starting from a valve metal substrate coated with at least one corrosion-resistant catalytic layer, said anode being inserted inside said envelope, and a demister located above said anode and delimited by said separator and said skeleton. The invention also concerns an electrochemical cell for metal electrowinning comprising at least one such anodic compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Faita
  • Patent number: 9067087
    Abstract: An air revitalization apparatus and method simultaneously removes carbon dioxide, water vapor, and heat from air and produces oxygen gas, hydrogen gas, and concentrated carbon dioxide gas, does not require an explosion proof enclosure, and includes a fan configured to blow air into a first gas-liquid contactor, an electrochemical cell including first through fourth passages configured to emit hydrogen gas, permit a flow of a carbonate-hydroxide solution, permit a flow of carbonate-bicarbonate solution, and emit oxygen gas, respectively, the first and fourth passages separated by at least three gas-impermeable membranes, and a second gas-liquid contactor, where the first gas-liquid contactor, second passage, and a first pump are configured to circulate the carbonate-hydroxide solution therethrough, where the second gas-liquid contactor, third passage, and a second pump are configured to circulate the carbonate-bicarbonate solution therethrough, and where the output of the first passage is operationally coupled
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Gary Patrick Noyes
  • Patent number: 9028764
    Abstract: An electro-catalytic honeycomb for controlling exhaust emissions, which adopts to purify a lean-burn exhaust, comprises a honeycomb structural body, a solid-oxide layer and a cathode layer. The honeycomb structural body includes an anode, a plurality of gas channels, and a shell. The anode is formed as a backbone, the gas channels are formed inside the backbone for passing the exhaust, and the shell covers an outer surface of the anode. The solid-oxide layer is adhered to an inner surface of the anode and connects the shell so as to encapsulate the anode. The cathode layer is adhered to a tube wall of the solid-oxide layer and has an oxidizing environment. The anode has a reducing environment. The reducing and the oxidizing environment facilitate an electromotive force to occur between the anode and the cathode layer to promote a decomposition of nitrogen oxides of the exhaust into nitrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ta-Jen Huang
  • Publication number: 20150122668
    Abstract: A water conditioner that utilizes ionic flow and selective ionic filtering to control water hardness and/or pH. In some embodiments, the water conditioner includes one or more conditioning cells each having electrodes and a cathode side and an anode side separated by an ion-selective filter. The ion-selective filter is design/configured/selected to pass alkaline earth metal cations and block corresponding carbonate anions. When the electrodes are energized and water is present on the cathode and anode sides of the filter membrane, the alkaline earth metal cations pass from the anode side to the cathode side through the membrane, while the membrane blocks carbonate ions on the cathode side from passing to the anode side. In this manner, alkaline earth metal cations, and water hardness, can be reduced in the anode flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Tadeusz Karabin
  • Publication number: 20150122638
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for depositing a metal layer on a wafer. A secondary weir is positioned at a region below the primary weir such that overflowed plating solution over the primary weir during electroplating flows in a substantially azimuthally uniform manner. Methods are provided for electroplating wafers by increasing flow rate between wafer processes while plating solution flows over a primary weir, remains in contact with the overflowing plating solution, and flows onto the secondary weir such that overflow is substantially azimuthally uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Dinneen, Jingbin Feng
  • Patent number: 9017538
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrolytic membrane separation (EMS) subsystem is configured to remove one or more impurities from a contaminated reject solution and to recycle the reusable reject solution for subsequent use in regenerating ion exchange resins. According to another embodiment of the invention, the EMS subsystem is configured to concentrate the impurities recovered from the contaminated brine solution for subsequent disposal or treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Exergy Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Fred P. Reinhard
  • Patent number: 9011650
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Ashok V. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20150101935
    Abstract: An electroplating apparatus includes a container containing plural portions and an ionic liquid plating solution that is capable of flowing therebetween. The plural portions include at least a first portion containing a counter electrode that includes coating donor material and a second portion that includes a workpiece. A porous scrubber separating the first and second portions has a plurality of metallic outer surfaces in contact with the ionic liquid plating solution. Coating, repair, and regeneration methods using an ionic liquid plating solution are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Lei Chen
  • Patent number: 9005411
    Abstract: An electrochemical compressor includes one or more electrochemical cells through which a working fluid flows, and an external electrical energy source electrically connected to the electrochemical cell. Each electrochemical cell includes an anode connected to the electrical energy source; a cathode connected to the electrical energy source; an ion exchange membrane disposed between and in electrical contact with the cathode and the anode to pass an electrochemically motive material of the working fluid from the anode to the cathode, the ion exchange membrane comprising polar ionic groups attached to nonpolar chains; and a non-aqueous solvent comprising polar molecules, the polar molecules of the non-aqueous solvent being associated with and electrostatically attracted to the polar ionic groups of the ion exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Xergy Inc
    Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, Walther Grot, William Parmelee
  • Patent number: 9005409
    Abstract: An electrochemical deposition apparatus adapted to deposit metal onto a surface of a substrate, the apparatus has a frame configured for holding a process electrolyte. A substrate holder is removably coupled to the frame, the substrate holder supporting the substrate in the process electrolyte. An anode fluid compartment is removably coupled to the frame and containing an anolyte and having an anode facing the surface of the substrate, the anode fluid compartment further having a ion exchange membrane disposed between the anode and the surface of the substrate, the anode fluid compartment removable from the frame as a unit with the ion exchange membrane and the anode. The holder, the anode and the membrane are arranged in the frame so that ions from the anode pass through the ion exchange membrane into and primarily replenish ions in the process electrolyte depleted by ion deposition onto the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tel Nexx, Inc.
    Inventors: David Guarnaccia, Arthur Keigler, Demetrius Papapanayiotou, Johannes Chiu
  • Patent number: 9005410
    Abstract: A continuous electrolyzed oxidizing/reduction water generator device includes an electrically insulative housing which is an acid, alkali and pressure resistant box with a water inlet and multiple water outlets on opposing sides, positive and negative electrodes are mounted in the electrically insulative housing in parallel and equally spaced by a cation exchange membrane, and an electric control box to provide high voltage DC across the positive and negative electrodes to oxidize intake water into electrolyzed oxidizing/reduction water. Multiple generator units may be connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Yun-Chi Hung
  • Patent number: 8999120
    Abstract: An energy-saving ionized water production device and a production method are provided that are capable of producing strongly alkaline ionized in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Alone World
    Inventors: Kazunori Osamura, Takao Kawajiri, Yutaka Nakamura, Noboru Kudo, Masae Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8986518
    Abstract: The present aspects of an embodiment make more efficient use of hydrogen on-demand (hereinafter “HoD”) systems, thereby improving fossil-fuel-powered systems on the market. One main aspect uses a disposable cartridge in which the electrolytic process takes place to separate gas molecules from a solution that uses a substantially dry-cell design. Generally, the aspects include a replaceable and reusable cartridge for the flow of electrolyte solution using a pump, which may include a variety of safety features. A HoD cartridge generator has a plurality of staggered conductive material members that require electrolyte solution to flow between them, from one or more inlets to one or more outlets, using one or more specified paths. A conventional or specially-formulated electrolyte solution may be used. One or more sensors allow the generator to have a steady flow of solution in and a steady flow of liquid-gas mixture out of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cleanworld Fuels, LLC
    Inventor: Marc Daniel Moncion
  • Publication number: 20150075999
    Abstract: Process and station for stabilizing an aqueous solution of an iron salt of an organic acid with a ferric component and a ferrous component of less solubility than the ferric component, such as the aqueous solution based on the Fe3+ salt of meso-tartaric acid. To stabilize the content of the dissolved ferric salt, the solution is at least partly subjected to electrolytic oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hans Lammers, Johannes Albertus Maria Meijer
  • Publication number: 20150075976
    Abstract: An electroplating processor includes an electrode plate having a continuous flow path formed in a channel. The flow path may optionally be a coiled flow path. One or more electrodes are positioned in the channel. A membrane plate is attached to the electrode plate with a membrane in between them. Electrolyte moves through the flow path at a high velocity, preventing bubbles from sticking to the bottom surface of membrane. Any bubbles in the flow path are entrained in the fast moving electrolyte and carried away from the membrane. The electroplating processor may alternatively have a wire electrode extending through a tubular membrane formed into a coil or other shape, optionally including shapes having straight segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Randy A. Harris, Daniel J. Woodruff, Jeffrey I. Turner, Gregory J. Wilson, Paul R. McHugh
  • Publication number: 20150068911
    Abstract: A copper plating apparatus according to an embodiment includes a plating tank configured to have a copper member and a plating member being disposed in an interior of the plating tank, a blocking film configured to partition the interior of the plating tank into an anode chamber where the copper member is to be disposed and a cathode chamber where the plating member is to be disposed, the blocking film being configured to transmit copper ions and not transmit an additive agent, a supply unit configured to supply the additive agent to the anode chamber, and a power supply configured to apply a voltage between the copper member and the plating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Fumitoshi IKEGAYA, Toshiyuki MORITA
  • Patent number: 8968533
    Abstract: An electroplating processor includes an electrode plate having a continuous flow path formed in a channel. The flow path may optionally be a coiled flow path. One or more electrodes are positioned in the channel. A membrane plate is attached to the electrode plate with a membrane in between them. Electrolyte moves through the flow path at a high velocity, preventing bubbles from sticking to the bottom surface of membrane. Any bubbles in the flow path are entrained in the fast moving electrolyte and carried away from the membrane. The electroplating processor may alternatively have a wire electrode extending through a tubular membrane formed into a coil or other shape, optionally including shapes having straight segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc
    Inventors: Randy A. Harris, Daniel J. Woodruff, Jeffrey I. Turner, Gregory J. Wilson, Paul R. McHugh
  • Publication number: 20150053571
    Abstract: Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from an oil desulfurization process which utilized alkali metal in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte solution and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: John Howard Gordon, Javier Alvare
  • Publication number: 20150021171
    Abstract: An electrolytic bath for manufacturing acidic water capable of ensuring sufficient conductivity through wide surfaces of electrodes and stability of the surfaces of the electrodes to electrolyze tap water as well as RO water or DI water, especially, by coupling electrodes having the same polarity as one to apply a power source to the electrodes having the same polarity at the same time without using an additional catalytic agent or ion exchange resin, and use of the acidic water are provided. In particular, an electrolytic bath for manufacturing acidic water capable of obtaining a high concentration of acidic water by further forming mesh electrodes having a polarity different from the plurality of electrodes on a surface of an ion exchange membrane to widen an area of the electrodes and minimize a distance between the electrodes, thereby further facilitating a redox reaction, and use of the acidic water are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SEEMS BIONICS INC.
    Inventors: Shin Gyo Yim, Jae Yong Lee
  • Publication number: 20150014178
    Abstract: Provided are a film formation device and a film formation method for forming a metal film, with which metal films with a desired thickness can be continuously formed on surfaces of a plurality of substrates. A film formation device 1A includes at least a positive electrode 11, a negative electrode 12, a solid electrolyte membrane 13 arranged on a surface of the positive electrode 12, between. the positive electrode and a substrate to serve as the negative electrode, and a power supply unit E adapted to apply a voltage across the positive electrode 11 and the substrate B. A voltage is applied across the positive electrode 11 and the substrate B to deposit metal on a surface of the substrate from metal ions contained in the solid electrolyte membrane 13, whereby a metal film F made of metal is formed, The positive electrode 11 is made of a porous body that allows a solution L containing metal ions to pass therethrough and supplies the metal ions to the solid electrolyte membrane 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motoki Hiraoka, Hiroshi Yanagimoto, Yuki Sato, Takayasu Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20150014175
    Abstract: An electroplating apparatus for plating a metal onto a surface of a wafer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a wafer support configured to support a wafer and a processing base. The processing base has a scroll pump oriented to pump a plating solution in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the surface of the wafer. Further, the scroll pump includes a first scroll and a second scroll, at least one of which is configured as an anode. In one embodiment, the processing base includes an anolyte chamber including the scroll pump, a catholyte chamber, and a membrane separating the anolyte chamber from the catholyte chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Raymon F. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150008119
    Abstract: An electrochemical deposition system is described. The electrochemical deposition system includes one or more electrochemical deposition modules arranged on a common platform for depositing one or more metals on a substrate, and a chemical management system coupled to the one or more electrochemical deposition modules. The chemical management system is configured to supply at least one of the one or more electrochemical deposition modules with one or more metal constituents for depositing the one or more metals. The chemical management system can include at least one metal enrichment cell and at least one metal-concentrate generator cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Demetrius Papapanayiotou, Arthur Keigler, Jonathan Hander, Johannes Chiu, David G. Guarnaccia, Daniel L. Goodman
  • Publication number: 20140367248
    Abstract: Spacers arranged on opposite sides of an article to be processed into an EUV pellicle support the article. Plates on opposite ends of the spacer-article combination include respective electrodes. The plates, article, and spacers can be held together with a vacuum retention system. A center hole of each spacer forms a chamber with surfaces engaged by the spacer. A fluid entry extending from an outer surface of each spacer to its center hole allows delivery of fluid to each chamber. Additional spacers can be used to support additional articles. Additional plates and electrodes can also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Dario L. Goldfarb
  • Publication number: 20140353164
    Abstract: Disclosed are a device for electrowinning europium and a method thereof. The device for electrowinning europium using a channeled cell including a cathode cell includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet; an anode cell including a channel having an inlet and an outlet; and an ion-exchange membrane tightly interposed between the cathode and anode cells, wherein reduced europium is exhausted from the outlet of the cathode cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
    Inventors: Kyeong-Woo Chung, Jin-Young Lee, Sung-Don Kim
  • Patent number: 8894829
    Abstract: A water electrolysis apparatus is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and an anode separator and a cathode separator which sandwich the membrane electrode assembly therebetween. The anode separator has a plurality of inlet joint channels in fluid communication with a water supply passage, and a plurality of outlet joint channels in fluid communication with a discharge passage. The water supply passage has an inner wall surface at which the inlet joint channels are open, and an outer wall surface which faces the inner wall surface, the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface jointly forming an opening of an oblong cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Haryu, Masanori Okabe, Koji Nakazawa, Kenji Taruya
  • Patent number: 8894830
    Abstract: A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of removing protons and/or producing a base solution comprising hydroxide and carbonate/bicarbonate ions, utilizing carbon dioxide in a cathode compartment that is partitioned into a first cathode electrolyte compartment and a second cathode electrolyte compartment such that liquid flow between the cathode electrolyte compartments is possible, but wherein gaseous communication between the cathode electrolyte compartments is restricted. Carbon dioxide gas in one cathode electrolyte compartment is utilized with the cathode electrolyte in both compartments to produce the base solution with less that 3V applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Celera Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan J. Gilliam, Thomas A. Albrecht, Nikhil Jalani, Nigel Antony Knott, Valentin Decker, Michael Kostowskyj, Bryan Boggs, Alexander Gorer, Kasra Farsad
  • Publication number: 20140311897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly efficient sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus capable of decreasing disinfection by-products, which is a chlorine disinfection device for on-site generation and produces sodium hypochlorite solution by electrolyzing sodium chloride aqueous solution on site, thereby requiring no additional liquefied chlorine storage equipment or disaster prevention equipment and securing flexibility of installation and operation while not being regulated by a high-pressure gas safety control act.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Boong Ik Jung, Jung Sik Kim, Hyun Su Shin, Sang Seek Bae, Kyung Lee, Young Jae Lee
  • Publication number: 20140246328
    Abstract: An electrolyzer device comprises a container configured to receive liquid to be electrolyzed; a separator arranged in the container so as to define a first chamber and a second chamber positioned lower in a vertical direction than the first chamber; a cathode arranged in the first chamber and operatively connected to a power supply; and an anode arranged in the second chamber and operatively connected to the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Osaka Electro-Communication University
    Inventors: Koichi Umimoto, Shunji Nagata
  • Publication number: 20140246308
    Abstract: A three-compartment-cell one-port type electrolysis apparatus having a three-compartment-cell one-port structure which solves the problems of a one-compartment-cell type electrolytic bath and a two-compartment-cell type electrolytic bath, can generate high-purity electrolytic water having strong functionality by consuming only minute amounts of electrolyte, can generate various kinds of electrolyzed water using various electrolytes in a salt state, particularly provides oxidized water or reduced water having an optimized pH according to the various uses by selectively combining the oxidized water and the reduced water, and minimizes the consumption of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: Dong Won Lim
  • Patent number: 8815075
    Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a water electrolysis apparatus for electrically decomposing water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen having a pressure higher than the oxygen, a gas-liquid separator connected to a hydrogen pipe which discharges the high-pressure hydrogen from the water electrolysis apparatus, for separating water contained in the high-pressure hydrogen, a high-pressure hydrogen outlet pipe for delivering the high-pressure hydrogen separated from water from the gas-liquid separator, a water drainage line for discharging the water from the gas-liquid separator, and a gas depressurizing line connected to the gas-liquid separator, for degassing the gas-liquid separator before the water is discharged from the water drainage line into the water drainage line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Takeuchi, Koji Nakazawa, Hisashi Nagaoka, Tetsuya Yoshida, Masanori Okabe, Daisuke Kurashina, Aoi Miyake
  • Patent number: 8808512
    Abstract: An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: (i) a first hemi-enclosure; (ii) a second hemi-enclosure; (iii) a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising: (a) a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side; (b) a first plurality of electrodes in a first vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm; and (c) a second plurality of electrodes in a second vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm; (iv) a fastener, for leak-tight fastening of the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array, and the second hemi-enclosure, whereby a leak-tight enclosure is formed; (v) contacts, for electrically powering the first and second pluralities of electrodes, and; (vi) pathways, configured to remove hydrogen and oxygen gases from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: GTA, Inc.
    Inventor: Elias Greenbaum
  • Publication number: 20140224668
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrolytic cell for electrolytic water splitting in which at least one membrane is supplied with water in a passive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Walter JEHLE, Joachim LUCAS, Willigert RAATSCHEN
  • Patent number: 8801912
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for a repeated electroplating of a workpiece to be plated as a cathode by using an insoluble anode in a plating vessel accommodating a copper sulfate plating bath, wherein a copper dissolution vessel different from the plating vessel is provided, the plating bath is transferred to the copper dissolution vessel and is returned from the copper dissolution vessel to the plating vessel for circulating the plating bath between the plating vessel and the copper dissolution vessel, copper ion supplying salt is charged into the copper dissolution vessel and dissolved in the plating bath so that copper ions consumed by the plating can be replenished, and the workpiece to be plated is continuously electroplated, characterized in that the plating bath is permitted to transfer between the anode side and the cathode side, and the plating bath is returned to vicinity of the anode in the return of the plating bath from the copper dissolution vessel to the plating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Omura, Toshihisa Isono, Koji Shimizu, Shinji Tachibana, Tomohiro Kawase, Shunsaku Hoshi
  • Patent number: 8795482
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for planar metal plating on a workpiece having a surface with recessed regions and exposed surface regions; comprising the steps of: causing a plating accelerator to become attached to said surface including the recessed and exposed surface regions; selectively removing the plating accelerator from the exposed surface regions without performing substantial metal plating on the surface; and after removal of plating accelerator is at least partially complete, plating metal onto the surface, whereby the plating accelerator remaining attached to the surface increases the rate of metal plating in the recessed regions relative to the rate of metal plating in the exposed surface regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Mayer, Marshall R. Stowell, John S. Drewery, Richard S. Hill, Timothy M. Archer, Avishai Kepten
  • Publication number: 20140202849
    Abstract: An electrolyzed water processor chamber with an anodic chamber having an anode plate held in an anode tray, and a cathodic chamber having a cathode plate held within a cathode tray. The plates are charged by an electrical current, to separate an incoming water stream into its electromagnetically ionized alkaline and acidic components, across an ion exchange membrane sandwiched between the anode and cathode plate trays. The trays can include sets of ducts and cavities, so that when the trays are stacked together, with the cavities aligning to form plenums for the routing of water between the trays. The trays stack as modular units, so that any multiple of the anodic and cathodic tray pairs, with their plates and sandwiched membrane, can be stacked together and function as a combined processor chamber, with end caps mounted on the top-most and bottom-most plate trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Carl Halterman
  • Publication number: 20140202871
    Abstract: A system (10) for generating a chlorine-containing compound includes an anodic chamber (12), a cathodic chamber (20), and a brine chamber (30). The anodic chamber (12) includes an anodic electrode (14) and the cathodic chamber (20) includes a cathodic electrode (22). A membrane (28) separates the anodic and cathodic chambers (12), (20). The brine chamber (30) includes an anodic electrode (32) and a cathodic electrode (34). Concentration and type of the chlorine-containing compound can be selectively and consistently controlled by the system (10) in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Lumetta
  • Patent number: 8784619
    Abstract: A portable, on-demand hydrogen generation system is provided for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines, more particularly to vehicles. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen and oxygen is passed back thru the supply tank for distribution and water preservation. The gases are kept separate by a divider in the tank and the water level in the tank. In the case of gasoline engines, the hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is optionally powered by the vehicle battery, a stand alone battery, waste heat of the internal combustion engine or solar energy. The system utilizes a vacuum switch or other engine sensor that permits power to the device and therefore hydrogen production only when the engine is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: HNO Green Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald W Owens
  • Patent number: 8784620
    Abstract: Described is a method for improving the operation of an electrolytic cell having an anolyte compartment, a catholyte compartment and a synthetic diaphragm separating the compartments, wherein liquid anolyte is introduced into the anolyte compartment and flows through the diaphragm into the catholyte compartment, which method involves introducing particulate material comprising halocarbon polymer short fiber, e.g., fluorocarbon polymer short fiber, into the anolyte compartment in amounts sufficient to lower the flow of liquid anolyte through the diaphragm into the catholyte compartment. In the case of an electrolytic cell wherein aqueous alkali metal chloride, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Axiall Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W. Schussler, David R. Bush, Craig R. Long
  • Publication number: 20140197040
    Abstract: Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte solution and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: John Howard Gordon, Javier Alvare