Abstract: An apparatus, used in operation of electrolytic cells, to balance the interface pressure between liquid electrolyte and gas within the pores of a vertically disposed gas electrode. An electrode is sectioned into a plurality of lateral, or horizontal, gas compartments, vertically superposed, along one face of the electrode. The opposite face of the electrode is exposed to the liquid electrolyte. Each lateral compartment is supplied with gas. Each lateral compartment is also connected, via a separate gas line, to the bottom of a separate vertical chamber in a weir system. Each chamber has a vertical height equal to the depth of its respective cell compartment beneath the surface of the liquid electrolyte. The top of each weir chamber is provided with an overflow weir. Further, the chambers are arranged so that the overflow weir of each chamber flows into the next chamber, in order of decreasing vertical height. Gas is allowed to escape each lateral electrode compartment into a weir chamber.

Abstract: An improved arrangement of electrochemical cells wherein the individual cells are arranged on a single electrolytic membrane. The arrangement provides for the placement of many individual cells in one chamber, thereby eliminating the many chamber walls and inlet and outlet lines associated with the standard structure. An electrochemical device can thus be constructed very simply and, when the cells are electrically connected in series, will operate at voltages compatible with standard battery voltages or generate power at any desired voltage.

Abstract: A method for reversibly removing a ligand from a ligand carrier, which comprises:(1) contacting a fluid containing a binding-state ligand carrier to which said ligand is bound with a first electrochemical electrode wherein said binding-state ligand carrier undergoes a redox reaction to form a nonbinding-state ligand carrier and free ligand;(2) removing free ligand from the fluid obtained in step (1);(3) contacting the fluid obtained from step (2) containing said nonbinding-state ligand carrier with a second electrochemical electrode wherein said nonbinding-state ligand carrier undergoes a redox reaction to reform said binding-state ligand carrier;(4) contacting the fluid obtained from step (3) containing said binding-state ligand carrier with a ligand source, whereby said ligand binds to said binding-state ligand carrier; and(5) repeating steps (1)-(4),is disclosed along with an apparatus useful in conducting this invention.

Abstract: Purification of hydrogen is realized in an assembly comprising anode and cathode gas diffusion electrodes, an electrolyte situated between the electrodes, first and second gas passages adjacent the electrodes and means for applying a voltage across the electrodes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing carbon dioxide to formic acid includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane which is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers, a catalyst and high hydrogen overpotential material. Water provides hydrogen ions, which participate in the reduction of the carbon dioxide, via a separator. In operation both membranes are illuminated and produce excited photosensitizers which cause electron transfer from a first redox solution to a second redox solution and then to the carbon dioxide in the second membrane thereby, in cooperation with the hydrogen ions, reducing at least some of the carbon dioxide at a surface of the second membrane to provide formic acid.

Abstract: A gas-diffusion cathode is to be used in the trough-like electrolysis cell with horizontally disposed electrodes which are separated from each other by a membrane. The gas-diffusion cathode (3) rests on a grating (4) with supporting legs (2). A spacer (8) is disposed between membrane (6) and gas-diffusion cathode (3).

Abstract: This invention is concerned with catalytic gas-diffusion structures such as electrodes and barriers comprising, as an integral part of a portion thereof, a non-ionic aqueous gel such as a polyvinyl alcohol, rendering said electrode impervious to gas percolation, while retaining electrolyte contact with the structures; and with methods of using said electrodes or barriers in a variety of electrochemical systems including electrolysis cells, fuel cells, batteries and others, as well as in metal-recovery systems involving no electricity.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing carbon dioxide to at least one useful product includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane whch is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers and a catalyst. Water provides hydrogen ions, which participate in the reduction of the carbon dioxide, via a separator. In operation both membranes are illuminated and produce excited photosensitizers which cause electron transfer from a first redox solution to a second redox solution and thence to the carbon dioxide in the second membrane thereby, in cooperation with the hydrogen ions, reducing at least some of the carbon dioxide at a surface of the second membrane to provide at least one product.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to a product includes a housing divided into two sections by membrane. An electrolyte solution including a non-aqueous electrolyte dimethylformamide and a supporting electrolyte is provided to the two sections of the housing. A n-Si cathode is located in one section of the housing while an anode is located in the other section. Carbon dioxide is provided to the section having the cathode. A direct voltage is provided to the cathode and to the anode so that a current can pass and cooperate in a reaction between the carbon dioxide and the electrolyte solution to provide a product.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to a product includes a housing divided into two sections by a membrane. An electrolyte solution including a non-aqueous electrolyte and a supporting electrolyte is provided to the two sections of the housing. A cathode is located in one section of the housing while an anode is located in the other section. Carbon dioxide is provided to the section having the cathode. A direct current voltage is provided to the cathode and to the anode to cooperate in a reaction between the carbon dioxide and the electrolyte solution to provide a product.

Abstract: A process for separating oxygen from gas mixture containing oxygen is disclosed. The gas mixtures are contacted with a solution of an organometallic complex oxygen carrier and an electrolyte in an organic solvent. During the contact, oxygen is bound to the carrier. After the contacting step is completed the solution is electrochemically oxidized with resultant release of oxygen which is recovered. The solution is then electrochemically reduced bringing the oxygen carrier to its original condition and ready for reuse.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting metallic elements to metallic oxalates in the presence of carbon dioxide includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane which is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers and a catalyst. A non-aqueous electrolyte slurry, which includes a metal element, solvent and salt, is provided in a manner so that some of the slurry is in contact with the second membrane. Both membranes are illuminated and electrical voltage is provided across the electrolyte solutions and the electrolyte slurry in a manner so that there is one electrode in another electrolyte solution and another electrode in the electrolyte slurry so as to cause a reaction between the carbon dioxide at the second membrane and the electrolyte slurry to produce the metallic oxalate.

Abstract: The invention is an electrode comprising:(a) an electrically conductive first layer having a plurality of interconnecting passageways of an average diameter of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 microns,said first layer containing from about 2 to about 10 weight percent of a catalyst active for the reduction of oxygen, and having a hydrophobic carbon containing from about 85 to about 95 weight percent carbon and from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of a first hydrophobic material,(b) an electrically conductive second layer in fluid flow communication with the first layer and having a plurality of interconnecting passageways of an average diameter of from about 0.

Abstract: A narrow gap electrolysis cell has anode and cathode compartments divided by an ionically-permeable separator, such as an ion-exchange membrane or a fibrous diaphragm, and a current feeder grid in electrical contact with a surface-activated particulate electrocatalytic material carried on a face of the separator. The particulate material has cores of a corrosion-resistant material preferably valve metal particles or sponge, or compounds thereof, as well as asbestos fibres and fibres of ion-exchange copolymeric perfluorocarbons, coated with a platinum-group metal catalyst in metal or oxide form. The surface-activated particles may be at least partly carried by a flexible electronically conductive foil between the current feeder grid and the separator.

Abstract: In the invention, an electrochemical cell including an oxygen reducing cathode, an oxygen generating anode and an electrolyte, and having both a deoxygenating function and an oxygen generating function is coupled to a chamber in such a manner that, when the oxygen concentration in the chamber is much higher than a predetermined value, the deoxygenating function is utilized to decrease the oxygen concentration and when the oxygen concentration in the chamber is much lower than the predetermined value, the oxygen generating function is utilized to increase the oxygen concentration so that the oxygen concentration in the chamber is maintained at the predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention is a separator-gas electrode combination comprising a separator having a first and a second face adapted to permit the flow of fluids or ions therethrough; a gas electrode adapted to permit a liquid and a gas to enter and exit the electrode and having at least a first and a second face; and a non-conductive self-draining member having a fluid outlet. The self-draining member has at least two faces; at least a portion of a first face contiguous to at least a portion of one face of the separator and at least a portion of a second face contiguous to at least a portion of one face of the gas electrode. The self-draining member has a plurality of interconnected passageways which are in fluid transferring communication with the separator, the gas electrode, and the fluid outlet and provide the major conduit therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing liquid hydrogen in which water is electrolyzed under pressure to generate separate streams of oxygen and hydrogen. A buffer cooling circuit is provided between two streams in order that heat can be removed safely from the hydrogen product stream by direct or indirect heat exchange with an inert medium flowing in the cooling circuit. At least some of cooling and/or work required in the cooling circuit is provided by expanding the oxygen stream. Preferably, heat is exchanged between at least some of the inert medium and the low pressure oxygen stream. The invention requires only compression of the feed water so avoiding the work necessary in prior art processes to comprise feed hydrogen gas. Also, use of the high pressure oxygen to provide work and or cooling required elsewhere in the plant.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus and method is described which utilizes a novel catalytic oxygen evolving electrode for such electrochemical systems as electrolysis cells and oxygen concentration cells. The electrochemical cells include a catalytic cathode and an improved catalytic anode positioned on opposite sides of, and in electrical contact with, a cation exchange membrane. A source of direct current potential between the cathode and the anode and means for removing gas from at least one of the electrodes are provided. The improved catalytic anode is a ternary platinum group reduced metal oxide alone or in combination with platinum group metals and/or platinum group metal oxides or mixtures of the foregoing having at least one valve metal component such as titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum, and tungsten.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell is described for continuously producing multivalent metals, in particular titanium and titanium alloys. The cell is physically separated into a plurality of zones to better control the stepwise reduction of the multivalent metal. To further increase control over the stepwise reduction process, each zone is also provided with a reference electrode for controlling the voltage potential at each cathode. A process for reducing and plating the multivalent metal is also described.

Abstract: The invention includes in its scope a method for electrochemically reacting a liquid with a gas in an electrochemical cell of the type having at least two electrodes separated by a liquid permeable separator. At least one of said electrodes is in physical contact with the separator and is porous and self-draining. A gas is flowed into at least a portion of the pores of the self-draining electrode and a liquid is controllably flowed through the separator and into the self-draining electrode at a rate about equal to the drainage rate of the electrode and in a quantity sufficient to fill only a portion of the electrode pores. The liquid and the gas are electrochemically reacted to form at least one nonvolatile product. Thereafter, the products of the electrochemical reaction are removed from said self-draining electrode.

Abstract: The integrated electrochemical/chemical oxygen generating system of the invention includes a water electrolyzer combined with a chemical oxygen generating subsystem which converts hydrogen from the electrolyzer to a decomposable oxygen source such as hydrogen peroxide. The total oxygen output of such a system is greater than that possible from the electrolyzer alone while safely disposing of the electrochemically generated hydrogen.

Abstract: A pot-typed water purifier with an electrolyzer comprises a pot body having an opening at the top thereof, the pot body including an electrolyzing vessel divided into two chambers by a porous partition formed into a hollow shape, the chambers having therein negative and positive electrodes to form negative and positive chambers, respectively, a storage chamber airtightly separated from the electrolyzing vessel, means for supplying air pressure to the negative chamber and storage chamber alternatively so as to transport the water from the negative chamber to the storage chamber or to transport water from the storage chamber to a pouring nozzle, and a cover detachably covering said opening at the top of the pot body, said opening being adapted to supply water to the electrolyzing vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with the application of reducing or oxidizing gases, for use in electrochemical cells and the like embodying catalytic electrodes or barriers, at edge regions of such electrodes or barriers external to the cell electrolyte and the portions of electrodes or barriers contacting the electrolyte.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for separating oxygen from a mixture of gases such as air. The apparatus includes an electrochemical cell that includes a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte. Oxygen in the air is reduced to the superoxide ion (O.sub.2.sup.-) at the cathode; the superoxide ion is transported across the cell through the electrolyte; and the superoxide ion is then reoxidized to oxygen at the anode and collected.

Abstract: A cell is provided having an anode and cathode separated by an ion permeable membrane or diaphragm wherein an electrode layer is bonded to or otherwise embedded in on at least one and usually to both sides of the membrane. Polarity is imparted to a bonded or embedded electrode by pressing a crinkled resiliently compressible fabric against the membrane carrying the electrode layer. This fabric is substantially coextensive with the electrode layer and is constructed so that when compressed it exerts a substantially uniform elastic reaction pressure against the membrane carrying the electrode layer or a pliable foraminous sheet, i.e. screen, interposed between the membrane carrying the electrode layer and the resiliently compressible fabric. The resiliently compressible fabric has the ability of also transmitting pressure laterally so that pressure applied may distribute across the entire area of the layer and tendency to have local areas of too low of too high pressure is minimized or reduced.

Abstract: This invention provides a calibration unit for generating known concentrations of an oxidizing or a reducing gas in an inert carrier gas. THe gas-generating electrode is sandwiched between an ion-exchange membrane and a porous diffusion membrane for minimizing the liquid layer thickness around the electrode and for regularizing the rate of diffusion of the gas generated. The present invention is especially useful for calibrating gas sensors which detect, measure, and monitor the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere, and for providing an accurate low concentration of gas for use wherever desired.

Abstract: The invention is an electrochemical cell containing a separator-gas electrode combination comprising a separator having a first and a second face adapted to permit the flow of fluids or ions therethrough; a gas electrode adapted to permit a liquid and a gas to enter and exit the electrode and having at least a first and a second face; and a nonconductive self-draining member having a fluid outlet. The self-draining member has at least two faces; at least a portion of a first face contiguous to at least a portion of one face of the separator and at least a portion of a second face contiguous to at least a portion of one face of the gas electrode. The self-draining member has a plurality of interconnected passageways which are in fluid transferring communication with the separator, the gas electrode, and the fluid outlet and provide the major conduit therebetween. The invention also includes a method for electrochemically reacting a gas with a liquid in the cell above.

Abstract: A gas-diffusion electrode cell having an electrolyte feed/withdrawal means integral to a frame for the electrode. The integral feed means for electrolyte feed/withdrawal allows a reduced spacing between the gas-diffusion electrode and a separator in the cell, resulting in a lower operational voltage for electrolysis operation.

Abstract: A porous gas fed electrode adapted to operate in a large capacity cell with a stable three phase interface in the electrode thereby avoiding the problems of gas percolation can be readily achieved in a simple and inexpensive manner by applying a porous hydrophilic layer on the surface of the electrode which is in contact with the aqueous electrolyte. Due to the high capillary pressure exhibited by liquids in hydrophilic pores, very high gas pressures are required to force the gas through the structure and the loss of gas into the electrolyte is thereby eliminated. In addition, a gas pressure in the gas compartment of the electrochemical cell employing such an electrode can be raised to balance the electrolyte pressure at the bottom of the electrode thereby effectively preventing electrolyte seepage into the gas compartment.

Abstract: A porous, two layer electrode which may be used as an anode or a cathode and a cell using one or more of the electrodes. The electrode is in a pocket shaped configuration with the inner layer having interstitial passageways which are larger in diameter than the diameter of the corresponding interstitial passageways in the outer layer. The layers may be composed of metallic particles. A catalytically active material may be applied to the electrode. The electrodes are particularly useful as oxygen depolarized cathodes in electrolytic processes.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell used to separate gas from a gaseous mixture by reduction of said gas at the cathode and regeneration of said gas at the anode is characterized in that one or more substances formed during the cathodic reduction and/or the anodic regeneration is chemically converted, preferably by catalytic decomposition, to produce further quantities of said gas, the gas formed by both the anodic regeneration and the chemical conversion being recovered as the product. In an especially preferred embodiment a plurality of said cells are used in apparatus for extracting oxygen from the air by using a cathode comprising high surface area graphite powder which reduces oxygen to produce peroxyl ions, each cell being further provided, externally of the cathode compartment, with means for catalytically decomposing the peroxyl ions produced, suitable catalysts being CoFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 or NiCo.sub.2 O.sub.4.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell is provided suitable for chloralkali electrolysis comprising a housing; an anolyte chamber in the housing; an anode disposed within the anolyte chamber; at least one cathode spaced from the anode with at least one portion of the cathode being adjacent said anolyte chamber, the cathode including a cathode chamber, means to supply and remove oxygen and remove alkali hydroxide catholyte from the cathode chamber; and a multi-layer wall defining a boundary between the anolyte chamber and the interior of the cathode chamber comprising a permeable separator material adjacent the anolyte chamber, a foraminous electrically conductive supporting material adjacent the interior of the cathode chamber, and at least partially hydrophobic electrocatalytically active material suitable for the reduction of oxygen adjacent the separator material and the supporting material.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a shutdown procedure for use in gas electrodes, e.g., oxygen (air) cathodes, which comprises imposing a nitrogen purge on the cell containing said electrode upon power shutdown and maintaining this nitrogen atmosphere (blanket) during the period of the shutdown. It has been discovered that the use of this procedure enables maintaining of the low voltage operation achieved prior to power shutdown upon restart of the cell when the power has been restored.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to operating gas electrodes, e.g., oxygen (air) cathodes at "blow-through" pressures of oxygen-containing gas, viz., oxygen or air pressures exceeding the pressure(s) at which bubble-through of such gas occurs, which pressures result in savings due to reduced cathode potential (voltage) during operation. Depending upon the specific oxygen (air) cathode employed, the pressures required to obtain blow-through can vary widely. Usually, however, oxygen (air) pressures of 2 to 15 psig are satisfactory to accomplish blow-through.

Abstract: An open-cell electrolyte chlorine generator such as a type used for the chlorination of various aqueous streams including swimming pools is constructed without the use of a diaphragm or membrane isolating or partitioning the electrolyte between the anode and cathode. Instead, a gas separating plate separates the electrolyte above horizontally projecting electrodes, in order to keep the different gasses generated at the different electrodes separated as they rise to the top of the cell. Aqueous buffering reagents are added to the chloride-containing electrolyte to neutralize the hydroxide anions generated at the cathode and to optimize the evolution of chlorine gas by stabilizing the pH of the electrolyte. The chlorine and hydrogen gasses produced may be separately added to the solution which is to be treated, with an optional cooling circuit taking the pre-treated solution and passing it through the cell (in heat-exchanging tubing) prior to treatment with the gasses.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the production of hydrogen peroxide in either a neutral, acidic or an alkaline solution utilizes a three compartment cell having an acid resistant anode, a gas-diffusion cathode, and both an anion and a cation membrane. Acid electrolyte is introduced between the anode and the cation membrane while a basic electrolyte is introduced between the cathode and the anion membrane. A neutral, acidic, or basic solution is introduced between the anion and cation membrane wherein hydrogen ions generated passing through the cation membrane and O.sub.2 H.sup.- ions passing through the anion membrane react to form hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for the anodic oxidation of aluminum permits the recovery of hydrogen generated from the cathode. The cathode is positioned within a tubular member provided with a multiplicity of small openings each having a size sufficient to allow passage of an electrolytic solution therethrough but to prevent passage of hydrogen bubbles therethrough. Thereby, the hydrogen is collected in the upper space above the surface of the electrolytic solution in the tubular member and is discharged therefrom through a conduit opening thereinto.

Abstract: A porous, two layer electrode which may be used as an anode or a cathode and a cell using one or more of the electrodes. The electrode is in a pocket shaped configuration with the inner layer having interstitial passageways which are larger in diameter than the diameter of the corresponding interstitial passageways in the outer layer. The layers may be composed of metallic particles. A catalytically active material may be applied to the electrode. The electrodes are particularly useful as oxygen depolarized cathodes in electrolytic processes.

Abstract: An improved electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of alkali metal halide solutions to produce halides and alkali metal hydroxides is provided wherein current reductions are obtained by the passage of an oxidizing gas, such as oxygen, into a porous cathode to depolarize the cathode and eliminate the porduction of hydrogen. The cathode is provided with small diameter pores for diffusion of said oxidizing gas, and larger diameter pores or holes for liquid product flow through the cathode. The cathode, separator, and anode may be in direct contact with each other in a sandwich configuration, thus eliminating the need for a catholyte compartment and external H.sub.2 O feed lines.

Abstract: An electrolytic generator is disclosed having two sealed compartments, separated by a cation exchange membrane, and having a cathode in one compartment and an anode in the other compartment. The cation exchange membrane is positioned directly in line between the anode and the cathode. The anode-containing compartment is provided with a bottom inlet for introduction of extra chlorine. A bypass flow line is provided between the anode and the cathode-containing compartments with a pump for circulating the solution from the cathode-containing compartment into the anode-containing compartment to control the pH therein. The anode-containing compartment is provided with a pH monitor to measure the pH adjacent to the anode and to operate the pump to pump the solution from the cathode-containing compartment to maintain a pH of about 1.8-5.0 in the anode-containing compartment. When the cell is filled with brine and energized, and the anode-containing compartment is maintained at pH 1.8-5.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and a method of operating an electrolytic cell having an electrically conductive, foraminous separator support element which is maintained at a voltage potential sufficient to minimize the occurrence of substantial amounts of anodic reactions and cathodic reactions, thereby minimizing corrosion and bipolar effects at the support element.

Abstract: Presented is an apparatus and method for producing small quantities of chlorine and sodium hydroxide or sodium hypochlorite, useful in many applications where the major investment of a full-blown chemical plant capable of producing tons of product per day is not economically feasible. The apparatus of the invention includes the use of an electrolytic cell embodying an anode chamber charged with an acidic, concentrated sodium chloride solution and a cathode chamber charged with a basic aqueous solution and through which an electric current may be passed under controlled conditions to initiate and maintain a reaction that produces chlorine gas in the anode chamber and hydrogen gas and a solution of sodium hydroxide in the cathode chamber. The anode and cathode chambers are separated by a chemically-resistant ion-exchange membrane permeable only to positively charged ions.

Abstract: Alkali metal hydroxide solutions are purified and concentrated by electrolysis of such solutions in the anode compartment of a hybrid cell comprising an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a cation permeable diffusion barrier. To enable operation, gaseous hydrogen is supplied to the anode, oxygen to the cathode and an aqueous media receptive to alkali metal ions to the cathode compartment. A plurality of the hybrid cells may be operated in hydrodynamic series.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell used to separate gas from a gaseous mixture by reduction of said gas at the cathode and regeneration of said gas at the anode is characterized in that one or more substances formed during the cathodic reduction and/or the anodic regeneration is chemically converted, preferably by catalytic decomposition, to produce further quantities of said gas, the gas formed by both the anodic regeneration and the chemical conversion being recovered as the product. In an especially preferred embodiment a plurality of said cells are used in apparatus for extracting oxygen from the air by using a cathode comprising high surface area graphite powder which reduces oxygen to produce peroxyl ions, each cell being further provided, externally of the cathode compartment, with means for catalytically decomposing the peroxyl ions produced, suitable catalysts being CoFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 or NiCo.sub.2 O.sub.4.

Abstract: Alkali metal hydroxide solutions are purified and concentrated by electrolysis of such solutions in a hybrid cell comprising an anode compartment and a central compartment separated from the anode compartment by a cation permeable diffusion barrier, and a cathode compartment in flow communication with the central compartment and separated from the central compartment by a diaphragm. To enable operation, gaseous hydrogen is supplied to the anode, oxygen to the cathode, an aqueous solution of at least one alkali metal hydroxide to the anode compartment, and an aqueous media receptive to alkali metal ions to the central compartment. A plurality of the hybrid cells may be operated in hydrodynamic series.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode is used as a cathode for an electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride or an electrode in a fuel cell etc. A gas diffusion electrode has a porous layer made of a sintered mixture of a filler, a catalyst and a hydrophobic material which is formed by decomposing a pore forming agent selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt or iron salts of a carboxylic acids which is incorporated in a mixture of said filler, said catalysts and said hydrophobic material.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating chlorine gas from sodium chloride and for transmitting the generated gas to water for purification of the water.

Abstract: An air/oxygen electrode substrate for use as a cathode in alkali metal halide electrolysis processes is formed by compressing a prefused mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene under high pressures and at a temperature in excess of the sintering temperature of the polymer and below its decomposition temperature. Optionally, the electrode may be formed having a core comprised of a metal mesh which acts to better distribute the applied voltage and to reinforce the electrode. Further, a sheet of hydrophobic backing material such as TEFLON fabric may be incorporated into the compressed mixture to increase the hydrophobic properties of the cathode. Electrocatalysts may then be deposited on the surface of the electrode substrate to produce an oxygen electrode having a significant voltage advantage over mild steel cathodes in alkali-halide electrolysis cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bipolar unit for a solid polymer electrolyte bipolar electrolyzer. Also disclosed is a bipolar unit for a solid polymer electrolyte bipolar electrolyzer having reagent feed and product recovery means incorporated therein. Additionally, there is disclosed a cathode depolarization catalyst.

Abstract: A chemoelectric cell includes positive and negative electrodes which are spaced to define an interspace therebetween containing electrolyte fluid. At least one of the electrodes is a gas electrode. An electrochemically active substance in the gaseous state is delivered to the interspace so that the interspace serves as both a gas space and an electrolyte space.