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

Abstract: An electrochemical device is described which has an oxygen electrode which contains a pyrochlore type electrocatalyst material. This electrocatalyst material is one or more electrically conductive pyrochlore compounds selected from the compounds of the following formula:A.sub.2 B.sub.2 O.sub.7-y (1)wherein A is any of the known pyrochlore structure metal cations, B is a pyrochlore structure metal cation at least a major portion of which is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, Pt, Ru-Pb mixtures and Ir-Pb mixtures, and wherein O.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1.0. Desirably, A is a pyrochlore structure metal cation at least a major portion of which is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Pb, Bi and T1. A preferred group of pyrochlore compounds which are included in the above formula are those having the following formula:Pb.sub.2 [M.sub.2-x Pb.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y (2)wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ru and Ir, wherein O.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.1.2 and O.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for electrowinning metal from metal bearing solutions is disclosed. A support solution containing a predetermined metal concentration is continuously recirculated through a cell having a porous grid supporting a bed of particulate conducting particles at a sufficiently high flow rate so as to fluidize and expand the bed by 5 to 25%. A gas is continuously fed through the bed of conducting particles so as to strongly agitate the particles at low bed expansion to maintain good mixing and uniform fluidization of the bed of particles. The cell includes an electrode arrangement suspended from the top of the cell and immersed into the bed of fluidized conducting particles.

Abstract: A method of electrolytic treatment of workpieces by the alternate and separate feeding of at least two liquid media into the working space between the tool and the workpiece, at least one of said liquid media being electrolyte, and by the separate discharge of said media after the treatment of the workpiece, the working space being supplied with a gas under pressure in the period between the feeds of said liquid media.

Abstract: In the electrolytic production of hydrogen and oxygen, air is pumped through the cell while the electrolysis is in progress so as to obtain a mixture of air with the electrolytically produced hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A novel electrolytic cell is described for carrying out electrochemical reactions in which a gas and a liquid electrolyte flow co-currently through a fluid permeable conductive mass which acts as an electrode. The cell has an anode and cathode in spaced apart relationship, with one electrode being in the form of a fluid permeable conductive mass e.g. a porous matrix or a packed bed of graphite particles, separated from the counter electrode by a barrier wall. This barrier wall can be either anion specific membrane dividing the cell into separate cathode and anode chambers or a porous insulating wall permitting flow of electrolyte between the cathode and anode. A liquid electrolyte and a gas are passed co-currently through the electrode bed perpendicular to the current flow and the reaction product is generated in the solution within the electrode bed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the recovery of metal values from an electrolyte in an electrodeposition or electrowinning cell are disclosed. A bottom baffle assembly supporting a plurality of bubble tubes and alignment devices is urged upward from the bottom of the electrolytic cell. An electrode assembly, having alignment means which cooperate with the alignment devices on the bottom baffle assembly, engages and aligns with the bottom baffle assembly when the electrode assembly is lowered into the electrolyte. Thereby, the bubble tubes are aligned to provide sheets of bubbles between the anode and cathode faces. The invention also features methods and apparatus for separating the electrodes, after the electrodeposition or electrowinning process, by pulling them apart in the horizontal direction to minimize the chance of damage to the electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved wafer electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, having an access tube to direct a fluid across the electrode plate or to remove fluid from near the electrode plate within the cell. Cells employing the subject wafer electrode in an electrolytic cell can be used for various electrochemical processes such as for the production of alkali metal carbonates.

Abstract: A method for treating a liquid wherein the liquid to be treated is caused to flow through a tank equipped with at least one electrode assembly in the base thereof for the generation of gas bubbles by electrolytic action, whereby suspended materials, usually but not necessarily solids, in the liquid are carried to the surface of the tank by said bubbles to form a layer of thickened material, characterised by the step of dissolving air under pressure into the liquid before it is caused to flow through said tank, whereby the amount of gas available for flotation purposes exceeds that available from the electrolytic action alone.

Abstract: A system and method for removing colloidal suspensions or particles from a liquid, in particular tall oil soap particles from black liquor of a wood pulping process. Black liquid is moved along a flow path from an upstream to a downstream zone. First and second electrical conductors are respectively located in the upstream and downstream zones and means are provided for applying opposite electrical potentials to these conductors. For removal of anionic colloids, the first conductor is made positive and the second conductor negative. Thus, colloidal particles in the liquid having a relative potential opposite to the potential of the first conductor are attracted towards the first conductor as the liquid flows through the upstream zone, and some of the ions attached to some of these particles are stripped off by the electrical field, leaving these particles with a potential of the opposite polarity from particles not so affected.

Abstract: An assembly of electrodes suitably for use in electrochemical processes, comprising a plurality of elongated conductive elements as electrodes arranged substantially in parallel in a vertical plane and spaced apart from each other. At least one elongated non-conductive element is interposed between every two adjacent conductive elements. Preferably, both the conductive and non-conductive elements are flexible and the assembly comprises a base fabric of non-conductive material and a plurality of conductive elements incorporated in said base fabric.

Abstract: A method of electroplating porous substrates includes the steps of disposing a porous substrate to be electroplated in an electrolyte solution, disposing an anode in the solution spaced apart from the substrate, with the anode being composed of the material to be deposited on the substrate, applying a gas to the substrate to flow therethrough, and applying a positive voltage to the anode and a negative voltage to the substrate while gas is flowing through the substrate.

Abstract: A water treatment system having a self-cleaning filter assembly connected to a supply conduit for receiving an effluent and filtering solids from the effluent. The filtered effluent is passed through an ozone and oxidation assembly and into an ozonizing stage which includes subjecting the effluent to ultra-sonic waves and an electric current simultaneously for changing the condition and character of the effluent. The system includes a sterilizing assembly for decontaminating the ozonized effluent, with a chlorinator desirably chlorinating the effluent prior to discharge of the effluent from the system.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and process to electrolytically produce chlorine gas and an alkali metal hydroxide in a diaphragm cell. The improved process comprises employing a cation exchange diaphragm and contacting a foraminous cathode with an oxidizing gas having a regulatably controlled moisture content, while substantially simultaneously regulating the anolyte and catholyte compositions. The catholyte upper surface level is kept at a higher level than the anolyte upper surface.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and process to electrolytically produce chlorine gas and an alkali metal hydroxide in a diaphragm cell. The improved process comprises circulating the catholyte and contacting a foraminous cathode with an oxidizing gas having a regulatably controlled moisture content.

Abstract: A regenerative oxygen trap which uses an oxygen absorbing material formed of a solid solution of metal oxides having both an ionic conductivity through 0.sup.2.sup.- ions and a nonzero electrical conductivity, the material forming part of a circuit which also includes a source of electricity. The material is converted in an inert gas to its reduced form by the passage of a current therethrough, in which form it is effective for the absorption of gaseous oxygen.

Abstract: A pair of tubular air-sparging elements is provided cooperatively associated with a cathode, each of said tubular elements being disposed at opposite faces of the cathode at the bottom of said cathode and running the entire length of said bottom, each of the air-sparging elements comprising an inner tube disposed within an outer foraminous sleeve of larger diameter, said inner tube having a plurality of air emitting orifices disposed along the length thereof, such that air passing through said inner tube as coarse bubbles emerges as fine bubbles through the foraminous sleeve to form a uniform curtain of air bubbles along the plating faces of said cathode which inhibits the formation of rough surface deposits.

Abstract: A process and apparatus designed to recover metal ions from a solution in which the anode is in the form of a vortex diffuser. The vortex diffuser radiates an electrolyte solution upon an ion collector plate in such a manner that the fluid impinges upon the collector perpendicular and then turning parallel to its surface to thereby wipe away any tendency toward dendritic metal formation.

Abstract: A fluidized bed electrode system comprises an electrode chamber having a porous base, a main electrode consisting of a bed of fine solid particles contained in such chamber and selected from the group consisting of metals, metal coated glass beads and metal coated plastic beads, a current feeder extending into the bed, means for leading air or inert gas through the porous base at a predetermined velocity and pressure to fluidize the bed, and means for introducing a solution to be treated into the electrode chamber at a point above the porous base and for circulating such solution through the bed at a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: An electroplating method is disclosed and includes the rotation of a substrate, submerged within an electrolytic solution, under the application of ultrasonic waves, and the ejection of the electrolytic solution containing bubbles in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the substrate. The electroplating apparatus for electroplating the substrate submerged within the electrolytic solution disposed within an electrolytic cell applies ultrasonic waves to the solution and additionally includes a driving device for rotating the substrate, a bubble generator for entraining bubbles within the electrolytic solution, and an ejector for ejecting the electrolytic solution containing the bubbles generated by means of the bubble generator in a direction which is opposite to the direction of rotation of the substrate.