Carbon Containing Patents (Class 204/294)
  • Patent number: 6007696
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrolytic ionic water for treating a substrate, comprising an electrolytic cell including an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber partitioned from the anodic chamber by a porous membrane, a first carbon electrode housed in the anodic chamber, a second carbon electrode housed in said cathodic chamber, apparatus for supplying an electrolyte solution prepared by dissolving a supporting electrolyte in pure water or ultra pure water into the electrolytic cell, apparatus for applying a DC voltage between the first and second carbon electrodes and so as to electrolyze the electrolyte solution, thereby to form an oxidizing ionic water in the anodic chamber and a reducing ionic water in the cathodic chamber, a first discharge port for discharging the oxidizing ionic water from within the anodic chamber, and a second discharge port for discharging the reducing ionic water from within the cathodic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Jun Takayasu, Naoto Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6001225
    Abstract: Non self-passivating cathodic protection anode materials such as graphite and high silicon iron are treated to improve corrosion resistance. Anodically stable oxide coatings such as cobalt oxide (cobalt spinnel) or precious metal oxides are received on the underlying anode substrate. The rate of consumption of the anode material during the operation of the cathodic protection system is dramatically reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: James B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 6001236
    Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating applied from a slurry composed of pre-formed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.
    Inventors: Vittorio de Nora, Jainagesh A. Sekhar
  • Patent number: 5993637
    Abstract: An electrode structure is constituted by a first electrode, and at least one second electrode providing a pair of opposite portions with a prescribed spacing therebetween at which the first electrode is disposed. The electrode structure is suitably used for electrolytic etching and is effective in providing an accurate etching pattern without damaging the surface of an etching object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Hisamatsu, Akio Hasebe, Tsutomu Murakami, Hirofumi Ichinose, Satoshi Shinkura, Yukie Ueno
  • Patent number: 5993618
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating oxygen or a mixture of ozone and oxygen from high-purity water by means of an electrochemical cell in which a buffer vessel is provided for the high-purity water and the high-purity water can be supplied from the buffer vessel to the electrochemical cell through a feed line and oxygen or ozone and oxygen as well as high-purity water is guided from the anode chamber of the cell through a drain line directly into the buffer vessel and a feed line for the oxygen or mixture of ozone and oxygen comes out from the buffer vessel, possibly with the addition of high-purity water, to a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignees: Dirk Schulze, Wolfgang Beyer Bonn, Rheinbach
    Inventors: Dirk Schulze, Wolfgang Beyer
  • Patent number: 5985112
    Abstract: The general area of this invention relates to porous materials made from nanofiber packed beds. More particularly, the invention relates to altering the porosity or packing structure of a nanofiber packed bed structure by blending nanofibers with scaffold particulates having larger dimensions. For example, adding large diameter fibers to a nanotube packed bed to serve as a scaffolding to hold the smaller nanofibers apart and prevent the nanofiber bed structure from collapsing. This increases the average pore size of the mass by changing the pore size distribution and alters the packing structure of the packed bed. The increase in average pore size is caused by the creation of larger channels which improves the flow of liquids or gasses through these materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan B. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5985114
    Abstract: A carbon body, in particular a pre-baked anode of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte is treated over its surfaces to improve the resistance thereof to deterioration during operation of the cell by air and oxidizing gases released at the anode, by treating the body with a treating liquid comprising a precipitable boron-containing compound and an additive, said additive being present in an amount so that substantially no separate phase from said the precipitate of said boron-containing compound is formed upon curing. Suitable boron oxide additives include colloidal alumina, silica, yttria, ceria, thoria, zirconia, magnesia, lithia, monoaluminium phosphate, cerium acetate and mixtures thereof. The same treatment can also be applied to a carbon mass forming a Soderberg anode and to cell sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.
    Inventors: Jainagesh A. Sekhar, James Jenq Liu, Jean-Jacques Duruz
  • Patent number: 5977015
    Abstract: An apparatus for deionization of a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus has a number of deionization cells, each cell having two different types of electrodes. The first type of electrode is formed from a high surface area absorptive material ("HSAAM electrode") made from resorcinol, formaldehyde, a carbon reinforcing agent, a catalyst, and reaction products thereof, and is in a carbonized form. This electrode removes ions when an electric current is applied. The second type of electrode, which does not remove ions, is formed from a non-HSAAM material. Each deionization cell has a single HSAAM electrode bordered on either side by a non-HSAAM electrode, and adjacent deionization cells do not share any electrodes of either type. The non-HSAAM electrodes are formed from carbon cloth or carbon felt fixed to one side of a plexiglass sheet, and two such sheets are needed to form a cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Southeastern Trading LLP
    Inventors: James R. Fajt, David A. Caple, Brian B. Elson
  • Patent number: 5976333
    Abstract: A collector bar adapted for utilization with carbon during the production of molten metal, such as aluminum, under Hall Heroult applications includes a one-piece metallic extruded and/or drawn tube of relatively low electrical conductivity, such as steel or ferrous metal and a one-piece rod of relatively high electrical conductivity, such as copper. The tube is in encircling relationship to the rod and the rod and tube have surfaces in intimate surfaces-to-surface contact. The rod has an exterior profile exactly complementing an interior profile of the tube, or alternately the rod is relatively elongated and narrow and opposite longitudinal edges thereof are in intimate surface-to-surface contact with parallel opposite surfaces of the tube or opposite diagonal corners of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Ray H. Pate
  • Patent number: 5976349
    Abstract: A method for electrochemically purifying solutions with a pH higher than 14 to reduce metal impurities to the level of traces. The method comprises processing the solutions in an electrolytic cell in which the cathode has a fibrous web produced from a mixture of fibres including at least one fraction consisting of electrically conductive fibres and a binder selected from fluoropolymers, said fibrous web being deposited on an electrically conductive porous support. Said cathode may also be combined with a diaphragm or a membrane. A cathode having a fibrous web produced from a mixture of carbon fibres, cellulose compounds, and a cationic polymer such as cationic starch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Rhodia Chimie
    Inventors: Frederic Kuntzburger, Jean-Claude Magne
  • Patent number: 5972186
    Abstract: An electrolytic test machine includes an electrolytic cell in which an electrolytic liquid is stored so that a test material is immersed in the electrolytic liquid. An electrode is immersed in the electrolytic liquid. A DC power source supplies a current between the test material and the electrode. A treating pipe line extends from the electrolytic cell to collect a harmful gas which is generated from the electrolytic liquid during supplying of a current and which is released out of the electrolytic liquid, along with the electrolytic liquid. A harmful gas purifying device is disposed in the treating pipe line. The harmful gas purifying device includes a catalyst for purifying the harmful gas, and a determining device for determining the replacement time of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takeuchi, Tadashi Imanaka, Takeshi Mashimo, Keiji Kiuchi, Atsushi Tsuzaki
  • Patent number: 5968325
    Abstract: An auto-electrolyte hydrogen generating reactor having a plurality of cells. The cells are stacked in series in an electronically non-conductive housing. Each cell is separate from its neighbour by electronically conductive bipolar walls. Each cell comprises an anode with a metal whose standard oxidation potential is above that of hydrogen in the same electrolyte. There is a solid electrolyte and a cathode. The cathode is an inert electronic conductor with a surface in contact with a solid electrolyte. The surface is electrochemically catalytic for the formation of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: A.T.S. Electro-Lube Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Colin William Oloman, Jonathan Wing-Fai Ho, Jielin Song
  • Patent number: 5964992
    Abstract: A graphite reference electrode for use in the cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete has been produced with a stable catalyzed structure that when equilibrated with air or oxygen and an electrolyte reaches a reproducible and reversible redox potential. This stable device is produced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide, impregnating with a metal oxide followed by a coating treatment. The embedded catalyzed graphite reference electrodes can be used in impressed cathodic protection systems or monitoring the corrosion condition of embedded steel to provide an early warning of impending damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Giner, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Swette, Mourad Manoukian, Monjid Hamdan, Anthony LaConti, Ali Akbar Sohanghpurwala, William T. Scannell
  • Patent number: 5964990
    Abstract: The device proposed for cleaning metal surfaces consist of pad (12, 34, 91) of insulating material held between a beak-shaped (11, 52, 94) electrode (10, 26, 46) and the metal surface (8) to be cleaned, plus a low-voltage a.c. power supply (2) which is connected via the other electrode to the metal (7). A pump supplies the pad with a highly corrosive, high-density, acid solution. The pad consists of a relatively thick hose or tape. The device has slots (36) into which the gases and vapors produced during cleaning are drawn by an extractor fan (40) and then passed through a washing bottle (41) where they are cleaned. The electrode may have various shapes, and it is possible to replace the tip (28, 94, 98). The electrode is preferably designed with bores through which the acid solution can be fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignees: Nitty-Gritty S.R.L., Nitty-Gritty GmbH
    Inventors: Stefano Muratori, Michele Lapelosa, Alessandro Alboni
  • Patent number: 5958213
    Abstract: A water treating apparatus for treating water, includes: an oil drop separator for separating oil drops from water to be treated which has an electrode in which an anode is made of amphoteric metal, a power source for supplying an electric power to the electrode, a treating tank for housing the electrode and the water, a water inlet through which the water is led to the treating tank, and a water outlet through which the treated water is exhausted from the treating tank; and a three-dimensional fixed bed type electrolytic tank for treating the water which has been treated by the oil drop separator which has a fixed bed type electrode, a power source for supplying an electric power in which a polarity is reversed periodically, to the fixed bed type electrode, a treating tank for housing the fixed bed type electrode and the water, a water inlet through which the water is led to the treating tank, and a water outlet through which the treated water is exhausted from the treating tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Nobutaka Goto
  • Patent number: 5958214
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical sensor to determine the concentration of a gas to be quantified, comprising a housing, a measuring electrode comprising a catalystically active material which causes a reaction of the gas to be quantified, a counterelectrode comprising a carbon material, and a solid electrolyte in contact with the measuring electrode and the counterelectrode, wherein the solid electrolyte is prepared by swelling a solid matrix comprising an acrylate polymer with an electrolytic solution comprising at least one acid, and wherein the carbon material in the counterelectrode has a specific surface of at least 40 m.sup.2 /g and comprises reversibly oxidizable or reducible electrochemically active surface compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: MST Micro-Sensor-Technologie GmbH
    Inventor: Elena J. Nikolskaja
  • Patent number: 5958196
    Abstract: Planar electrodes include a carbon fiber cloth which is woven or braided from a plurality of PAN-derived carbon fibers and which is mounted in a frame. The frame is preferably made of an inert plastic material such as TEFLON, PVC, or DELRIN and the carbon fiber cloth is preferably affixed to the frame with metal strips and fasteners. The metal strips are preferably titanium or a noble metal and the fasteners are preferably made of the same metal as the strips. The metal strips form a low impedance electrical contact with the carbon fiber cloth and enable the electrode to be coupled to a wire lead or electrical contact for use in an electrochemical circuit. According to a second embodiment, the carbon fiber cloth is sandwiched between two metal frames. According to a third embodiment, the carbon fiber cloth is sandwiched between two plastic frames with conductive foil strips or titanium strips forming an electrical contact with the carbon fiber cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Upscale Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lubin, Sjef Otten
  • Patent number: 5955215
    Abstract: A bipolar electrode-electrolyte unit for an electrochemical cell includes a barrier layer, at least two carrier layers and at least two active layers, and an electrolyte. The active layers comprise an electroactive material with low resistance and high capacitance. The barrier layer is electrically conducting, is impermeable to matter, and is made of compressed carbon, impregnated carbon, compressed and impregnated carbon, plastic-bonded carbon or carbon-coated sheet metal. The carrier layers, each located between a barrier layer and an active layer, form an electrically conducting porous three-dimensional structure with a large specific surface that contains a material selected from the group consenting of carbon fiber papers, carbon fiber films, carbon fiber mats, carbon fiber fabrics, compressed graphite flakes and carbon fibers, conducting plastic, and carbon produced by pyrolysis or dehydration of organic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dornier GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kurzweil, Ottmar Schmid
  • Patent number: 5954937
    Abstract: An electrically regeneratable electrochemical cell (30) for capacitive deionization and electrochemical purification and regeneration of electrodes includes two end plates (31, 32), one at each end of the cell (30). Two end electrodes (35, 36) are arranged one at each end of the cell (30), adjacent to the end plates (31, 32). An insulator layer (33) is interposed between each end plate (31, 32) and the adjacent end electrode (35, 36). Each end electrode (35, 36) includes a single sheet (44) of conductive material having a high specific surface area and sorption capacity. In one embodiment, the sheet (44) of conductive material is formed of carbon aerogel composite. The cell (30) further includes a plurality of generally identical double-sided intermediate electrodes (37-43) that are equidistally separated from each other, between the two end electrodes (35, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Joseph C. Farmer
  • Patent number: 5948218
    Abstract: An elongate electrode, usually an anode, is provided, suitable for use in an impressed current corrosion protection system. The electrode comprises a central elongate core, usually a metal such as copper, an optional conductive polymeric composition surrounding the metal core and having a higher electrical resistivity than the core, but being in electrical contact with the core, a flexible jacket, for example, a fabric braid containing within it particulate coke, and tensioning wraps positioned around the flexible jacket. The purpose of the tensioning wraps is to compact the coke particles relative to their compaction in the absence of the tensioning wraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: N.V. Raychem S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph Kheder, Johannes Maria Cordia
  • Patent number: 5935392
    Abstract: A carbon fiber electrode is coated with a noble metal oxide to create a noble metal oxide electrode with a very large surface area. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the noble metal oxide is iridium oxide. A method of making the electrode includes preparing a solution of iridium chloride and isopropyl alcohol, dipping a carbon fiber electrode into the solution, drying the electrode in the presence of nitrogen and heat, and heat treating the electrode in the presence of oxygen. An apparatus for removing nitrates from water includes an electrochemical flow cell through which the aqueous solution containing nitrates flows or a holding tank cell into which the solution is introduced and then released after processing, and an electrode system including an anodic iridium oxide coated carbon fiber electrode as described above, a carbon fiber cathodic electrode and a reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Upscale Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lubin, Sjef Otten
  • Patent number: 5935394
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the recovery of metal from a molten electrolyte and an electrode assembly for use in such a cell. The cell (10) comprises an electrode assembly consisting of an anode (17), a cathode (19) and one or more bipolar electrodes (18) disposed between the anode and the cathode so as to form interpolar spaces (16) in which electrolysis occurs. In the electrode assembly, the bipolar electrode (if there is only one) or the innermost bipolar electrode (if there are more than one) substantially surrounds the anode and forms a single mechanical and electrical entity. The cathode in turn preferably substantially surrounds the one or more bipolar electrodes. The electrode assembly comprising the cathode and bipolar electrode(s) is preferably unitary, forming an electrode cassette that can be assembled outside a cell and then introduced into, or withdrawn from, the cell as a single self-supporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Olivo Giuseppe Sivilotti, Meine Vandermeulen, Junkichi Iseki
  • Patent number: 5928810
    Abstract: Electrode including a paste containing particles of electrochemically active material and a conductive support consisting of a three-dimensional porous material comprising strands delimiting contiguous pores communicating via passages, characterized in that the average width L in .mu.m of said passages is related to the average diameter .O slashed. in .mu.m of said particles by the following equation, in which W and Y are dimensionless coefficients:(W.times..O slashed.)+X.gtoreq.L.gtoreq.(Y.times..O slashed.)+ZwhereinW=0.16Y=1.69X=202.4 .mu.m andZ=80 .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Saft
    Inventors: Patrick Bernard, Jean-Michel Dauchier, Olivier Simonneau
  • Patent number: 5922488
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a CO-tolerant fuel cell electrode formed from a carbon supported, platinum dispersed, non-stoichiometric hydrogen tungsten bronze electrode catalyst. The electrode catalyst is capable of oxidizing CO at very low potentials, and is sequentially formed from stable precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.,
    Inventors: Elise Marucchi-Soos, David Terence Buckley, Richard James Bellows
  • Patent number: 5919349
    Abstract: A process for the electrochemical reduction of an organic compound by bringing the organic compound into contact with a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises a support made of an electrically conductive material and an electrically conductive, cathodically polarized layer formed thereon in situ by alluviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Huber, Andreas Weiper-Idelmann, Andreas Kramer, Rolf Golombek, Markus Frede, Luise Spiske, Karl-Heinz Schehlmann, Volker Steuer
  • Patent number: 5906718
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical gas sensor for the detection of nitrogen dioxide comprising a housing and a working electrode and a counter electrode disposed within the housing. Each of the working electrode and the counter electrode are fabricated from an electrically conductive carbon. The present sensor also preferably comprises a reference electrode fabricated from an electrically conductive carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Glen W. Hance, Joseph D. Jolson, Towner B. Scheffler
  • Patent number: 5904832
    Abstract: Method for the regeneration of active carbon and polymeric adsorbents having oxidizable, organic pollutants adsorbed thereon by electrochemical and chemical means and apparatus therefor. The method involves a desorption step and a decomposition step. Desorption is accomplished in one embodiment by flowing an aqueous stream at a preselected pH through the adsorbent material. Generally, decomposition is accomplished by contacting an aqueous stream containing an organic pollutant with hydroxyl radicals. Sequential or simultaneous desorption and decomposition can also take place during electrolysis in an electrolytic cell. During decomposition the active carbon can be made a carbon bed electrode of the cell. Electrolysis to produce peroxide can take place in the presence of a transition metal or a chelate of a transition metal while feeding an oxygen containing gas to the electrolysis cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Huron Tech Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Clifford, Dennis F. Dong, Timothy A. Mumby, Derek J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5904821
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell is provided that increases current efficiency in the fused alkali chloride salt electrolysis process for producing chlorine and sodium or lithium by improved design of the cell's product collector, diaphragm and graphite anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Howard M. Blank, Oswald Robert Bergmann, Walter John Simmons
  • Patent number: 5902699
    Abstract: In a method of characterizing a polymer binder for cell electrodes in contact with an electrolyte and including a current collector and a paste containing an electrochemically active material and said binder, a spreading coefficient of the binder on the active material is calculated from the measured angle of contact between standard liquids and the active material and the binder, respectively. An interaction energy of the binder with the electrolyte is calculated from the measured angle of contact between the electrolyte and the binder. The binder is selected such that the spreading coefficient is less than zero and the interaction energy is at least 60 mJ/m.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Saft
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Cocciantelli, Isabelle Coco, Jean-Jacques Villenave
  • Patent number: 5900127
    Abstract: An electrode for electrolysis comprising an electrode base material and an electrode substance having an electrically conductive diamond structure covering the surface of the electrode base material. The electrode substance having an electrically conductive diamond structure may be a diamond containing an impurity selected from boron, phosphorus and graphite. Alternatively, the electrode substance having an electrically conductive diamond structure may comprise a composite of a diamond and an electrically conductive material. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode further comprises an interlayer comprising at least one of the carbide of a valve metal and silicon carbide disposed between the electrode base material and the electrode substance having an electrically conductive diamond structure. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell having two chambers including an anode chamber and a cathode chamber partitioned by an ion-exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamori Iida, Yoshinori Nishiki, Takayuki Shimamune, Setsuro Ogata, Masashi Tanaka, Shuhei Wakita, Shun Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5894696
    Abstract: A method of efficiently supplying terrestrial plants with raising substances such as a solution comprises the steps of: producing a solution by an electrolysis of a water using a carbonaceous electrode; reducing the produced solution to minute particles or fine spray; and supplying the solution to the terrestrial plants including leaves entirely. An apparatus includes a container for storing water having at least a water inlet and a water outlet; a pair of electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode provided in the container, at least the anode being made of composition of carbonaceous materials and cured resins and molded into a plate-like form; a power supply to supply an electric current between the pair of electrodes to produce a solution by an electrolysis of the water; and a pump connected with the water outlet in the container for supplying the solution to the terrestrial plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ando, Minehiro Kamiyama, Megumu Dohi, Osamu Yoshimoto, Tetsuro Tojo
  • Patent number: 5888360
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the electrowinning of aluminum from alumina dissolved in a halide-containing molten electrolyte, has a cathode cell bottom made of a series of carbon cathode blocks (10) connected side-by-side by glue or ramming paste, each one provided with steel or other conductive bars (11) for the delivery of current and a series of anodes (15) facing the cathode cell bottom. The tops of the carbon blocks (10) forming the cathode cell bottom are shaped in such a way as to provide in the cell bottom a series of parallel channels (25) or grooves preferably coated with an aluminum-wettable refractory coating (35) covered in use by a pool (40) of molten aluminum or a layer of molten aluminum forming a drained surface. Movement of the aluminum pool (40) is decreased, cell operation improved and cell life extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.
    Inventor: Vittorio de Nora
  • Patent number: 5882502
    Abstract: An electrochemical apparatus and system for extracting and recovering metals from their compounds using electrochemical cells where the anolyte 10 is connected electrically to the catholyte 11 through an independent set of electrodes 13, 14 immersed in each electrolyte and connected to each other by a conductor 16. The specification details the application of this principle to commercial size cells and systems to extract metals from solutions, from ores in-situ, from ores in heaps and fixed beds, from fine metal concentrates dissolved either at the anode cell or in a separate leaching vessel. Alkaline electrolytes are also given for the extraction and recovery of nickel and copper from their oxide ores. A method for extracting gold from ores or residues is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: RMG Services Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodolfo Gomez
  • Patent number: 5879522
    Abstract: An electrolysis cell for the efficient production of hydrogen and oxygen is described which comprises a substantially closed housing defining therewithin anode and cathode chambers and having first and second inlets and outlets for flowing electrolyte through the anode and cathode chambers; an ion exchange membrane within the housing separating the anode chamber from the cathode chamber; first and second electrically conductive sheet members disposed within the respective anode and cathode chambers adjacent the membrane and substantially coextensive therewith; discrete electrically conducting ultramicroelectrode particles, preferably in the 5 to 10 micron size range, disposed within the anode and cathode chambers and defining the anode and cathode of the cell; and a source of DC electrical current operatively connected to the first and second sheet members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Aly H. Shaaban, Eric K. Dobyne
  • Patent number: 5879807
    Abstract: graphite sheet or block anode material can be used for non-aqueous lithium secondary battery, which has the improved characteristics of battery charge-discharge, as well as a circuit substrate and a shield plate in which dopants should be intercalated. The graphite sheet or block can be made of graphitized polymer film or films and comprises: a) an electric conductive body having a surface, in which graphite crystals are oriented along the surface of the graphite sheet or block and b) interphase insertion potions uniformly distributed over the surface of the graphite sheet or block, in which graphite phases are built perpendicularly to the surface to permit dopant to be inserted into a gap between graphite phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Inoue, Naomi Nishiki, Junji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5876867
    Abstract: An electrocatalyst comprising an alloy of platinum with a base metal selected from the group consisting of gallium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper, having a structure of vacant lattice site type lattice defects; the alloy being supported on a conductive carbon powder. The electrocatalyst is useful as a platinum-supported catalyst for an electrode, and has a superior electrochemical oxygen reduction activity and has platinum alloy particles having less base metal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: N.E. Chemcat Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Itoh, Katsuaki Katoh, Tuyoshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5865981
    Abstract: A cell for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of a molten electrolyte, in particular the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a molten fluoride-based electrolyte such as cryolite, comprises anodes immersed in the molten electrolyte above a cell bottom whereon molten product aluminium is collected in a pool containing bodies of aluminium-resistant material. Under the anodes are corresponding grids made of side-by-side upright or included walls aluminium-resistant material whose bottom ends stand on a ceramic-coated carbon cell bottom covered by the pool molten aluminium. The bottom ends of the grid walls form a base which is large compared to the height of the walls. Each grid on the cell bottom in stable manner during the operation of the cell and is easily removable from the cell and insertable in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.
    Inventor: Vittorio de Nora
  • Patent number: 5851504
    Abstract: Provided by the present invention is a new anode material comprised of a carbon obtained by pyrolyzing a polymer of a conjugated vinyl monomer. The carbon is suitable for a lithium intercalated anode as it offers potential advantages of high capacity. The economics of manufacturing such anodes are also beneficial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Barker, Ib I. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5840438
    Abstract: In an electrochemical fuel cell, an electrode substrate has an in-plane nonuniform structure. The electrode substrate having an in-plane nonuniform structure enables controlled transport of reactant toward the electrocatalyst layer and controlled transport of reaction product away from the electrocatalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Johnson, David P. Wilkinson, Charles P. Asman, Myles L. Bos, Robert J. Potter
  • Patent number: 5840168
    Abstract: A new substrate for the construction of solid internal contact ion-selective electrode comprising a conductive and porous carbon matrix is described. The well-defined (i.e., fixed) interfacial potential between the organic electroactive phase and the internal reference element, coupled with the electrode's very slow change from water activity at the internal reference element, supports the well-behaved and reproducible electrode operation. Solid contact sensors for two different ions were constructed, and their potentiometric behavior was compared with their symmetric counterparts. The potentiometric response was monitored over a period of one month with excellent results for drift, base line stability, response time, selectivity, and detection limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Orion Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolas A. Chaniotakis, Steven J. West
  • Patent number: 5837122
    Abstract: An inexpensive electrowinning electrode has a cathode that is a porous form made from conductive filaments, and an anode. The electrowinning process dissolves a contaminated metal stream into an electrolyte to form a solution flow of dissolve metal and contaminants. Next, the solution is oxidized. Then, the dissolved metals in the solution are plated onto the porous cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Scientific Ecology Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Stephen Snyder, John Gregorie Wagner
  • Patent number: 5824199
    Abstract: A conductive inflatable member is provided in an electrochemical cell between an electrode and a current for providing uniform contact pressure, and thus uniform electrical contact between the electrode and the current bus. The inflatable member may comprise a pair of flexible plates, where one plate is thinner than the other plate. The cell of the present invention is particularly useful in converting anhydrous hydrogen halide directly to essentially dry halogen gas, such as anhydrous hydrogen chloride to dry chlorine gas, or in converting aqueous hydrogen halide, such as aqueous hydrogen chloride, to wet chlorine gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Clarence Garlan Law, Jr., James Arthur Trainham, III, John Scott Newman
  • Patent number: 5817221
    Abstract: Magnetic composites exhibit distinct flux properties due to gradient interfaces. The composites can be used to improve fuel cells and batteries and effect transport and separation of different species of materials, for example, transition metal species such as lanthanides and actinides. A variety of devices can be made utilizing the composites including a separator, an electrode for channeling flux of magnetic species, an electrode for effecting electrolysis of magnetic species, a system for channeling electrolyte species, a system for separating particles with different magnetic susceptibilities, improved fuel cells, batteries, and oxygen concentrators. Some composites can be used to make a separator for distinguishing between two species of materials and a flux switch to regulate the flow of a chemical species. Some composites can control chemical species transport and distribution. Other composites enable ambient pressure fuel cells having enhanced performance and reduced weight to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Johna Leddy, Sudath Amarasinghe, Flavio Tinoco
  • Patent number: 5786555
    Abstract: The present invention provides:a polarizable electrode for use in electric double-layer capacitor, which is made of a carbon composite material composed mainly of:100 parts by weight of an activated carbon,0.05 parts by weight of an amorphous carbon,0.1-1,000 parts by weight of a conductive agent, and0.03-90 parts by weight of a fibrillated carbon; andan electric double-layer capacitor comprising at least one pair of a positive electrode and a negative electrode each containing the above polarizable electrode and each impregnated with an electrolytic solution.The above polarizable electrode and electric double-layer capacitor are substantially free from the drawbacks of conventional polarizable electrodes and conventional electric double-layer capacitors, have a low internal resistance and a long life, and can be charged with or can discharge a large electric current of several amperes to several hundreds of amperes momentarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Atsushi Hagiwara, Toshiharu Okamoto, Kazutoshi Hamada, Osamu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5779866
    Abstract: An electrolyzer, including a lower electrolyte chamber for receiving liquid electrolyte flux and having disposed therein anode and cathode electrodes for producing anodic and cathodic gases. A first barrier is disposed in the lower electrolyte chamber between the anode and cathode electrodes having a plurality of V-shaped passageways for allowing the passage of electrons but for preventing the recombination of anodic and cathodic gases. The electrolyzer also includes an upper gas chamber having an anodic gas compartment and a cathodic gas compartment for receiving therein the anodic and cathodic gases produced in the lower electrolyte chamber. The upper gas chamber includes a second barrier disposed between the anodic and cathodic gas compartments having no passageways in order to prevent the recombination of anodic and cathodic gases. The second barrier is connected to the first barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Florida Scientific Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Gregorio Tarancon
  • Patent number: 5778021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-baking carbon electrode produced in direct connection with the furnace wherein it is consumed. The electrode comprises an outer casing made from an electrical conducting material, and having inner radial, vertical ribs. Carbonaceous unbaked paste is supplied to the casing, which paste is being baked to a solid electrode by means of electric current supplied to the electrode. The inner radial, vertical ribs consist of solid carbon sheets being affixed to the inside of the casing, said carbon sheets having a ratio between radial length and thickness of above 5:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Elkem ASA
    Inventor: Reidar Innv.ae butted.r
  • Patent number: 5776323
    Abstract: The present invention is a diamond electrode with high efficiency, a small overvoltage, and a long lifetime, which is reusable, and which can measure the temperature of the electrode. The diamond electrode is at least partially composed of a semiconducting diamond film, whose surface is chemically modified. Another embodiment of the present invention carbon is used as a bare electrode material, diamond crystals are fixed to the bare electrode material, the surface of the undoped diamond crystals are covered with semiconducting diamond film, or semiconducting diamond crystals are fixed to said bare electrode material, and the surfaces of diamond films or crystals are chemically modified. Furthermore, wires may be connected to the diamond electrode to measure the electrical resistance, and hence the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Koji Kobashi
  • Patent number: 5759362
    Abstract: An electrode (2) for electrochemically machining electroconductive workpieces (1), which is provided with electrically insulating layers (4, 4') of a hybrid inorganic polymeric material on the basis of silicon oxide and zirconium oxide obtained by means of a sol-gel process. The insulating layers (4, 4') can be provided on the electrode at a low temperature and exhibit a small leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Roland P. Van Kessel, Petrus A. Rensing, Franciscus H. M. Sanders, Cornelis G. Visser
  • Patent number: 5756062
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemically modified graphite particles:(a) that are useful in alkali metal-containing electrode of a electrochemical cell comprising:(i) the electrode,(ii) a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising an organic aprotic solvent which solvent tends to decompose when the electrochemical cell is in use, and an electrically conductive salt of an alkali metal, and(iii) a counterelectrode; and(b) that are chemically modified with fluorine, chlorine, iodine or phosphorus to reduce such decomposition.This invention also relates to electrodes comprising such chemically modified graphite and a binder and to electrochemical cells containing such electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Ucar Carbon Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Alfred Greinke, Irwin Charles Lewis
  • Patent number: 5755953
    Abstract: Provided are microparticle forms of carbon, carbon catalysts and carbon-containing electrically conductive materials which are covalently linked to peroxidase. The carbon:peroxidase conjugates are suitable for use as substrates in conventional electrodes. Surprisingly, the conjugates display very little sensitivity to known interfering substances and thus are suitable for use as interference free electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Timothy P. Henning, Thomas G. Spring