Abstract: The invention provides a new secondary cell with a solid electrolyte layer wherein the solid electrolyte layer comprises a plasma-polymerized layer of an organic compound containing an alkali metal ion and an element with high electronegativity.

Abstract: An oil leakage sensor element is provided wherein a plurality of electrical conductors are contained within and separated from each other by a continuously porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material containing from 15 to 40 weight percent carbon particles, the carbon particles having irregular shapes and average diameter between 10 and 30 millimicrons, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the carbon particles being exposed at the pore walls of the PTFE and extending into the pores. The porous PTFE material is preferably obtained by stretching an extruded, unsintered PTFE film containing the carbon particles, after removal of lubricant, to a draw ratio of 1.5 times or less. The sensor element, in use, is connected between electrodes which, in turn, are connected to an alarm device. Preferably, the sensor is connected to elongate conductors (wires) such that the direction of stretch of the material is aligned with the lengthwise direction of the conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of electro-dewatering sewage sludge and other high water sludges. The sludge is passed through a conveyor means that is electrically charged. The anode has metal bristles or wires that protrude into the sludge mass. Water that migrates to the cathode is removed by conventional means. The dried sludge, which is attached to the bristles, is removed by vacuum means. About 30 percent of the sludge mass can be dewatered per pass.

Abstract: An improved electrolytic cell, the electrodes of which can be readily cleaned, and resensitized by the application of fresh electrolyte upon the electrodes. The cell includes a cleaning assembly integral with the cell body, and the electrodes of the cell are integrated with a plunger reciprocably mounted within the cell body. In operating position, the electrodes are extended by actuation of the plunger into a thimble insert which, with the components provided by the thimble insert provide the essential components of an operative cell. The plunger, when the cell has become insensitive due to desensitization of the electrolyte, can be withdrawn from the thimble insert, aligned with the cleaning apparatus, the electrodes cleaned and a fresh electrolyte installed upon the electrodes, and the electrodes returned to operative position by mere reactuation of the plunger.

Abstract: Water in a gas is measured with improved sensitivity to low levels (on the order of 2.000 to 0.005 ppmv), response time and cell longevity, by an electrolytic cell wherein the electrode element comprises a tubular conduit for the gas having a pair of electrode wires helically positioned in parallel on the interior wall of the conduit from end to end, the wires being coated, except for small portions adjacent the inlet and outlet of the conduit, with a water absorbent crystalline coating comprising a mixture of phosphoric acid or a derivative thereof and an alkylene (C.sub.2 -C.sub.4) oxide polymer selected from a polyalkylene glycol of average molecular weight of at least 500 and an ether or ester thereof having an average molecular weight of at least 300.

Abstract: A moisture sensitive material prepared by cross-linking cellulose acetate butyrate with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds containing two or more isocyanate groups; copmpounds containing two or more epoxy groups; compounds containing two or more carboxyl groups; and acid anhydrides of carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A method of operating electrolytic hygrometers in a batch mode that substantially reduces the time required for electrolysis. A substantially constant amount of moisture is retained in the hygrometer between samples by controlling the electrolysis current. Preferably, the electrolysis current is also limited to a predetermined value to reduce moisture gradients within the hygrometer and thus improve the accuracy of the analysis.

Abstract: An electrolytic hygrometer is provided which comprises a hollow cylinder having first and second shoulders and a ceramic substrate containing an electrolytic cell circuit pattern mounted on the second shoulder of the hollow cylinder and extending upwardly inside the hollow cylinder toward the first shoulder. A permeable membrane is provided which is removably mounted on the first shoulder by means of a sandwiched configuration comprising a first mounting ring, a first porous stainless steel protective disk, the membrane, a second porous stainless steel protective disk, and a second mounting ring. A ring nut is employed to removably fasten the membrane's sandwiched configuration against the first shoulder of the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A solid state sensing element comprising a nonporous, structurally stable, electrically insulating substrate on which is disposed spaced apart pairs of electrodes for contact with moisture. A hygroscopic electrolytic material is located in close proximity to the electrodes as by coating the electrodes with the hygroscopic material. A catalyst is deposited in close proximity to the electrodes and is electrically insulated therefom. The electrodes are connected to a source of potential and current measuring instrumentation. Moisture is trapped by the hygroscopic material and electrolyzed at the electrodes. The catalyst recombines the hydrogen and oxygen thus formed to water so there is no net consumption of water by the element and equilibrium is established at the sensor surface and the atmosphere adjacent the sensor surface.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a sample which does not require any external energy for determining the content of dissociable polar liquids in gases, expanded bodies, pouring charges of granular material, or electrically non-conductive liquids. The invention further relates to the provision of a sample probe which does not require external energy and which is applicable to the implementation of the process. A powder having a grain size in the range of between about 0.001 to 1 mm of an electrically deformable material having a crystalline or amorphic structure with at least a partial ionic bond and a specific resistance of at least 10.sup.5 Ohm/cm is compressed between two electrodes under a pressure of at least 100 bar, and continually maintained under pressure, whereby at least a portion of the components maintaining the powder under pressure is permeable to the moisture encompassing the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus, viz., a moisture analyzer, for the detection, and measurement of moisture in trace amounts in fluid streams, especially gas streams. The moisture analyzer is characterized as (A) a cell assembly constituted of a compartmented structure (i) a first compartment separated from a second compartment by a partitioning semi-permeable membrane through which moisture can be passed, said first compartment including a fluid, or gas inlet into which a moisture-containing fluid, especially a gas, can be admitted, and a fluid, or gas outlet from which fluid, or gas, can be expelled, (ii) the second compartment containing an electrical circuit which includes at least one pair of electrically isolated electrodes located in close proximity one to another, upon which electrodes can be disposed a hydroscopic substance, or electrolyte, e.g., P.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A novel moisture sensor which comprises a moisture sensitive film formed either between a pair of electrodes or on any of the electrode which are formed on a solid substrate for a moisture sensor, said moisture sensitive film is made of a plasma polymerized polymer thin film having hydrophilic groups incorporated into its surface layer, which shows an excellent resistance to water and chemicals and a good moisture responsibility, and a process for the production thereof; and a moisture measuring cell which has the aforesaid moisture sensor and is equipped with a sample inlet part and an outlet part.

Abstract: A stable electrochemical device for monitoring a component in ambient atmosphere or a gas stream is of the kind which employs a deliquescent electrolyte, is suitable for monitoring and/or analysing hydrogen fluoride, employs a bromide/bromate electrolyte, and employs a cathode which has a large contact area with the electrolyte/atmosphere or gas stream when compared with the anode. The anode can be isolated from direct contact with hydrogen fluoride or with the atmosphere/gas stream containing the former. Control instrumentation and a power pack are preferably compact and portable and can be separate from though connected to the probe head of the device so that the device can be manually employed to monitor any plant leakage of hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic type hygrometer is described, which operates with high reliability while providing rapid and sensitive response. A gold foil electrode (16) is wrapped about a hollow glass cylinder (18), a sheet (12) of hygroscopic-electrolytic material is wrapped about the foil, and a wire (14) is wound around the outside of the electrolytic sheet. Moisture passing between wire turns can be absorbed by the electrolytic material (12), and then dissociated by current passed by the electrodes (14, 16) through the electrolytic material. The cylinder has a slit (20) extending along its length, to allow resilient expansion to press the sheet of electrolytic material firmly against the electrodes. The wire turns lie against one another to cause rapid dissociation of moisture throughout the electrolytic material. Additional guard wires (42,44, FIG. 2) lie at opposite ends of the electrolytic sheet, and currents pass through them to avoid moisture buildup at the ends of the main wire coil.

Abstract: A humidity sensitive device, including opposing electrodes formed on an insulating substrate, and a humidity sensitive film formed on the surface of the insulating substrate and at least between the opposing electrodes. The humidity sensitive film is obtained by coating on the surface of the insulating substrate a mixture including a conductive or semiconductive powder, a solid electrolyte powder and an organic polymer cross-linked by a zirconium compound and heating the same.