H-d Tech Incorporated

Huron Chemicals Limited

Edward B Noonan

Derek J Rogers

Harold Vincent Casson

Bruno Kindl

Grant G Crabtree

Dennis F Dong

Arthur L Clifford

Richard E Loftfield

Indresh Mathur

Allan James

Robert D Klassen

Katharina Benesch

An electrochemical cell having improved current efficiency and a method for electrochemically reacting a liquid electrolyte with a gas in an electrochemical cell. The cell has at least two electrodes separated by a cell separator wherein at least one of said electrodes is a porous, self-draining, gas diffusion electrode. In one embodiment of the invention, an electrolyte is flowed through said cell separator into a porous, self-draining electrode and simultaneously the electrode is fed with a mixture of a reactive gas and water or an electrolyte. In another embodiment of the invention in which the cell separator is an ion exchange permselective membrane, a mixture of a reactive gas and an electrolyte are fed to the porous, self-draining electrode. Preferably said porous, self-draining electrode is a cathode.

Cell and method of operating a liquid-gas electrochemical cell

Cell having a porous, self-draining, gas diffusion electrode contained within a frame and having on both sides of said electrode a liquid permeable microporous diaphragm. The electrode assembly contains an internally positioned current distributor. The cell has two oppositely charged electrodes separated by the electrode assembly which divides a single electrolyte compartment. In operation, electrolyte is flowed into the electrolyte compartment and spent electrolyte is removed. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrolyte is internally circulated by turbulent flow of electrolyte as the result of the upward movement of gas released at an electrode.

Electrochemical cell having dual purpose electrode

Substrates which are susceptible to corrosion by the action of chemical agents in gas-containing and/or gas-generating media are rendered resistant to said corrosion by the application thereto of a coating of a gas-permeable elastomeric or plastic material, and providing for means of escape of gases permeating the coating, thereby maintaining the adhesion of the coating to the substrate. Preferably the coating is applied first to a porous backing material such as woven glass cloth, so that the pores of the backing material are left substantially open to let gas escape. The laminate of coating and porous backing material is then adhesively secured to the substrate in such a way that the pores in the backing material are left partly open to let gas escape. The invention has particular application to the lining of electrolytic cells, cell tanks, submerged buswork, and associated equipment (except electrodes); and also to the lining of chemical process vessels, equipment, piping, valves and the like for use in the production and handling of chemicals.

Protection of substrates against corrosion

Substrates which are susceptible to corrosion by the action of chemical agents in gas-containing and/or gas-generating media are rendered resistant to said corrosion by the application thereto of a coating of a gas-permeable elastomeric or plastic material, and providing for means of escape of gases permeating the coating, thereby maintaining the adhesion of the coating to the substrate. Preferably the coating in applied first to a porous backing material such as woven glass cloth, so that the pores of the backing material are left substantially open to let gas escape. The laminate of coating and porous backing material is then adhesively secured to the substrate in such a way that the pores in the backing material are left partly open to let gas escape. The invention has particular application to the lining of electrolytic cells, cell tanks, submerged buswork, and associated equipment (except electrodes); and also to the lining of chemical process vessels, equipment, piping, valves and the like for use in the production and handling of chemicals.

Growing community of inventors

Kingston, Canada

Edward B Noonan