The Dow Chemical Company

De Nora Permelec Ltd

Oronzio Denora Impianti Elettrochimici S.p.a.

Gregory J Morris

Richard N Beaver

Hiep D Dang

John R Pimlott

Sandor Grosshandler

Pierluigi A Borrione

Maurizio Marzupio

Harry S Burney, Jr

Robert D Spradling

H Gene Newton

Michel Pillet

Umberto Leoni

Giuseppe Noli

A method for by-passing a monopolar electrolyzer out of a plurality of monopolar electrolyzers connected in series to an electrical power source, which electrolyzers consist of individual electrolysis cells each having anodic and cathodic contact points, using a jumper switch means comprising an internal circuitry and multiplicity of extension arms for connection to the electrolyzers immediately preceding and following the electrolyzer to be by-passed while preventing a shift in current through individual cells of the electrolyzers adjacent to the electrolyzer to be by-passed and to prevent damage to the electrolyzers by avoiding reversed current flow.

Method for bypassing a monopolar electrolyzer in series

An electric jumper switch means for electric current bypass of at least one electrolyzer consisting of individual electrolysis cells, out of a plurality of monopolar electrolyzers connected in series to an electrical power source characterized in that said jumper switch means comprises a multiplicity of first extension arms suitable for connection to the anodic contact point of each individual cell of the electrolyzer preceding the electrolyzer to be bypassed and a multiplicity of second extension arms suitable for connection to the cathodic contact point of each individual cell of the electrolyzer immediately following the electrolyzer to be bypassed, said jumper switch means comprising a resistor means to provide a uniform reduction of the current flow in the individual cells of the electrolyzer to be bypassed without a shift of electrical current in the adjacent cells of the electrolyzers immediately preceding and following the electrolyzer to be bypassed and a method of shutting down an electrolyzer in a series of electrolyzers.

Jumper switch means

The invention is an electrode at least having a primary hydraulically permeable electrode member with a multiplicity of spaced apart depressions projecting a predetermined distance from the plane of the electrode. The invention also includes an electrolytic cell using the electrode and a method for electrolyzing an electrolyte using the cell.

Electrode structure for an electrolytic cell and electrolytic process

A combination electrolysis cell gasket member and membrane holding member suitable for use in an electrolytic cells of the filter press type including a solid structure in a picture frame type configuration having an inside and outside perimeter surface, said solid structure having a groove in the outside perimeter surface forming a U-shaped member when viewed in cross section and adapted for holding the edges of a sheet-like member therein. Aqueous alkali metal chloride solution may be electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell.

Combination seal member and membrane holder for a filter press type

A combination electrolysis cell seal member and electrolysis cell frame cover member suitable for use as a gasket/cover member in an electrolytic cell of the filter press type. The gasket/cover member used for a filter press-type electrolytic cell includes two gasket/cover load-bearing sections integral with a peripheral frame cover section. The gasket load-bearing sections contains a first and second side. The first side contacts a electrolysis cell membrane member and the second side contacts an electrolysis cell frame member. The membrane is interposed between two electrolysis cell frame members each having a gasket/cover member secured thereto.

Combination seal and frame cover member for a filter press type

A combination seal and membrane tentering member suitable for use in an electrolytic cell of the filter press type. The seal/tentering member for a filter press type electrolytic cell includes an inflatable gasket member interposed between a first and second insulator members, said insulator members having a recess defining a compartment adapted for receiving the inflatable gasket member, said insulator members interposed between a pair of cell frame flanges and a membrane member interposed between the insulator members. Aqueous alkali metal chloride solution may be electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell.

Combination electrolysis cell seal member and membrane tentering means

A combination electrolysis cell gasket member and membrane holding member suitable for use in an electrolytic cells of the filter press type including a solid structure in a picture frame type configuration having an inside and outside perimeter surface, said solid structure having a groove in the inside perimeter surface forming a U-shaped member when viewed in cross-section and adapted for holding the edges of a sheet-like member such as a membrane therein forming a space between the edges of the membrane and the inside of the groove, said structure having at least one orifice interconnecting the groove with the atmosphere around the outside perimeter surface of the structure, said orifice adapted for venting any gases or liquid present in the space formed between the edge of the membrane and the groove. Aqueous alkali metal chloride solution may be electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell.

Combination seal member and membrane holder for an electrolytic cell

A combination seal and tentering member suitable for use as a gasket in an electrolytic cell of the filter press type and suitable for tentering a membrane used in the electrolytic cell. The seal/tentering member used in the filter press type electrolytic cell includes a first portion generally rectangular in cross section, having parallel top and bottom walls and first and second vertical parallel side walls, and a second flange portion integral with the first portion generally rectangular in cross section having a top and bottom wall and first and second parallel side walls, said second portion having top and bottom walls of a smaller length such that the seal/tentering member forms a 'P-shaped' parameter viewed in cross section, said bottom of first portion and top of second portion being a contiguous boundary and said first side wall of said second portion and said first side wall of said first portion is substantially the same wall. Aqueous alkali metal chloride solution may be electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell.

A membrane unit for use in an electrolytic cell comprising a combination of a first layer of membrane material and a second layer including a sealing material and a metallic insert around only the gasket-bearing surface of the membrane material. Damage to the gasket-bearing surface of the membrane structure is minimized when the membrane unit is employed in, for example, electrolytic cells of the filter press-type.

Membrane unit for electrolytic cell

The invention is a dampening device for use in a vertically disposed electrochemical cell unit of the type at least having: (a) a peripheral flange which defines at least one electrode chamber, said peripheral flange having a upper, substantially horizontally disposed flange portion, a lower substantially horizontally disposed flange portion, and two disposed side flange portions; and (b) at least one outlet port passing through the upper horizontally disposed flange portion or through one of the two vertical side flange portions or through the lower flange portion and connecting the exterior of the cell with the electrode chamber. The dampening device is an elongated, hollow duct positioned across at least a portion of the top of the electrode chamber adjacent to the upper, horizontally disposed flange portion, said duct being in fluid flow communication with said electrode chamber and with said outlet port(s), wherein the duct has at least one opening near its top which connects the interior of the duct with the electrode chamber, wherein said opening(s) has a total cross sectional area less than or equal to the greatest internal cross sectional area of the duct. The invention includes an electrochemical cell containing the dampening device.

Antisurge outlet apparatus for use in electrolytic cells

In a stacked plurality of similar electrolysis cells, each cell having an overhead gas for accumulating gasses produced thereby, the apparatus of the present disclosure includes a shaped transition tube connected to each cell. Inlet liquids and outlet gasses with their respective liquids to be fed and removed through a pair of respective adjacent headers.

Cell with improved electrolyte flow distributor

The present invention is a circular structural frame particularly suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The frame comprises an organic plastic or metallic member with a plurality of horizontally and vertically spaced-apart shoulders protruding outwardly from opposing generally spherical anolyte and catholyte surfaces of the plastic member. Each of the shoulders annularly encircles and supports an electrically conductive insert extending from an exterior face of a shoulder on the catholyte surface of the plastic member, through the plastic member, to an exterior face of a shoulder on the anolyte surface of the plastic member. An electrically conductive substantially completely hydraulically impermeable anolyte cover is matingly affixed to the anolyte surface of the plastic member and adapted to minimize contact between the anolyte and the plastic member. The anolyte cover is resistant to the corrosive effects of the anolyte. An electrically conductive catholyte substantially completely hydraulically impermeable cover is matingly affixed to the catholyte surface of the plastic member and adapted to minimize contact between the catholyte and the plastic member. The catholyte cover is a metal resistant to the corrosive effects of the catholyte. The invention further includes a bipolar electrochemical cell utilizing a plurality of the above described structural frames removably and sealably positioned in a generally coplanar relationship with each other and with each of the plastic members being spaced apart at least by an anode on one side of the plastic member and a cathode on an opposing side of the plastic member.

Structural frame for an electrochemical cell

The invention is an electrochemical article suitable for use in monopolar or bipolar electrochemical cells comprising:

Plastic electrochemical cell terminal unit

The invention is an electrolytic unit comprised of a plurality of parts connected in a manner to form a substantially planar electrolytic unit comprising:

Fabricated electrochemical cell

The invention is a structural frame adapted for use in an electrochemical cell comprising:

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Lake Jackson, TX, United States of America

Gregory J Morris