E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

James Arthur Trainham, Iii

John Scott Newman

Clarence Garlan Law, Jr

Douglas John Eames

William H Zimmerman

Robert Joseph Kolouch

Thomas Frank Saturno

Dennie Turin Mah

David L Reichert

John Stanley Artysiewicz

Andrew Kelsey Birchenall

Robert Lloyd Freed

The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell and a process for converting anhydrous hydrogen halide to halogen gas using a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) or a separate membrane and electrode arrangement, such as gas diffusion electrodes with a membrane.

Electrochemical conversion of anhydrous hydrogen halide to halogen gas using a membrane-electrode assembly or gas diffusion electrodes

The invention relates to an electrochemical cell which has an electrode, a membrane disposed in contact with one side of the electrode and a current bus disposed on the other side of the electrode. A current distributor which is disposed between the electrode and the current bus distributes current to the electrode by electronic conduction. The current distributor is made of a non-porous layer of a conductive polymer composite material. The current distributor thus provides a barrier between the current bus and the reactant and the product of the cell. This is especially important in aggressive environments, such as hydrogen chloride. Thus, 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 chlorine gas, or in converting aqueous hydrogen chloride to wet chlorine gas.

Electrochemical cell having a current distributor comprising a

The invention relates to an electrochemical cell which has an electrode, a membrane disposed in contact with one side of the electrode, and a resilient flow field disposed on the other side of the electrode. The resilient flow field provides uniform electrical contact with the electrode. Such a flow field is preferably an elastomer, which can be be made by molding techniques, thereby decreasing the cost and increasing the ease with which such a flow field may be manufactured. The resilient flow field of the present invention is particularly useful in converting anhydrous hydrogen halide directly to essentially dry halogen gas, such as anhydrous hydrogen chloride to chlorine gas, although it may be used in a cell which converts aqueous reactants.

Electrochemical cell having a resilient flow field

Electrochemical conversion of anhydrous hydrogen halide to halogens gas

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Newark, DE, United States of America

James Arthur Trainham, Iii