The Dow Chemical Company

John R Pimlott

Hiep D Dang

Richard N Beaver

Gregory J Morris

Sandor Grosshandler

Bobby R Ezzell

Marius W Sorenson

Roy L Hicks

Gary L Gardner, Sr

Richard N Beaver, Deceased

Harry S Burney, Jr

A pressurized or forced circulation electrolysis cell comprising a cell housing containing at least one pair of electrodes which is a cathode and an anode, a current collector and an ion exchange membrane having a surface area of at least about 40 ft.sup.2 having the improvement which comprises an electrically conductive, hydraulically permeable resilient mattress substantially coplanar with and contacting on one side the current collector and coplanar with and contacting on the other side an electrode. The mattress comprises at least six non-aligned layers of woven and crimped metal fibers having a resiliency product of greater than 100 (inches).sup.2 /psi according to the formula:

Mattress for electrochemical cells

An electrolysis flat plate cell frame separating device for changing out one or more cells, gaskets and/or membranes from a stack in a flat plate membrane cell electrolyzer without having to shift other cells one at a time and a method of use.

Flat plate electrolysis cell frame separator and method

An improved frame useful in a filter press type electrolytic cell having a channel of U-shaped configuration and filled with a mixture of a thermosetting resin and a filter. The frames can be used in an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of brine to produce chlorine and caustic.

Reinforced bipolar electrolytic cell frame

A bipolar electrolytic cell comprises a plurality of side-by-side cell units, each unit having parallel anode and cathode plates spaced by a centerboard and electrically connected by a bipolar connection comprising a plurality of copper rods extending through the centerboard and shielded at their opposite ends from electrolyte in the cell by protective covers projection welded to opposite sides of the centerboard. The cover for one end of each rod comprises a cup having the base of its opening shaped to conform closely to the one end and frictionally welded thereto. A plurality of similar spacer and ring assemblies are arranged over opposite sides of the centerboard. Each assembly comprises a spacer projection welded to an associated side of the centerboard and to the inner periphery of a ring extending around the spacer. The spacers at one side of the centerboard may comprise the protective covers at said one side. The outer peripheries of the rings of adjacent assemblies are projection welded to opposite ends of plate supporting units having plate supporting edges projection welded to the anode or cathode plate confronting said associated side. The rings and ribs are located at preselected adjusted positions with respect to the spacers, such that the plates welded to the ribs are supported in predetermined planes assuring the desired minimum parallel spacing between the anode and cathode plates of adjacent cell units.

Bipolar electrolytic 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:

Structural frame for an electrochemical cell

An electrochemical cell structure frame and cell utilizing same comprising an organic plastic member having electrically conductive inserts extending through annular shoulders on respective coplanar surfaces of the plastic member. Electrically conductive, hydraulically impermeable anolyte and catholyte resistant covers matingly contact each respective coplanar surface of the plastic member. An electrically conductive, hydraulically permeable current collector is positioned substantially coplanar with and contacts at least a portion of one of the covers. An electrically conductive, hydraulically permeable, resilient mattress is positioned substantially coplanar with and contacts at least a portion of a side of the current collector opposite the side of the current collector which contacts the cover. A catalytically active electrode is positioned substantially coplanar with and contacts at least a portion of a side of the mattress opposite the side of the mattress which contacts the current collector.

A structural frame adapted for use in a solid polymer electrochemical cell, which comprises a generally planar organic plastic member having a plurality of horizontally and vertically spaced-apart shoulders protruding outwardly from opposing generally coplanar anolyte and catholyte surfaces of the plastic member. Electrically conductive, hydraulically impermeable, anolyte and catholyte corrosion resistant covers are matingly affixed to the respective surfaces of the plastic member. A hydraulically permeable, electrically conductive, current collector is contacting and positioned adjacent the catholyte cover. An ion exchange membrane, having an electrically conductive, electrocatalytic material bonded to or embedded in the surface of the membrane is positioned adjacent and in contact with the current collector. The frames are removably and sealably positioned in coplanar relationship, each plastic member being spaced apart by an anode on one side and a cathode on the other.

Structural frame for a solid polymer electrolyte electrochemical cell

The present invention is a structural frame particularly suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The frame comprises an organic plastic member with a plurality of horizontally and vertically spaced-apart shoulders protruding outwardly from opposing generally coplanar 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 an electrochemical cell ultilizing 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.

The invention is an electrochemical terminal unit suitable for use in monopolar or bipolar electrochemical cells comprising: an electric current transmission element in the form of a substantially planar, continuous electrically conductive body having a plurality of bosses on at least one face of electric current transmission element; a metal liner having a profile matching the face of the electric current transmission element having the plurality of bosses; wherein said metal liner is made from a corrosion resistant metal and disposed over the opposite surfaces of said electric current transmission element; foraminous electrode components disposed over said liner and resting over said raised portions, said electrode components and said metal liner being connected together at least a portion of said bosses; and an electrical connection means for connecting a pole of an electric current power supply on at least one of the edges of said electric current transmission element.

Monopolar or bipolar electrochemical terminal unit having a novel

Unitary, cast structural element for solid polymer electrolyte filter pass electrolysis cell which incorporates into a single unit the central barrier between the peripheral boundaries for the adjacent anode compartment and adjacent cathode compartment of two electrolysis cells located on opposite sides of the central barrier. Also incorporated into the single cast structural element are anode bosses and cathode bosses extending outwardly from opposite sides of the central barrier. These bosses not only serve as mechanical support for their respective flat plate anode and cathode, but also they serve as stand-off means and electrical current collectors and dispersers from the cathode of one electrolysis cell to the anode of the next cell. Simplicity of design coupled with incorporation of many functional elements into one part eliminates many cell warpage problems, inherent high voltage problems and solid polymer electrolyte membrane 'hot spot' problems.

Unitary central cell element for filter press, solid polymer electrolyte

A generic, simple, economical method for making and assembling either a monopolar or bipolar filter press type electrochemical cell unit. The first feature is making a novel central cell element. This cell element is an integrally formed, unitary, cast structural element for filter press electrolysis cell which incorporates into a single cell unit the central barrier between the peripheral boundaries for the adjacent anolyte compartment and adjacent catholyte compartment of two electrolysis cells located on opposite sides of the central barrier. Also incorporated into the single cast structural element are anode bosses and cathode bosses extending outwardly from opposite sides of the central barrier. These bosses not only serve as mechanical support for their respective flat plate anode and cathode elements, but also they serve as stand-off means and electrical current collectors and dispersers from the cathode of one electrolysis cell to the anode of the next cell. Simplicity of design coupled with incorporation of many functional elements into one part eliminates many cell warpage problems, inherent high voltage problems and membrane 'hot spot' problems. The second step in the method is the attachment of protective metal liner pans to the sides of the central cell element.

Method of making a unitary central cell structural element for both

Unitary, cast structural element for filter press electrolysis cell which incorporates into a single unit the central barrier between the peripheral boundaries for the adjacent anode compartment and adjacent cathode compartment of two electrolysis cells located on opposite sides of the central barrier. Also incorporated into the single cast structural element are anode component bosses and cathode component bosses extending outwardly from opposite sides of the central barrier. These bosses not only serve as mechanical support for their respective flat plate anode component and cathode component, but also they serve as stand-off means and electrical current collectors and dispersers from the cathode component of one electrolysis cell to the anode component of the next cell. Simplicity of design coupled with incorporation of many functional elements into one part eliminates many cell warpage problems, inherent high voltage problems and membrane 'hot spot' problems. The cell is particularly suited for zero-gap cells.

Unitary central cell element for filter press electrolysis cell

The invention relates to an ion exchange-type electrolytic cell with electrodes retained in close proximity to each other by means of a spring element.

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Sweeny, TX, United States of America

John R Pimlott