Eltech Systems Corporation

Diamond Shamrock Corporation

Industrie De Nora S.p.a.

De Nora Tech Inc.

Dravo Lime Company

Kenneth L Hardee

Lynne M Ernes

Richard C Carlson

Andy W Getsy

Carl W Brown, Jr

Arnold Z Gordon

Marilyn J Niksa

Richard J Coin

Charles B Pyle

Rajat K Sen

Dino F DiFranco

David E Thomas

Edward M Halko

Michael S Moats

Gerald R Pohto

Jeries I Bishara

Thomas J Schue

Thomas R Turk

Barry L Martin

Anthony R Sacco

Robert L Wilhelm

Zane A Wade

Sobha Abraham

Zoilo J Colon

Christopher J Allen

Dino F Difranco

Dino Diframco

The present invention concerns an electrode element having a valve metal substrate, a first catalyst component applied to said substrate, said first catalyst component suitable for evolving oxygen from an aqueous solution under anodic polarization, a second catalyst component suitable for generating chlorine dioxide from a chlorate solution in acidic environment; said first and second catalyst component being electrically insulated from each other. The inventions also concern an electrolytic cell having such an electrode element and a process for the generation of chlorine dioxide on a catalyst component an electrochemical cell comprising such an electrode element.

Catalytic or electrocatalytic generation of chlorine dioxide

An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell, especially a zinc-bromine flow battery or a hydrogen/bromine flow battery, and methods for manufacturing and using the electrode is provided. The electrode has a metal substrate and a catalytic coating applied onto the substrate wherein the catalytic coating has a Ru-rich mixture of ruthenium and having 70-80 mol % Ru, 1-5 mol % Pt and 17-25 mol % Ir. The catalytic coating composition exhibits a surprisingly high voltage efficiency and operating lifetime despite its relatively low Ir/Ru and Pt/Ru ratios. The underlying metal substrate is for example a porous Ti layer or a layer with titanium suboxides TiO.

Electrode for electrochemical cells and composition thereof

A cathodic member for electrochemical cells used in hypochlorite production comprises a zirconium plate coated with a zirconium oxide layer, which is particularly suitable for minimising the decomposition of the hypochlorite product while ensuring a prolonged lifetime. The coated zirconium plate can be used as the cathodic plate in a monopolar cell, or can be welded to a titanium plate for use in a bipolar configuration.

Cathode member and bipolar plate for hypochlorite cells

The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably ruthenium, titanium and tin or antimony oxides. The coating uses water as a solvent that provides for a smoother surface than alcohol based solvents. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell and in particular a cell for the electrolysis of aqueous chlor-alkali solutions.

Smooth surface morphology chlorate anode coating

The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably platinum group metal oxides with or without valve metal oxides, and containing a transition metal component such as palladium, rhodium or cobalt. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell for the electrolysis of a halogen-containing solution wherein the palladium component reduces the operating potential of the anode and eliminates the necessity of a 'break-in' period to obtain the lowest anode potential.

Pd-containing coatings for low chlorine overvoltage

The present invention relates to an electrocatalytic coating and an electrode having the coating thereon, wherein the coating is a mixed metal oxide coating, preferably platinum group metal oxides, with or without low levels of valve metal oxides. The electrocatalytic coating can be used especially as an anode component of an electrolysis cell and in particular a cell for the electrolysis of aqueous chlor-alkali solutions.

Electrocatalytic coating with lower platinum group metals and electrode made therefrom

Various systems and methods for protecting electrowinning anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings in a bank of electrolytic cells from being damaged by reverse currents. In the first embodiment, one or more auxiliary power sources are provided that, when triggered by one or more predetermined conditions being met, keep the bank of electrolytic cells in an electrical state that is relatively harmless to the anodes having electrocatalytically active coatings. In a second embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining the polarization of anodes in an electrowinning cell positive of the cathodes (i.e. in a potential region where the anode coating is not susceptible to significant damage). In a final embodiment, the invention is directed to various methods for the installation of replacement anodes and maintenance of electrowinning cells.

Anodic protection systems and methods

There is disclosed a method for cooper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.

Copper electrowinning

A method of producing copper foil, and more particularly, in an electrochemical cell containing organic substituents, is provided herein. The metal may be deposited on an electrode that comprises an electrode base having at least one undercoating layer of an active coating and at least one topcoating layer of no significant activity. The copper electrodeposition cell can operate without an adverse affect on electrode potential.

Method of producing copper foil with an anode having multiple coating layers

There is disclosed a method for copper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.

A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.

Lead electrode

A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a mesh member, e.g., a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure as by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.

A method of preparing electrodes is now described, which electrodes have enhanced adhesion of subsequently applied coatings combined with excellent coating service life. In the method, a substrate metal, such as a valve metal as represented by titanium, is provided with a highly desirable rough surface characteristic for subsequent coating application. This can be achieved by various operations including etching to ensure a roughened surface morphology. In subsequent operations, a barrier layer is provided on the surface of enhanced morphology. This may be achieved by operations including heating, as well as including thermal decomposition of a layer precursor. Subsequent coatings provide enhanced lifetime even in the most rugged commercial environments.

Electrodes of improved service life

An electrode, electrochemical cell, and electrochemical processes are disclosed. The electrode is a porous, multi-layered electrode which can have an element in flexible, strip form wound around a central, usually flat plate core, which core may serve as a current distributor. In any form, each layer can be represented by a very thin, highly flexible metal mesh. This can be a fine, as opposed to a coarse, mesh which has extremely thin strands and small voids. The electrode will have an active coating. For utilizing this electrode, the cell in one form will be a monopolar cell providing upward, parallel electrolyte flow through the porous, multi-layered electrode. A representative cell can have such electrode at least substantially filling an electrode chamber. The cells can be contained in a cell box that will provide the desired flow-through relationship for the electrolyte to the electrode. In cell operation, electrochemical processes which can be carried out include metal ion oxidation or reduction, oxidation of organic substituents, nitrate reduction as well as salt splitting.

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Middlefield, OH, United States of America

Kenneth L Hardee