Oxytech Systems, Inc.

Eltech Systems Corporation

Industrie De Nora S.p.a.

Richard L Romine

Thomas F Florkiewicz

Gerald R Pohto

John J Jahn

L Calvert Curlin

James R Brannan

Mark L Arnold

Douglas J Waskovich

Robert B Kubinski

Nick J Tomba

Michael S Moats

Edward S Kazimir

James W Pyle

Richard A Kus

The present invention relates to an inert, non-asbestos separator and method of making same, the separator comprising an inorganic/polymer fibrid and agglomeration composite material containing from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of organic halocarbon polymer fibers together with from about 30 wt percent to about 95 weight percent of a finely divided non-organic particulate, which non-organic particulate is firmly bound in said composite fibrids and agglomerates; a natural gum thickening agent in an amount to provide a viscosity of about 6270 to about 590 cP at 0.22 sec; and an inert inorganic particulate powder whereby the inert inorganic particulate remains unbound from the inorganic/polymer fibrid and agglomeration composite, the inorganic particulate powder having a mean particle size of not greater than 1.0 &#x3bc;m and being present in an amount to provide a ratio of polymer fiber composite to unbound inorganic particulate in a range from about 1 to 25.

Porous non-asbestos separator and method of making same

An electrolytic cell comprising a walled enclosure including a cathode sidewall has busbar structure external to the cell. The busbar structure can include a gird bar releasably secured at the sidewall. It also may include a foraminous interface member between the gird bar and the sidewall, as well as have a small cathode busbar member on the sidewall. The small busbar member is typically located above and adjacent to the gird bar. Particularly when the gird bar and foraminous interface member are present, there can be internal support members for the cathodes directly secured to the inside face of the cathode sidewall. Furthermore, intercell connection may be handled directly to the outside face of the cathode sidewall. The overall structure can provide reduced potential for sidewall stress corrosion cracking, reduced cathode manufacturing cost, and accommodation of stress relief for the cathode weldment.

Diaphragm cell cathode structure

An electrolytic cell comprising a walled enclosure including a cathode sidewall has busbar structure external to the cell. The busbar structure can include a gird bar releasably secured at the sidewall. It also may include a small cathode busbar member on the sidewall. The small busbar member is typically located above and adjacent to the gird bar. there can be internal support members for the cathodes directly secured to the inside face of the cathode sidewall. Furthermore, intercell connection may be handled directly to the outside face of the cathode sidewall. The overall structure can provide reduced potential for sidewall stress corrosion cracking, reduced cathode manufacturing cost, and accommodation of stress relief for the cathode weldment.

Diaphragm cell cathode busbar structure

There is disclosed a cell sealing mean particularly for a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell. The sealing means will usually be contained along a rim portion at the outer edge of an electrode assembly of the diaphragm cell. The sealing means comprises a pneumatic gasket system. In one embodiment, the system can have an outer gasket member comprising a solid and thick, elongated elastomeric strip element. The strip element will generally have front and back major faces, with the front face containing a channel, and with a side face typically having a flange. Combined with the outer gasket member in this embodiment is an inner gasket member that is a thin, elongated elastomeric strip member. It has an inflatable hollow and flexible tube element forming at least a portion of the inner gasket member. It is desirable that the element be a laminate of differing laminate materials. As a second embodiment, the sealing means comprises a gasket member of a thick, elongated strip element having a major cavity extending in the length dimension of the element. A stem connector, for providing and regulating fluid flow, can be provided with the tube element of the first embodiment or the cavity of the second embodiment.

Electrolytic cell sealing means

There is now disclosed a method of restoring a used article utilized in electrolysis, such as in a chlor-alkali cell. The used article is usually the cell diaphragm, but may be a cell electrode, particularly when it is in assembly with the cell diaphragm. The restoration method involves treating the article, typically in place in the cell, but which may be removed from the cell, by soaking in a treating composition containing most always hydrochloric acid and corrosion inhibitor. The article after treatment may be baked at elevated temperature. When baking is utilized, it can come before soaking. With or without baking, the article may or may not be involved in a wetting step. Where the restoration involves an article utilized in a chlor-alkali cell, the restoration can readily reduce the problem of hydrogen in the chlorine product produced. Such treatment can also lead to reduced cell voltage as well as reduced cell anolyte level.

Electrolysis cell diaphragm reclamation

In a sidewall-enclosed electrolytic cell, such as for the electrolysis of brine to form chloralkali product, the cell can have at least one cathode sidewall. There is now provided an at least substantially wall-sized, planar busbar that is interface bonded to the cathode sidewall. The interface bonded, wall-sized busbar plus sidewall thereby at least substantially serve as a wall unit for the electrolytic cell. The wall-sized busbar has at least one internal passageway therethrough for the circulation of cooling fluid. Where the bonded busbar is connected by a jumper switch for current connection, the cooling passageway of the busbar may connect at the location of the jumper switch.

Bonded busbar for diaphragm cell cathode

A diaphragm cell cathode assembly has improved current distribution to a tube sheet distributing electrical current to cathode tubes. Electrical current is fed to the diaphragm cell assembly by grid bars connected to side plates. The current must then flow the side plates to the inner tube sheets, the tube sheets and side plates being generally in spaced apart, planar parallel relationship to one another. Assembly temperature uniformity, as well as temperature reduction, is now enhanced by providing supplemental distributor bars at the upper and lower regions of the grid bars, and in electrical connection between side plates and tube sheets.

Growing community of inventors

Concord, OH, United States of America

Richard L Romine