The Dow Chemical Company

Roy L Hicks

Hiep D Dang

Joel F Leathers

John R Pimlott

Yu-Min Tsou

Gary L Gardner, Sr

Harry S Burney, Jr

James F McDonnel, Jr

Gerald L Shoults

Methods are disclosed to control reverse current flow in stacks of membrane electrolytic cells during off-line periods. One method includes the introduction of a stripping gas flow to the anolyte solution of the cells during an interruption of normal positive current flow. In another embodiment, reverse current flow is controlled by introducing at least one soluble reducing agent to the anolyte solution during an interruption of normal positive current flow. Also disclosed is a porous sparging apparatus useful in introducing a stripping gas flow to a stack of membrane electrolytic cells.

Apparatus to control reverse current flow in membrane electrolytic cells

A storage, transportation and installation apparatus for ion exchange membranes for bipolar ion-exchange membrane chlorine cells which protects the ion-exchange membrane from the environment. The apparatus includes a container which allows the wet membrane, or a series of membranes separated by plastic sheets to lay flat inside the container protected by a plastic sheet. The container has a roller tension bar across one end which allows each membrane to be pulled out of the container directly into the area between the anode and cathode of the cell for mounting into place.

Storage, transportation and installation container for ion-exchange

A membrane hanger device which secures a membrane and facilitates the handling of a membrane during installation and removal from an electrolytic cell. The installation time of the membrane is reduced because of better handling of the membrane.

Electrolysis cell membrane hanger

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 apparatus for compressing and shifting flat plate-type structures including first and a second support members for supporting side rails attached generally perpendicular to the support members in a generally parallel and spaced apart position adapted for supporting any number of flat plate-type structures slidably mounted thereon, and a mobile platen for pressing the frame structures together, the improvement being an elongated slider member slidably mounted on the top portion of the side rails for slidably shifting the flat plate-type structures along the top and along the axis of side rails after clamping a plurality of cell structures, for example, to one stationary support member and clamping another plurality of flat plate-type structures together, thereby selectively shifting the desired flat plate-type structures a desired distance apart to remove or replace a flat plate-type structure or its internal parts disposed between the flat plate-type structures. The apparatus may be used, for example, in the chlor-alkali industry for compressing and shifting plate-type cell frame members.

Apparatus for pressing plate-type structures

A tentering apparatus for tensioning a sheet-like member, for example, a membrane used in an electrolyzer. The apparatus includes four clamping assemblies arranged in a frame-shape configuration within an outer frame member, and a fastener, such as a threaded bolt and wing unit, for fastening the clamping assemblies to the outer frame members and for tensioning the sheet-like member.

Tentering frame for sheet-like members

A tentering apparatus for tensioning a sheet-like member, for example, a membrane used in an electrolyzer. The tentering apparatus includes four clamping assemblies arranged in a picture frame shape configuration with four corner members and a connector member for connecting the clamping assemblies to the corner members and adapted for tensioning the sheet-like member.

A tentering apparatus for tensioning a sheet-like member, for example, a membrane used in an electrolyzer. The tentering apparatus includes four clamping assemblies arranged in a picture frame shape configuration adapted for clamping at least a portion of its periphery of a sheet-like member. One pair of clamping assemblies have studs at each end rotatably mounted at the ends of the second pair of clamping assemblies. A planar sheet-like member is tensioned by clamping the periphery of the sheet-like member and applying a pulling force generally outwardly and normal to the second pair of clamping assemblies and rotating the first pair of clamping assemblies to cause a pulling force generally normal to the first pair of clamping assemblies.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Jackson, TX, United States of America

Roy L Hicks