Composite carbon electrode structure having improved electrical conductivity

Claim 2

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 2, suitable for use as an electrode in an electrochemical conversion process, and wherein: a metal current collector is mounted in said second section of carbon.

Claim 3

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 3 wherein: said first section of carbon extends at one end thereof beyond one end of said second section of carbon; and the bottom surface of said second section of carbon together with the inner surfaces of said extended portion of said first section of carbon define a cavity.

Claim 4

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 4 wherein said current collector comprises a hollow conduit and extends through said second section of carbon to said cavity for intrOducing a reactive feedstock into said cavity.

Claim 5

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 2 wherein the inner wall of said first section of carbon and the outer wall of said second section of carbon are each provided with a taper from one end to the other end, and the taper on said first section is complementary to the taper on said second section so as to improve said friction fit.

Claim 6

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 2, suitable for use as an electrode in an electrochemical conversion process, and wherein: said first section of carbon comprises a porous carbon and is closed at one end; said second section of carbon comprises a dense essentially nonporous carbon and extends into said first generally cylindrical first section of carbon to a point adjacent said closed end thereof so as to provide an enclosed space within said first section of carbon and below said second section of carbon; and a metal current collector comprising a hollow conduit extends through said second section of carbon into communication with said enclosed space.

Claim 7

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 7 wherein the inner wall of said first section of carbon and the outer wall of said second section of carbon are each provided with a taper from one end to the other end, and the taper on said first section is complementary to the taper on said second section so as to improve said friction fit.

Claim 8

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 1 wherein: said first and second sections of carbon are generally rectangular in shape; said first section of carbon is disposed on one side of said second section of carbon; a first layer of finely divided carbon is disposed between said first and second sections of carbon; a third section of carbon generally rectangular in shape is disposed adjacent to said second section of carbon on the side thereof opposite from said first section of carbon; a second layer of finely divided carbon is disposed between said second and third sections of carbon; and a fastening means is provided for securing said first, second, and third sections of carbon together.

Claim 9

A carbon structure according to claim 9, suitable for use as an electrode in an electrochemical conversion process, wherein: said first and third sections each comprise a porous carbon and said second section is less porous than said first and third sections; and a metal current collector is mounted in said second section of carbon.

Claim 10

A carbon structure according to claim 1 wherein said layer of finely divided carbon consists essentially of graphite.

Claim 11

A carbon structure according to claim 1 wherein said layer of finely divided carbon consists essentially of carbon black.

Claim 12

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 1 wherein said finely divided carbon has a particle size within the range of from about 10 millimicrons to about 100 microns.

Claim 13

A carbon electrode structure according to claim 13 wherein said layer of finely divided carbon has a thickness of up to about 0.005 inch.