Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for electrolyzing a dilute aqueous brine solution flowing therethrough comprising: a. a full-wave bridge rectifier adapted to be electrically connected directly to a source of alternating current; b. an electrode assembly connected across said rectifier comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and one or more bipolar electrodes; c. a cell enclosure adapted to receive and support said electrode assembly and further adapted to the flow of said dilute aqueous brine solution therethrough; and d. grounding means surrounding said electrode assembly; the number, n, of bipolar electrodes, the height, h, of the electrodes, and their spacing, gap, being determined by the equations: I. n × gap × h = k × gallons/minute; Ii. av. dc. volts = 2.1 × n + n × gap × R × CD; where: n = number of bipolar electrodes + 1; gap = distance in inches between opposing faces of adjacent electrodes; h = the height in inches of the electrode surfaces exposed to contact with said brine solution; gallons/minute = total flow through said apparatus and through said electrode assembly in gallons per minute of said aqueous brine solution; av. d.c volts = root mean square voltage × 0.0637/0.707; R = resistivity of said aqueous brine solution in ohm-inches; Cd = average maximum current density in amperes per square inch; and k = about 0.038 to about 0.077.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for electrolyzing a dilute aqueous brine solution flowing therethrough comprising: a. a full-wave bridge rectifier adapted to be electrically connected directly to a source of alternating current; b. an electrode assembly connected across said rectifier comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and one or more bipolar electrodes; c. a cell enclosure adapted to receive and support said electrode assembly and further adapted to the flow of said dilute aqueous brine solution therethrough; and d. grounding means surrounding said electrode assembly; the number, n, of bipolar electrodes, the height, h, of the electrodes, and their spacing, gap, being determined by the equations: I. n × gap × h = k × gallons/minute; Ii. av. dc. volts = 2.1 × n + n × gap × R × CD; where: n = number of bipolar electrodes + 1; gap = distance in inches between opposing faces of adjacent electrodes; h = the height in inches of the electrode surfaces exposed to contact with said brine solution; gallons/minute = total flow through said apparatus and through said electrode assembly in gallons per minute of said aqueous brine solution; av. d.c volts = root mean square voltage × 0.0637/0.707; R = resistivity of said aqueous brine solution in ohm-inches; Cd = average maximum current density in amperes per square inch; and k = about 0.038 to about 0.077.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein k = about 0.064.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and a time-proportioning regulator electrically interconnected between said full-wave bridge rectifier and said alternating current source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and switching means for alternatively connecting said alternating current source either directly to said time proportioning regulator or directly to said full-wave bridge rectifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said one or more bipolar electrodes are recessed in rigid non-conductive flat shield plates extending parallel to the flow path of said aqueous brine solution and for a distance on either side of each of said electrodes equal to at least 10 times the distance between opposing faces of adjacent electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said two terminal electrodes are recessed in rigid non-conductive flat shield plates extending parallel to the flow path of said aqueous brine solution and for a distance on either side of each of said terminal electrodes equal to at least 10 times the distance between opposing faces of adjacent electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and a half-wave diode electrically connected in series with said time-proportioning regulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said one or more bipolar electrodes are recessed in rigid non-conductive flat shield plates extending parallel to the flow path of said aqueous brine solution and for a distance on either side of each of said electrodes equal to at least 10 times the distance between opposing faces of adjacent electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a half-wave diode and means for alternatively connecting said alternating current source either directly to said half-wave diode or directly to said full-wave bridge rectifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grounding means are spaced at a distance from the electrodes equal to about 100 times the distance between opposing faces of adjacent electrodes.