Metallic filament electrode

Claim 1

An electrochemical reactor comprising: a container having means defining at least one inlet and at least one outlet and including means defining an electrolyte flow path between the inlet and the outlet; a working electrode positioned in the electrolyte flow path, the electrode being of a plurality of metallic filaments arranged in a group with each filament being generally in side-by-side relationship with other filaments so that each filament makes numerous electrical connections by contact with other filaments over the length of the filaments and such that the group of filaments exhibits a significant thickness in all directions measured perpendicularly of each fiber so that in use electrolyte must take a tortuous path through the group of metallic filaments, each of the metallic filaments having a relatively good electrical conductivity and having a very small maximum thickness compared with the length of the filament, the length being such that individually the filaments exhibit no significant resistance to transverse deflection, and means coupled to at least some of the filaments electrically for establishing an electrical potential substantially throughout the electrode; and a counter-electrode positioned in the container and spaced from the working electrode.