US4132626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroflocculation cell
Assignee: JM Huber Corp
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Filing: 1977-04-22
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Granted: 1979-01-02
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Expires: 1997-04-22
Abstract
Abstract An electroflocculation cell for the separation of clay particles from an aqueous suspension thereof, the cell being equipped with an anode and cathode separated by a first semipermeable membrane impermeable to clay particles which divides the cell into anode and cathode compartments. A second semipermeable membrane is provided in the anode compartment spaced from the anode and the first membrane. Upon application of a direct current to the anode and cathode, clay particles in a suspension fed to the area of the cell between the first and second membranes deposit electrophoretically on the second membrane. By avoiding contact of the clay deposit with the anode, contamination of the deposit by anode corrosion products is thereby avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert C. Kunkle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:29
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/42; B01D61/56; B01D57/00; B01D57/02; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/46; C02F1/461; C02F1/463; C25; C25B; C25B7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An electroflocculation cell for separating clay solids from aqueous suspensions thereof comprising an anode, a cathode, a first semi-permeable membrane impermeable to solid particles positioned between the anode and cathode, the space between the cathode and the membrane defining a cathodic chamber, a second semi-permeable membrane positioned between the said first semi-permeable membrane and the anode, the space between the said second semi-permeable membrane and the anode defining an anodic chamber, a slurry chamber comprising the area between the said first and second semi-permeable membranes, inlet means to feed an aqueous suspensions of clay particles to the said slurry chamber into the space between the said first and second membranes, outlet means to discharge solid particle depleted effluent from the said slurry chamber, means to add an electrolyte solution having a pH in the range of 2-7 to the cathodic chamber, means to add an electrolyte solution to the anodic chamber, and means for applying a direct current field between the anode and cathode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electroflocculation cell for separating clay solids from aqueous suspensions thereof comprising an anode, a cathode, a first semi-permeable membrane impermeable to solid particles positioned between the anode and cathode, the space between the cathode and the membrane defining a cathodic chamber, a second semi-permeable membrane positioned between the said first semi-permeable membrane and the anode, the space between the said second semi-permeable membrane and the anode defining an anodic chamber, a slurry chamber comprising the area between the said first and second semi-permeable membranes, inlet means to feed an aqueous suspensions of clay particles to the said slurry chamber into the space between the said first and second membranes, outlet means to discharge solid particle depleted effluent from the said slurry chamber, means to add an electrolyte solution having a pH in the range of 2-7 to the cathodic chamber, means to add an electrolyte solution to the anodic chamber, and means for applying a direct current field between the anode and cathode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the anode is rotatably mounted in the slurry chamber and the cathode is fixedly mounted in the cathodic compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the cathode and the anode are constructed of a foraminous material pervious to the passage of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the cathode and first membrane is in the order of about 1/16" to about 1/2".
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the anode and second membrane is about 1/16" to about 1/2".
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the first and the second membrane is about 1" to about 11/2".
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the membrane is a porous fabric having an air porosity of 0.5 to 4.0 cubic feet per minute per square inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cell of claim 6 wherein the fabric is a material selected from the group consisting of Dacron, nylon, polyesters and polypropylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the cathode and first membrane is in the order of about 3/16".
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the anode and second membrane is about 3/16".
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the first and the second membrane is about 11/2".
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte solution added to the anodic chamber is a 1-2% caustic solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte solution added to the anodic chamber is a 0.1-1% by weight acid solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-01 | 1982-07-03 | 1983-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-01 | 1986-07-03 | 1987-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-01 | 1990-07-03 | 1991-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |