Patent US4167457A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4167457A
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US
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Passive electrolytic separator
Assignee: Giner ELX Inc
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Filing: 1978-05-05
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Granted: 1979-09-11
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Expires: 1998-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A device for the passive electrolytic separation of the components of a gas mixture comprising an ion-transfer medium with an anodic and cathodic surface, means for electronically short-circuiting the anodic and cathodic surfaces, and means for controlling and stabilizing the partial pressure of a gas to the anode and cathode. In operation, a gaseous mixture containing a gas which participates in a reversible electrochemical reaction at the anodic and cathodic surfaces of an electrolytic cell and inert gases are fed to the anode of the separator while the anodic and cathodic surfaces are short-circuited. The pressure of the gaseous mixture is controlled in order that the partial pressure of the gas to be separated from the mixture of gases is maintained at a higher partial pressure at the anode than at the cathode. The partial pressure differential, due to the short-circuiting of the separator, will cause the flow of the reactive gas to be separated from the anode side of the cell to the cathode side where it is recovered. The device and method provide for the passive electrolytic separation of gases with an overall high efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Jose D. Giner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/403; G01N27/406; G01N27/407; G01N27/4073; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/32; B01D53/326; G01N27/4074; H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
Process for the passive electrolytic separation of a gas from a mixture of gases comprising (1) providing a passive electrolytic cell including first and second electrodes, an ion-transfer material between said electrodes, and means for short-circuiting said cell; (2) feeding a mixture of gases to said first electrode of said passive electrolytic cell while maintaining said cell in the short-circuited mode; (3) maintaining a differential in the partial pressure of the gas to be separated from the gaseous mixture across said electrodes of said electrolytic cell in order that said first electrode is at a higher partial pressure than said second electrode; and (4) removing the gas to be separated from said cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
Process for the passive electrolytic separation of a gas from a mixture of gases comprising (1) providing a passive electrolytic cell including first and second electrodes, an ion-transfer material between said electrodes, and means for short-circuiting said cell; (2) feeding a mixture of gases to said first electrode of said passive electrolytic cell while maintaining said cell in the short-circuited mode; (3) maintaining a differential in the partial pressure of the gas to be separated from the gaseous mixture across said electrodes of said electrolytic cell in order that said first electrode is at a higher partial pressure than said second electrode; and (4) removing the gas to be separated from said cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mixture of gases fed to said first electrode is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and the gas to be recovered is hydrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the electrolytic cell comprises at least one electrode which includes a mixture of platinum and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the ion-transfer material is a conductive carbon matrix impregnated with an acid electrolyte.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the acid is phosphoric acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the electrodes are each an admixture of PTFE and porous carbon activated with platinum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the gaseous mixture includes chlorine and the gas to be separated is chlorine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the ion-transfer material is an acid resistant matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said acid resistant matrix includes silica.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the acid resistant matrix is electronically conductive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mixture of gases includes oxygen and nitrogen; the gas to be separated is oxygen, and the ion-transfer material of the electrolyte is an oxygen ion-conductive ceramic matrix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the oxygen ion-conductive ceramic matrix includes zirconium oxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the oxygen ion-conductive ceramic includes ceric oxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the oxygen ion-conductive matrix is electronically conductive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the partial pressure differential is maintained by controlling the partial pressure across said electrodes of said cell to provide a high partial pressure at said first electrode and a low partial pressure at said second electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the partial pressure differential is maintained by diluting the gas to be separated with a condensible inert gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the partial pressure differential is maintained by sweeping the separated gas from said second electrode surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are integral with the ion-transfer material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
A passive electrolytic separator comprising an electrolytic cell including first and second electrodes, an ion-transfer material between said electrodes, means for electronically connecting said electrodes to short-circuit said cell, and means for feeding a gaseous mixture to said first electrode and means for removing a gaseous stream from said second electrode, said means for feeding a gaseous mixture and said means for removing a gaseous stream including means for maintaining a partial pressure differential between said electrodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
A passive electrolytic separator comprising an electrolytic cell including first and second electrodes, an ion-transfer material between said electrodes, means for electronically connecting said electrodes to short-circuit said cell, and means for feeding a gaseous mixture to said first electrode and means for removing a gaseous stream from said second electrode, said means for feeding a gaseous mixture and said means for removing a gaseous stream including means for maintaining a partial pressure differential between said electrodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 18 wherein the ion-transfer material comprises a porous matrix.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 19 wherein the matrix is an acid resistant matrix.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 20 wherein the acid resistant matrix includes silica.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 21 wherein the matrix is impregnated with aqueous hydrochloric acid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 22 wherein the matrix is electronically conductive.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 19 wherein the matrix is oxygen ion-conductive.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 24 wherein the oxygen ion-conductive matrix includes zirconium oxide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 24 wherein the oxygen ion-conductive matrix includes ceric oxide.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 24 wherein the matrix is electronically conductive.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 19 wherein at least one of said electrodes is integral with said matrix.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 28 wherein the matrix comprises graphite fibers, and said electrodes each comprises a mixture of PTFE and carbon supported platinum.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 19 wherein the matrix comprises conductive graphite fibers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrolytic separator of claim 18 wherein said means for electronically connecting said electrodes is an electronically conductive ion-transfer material in direct electronic contact with each of said electrodes.
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) | 1982-09-10 | 1983-03-12 | 1983-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-10 | 1987-03-12 | 1987-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-10 | 1991-03-12 | 1991-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |