US4207164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Diaphragms for use in the electrolysis of alkali metal chlorides
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1978-09-29
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Granted: 1980-06-10
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Expires: 1998-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A diaphragm for use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable compounds in electrolytic diaphragm cells is comprised of a support fabric impregnated with particles of a siliceous composition having the formula: (X)m(Si)p(O)q(H)r.nH2O wherein X is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zr, Al, Zn and mixtures thereof; p is a number from 1 to about 16; m is zero to about p; q is a number from 2 to about 5p+r; r is zero to about 4p; and n is zero to about 30. The siliceous compositions are capable of undergoing hydration when in contact with at least one of the ionizable compounds in the electrolytic cell. The support fabric has an electroconductive zone along one side. The diaphragms are physically and chemically stable, provide reduced cell voltages during operation of the cell and have increased operational life.
Inventors
- 👤 Igor V. Kadija
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:37
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B13/00; C25B13/04; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/34; C25B1/46; C25B13/05; C25B13/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In an electrolytic diaphragm cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable compounds, said cell having an anode assembly containing a plurality of anodes, a cathode assembly having a plurality of cathodes, a diaphragm separating said anode assembly from said cathode assembly, and a cell body housing said anode assembly and said cathode assembly, the improvement which comprises a porous diaphragm comprised of a thermoplastic support fabric impregnated with particles of a siliceous composition having the formula: (X).sub.m (Si).sub.p (O).sub.q (H).sub.r.nH.sub.2 O wherein X is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zr, Al, Zn and mixtures thereof; p is a number from 1 to about 16; m is zero to about p; q is a number from 2 to about 5p+r; r is zero to about 4p; and n is zero to about 30; said siliceous compositions being capable of undergoing hydration when in contact with at least one of said ionizable compounds in said electrolytic cell; said support fabric having an electroconductive zone along one side of said fabric support; and said support fabric having means to provide linear permeability to said aqueous solutions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In an electrolytic diaphragm cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable compounds, said cell having an anode assembly containing a plurality of anodes, a cathode assembly having a plurality of cathodes, a diaphragm separating said anode assembly from said cathode assembly, and a cell body housing said anode assembly and said cathode assembly, the improvement which comprises a porous diaphragm comprised of a thermoplastic support fabric impregnated with particles of a siliceous composition having the formula: (X).sub.m (Si).sub.p (O).sub.q (H).sub.r.nH.sub.2 O wherein X is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zr, Al, Zn and mixtures thereof; p is a number from 1 to about 16; m is zero to about p; q is a number from 2 to about 5p+r; r is zero to about 4p; and n is zero to about 30; said siliceous compositions being capable of undergoing hydration when in contact with at least one of said ionizable compounds in said electrolytic cell; said support fabric having an electroconductive zone along one side of said fabric support; and said support fabric having means to provide linear permeability to said aqueous solutions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
150 words
A porous diaphragm for an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable compounds which comprises a thermoplastic support fabric impregnated with particles of a siliceous composition having the formula: (X).sub.m (Si).sub.p (O).sub.q (H).sub.r.nH.sub.2 O wherein X is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zr, Al, Zn, and mixtures thereof; p is a number from 1 to about 16; m is zero to about p; q is a number from 2 to about 5p+r; r is zero to about 4p; and n is zero to about 30; said siliceous compositions being capable of undergoing hydration when in contact with at least one of the ionizable compounds in the electrolytic cell; said support fabric having an electroconductive zone along one side of said support fabric and said support fabric having means to provide linear permeability to said aqueous solutions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
150 words
A porous diaphragm for an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable compounds which comprises a thermoplastic support fabric impregnated with particles of a siliceous composition having the formula: (X).sub.m (Si).sub.p (O).sub.q (H).sub.r.nH.sub.2 O wherein X is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zr, Al, Zn, and mixtures thereof; p is a number from 1 to about 16; m is zero to about p; q is a number from 2 to about 5p+r; r is zero to about 4p; and n is zero to about 30; said siliceous compositions being capable of undergoing hydration when in contact with at least one of the ionizable compounds in the electrolytic cell; said support fabric having an electroconductive zone along one side of said support fabric and said support fabric having means to provide linear permeability to said aqueous solutions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 2 in which X is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, aluminum and mixtures thereof, and m is a positive number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 3 in which said support fabric is a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 4 in which said electroconductive zone comprises said support fabric having on one side a non-continuous coating of an electroconductive metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 5 in which said electroconductive metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloys, molybdenum, molybdenum alloys, cobalt, cobalt alloys, vanadium, vanadium alloys, tungsten, tungsten alloys, gold, gold alloys, platinum group metals and platinum group metal alloys.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 6 in which said electroconductive metal is nickel or nickel alloys.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 5 in which said electroconductive zone is no greater than about 10 percent of the thickness of said support fabric.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 4 in which X is Al and said siliceous compositions are selected from the group consisting of aluminum silicates, albites, feldspars, labradorites, microclines, nephelines, orthoclases, pyrophyllites, sodalites, natural zeolites, and synthetic zeolites.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 3 in which said electroconductive zone comprises filaments of an electroconductive metal affixed to said support fabric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 10 in which said filaments are in the form of a web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 11 in which said filaments are selected from the group consisting of nylon, melamine, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), cellulose, glass, carbon and mixtures thereof, said filaments having a coating thereon of said electroconductive metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 12 in which said support fabric is a felt fabric comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 13 in which said filaments are nylon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 13 in which said siliceous composition is selected from the group consisting of magnesium silicates, sepiolites and meerschaums.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 10 in which said electroconductive metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloys, molybdenum, molybdenum alloys, cobalt, cobalt alloys, vanadium, vanadium alloys, tungsten, tungsten alloys, gold, gold alloys, platinum group metals and platinum group metal alloys.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 16 in which said electroconductive metal is nickel or nickel alloys.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 10 in which said electroconductive zone is no greater than about 10 percent of the thickness of said support fabric.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 3 in which said support fabric is a polyarylene sulfide selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide, polynaphthalene sulfide, poly(perfluorophenylene) sulfide, and poly(methylphenylene) sulfide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 19 in which said support fabric is polyphenylene sulfide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The porous diaphragm of claim 19 in which said siliceous composition is selected from the group consisting of magnesium silicates, sepiolites and meerschaums.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrolytic cell employing the porous diaphragm of claim 1 in which said ionizable compounds are alkali metal chlorides or alkali metal hydroxides.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cell of claim 22 in which said electroconductive zone of said porous diaphragm is placed in intimate contact with the cathode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-10 | 1983-12-10 | 1984-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-10 | 1987-12-10 | 1988-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-10 | 1991-12-10 | 1992-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |