US4299675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for electrolyzing an alkali metal halide
Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Inc
•
Filing: 1980-10-09
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Granted: 1981-11-10
•
Expires: 2000-10-09
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a zero gap permionic membrane electrolytic cell where at least one electrode has hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst and interposed between the electrocatalyst and the permionic membrane. This excludes electrolyte therefrom, reduces the likelihood of perforation of the permionic membrane, and provides enhanced electrical contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm Korach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:00
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/34; C25B1/46; C25B11/00; C25B11/04; C25B9/00; C25B9/17; C25B9/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
In a method of conducting electrolysis in an electrolytic cell having an anolyte compartment containing an anode, a catholyte compartment containing a cathode, and a cation selective permionic membrane therebetween, which method comprises feeding alkali metal chloride brine to the anolyte compartment, passing an electrical current from the anode to the cathode, and evolving chlorine at the anode, the improvement wherein the cathode removably bears upon the permionic membrane and comprises an electroconductive substrate, cathodic electrocatalyst bonded to the electroconductive substrate and facing the cation selective permionic membrane, and a layer of hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst, said layer of hydrophilic resin removably bearing upon the cation selective permionic membrane whereby to avoid the presence of liquid electrolyte therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a method of conducting electrolysis in an electrolytic cell having an anolyte compartment containing an anode, a catholyte compartment containing a cathode, and a cation selective permionic membrane therebetween, which method comprises feeding alkali metal chloride brine to the anolyte compartment, passing an electrical current from the anode to the cathode, and evolving chlorine at the anode, the improvement wherein the cathode removably bears upon the permionic membrane and comprises an electroconductive substrate, cathodic electrocatalyst bonded to the electroconductive substrate and facing the cation selective permionic membrane, and a layer of hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst, said layer of hydrophilic resin removably bearing upon the cation selective permionic membrane whereby to avoid the presence of liquid electrolyte therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electroconductive substrate is an electroconductive metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrocatalyst comprises electrocatalytic particles bonded to the electroconductive substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrocatalyst comprises a porous film on the electroconductive substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the layer of hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst is from about 1 to 20 mils thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic resin contains functional groups that provide cation selectivity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the hydrophilic resin contains pendant acid groups.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst has a different equivalent weight than the permionic membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst has a lower equivalent weight than the permionic membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst has the same equivalent weight as the permionic membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst is a substituted hydrocarbon resin containing acid functional groups.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst is perfluorinated resin containing ether linkages and acid functional groups.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst contains functional groups that are capable of being hydrolyzed to acid functional groups.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a method of conducting electrolysis in an electrolytic cell having an anolyte compartment containing an anode, a catholyte compartment containing a cathode, and a cation selective permionic membrane therebetween, which method comprises feeding alkali metal chloride brine to the anolyte compartment, passing an electrical current from the anode to the cathode, and evolving chlorine at the anode, the improvement wherein the anode removably bears upon the permionic membrane and comprises an electroconductive substrate, anodic electrocatalyst bonded to the electroconductive substrate, and facing the cation selective permionic membrane, and a layer of hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst, said layer of hydrophilic resin removably bearing upon the cation selective permionic membrane whereby to avoid the presence of liquid electrolyte therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a method of conducting electrolysis in an electrolytic cell having an anolyte compartment containing an anode, a catholyte compartment containing a cathode, and a cation selective permionic membrane therebetween, which method comprises feeding alkali metal chloride brine to the anolyte compartment, passing an electrical current from the anode to the cathode, and evolving chlorine at the anode, the improvement wherein the anode removably bears upon the permionic membrane and comprises an electroconductive substrate, anodic electrocatalyst bonded to the electroconductive substrate, and facing the cation selective permionic membrane, and a layer of hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst, said layer of hydrophilic resin removably bearing upon the cation selective permionic membrane whereby to avoid the presence of liquid electrolyte therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the electroconductive substrate is an electroconductive metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the electrocatalyst comprises electrocatalytic particles bonded to the electroconductive substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the electrocatalyst comprises a porous film on the electroconductive substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the layer of hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst is from about 1 to 20 mils thick.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the hydrophilic resin contains functional groups that provide cation selectivity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the hydrophilic resin has pendant acid functional groups.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst has a different equivalent weight than the permionic membrane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst has a lower equivalent weight than the permionic membrane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst has the same equfvalent weight as the permionic membrane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst is a substituted hydrocarbon resin containing acid functional groups.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst is a perfluorinated resin containing ether linkages and acid functional groups.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the hydrophilic resin bonded to the electrocatalyst contains functional groups that are capable of being hydrolyzed to acid functional groups.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4118305A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-09 | 1985-05-11 | 1985-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-09 | 1989-05-11 | 1989-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-09 | 1993-05-11 | 1993-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |