US4317704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of operating an electrolytic cell
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1980-07-02
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Granted: 1982-03-02
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Expires: 2000-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A method of operating an electrolytic cell comprising: forming a gas-liquid mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and a catholyte; and flowing the mixture through interconnecting passageways of a porous cathode, while the cathode is maintained at a voltage sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the oxygen as the mixture flows through the cathode.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. McIntyre
- 👤 Robert F. Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; C; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C25B11/00; C25B9/00; C25B9/17; C25B9/19; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M8/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of operating an electrolytic cell comprising: forming a gas-liquid mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and a catholyte; and flowing the mixture through interconnecting passageways of a porous cathode, while the cathode is maintained at a voltage sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the oxygen as the mixture flows through the cathode, wherein the cathode comprises a plurality of electroconductive screens.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of operating an electrolytic cell comprising: forming a gas-liquid mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and a catholyte; and flowing the mixture through interconnecting passageways of a porous cathode, while the cathode is maintained at a voltage sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the oxygen as the mixture flows through the cathode, wherein the cathode comprises a plurality of electroconductive screens.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of operating an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of a brine solution comprising: forming a gas-liquid mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and a catholyte; passing the mixture from a first surface portion of a porous cathode to a second surface portion of the cathode through a plurality of interconnecting passageways extending between the first surface portion to the second surface portion; and maintaining the cathode at a voltage sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the oxygen.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of operating an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of a brine solution comprising: forming a gas-liquid mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and a catholyte; passing the mixture from a first surface portion of a porous cathode to a second surface portion of the cathode through a plurality of interconnecting passageways extending between the first surface portion to the second surface portion; and maintaining the cathode at a voltage sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the oxygen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the surfaces of the interconnecting passageways are coated with a catalyst active for the reduction of oxygen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the surfaces of the interconnecting passageways are wettable by the gas-liquid mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the average diameter of the interconnecting passageways are from about 0.1 to about 20 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the cathode comprises a plurality of electroconductive screens stacked in a packed bundle with each one placed against another in the bundle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the cathode comprises an assemblage of individually loose electroconductive particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the cathode comprises a sintered metal particle construction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the cathode has a thickness of from about 5 to about 500 mils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the particles are substantially flat, metallic chips.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the sintered metal particles contain at least some nickel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the catalyst is silver or an alloy thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the particles are silver plated chips.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the gas-liquid mixture flows through the cathode in a generally horizontal direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the gas-liquid mixture flows through the cathode in a generally vertical direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the electrolytic cell includes an anode and an ion exchanging membrane, the membrane being placed adjacent to and contacting at least a portion of a wall surface of the cathode and placed so that the membrane is located between the cathode and the anode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the gas-liquid mixture is formed outside a cathode compartment.
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) | 1985-03-01 | 1985-08-31 | 1986-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-01 | 1989-08-31 | 1990-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-01 | 1993-08-31 | 1994-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |