US4341606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of operating electrolytic cells having massive dual porosity gas electrodes
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1981-02-20
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Granted: 1982-07-27
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Expires: 2001-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A process for operating an electrolytic cell having a relatively-massive dual porosity gas electrode particularly well suited and adapted for utilization as a vertically-disposed oxygen gas-bearing electrochemically reducing cathode in electrolytic cells wherein, for efficient and practical, commercially-large-scale-output operations, there are required to be employed substantial electrolyte liquid depths creating considerable head pressures generally greater than at least about 1 psi (ca. 0.69 dynes/cm 2 ) is comprised of distinct juxtaposed, contiguous, yet separate, diversely porous electrode body wall members or layer sections, one of which for immediate electrolyte contact and handling is of relatively finer pored structure and the other of which for immediate gas contact and handling is of relatively larger or coarse pored structure; the electrode being so embodied and characterizable for given application as to have a bubble point pressure that is larger than the summation of the hydraulic head pressure and the liquid capillary pressure in the coarse pore layer.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. McIntyre
- 👤 Robert F. Phillips
- 👤 Joseph D. Lefevre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:06
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B11/00; C25B11/02; C25B11/03; C25B11/031; C25B9/00; C25B9/17; C25B9/19; C25B11/032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An electrolytic process comprising (a) contacting at least a portion of a first layer of a multi-layered cathode with an aqueous electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte exerts a hydraulic pressure on the cathode; said first layer having a plurality of passageways passing therethrough and connecting with a plurality of passageways passing through a second cathode layer; wherein the passageways of the first layer have a first capillary pressure and the passageways of the second layer have a second capillary pressure which is lower than the first capillary pressure; (b) contacting at least a portion of the second layer with an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure greater than the sum of the second capillary pressure and the hydraulic pressure of the electrolyte and less than the first capillary pressure; and (c) electrolyzing the electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrolytic process comprising (a) contacting at least a portion of a first layer of a multi-layered cathode with an aqueous electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte exerts a hydraulic pressure on the cathode; said first layer having a plurality of passageways passing therethrough and connecting with a plurality of passageways passing through a second cathode layer; wherein the passageways of the first layer have a first capillary pressure and the passageways of the second layer have a second capillary pressure which is lower than the first capillary pressure; (b) contacting at least a portion of the second layer with an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure greater than the sum of the second capillary pressure and the hydraulic pressure of the electrolyte and less than the first capillary pressure; and (c) electrolyzing the electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the maximum hydraulic pressure of the electrolyte in a cell containing the multi-layered cathode is at least about 2×10 5 dynes/cm 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the gas pressure is at least about 2×10 5 dynes/cm 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 where the first capillary pressure is at least about 2×10 5 dynes/cm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 where the first layer has a thickenss of from about 0.4 to about 0.9 millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 where the second layer has a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 3 millimeters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 where the passageways of the first layer have an average diameter of from about 1 to about 3 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 where the passageways of the second layer have an average diameter of from about 8 to about 12 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the gas pressure is at least about 5×10 5 dynes/cm 2 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the gas pressure is at least about 5×10 5 dynes/cm 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrolytic process comprising (a) contacting at least a portion of a first layer of a multi-layered cathode with an aqueous brine solution, wherein the maximum hydraulic pressure of the brine in a cell containing the multi-layered cathode is at least about 2×10 5 dynes/cm 2 ; said first layer having a plurality of passageways passing therethrough and connecting with a plurality of passageways passing through a second layer; wherein the passageways of the first layer have a capillary pressure of at least about 5×10 5 dynes/cm 2 and the passageways of the second layer have a capillary pressure of less than about 5×10 5 dynes/cm 2 ; (b) contacting at least a portion of the second layer with an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure which is at least about 2×10 5 dynes/cm 2 and less than the capillary pressure of the passageways of the first layer; and (c) electrolyzing the brine solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrolytic process comprising (a) contacting at least a portion of a first layer of a multi-layered cathode with an aqueous brine solution, wherein the maximum hydraulic pressure of the brine in a cell containing the multi-layered cathode is at least about 2×10 5 dynes/cm 2 ; said first layer having a plurality of passageways passing therethrough and connecting with a plurality of passageways passing through a second layer; wherein the passageways of the first layer have a capillary pressure of at least about 5×10 5 dynes/cm 2 and the passageways of the second layer have a capillary pressure of less than about 5×10 5 dynes/cm 2 ; (b) contacting at least a portion of the second layer with an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure which is at least about 2×10 5 dynes/cm 2 and less than the capillary pressure of the passageways of the first layer; and (c) electrolyzing the brine solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4035255A
Cited
US4086155A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-26 | 1986-01-25 | 1986-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-26 | 1990-01-25 | 1990-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-26 | 1994-01-25 | 1994-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |