US4417959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic cell having a composite electrode-membrane structure
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1980-10-29
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Granted: 1983-11-29
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Expires: 2000-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A novel electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal chlorides which comprises a cell housing containing a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity. A hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane is positioned between and separates the pair of electrodes. At least one of the electrodes comprises a reticulate electrode where the reticulate electrode is in contact with the membrane. Means are provided for applying an electric potential to the electrodes. The reticulate electrode in contact with the hydraulically impermeable membrane forms a composite structure which substantially eliminates the gap between the electrode and the membrane. Employing the novel electrolytic cells for the electrolysis of alkali metal halide solutions results in reduced cell voltages and electrical power consumption. The reticulate electrodes used allow significant reductions in material costs and have increased surface area.
Inventors
- 👤 Igor V. Kadija
- 👤 Kenneth E. Woodard, Jr.
- 👤 David D. Justice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:04
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/34; C25B1/46; C25B9/00; C25B9/17; C25B9/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal chlorides which comprises a pair of reticulate electrodes of opposite polarity separated by a hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane, each of said reticulate electrodes being a three dimensional structure and comprised of a plurality of electroconductive filaments randomly distributed while having a plurality of contact points with adjacent filaments, said reticulate electrodes, having a porosity of from about 80 to about 98 percent, being in contact with said membrane, and means for applying an electric potential to said reticulate electrodes, said means comprised of electrically conductive fabrics having hooks or barbs as attachment means to said reticulate electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal chlorides which comprises a pair of reticulate electrodes of opposite polarity separated by a hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane, each of said reticulate electrodes being a three dimensional structure and comprised of a plurality of electroconductive filaments randomly distributed while having a plurality of contact points with adjacent filaments, said reticulate electrodes, having a porosity of from about 80 to about 98 percent, being in contact with said membrane, and means for applying an electric potential to said reticulate electrodes, said means comprised of electrically conductive fabrics having hooks or barbs as attachment means to said reticulate electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides employing the electrolytic cell of claim 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 in which said aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides comprises alkali metal chloride brines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 3 in which said alkali metal chloride brines comprise sodium chloride brines having concentrations of from about 200 to about 350 grams per liter of NaCl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A composite structure for use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides which comprises a reticulate electrode in contact with a hydraulically impermeable membrane, said reticulate electrode being a three dimensional structure and comprised of a network of a plurality of electroconductive filaments comprised of plastics selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, melamine, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene having a coating thereon of an electroconductive metal, said electroconductive filaments being randomly distributed while having a plurality of contact points with adjacent filaments, and having a porosity of from about 80 to about 98 percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A composite structure for use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides which comprises a reticulate electrode in contact with a hydraulically impermeable membrane, said reticulate electrode being a three dimensional structure and comprised of a network of a plurality of electroconductive filaments comprised of plastics selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, melamine, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene having a coating thereon of an electroconductive metal, said electroconductive filaments being randomly distributed while having a plurality of contact points with adjacent filaments, and having a porosity of from about 80 to about 98 percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composite structure of claim 5 in which said reticulate electrode is a cathode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composite structure of claim 5 in which said reticulate electrode is an anode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The composite structure of claim 5 in which said hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane is a cation exchange membrane comprised of a fluorocarbon polymer having pendant sulfonic acid groups or carboxylic acid groups.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The composite structure of claim 5 in which said electroconductive metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloys, molybdenum, molybdenum alloys, vanadium, vanadium alloys, iron, iron alloys, cobalt, cobalt alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, tungsten, tungsten alloys, gold, gold alloys, platinum group metals, and platinum group metal alloys.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides which comprises a cell housing, a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity positioned within said cell housing, a hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane positioned between and separating said pair of electrodes, at least one of said electrodes comprising a reticulate electrode, said reticulate electrode being a three dimensional structure and comprised of a network of a plurality of electroconductive filaments comprised of plastics selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, melamine, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene having a coating thereon of an electroconductive metal, said electroconductive filaments being randomly distributed while having a plurality of contact points with adjacent filaments, said reticulate electrode, having a porosity of from about 80 to about 98 percent, being in contact with said membrane, and means for applying an electric potential to said electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides which comprises a cell housing, a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity positioned within said cell housing, a hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane positioned between and separating said pair of electrodes, at least one of said electrodes comprising a reticulate electrode, said reticulate electrode being a three dimensional structure and comprised of a network of a plurality of electroconductive filaments comprised of plastics selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, melamine, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene having a coating thereon of an electroconductive metal, said electroconductive filaments being randomly distributed while having a plurality of contact points with adjacent filaments, said reticulate electrode, having a porosity of from about 80 to about 98 percent, being in contact with said membrane, and means for applying an electric potential to said electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The electrolytic cell of claim 10 in which said electroconductive metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloys, molybdenum, molybdenum alloys, vanadium, vanadium alloys, iron, iron alloys, cobalt, cobalt alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, tungsten, tungsten alloys, gold, gold alloys, platinum group metals, and platinum group metal alloys.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrolytic cell of claim 10 in which said hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane is a cation exchange membrane comprised of a fluorocarbon polymer having pendant sulfonic acid groups or carboxylic acid groups.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrolytic cell of claim 12 in which said reticulate electrode is a cathode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrolytic cell of claim 12 in which said reticulate electrode is an anode.
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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) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-05-30 | 1987-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-28 | 1991-05-30 | 1991-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-28 | 1995-05-30 | 1995-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |