Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/26—Connections in which at least one of the connecting parts has projections which bite into or engage the other connecting part in order to improve the contact
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B7/00—Electrophoretic production of compounds or non-metals
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
  • C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/70—Assemblies comprising two or more cells
  • C25B9/73—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type
  • C25B9/77—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type having diaphragms

Definitions

• Membrane-type electrolysis cells generally com ⁇ prise one of two distinct types, that is the mono- polar-type in which the electrodes of each cell are -directly connected to a source a power supply, or the bipolar-type in which adjoining cells in a cell bank have a common electrode assembly therebetween, said electrode assembly being cathodic on one side and anodic on the other.
• these two designs have been so different that few parts of these electrolytic cells have been interchangeable.
• each type of cell has required substantially completely different components for each. Further, even when components -have been similar they have generally required com ⁇ pletely separate manufacturing tools and processes.
• This invention also provides a structure for membrane cells which requires little or no retro ⁇ fitting. As newer and better electrode elements are developed they may be retrofit without loss of the novel current distributor member ' and/or the novel monopolar, bipolar, or hybrid cell to cell low pres ⁇ sure contact feature.
• OMPI This invention also contemplates a cathode design, anode design, and current distributor member design which are usable for both bipolar and monopolar membrane cell arrangements without modification allowing a single production of items to be used in both types of electrolyzers by simply changing the assembly sequence. Because of this unique ability another electrolyzer configuration is contemplated which is a hybrid or combination monopolar, and/or bipolar arrangement of cells within one electrolyzer.
• the hybrid electrolyzer then may comprise a number of monopolar sections electrically arranged in a series (i.e. bipolar) fashion or a number of bipolar sections electrically arranged in parallel (i.e. monopolar) fashion or any combination of bipolar and monopolar.
• the present invention provides for a filter press electrolyzer comprising at least one electrolytic cell for electrolytic processes; said electrolyzer being provided with end plates which for ' - 7 -
• Figure 1 is an exploded view of a monopolar filter press electrolytic cell of .the invention
• Figure 2 is an exploded view of a cell
• Figure 3 is a plan view partial cross section of the monopolar filter press electrolytic cell of the invention
• Figure 6 is a graphic view of a monopolar anode assembly
• Figure 9 is an exploded view of one version of a hybrid polarity filter press electrolytic cell of the invention.
• Figure 13 is a graphic view of a cathode pan
• Figure 14 is a graphic view of an anode pan
• Cells of this type generally contain bipolar electrode assemblies, and membranes, and are contained within bulkheads con ⁇ nected by tie rods which may or may not be spring loaded.
• the bipolar embodiment of the present invention contemplates the present, novel current distributor member situated between each end plate and a bipolar electrode assembly, with an anode side facing one end plate and a cathode side facing the other end plate, thereby allowing current to be * brought into and removed from said cells via the novel low pressure, low current density, high area connection of the present inventi.on. Further, conducting electrical current from cell to cell is accomplished via a novel low pressure, high surface contact area, low current density mechanical connections between the back plates of the anode and cathode elements of the bipolar electrode assemblies.
• This active anode area is mechanically and electrically attached to the anode back plate preferably by welding. Further, preferably, the active anode area is attached to the back plate via springs.
• the anode may be spring loaded against the membrane to help provide a large number of points of contact.
• These springs may take many forms and be of various metals, preferably the same metal as used to form the active anode area.
• the welding may take the form of resistance welding, TIG welding (tungsten inert gas welding), electron beam welding, diffusion welding (diffusion bonding) and laser welding for example. Presently preferred at this time is the technique of resistance welding.
• the cathode active surface area is forami ⁇ nous in nature and preferably is a reticulate metal member formed as described, i.e. in Application Serial No. 386,934, filed June 10, 1982, in the name of Stewart et al,.which is herein incorporated by reference. It is understood, however, that nickel mesh, steel mesh, etc., and spring loaded systems similar to those described hereinabove in relation to anodes are also suitable. Also, other known types of' cathodes for use in zero gap and/or finite gap cells are suitable for use in the current invention.
• the anode pan generally being made of a valve metal preferably titanium or a titanium alloy or other metal resistant to corrosive conditions of the anode chamber, and the cathode pan being made of nickel, steel, stainless steel or alloys thereof or other metals resistant to corrosive conditions of the cathode chamber; the location of the sealing means or groove to contain the sealing means.
• Membranes suitable for use in the instant in ⁇ vention are of several types which now are com- briefly available but are generally fluorinated polymeric materials which have surface modifications • necessary to perform the ion-exchange function.
• One presently preferred material is a perfluorinated co- polymer having pendent cation exchange functional groups.
• These perfluorocarbons are a copolymer of at least two monomers with one monomer being selected from a group including vinyl fluoride, hexafluoro- propylene, vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, perfluor ⁇ (alkylvinyl ether), tetrafluoroethylene and mixtures thereof.
• Q can be hydrogen or an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation and m is the valence of Q.
• the R., generic formula portion can be of any suitable or conventional con- ' figuration, but it has been found preferably that the vinyl radical comonomer join the R, group through an ether linkage.
• said current distributor members may also be sheets having calendered, dimpled, corrugated or serrated surfaces or having an interface material attached to, or inserted between, said surfaces as well as having conductive compounds, i.e., greases containing parti ⁇ cles of conductive metals distributed therein on its surfaces.
• conductive compounds i.e., greases containing parti ⁇ cles of conductive metals distributed therein on its surfaces.
• a low area, high pressure (i.e., 500 - 5000 psi) (35.15 to 351.5 kg/cm ) joint is used to get a low specific joint resistance and current densities across the joint are high (i.e., 200 - 2000 asi) (31 - 310 amps/cm ) with the joint contact voltage loss equal to the product of specific resistance times current density. Also, other factors such as "current stream- line" effects enter into the total voltage loss across this type of mechanical joint.
• _ 2 have a voltage loss of 1.05 x 10 volts, and a copper to nickel joint, as might be used on the cathode, operating at 3 asi (0.465 amps/cm ) with a pressure of 5 psi (0.3515 kg/cm ) (specific resistance 7.7 x 10 -5 ohm-in ) (49.68 x 10-5 ohms/cm ) would have a voltage loss of 2.33 x 10 volts.
• the difference between the copper to titanium and the copper to nickel is due to differences in contact resistance due to different materials and different surface preparations, oxides, etc. Modifications to the metal surfaces or the use of interface materials to take advantage of lower contact resistance of various metals is further discussed hereinbelow.
• Figure 9 shows a preferred embodiment of one version of a hybrid polarity electrolyzer of the present invention.
• the cell (32) comprises bulkheads (33), tie rods (34), anode assemblies (35), cathode assemblies (36), membranes (37), interface material (38), current distributors (61) and integral discharg and inlet ports (131).
• Figure 10 shows a partial cross sectional elevation view of Figure 8. This view shows anode pans (35) and cathode pans (36). Located on either end of the electrolyzer is a single current distributor member (61). The anode pans have active anode areas (42) attached to said pans via springs (43) and also incorporate a sealing means (44) .
• Figure 14 shows a detailed view of an anode pan assembly (35) with anode pan (41), anode active area (42), sealing means (44) and integral discharge and inlet,ports (131).
• the present invention is further illustrated by the examples which follow without any intention of being limited thereby.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Metallurgy (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
• Manufacture Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
• Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
• Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)
• Electric Double-Layer Capacitors Or The Like (AREA)
• Silicon Polymers (AREA)
• Secondary Cells (AREA)
• Polyesters Or Polycarbonates (AREA)
• Bipolar Transistors (AREA)
• Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)
• Polysaccharides And Polysaccharide Derivatives (AREA)
• Inert Electrodes (AREA)
• Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
• Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
• Filtration Of Liquid (AREA)
• Water Treatment By Electricity Or Magnetism (AREA)

Priority Applications (8)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (18)

Cited By (3)

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Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1983
  • 1983-12-20 EP EP84900568A patent/EP0130215B1/en not_active Expired
  • 1983-12-20 DE DE8484900568T patent/DE3379737D1/de not_active Expired
  • 1983-12-20 BR BR8307663A patent/BR8307663A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1983-12-20 AT AT84900568T patent/ATE42580T1/de active
  • 1983-12-20 JP JP84500693A patent/JPS60500454A/ja active Pending
  • 1983-12-20 AU AU24388/84A patent/AU565760B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1983-12-20 WO PCT/US1983/001999 patent/WO1984002537A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1983-12-21 NZ NZ206668A patent/NZ206668A/en unknown
  • 1983-12-22 GR GR73334A patent/GR79738B/el unknown
  • 1983-12-22 CA CA000444118A patent/CA1225964A/en not_active Expired
  • 1983-12-23 IT IT8349571A patent/IT1197764B/it active
  • 1983-12-26 ES ES528412A patent/ES8501453A1/es not_active Expired
  • 1983-12-26 KR KR1019830006178A patent/KR910003644B1/ko not_active Expired
  • 1983-12-26 IL IL70543A patent/IL70543A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1983-12-27 PT PT77900A patent/PT77900B/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1984
  • 1984-07-27 ES ES534699A patent/ES8706216A1/es not_active Expired
  • 1984-08-24 FI FI843345A patent/FI77270C/fi not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1984-08-24 NO NO84843391A patent/NO163575C/no unknown
  • 1984-08-24 DK DK406684A patent/DK406684D0/da not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (5)

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