Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2001-10-30
Bell, Bruce F. (Department: 1741)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S269000, C204S275100, C204S286100, C204S297010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309523
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
An electrode and electrolytic cell containing same finds particular utility for producing hypochlorite solution to disinfect a supply of freshwater such as produced by desalinators on board ships.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, such as in shipboard use, bromine cartridges are used for water disinfection. The bromine cartridge system is expensive to operate, has low reliability and maintainability. It has been found to be impractical to disinfect water over a wide range of conditions, and produces a hazardous waste product.
Another system used for shipboard water disinfection is batch chlorination with calcium hypochlorite. The batch chlorination method presents numerous safety hazards since the calcium hypochlorite is corrosive, has a limited shelf life, and can cause injury to personnel or damage to equipment if handled incorrectly. It also presents the potential hazard of causing fires and explosions if it comes in contact with any organic, combustible materials.
It would, therefore, be desirable to have a system that includes an electrolytic cell which can generate hypochlorite solution. The cell can assist in providing improved effectiveness of disinfection at reduced cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is now provided an electrode and an electrolytic cell, which cell can be desirably utilized to provide improved effectiveness of disinfection. It can be employed in a system for treating water, which system can provide a safe and effective method of disinfection for a water supply at an economical cost.
In one aspect, the invention is directed to an electrode comprising a metal member having an anodic coating on a surface area of the member, which coating comprises the oxides of tin, antimony, at least one platinum group metal, and at least one valve metal, and having a cathodic coating on a surface area of the member that is not the surface area of the anodic coating, which cathodic coating comprises the oxides of at least one valve metal and at least one platinum group metal.
In a related aspect, the invention is directed to the method of preparing an electrode comprising an anodic coating, a cathodic coating and a substrate metal, with each coating containing metal oxides and being electrochemically active, which coatings coat the metal and are cured thereon, which method comprises:
(a) applying, to the metal for the anodic coating, but without curing applied coating, a composition comprising precursor substituents for oxides of tin, antimony, at least one platinum group metal and at least one valve metal;
(b) applying, to the metal for the cathodic coating, but without curing applied coating, a composition comprising precursor substituents for oxides of at least one valve metal and at least one platinum group metal; and
(c) simultaneously curing the applied anodic coating precursor substituents and the applied cathodic coating precursor substituents on the substrate metal.
Also, the invention pertains to a generally plate-shaped electrode having front and back major faces and an edge, which electrode has an at least substantially rectangular shaped front major face and back major face and which edge has at least one chamfered corner.
A still further aspect of the invention is an improvement in an electrolytic cell comprising a housing for containing a plurality of electrodes maintained in parallel manner to one another and spaced apart from each other, which electrodes are secured within the interior of the housing, wherein liquid electrolyte distributed to the cell passes through the housing and through the spacings between the electrodes, the improvement comprising:
a cell cover member for the housing, the cell cover member having:
an inner surface facing the interior of the housing;
a plurality of slotted apertures through the entire thickness of the cover member, permitting the passage of liquid electrolyte therethrough; and
a series of parallel rib members affixed to the inner surface of the cover member and extending outwardly therefrom, the rib members having spacings therebetween that connect in a liquid flow path to the slotted apertures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4248690 (1981-02-01), Conkling
patent: 4568440 (1986-02-01), Sutter et al.
patent: 5254226 (1993-10-01), Williams et al.
Carlson Richard C.
Coin Richard J.
Ernes Lynne M.
Lezan Catherine M.
Prasnikar Albert R.
Bell Bruce F.
Eltech Systems Corporation
Hudak & Shunk Co. L.P.A.
Tyrpak Michele M.
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