Passive electrolytic separator
US4167457A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1978 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01M8/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for the passive electrolytic separation of the components of a gas mixture comprising an ion-transfer medium with an anodic and cathodic surface, means for electronically short-circuiting the anodic and cathodic surfaces, and means for controlling and stabilizing the partial pressure of a gas to the anode and cathode. In operation, a gaseous mixture containing a gas which participates in a reversible electrochemical reaction at the anodic and cathodic surfaces of an electrolytic cell and inert gases are fed to the anode of the separator while the anodic and cathodic surfaces are short-circuited. The pressure of the gaseous mixture is controlled in order that the partial pressure of the gas to be separated from the mixture of gases is maintained at a higher partial pressure at the anode than at the cathode. The partial pressure differential, due to the short-circuiting of the separator, will cause the flow of the reactive gas to be separated from the anode side of the cell to the cathode side where it is recovered. The device and method provide for the passive electrolytic separation of gases with an overall high efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.