Electrochemical cell having inflatable seals between electrodes

US5334301A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Heraeus Elektrochemie GmbH

Inventors

• Harri Heinke · Niederrodenbach, DE
• Wolfgang Blatt · Wächtersbach, DE
• Bernd Busse · Darmstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 9, 1993
• Grant date: Aug 2, 1994
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An electro-chemical cell suitable for chromic acid regeneration or the electro-chemical treatment of methane sulphonic acid has several plate shaped bipolar electrodes which are spaced by means of frames to form an electrolyte space between every two adjacent electrodes. The electrolyte spaces are closed at the sides and at the bottom so they are impermeable to liquids and adjacent bipolar electrodes are electrically insulated against each other. The electrodes are tightly secured against the frame by means of hose-shaped sealing elements that can expand if internal pressure is applied, these sealing elements each being located in a fixed position in a U-shaped groove inside the frames. The cell is not sealed at the liquid surface of the electrolyte, however, it can be equipped with a cover, depending on the application. In order to remove an electrode, the sealing pressure is decreased by means of a pressure reduction in the interior of the sealing elements.