Process for the electrolysis of technical-grade hydrochloric acid contaminated with organic substances using oxygen-consuming cathodes

US6402930B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• De Nora Elettrodi S.p.A · IT
• BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC · DE

Inventors

• Robert J. Allen · South Harwich, US
• James R. Giallombardo · Beverly, US
• Daniel Czerwiec · Wellesley, US
• Emory S. De Castro · Williamsville, US
• Khaleda Shaikh · Woburn, US
• Fritz Gestermann · Leverkusen, DE
• Hans-Dieter Pinter · Wermelskirchen, DE
• Gerd Speer · Burscheid, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 1, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 11, 2002
• Expiry date: Sep 1, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for electrolyzing an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid to chlorine in an electrochemical cell provided with an anode compartment and a cathode compartment including at least one gas diffusion cathode comprising an electrically conductive web provided on at least one side thereof with a coating of a catalyst for the electroreduction of oxygen comprising rhodium sulfide and optionally containing at least one fluorinated binder incorporated therein, comprising introducing aqueous hydrochloric acid containing contaminant species into the anode compartment and oxygen into the cathode compartment while impressing a direct electric current on the cell.