Method and apparatus of purifying an electrolyte

US6841074B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Enthone-OMI (Deutschland) GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Möbius · Kaarst, DE
• Axel Konig · Wemmel, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C23C18/1617
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method of purifying an electrolyte by bringing the electrolyte into contact with a first effective surface of a separating unit that is permeable to contaminants to be removed from the electrolyte, and bringing a purifying liquid into contact with a second effective surface of the separating unit. A concentration level of contaminants in the purifying liquid is maintained to maintain a contaminant driving force gradient between the electrolyte and the purifying liquid so contaminants transfer from the electrolyte into the purifying liquid. An apparatus for purifying an electrolyte having a first volumetric region for holding the electrolyte, a second volumetric region for holding a purifying liquid, and a separating unit that is permeable to the contaminants to be removed from the electrolyte and which fluidically separates the first and second volumetric regions.