One use of electrochemical cells is purifying water and producing disinfecting solutions. One type of electrochemical cell that serves this purpose has co-axial inner and outer electrodes separated by a co-axial ceramic tube, all of which are fixed in opposing fittings or heads. The ceramic tube divides the cell into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. Each chamber has a channel in fluid communication with an inlet port and an outlet port into which electrolyte is supplied and from which the resulting treated solution is discharged, respectively. In order to keep the channels of the anode and cathode chambers separate, the electrochemical cell often includes separators positioned between the inlet ports of the anode and cathode chamber as well as between the outlet ports of the anode and cathode chambers. One type of separator is installed in slots on the butt-ends of fittings and fastened to the ceramic tube. However, such a separator is difficult to install in the tight space between the fitting and the ceramic tube and there is danger of damaging the ceramic tube during assembly. Another type of separator is a plastic O-ring that is placed around the ceramic tube and that abuts the inner wall of the fittings. This type of separator is also not ideal since it does not provide optimal fitness around all types of ceramic tubes, particularly ceramic tubes having a cross-sectional configuration that is not precisely circular. Therefore, a need exists for an electrochemical cell having a separator that does not damage any components of the electrochemical cell during assembly and that has better sealing properties.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides an electrochemical cell comprising opposing first and second heads respectively having inlet ports and outlet ports and each head having an inner cylindrical wall. The electrochemical cell further provides an outer electrode secured to the opposing first and second heads and an inner electrode co-axial with the outer electrode. An ion-permeable tube is supported co-axially between the inner electrode and the outer electrode to define an inner passageway and an outer passageway. Elastomeric caps are attached to the ends of the ion-permeable tube. Specifically, the elastomeric caps have rims which engage the inner cylindrical walls of the opposing first and second heads to provide liquid-tight sealing therewith and to separate the inner and outer passageways.
Referring to
Electrochemical cell 10 further comprises an outer electrode 90 having an end 100 secured in first head 20 and an end 110 secured in second head 30. For example, cavity parts 140 and 150 can have respective recessed mouths 161 and 162 that receive respective ends 100 and 110 for liquid-tight sealing therewith. The ends of the outer electrode can be lightly machined externally over a short length (for example, 5 mm) so as to enable them to be received by the respective mouths of the cavities.
Electrochemical cell 10 further comprises an inner electrode 120 co-axial with the outer electrode 90. Preferably, electrode 120 extends axially through both cavity parts 140 and 150 and both cavity parts 170 and 180 of first and second heads 20 and 30 respectively, and has end portions 185 and 190 of reduced diameter. Preferably, ends 185 and 190 project from respective cavity parts 170 and 180 into and through respective bores 200 and 210 of respective heads 20 and 30. Preferably, there is an interference fit between end portions 185 and 190 and respective bores 200 and 210. Referring to
The outer electrode of the present invention may be a metal tube and the inner electrode of the present invention may be a solid metal rod or a hollow metal tube. The metal involved in each case may be titanium, however, where the electrode is for use as the cathode of the cell it may, as an alternative, be fabricated of stainless steel. Where the electrode is for use as an anode, it may having a coating that acts as a catalyst in the electrochemical operation of the cell, such as, for example, titanium oxide, ruthenium oxide, or iridium oxide.
Referring back to
Of course, the above-listed specifications are only preferred and other specifications of the ion-permeable tube are within the scope of the present application.
Electrochemical cell 10 further comprises first and second elastomeric caps 260 and 270 attached to respective first and second ends 240 and 250 of ion-permeable tube 130. Referring to
The extent of the projection of ion-permeable tube 130 beyond the ends 100 and 110 of outer electrode 90 within each head 20 and 30 ensures that each elastomeric cap 260 and 270 is located deeper within the respective cavity 140 and 150 than respective ports 50 and 70 so that elastomeric caps 260 and 270 maintain appropriate separation of respective ports 50 and 70 from respective cavities 170 and 180 and respective ports 40 and 80.
Referring back to
The foregoing description has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended as being limiting. Each of the disclosed aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be considered individually or in combination with other aspects, embodiments, and variations of the invention. In addition, unless otherwise specified, none of the steps of the methods of the present invention are confined to any particular order of performance. Modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, first and second heads 20 and 30 could be interchanged such that first head 20 has an inlet port 40 and an inlet port 50 and second head 30 has an outlet port 70 and an outlet port 80. Furthermore, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.