US1474151A - Electrode for ion concentration effects - Google Patents

Description

' av, 13 E923.

E. A. KEELER ELECTRODE FOR ION CONCENTRATION. EFFECTS Filed Nov. 30 1921 Wo 5 .1 4 I lllll l 1/ llll INVENTOR.

1A TTORNEY.

Patented New. 113, 11923.

U N l ll" TI rear earner.

EARL A: OF NOREISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA; ASSIGNOB T LElED 63 NORTHRUP COMPANY, 0E1 LADELPHIEA, PENNSYLVANIA, A (MEL-QM- TION OF PENNSYLV t I ELECTRODE FOR ION CONCENTRATKON EFFECTS.

Application filed November 30, 1921. serial Ho. emit To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EARLA. Keenan, a citizen of the United States, residin in Norristown county 'of Montgomery, tate of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in Electrodes for IonConcentration Eflects, of which the foli lowing is. a specification.

My invention relates to electrodes for ion concentration eflects utilizable for various purposes, such as the determination or measurement of ion concentration, for'efiecting any suitable control in response to changes in ion concentration, or for maintaining a predetermined ion concentration,- and for any other suitable purpose. p So far as I am aware, heretofore electrodes of this character have been of a type utilized in laboratories, more or less fragile, and of structure and character more or less unsuited for portability or. for practical or commercial uses.

It is the object of my invention to provide electrode structures of the-character referred to which are rugged, portable, simple in construction, with parts easily removable or ac- I cessible for rejuvenation, cleansing or other treatment, orfor replacement, and in general suitable for the harder usage encountered in practice and commercial operations. To these ends I have devised electrodestructures hereinafter described.

For an illustration ofsome of the numerous forms my invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawin%, in which: I

ig. 1 comprises sectional views of the electrode structures, parts in elevation, in conjunction with one of numerous circuit arrangements in connection with which they are utilizable. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a grid of one of the electrodes. f Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modified structure.

able material, which may be formed in any suitable manner, as by molding or othert5 wise. The upper end of the tube carries a cap 2, of any suitable material, as insulating material of the character employed for the tube 1, which may be threaded, as at 3, into the tube 1, a rubber or other gasket't formin ably material, is the inner tube 6, which may be 435 threaded into the bore of the cap 2 at 7 and may consist of any suitable material, as hardruber, bakelite, etc., as in the case of the tube 1. To the lower end of the tube as by threadin at 8, a hollow 7 6 is attached member or bell9, of hard rub er or any other suitable material, which may have the perforations 10 or the open end. 11, or. both. Attached to the-lower end of the tube 1, as

by i-threadin 12, is a closure cap 13 of hard 7 'rubber or ot er suitable insulating material, I,

a rubber or other gasket 14 being employedto efiect a tight joint.

Within the casing 9 is disposed a grid 15,

Figs. 1 and 2, as gauze or the like, of con- 81?? ductin material, forexample, platinum or equiva ent wire gauze. The grid may be disposed in any suitable conformation, either flat, as shown, cylindrical, a spiral roll, etc. There is applied to the grid 15 as 35 a coating a suitable material or paste 16, contacting with the grid elements and extending into the openings of the grid and covering its faces.

' To hold the coating in contact with the W 'gri'd, there is preferably utilized a bag,

coaer or retainer 17. of any suitable porous material, as non-conducting or non-metallic fabric, as loth. For example, the cover-or bag 17 may be of silk cloth suitably bound around the grid and its coating. To the grid 15 is connected a wire or conductor 18, as of platinum or other suitable material,

Referring to the drawing, is any suitable container, in which is disposed a batch of, or through which continuously flows a body of, electrolyte or equivalent 'solutlon E in which the electrodes are immersed. The positive electrode structure P comprises a tube 1 of insulating material, such as hard rubber, c0ndensite,-bakel1te or other suitwhich passes to the exterior of the casings and extendsalong the tube d and connects 1 to the exterior, as through a conductor 19 in the ca 2. 1

A solut1on of suitable character is delivered from any suile reservoir or supply thereof through hose or other conduit, not shown, 1 to the nipple 5, through which it flows nto the electrolyte counicatin and through the tube 6, intothe chamber 9, wetting the paste or coating and the grid 15. Such solution passes also into the space surrounding the chamber 9-within the tube 1.

The positive electrode proper is at grid 15, and the liquid at the capillary or other restricted orifice communicates with the interior of the tube 1, solution finding its way from the interior of the tube 1 to the orifice 20, when]? the solution contacts with As indicated, and preferably, the orifice 20 is formed in a plug 21, of hard rubber or other suitable material, detachably secured, as by threading 22, to the tube 1, there being formed in the plug 21 a passage 23 communicating with the interior of the tube 1 and extending to the orifice 20. To cfi'ect a tight joint between the plug 21 and tube 1, there may gasket 24. The ntive electrode structure N comprises the tube 25, of any suitable insulating material, as hard rubber, bakelite, etc, and may be formed in any suitable way, as by molding or otherwise.

with the upper end of the tube 25 is t e nipple or connection 26 through which there is delivered into the .tube 25, from. any suitable supply, not shown,

a suitable fluid, as a gas. This fluid passes downwardly through the tube 25 into the casing .or chamber 27, of suitable insulating material, detachable from or integral with v the tube 25. In the example illustrated, the

casing 27 is threaded at 28 to the tube 25 and is detachable therefrom. Upon thetube 25 may be carried or secured the binding 7 post structure 29, with which is connected a wire 30, of any suitable material, as platin, which passes through the wall of the tube 25 and extends through the same to y the mouth of the casing 27. The wire 30 may extend through the wall of the casing 27 near its mouth, as indicated, whereby there is an exposed portion of the wire 30 upon the left edge of the casing 27. Against this bare portion of the wire 30 is held one or more perforated disks 31 of conductin material, as metallic gauze, a perforated plate, or equivalent. The member 31 is held in position in contact with the wire 30 by the cap 32 threaded or otherwise attached to the casing 27, the cap 32 exerting pressure upon the member 31 to hold it firmly in contact with the conductor 30. Between I the member 31 and through the opening 35 in the cap 32 into the electrolyte E, through which it passes upwardly and escapes.

The natureof the material of the member be employed the rubber or other Attached to and 31 is suited to the conditions under which employed, or is so chosen as to be adapted to the nature of the particular ion or ions of the electrolyte E which are involved. Ordinarily, the member 31 may be of platinum or gold, and is usually covered with platinum black or the black of iridium, palladium or the like. When hydrogen ion concentration is involved, hydrogen gas is delivered into the tube 25 and through th member 31. When the concentration of other than hydrogen ions is involved, the negative electrode, instead of being a hydrogen example, if concentration of chlorine ions is involved, chlorine gas may be delivered through the tube 25 and the member 31. For oxidation and reduction determinations or efiects the negative electrode may be the member 31, of platinum, and no gas is delivered through the tube 25, because of which in such case the member 31 need not be perforated, and in lieu of it may be used any ordinary platinum electrode structure.

When the concentration of hydrogen ions is involved, the nature of the liquid introduced through the nipple 5 and the tube 6 y be a solution of potassium chloride, for example, a tenth normal solution. The paste or. coating 16 upon the grid 15 may be mercury, water and cal'omel (monochloride of mercury), beaten or otherwise suitably worked together, the positive electrode structure accordingly, in this example, constituting a so-called calomel half cell.

It will be understood that my invention is not limited, as to either the positive or negative electrode, to the particular materials described, it bein within the skill of the art to vary the duids, liquids and gases employed, the nature of the material of the member 31 and nature of the paste or coating 16, toadapt the electrode structures to the particular conditions or circumstances under which they are to be employed.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that I have devised electrode structures which are rugged and practically unbreakable :in ordinary usage, portable, and suited for shipment from place to place.

The positive. electrode structure is of a character which may be shippedready for use, it being only necessary to connect the nipple 5'with a reservoir of suitable solution to flow into the electrode structure, intermittently or continuously, to flush out the orifice 20. Respecting the negative electrode structure, it is apparent that the gas or fluid delivered through the tube 25 passes from one side to the other of the member 31, that is, passes through it, as distinguished from around it or in contact with opposite faces, as in the case of the ordinary hydrogen electrode heretofore commonly used.

electrode, will be suitably dider'ent. For

aerator reflect of deposits from the solution E upon the electrode member, and accordingly saturation of the electrode member, as 31, with gas or fluid delivered through the tube 25 is not prevented or long do ayed. Furthermore, the gauze disk or perforated member 31 is readily removable, by simplyremovingthe cap 32, for platinizing or otherwise/coating with suitable black, or for ready inser-.

tion of a new or substitute member 31.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, the gauze or other perforated disk or disks 31may be backed by a disk or bafile member 31, preferably of insulating material, either porous or suitable perforated, for causing distribu tion over the disk or disks 31 of the gas delivered through'the tube 25.

While I have illustrated the positive and negative structures 1? and N as separate and distinct, it will be understood that they may be formed in a. single unit, as by suitably molding integral with each other the tubes 1 and 25, or other parts, as in'Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 3, the positive and neg-' ative electrode structures are shown combined as a unit by recourse to the block or mass B of molded or otherwise formed insulating material, as hard rubber, condensite, bakelite, etc. The grid of the positive electrode structure is disposed in a cavity in the block. B, the coated grid being inserted upon removal of the plug .13 sealed by gasket 14. The solution is, as before, delivered through the connection or nipple 5 and passes through the bore or tube 6 over the grid and through the bore 23 of the plug 21 to the restricted or capillary orifice 20. Connection is made trom'the grid 15 by the conductor 18, which may be molded in the block B, or, as indicated, may extend through the tube 6 to the binding post 18 secured to or molded on the block B. Similarly, the gas for the negative electrode is dellvered through the connection or nipple 26 and passes through the bore or tube through the distributingmember31 to the gauze or other electrode 31 held in position in a recess communicating with the tube 25 by the removable, plug 32, as in Fig. 1. The conductor. 30 connecting with the disk 31 'may be moldfl within the block B, or, as ind cated. may extend through the'tube 25 to the binding post 30 secured (to or molded on the block B. i V I Y i This arrangement constitutes a unit of bothlitive and negave electrode structureawhich is M y rugged and comact. I r -'lh(1ai"pii the; of illustration merely, and without limitation of my inventlon, the electrodes are shown as connected with suitable apparatus for-measuring voltages or diderences of potential which are representative of the ion concentration. The measuring post 29 and therefore with the perforated member 31. The contact 37 is moved along the resistance R to such position that the deflection of the galvanometer G is nil, in which case the fall of otential across that part of the resistance to the left of the contact 37 is equal to the potential. difierence or voltage produced b the calomel half cell and hydrogen electro e in contact with the electrolyte E. Such potential difference or voltage may then be directly read upon the deflecting voltmeter V.

It will be understood that the electrodes may be used in any other suitable relation, as for control, by thepotential difi'erence produced by them, of any suitable apparatus for any suitable purpose, or in any suitable relation.

* What I claim is:

1. Electrode structure comprising a member of insulating material having a pas sage, a second perforated member of conducting material extending across said passage and adapted for immersion in liquid, an electrical connectionwith said second member, and means for conducting fluid through said passage to said second member.

2. Electrode structure comprising a member of insulating material having a passage, a second perforated member of conductin material extending across said-passage an adapted for immersion in liquid, an electrical connection with said second member extending through said passage. and means for conducting fluid through said passage to ber forming a wall oi said casing and through'which gas passes from said tube and casing.

6. Electrode structure comprising a tube of insulating material, a casing on one end thereof, a perforated conducting member forming a wall of said casing and through which gas passes from said tube and casing,

outer tube, an inner tube through which fluid is delivered into said outer tube, a grid carried by said inner tube in the path of the fluid delivered from said innertube to said outer tube, said outer tube having a passage to the exterior having a restricted orifice, and an electrical connection with said grid extending between said tubes.

28. Electrode structure comprising an outer tube, a cap thereon, an inner tube supported by said cap, a casing on the end of said inner tube, a coated grid within said casing, a restricted fluid connection from the interior to the exterior of said outer tube, and'an electrical connection with said grid extending between said tubes.

-'29. A calomel halt cell comprising an outer tube, an inner tube for conducting fluid into said outer tube, a passage having a capillary orifice communicating with the interior of said outer tube, a grid coated with a mixture of calomel and mercury dis- I posed in the fluid path between said inner tube and said orifice,and an electrical connection with said grid extending between said tubes.

30. Gas electrode structure comprising a member having a gas passage, a perforated conducting member extending across said passage and through which said gas passes,

, and gas distributing means between said passage and said conducting member.

31. Gas electrode structure comprising a member having a gas passage, a perforated conducting member extending across said passage and through which said gas passes, and a gas distributing member backing Said conducting member.

32. An electrode unit comprising a block of insulating material having a plurality of independent fluid passa es therein, a perforated conducting mem er disposed across one of said passages, a conductor connected with said member, a member having a fluid passage communicating with another of said passages and terminating in a restricted orifice, a griddisposed between said other of said passages and said orifice, and an electrical connection with said d.

33. An electrode unit comprising a block and an electrical connection with said grid.

34. An electrode unit comprising a structure provided with fluid passages, one end of each passage being adapted to be placed in communication with a body of electrolyte, a perforated conducting member disposed across one of said passages, a conducting member disposed within another of said fluid passages, and electrical connections for said conducting members.

35. An electrode'unit comprising a structure provided with fluid passages, one end of each passage bein adapted to be placed in communication with a body of: electrolyte, a perforated conducting member disposed across one of said passages, a conducting member disposed within another of said fluid passages, and electrical connections for said conducting members, communication between said second named passage and said A body of electrolyte being through a restricted orifice.

36. All electrode unit comprising a structure provided with fluid passages, one end of each passage being adapted to be placed in communication with a body of electrolyte, a conducting member disposed within each of said passages, and electrical connections for said conducting members, communication between one of said passages and said body of electrolyte being through a capillary orifice.

37. Gas electrode structure comprising means for directing a flow of gas along a definite path, and a perforated conductin member disposed entirely across said pet and through which said gas passes.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto atfixed my signature this 23rd day of November, 1921.

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