Ronald C Miles

US Patent:

44655681, Aug 14, 1984

Filed:

Nov 16, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/322000

Inventors:

Ronald L. Dotson - Cleveland TN
Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN
Larry D. Carpenter - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - New Haven CT

International Classification:

C25G 134

US Classification:

204 98

Abstract:

A process for the electrolytic production of a chloride-free mixture consisting essentially of sodium and potassium nitrates is disclosed. In this process, an anolyte brine comprised of a mixture of sodium and potassium chlorides dissolved therein is electrolyzed in a membrane type electrolysis type cell to produce a mixed alkali metal hydroxide catholyte solution. The catholyte is reacted with nitric acid to form a mixed potassium-sodium nitrate solution. By properly adjusting the ratio of potassium chloride to sodium chloride concentration in the anolyte brine, a final nitrate product containing about from about 40% to about 80% NaNO. sub. 3 and from about 60% to about 20% KNO. sub. 3 by weight can be produced. The resulting product, after drying is suitable for use in many solar panel heat transfer applications.

US Patent:

45781591, Mar 25, 1986

Filed:

Apr 25, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/727171

Inventors:

Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN
David D. Justice - Cleveland TN
Ronald L. Dotson - Cheshire CT

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - Cheshire CT

International Classification:

C25B 116

US Classification:

204 98

Abstract:

A process for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment containing at least one anode, a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode, and a cation exchange membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment comprises feeding the aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide to the anode compartment; feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the cathode compartment; and electrolyzing the alkali metal halide solution to produce a halogen gas and alkali metal ions in the anode compartment. The alkali metal ions and water are passed through the cation exchange membrane into the cathode compartment to contact a hydrophilic porous cathode. The alkali metal ions, the water and the oxygen-containing gas produce a concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution which flows through a hydrophilic porous cathode. The concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution is removed from the cathode compartment to prevent a substantial accumulation of the concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution in the cathode compartment.

US Patent:

45669503, Jan 28, 1986

Filed:

May 6, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/730883

Inventors:

Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - Cheshire CT

International Classification:

G01N 2746

US Classification:

204 1T

Abstract:

A method of employing wire reference electrodes in an electrolytic cell with at least one voltmeter to monitor the potential of the cell components and the cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material.

US Patent:

49197916, Apr 24, 1990

Filed:

Oct 9, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/785686

Inventors:

Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN
David D. Justice - Cleveland TN
Kenneth E. Woodard - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - Cheshire CT

International Classification:

C25B 116
C25B 126

US Classification:

204 98

Abstract:

A process for the electrolysis of an alkali metal halide brine is operated in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment containing at least one anode, a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode, and a cation exchange membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The process comprises: (a) feeding the alkali metal halide brine to the anode compartment; (b) electrolyzing the alkali metal halide brine at a current density of at least about 2 kiloamperes per square meter to produce a halogen gas and alkali metal ions in the anode compartment; (c) passing the alkali metal ions and water through the cation exchange membrane into the cathode compartment wherein contact is maintained between the cation exchange membrane and the hydrophilic porous cathode; (d) feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the cathode compartment; (e) producing a concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution while limiting the formation of hydrogen; and (f) removing the concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution from the cathode compartment to prevent an accumulation of concentrated alkali metal hydroxide in the cathode compartment. Operation of the process of the present invention is free of the restrictions for hydrostatic pressures and gas pressures required when hydrophobic cathode materials are used in the cathode compartment. The process further permits the use of increased current densities without forming significant amounts of hydrogen gas.

US Patent:

44889470, Dec 18, 1984

Filed:

Jun 8, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/502411

Inventors:

Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - Cheshire CT

International Classification:

C25B 134

US Classification:

204 98

Abstract:

An improved process for the electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte in an electrolytic membrane cell is provided. The membrane cell is comprised of an anode compartment having at least one anode and containing the aqueous electrolyte and a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode and a concentrated catholyte liquor. A vertically positioned cation exchange membrane separates the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The process improvement comprises exposing a substantial portion of the cathode to a gaseous atmosphere, this substantial portion of the cathode is not immersed in the concentrated catholyte liquor produced. The concentrated aqueous catholyte liquor is removed from the cathode compartment to prevent a substantial accumulation of catholyte liquor in the cathode compartment. The improved process can be carried out in a novel electrolytic cell in which the cathode compartment is substantially reduced in size to permit a material savings as well as provide a higher production capacity per unit of floor space.

US Patent:

45004021, Feb 19, 1985

Filed:

Apr 29, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/373204

Inventors:

Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN
George W. Geren - Georgetown TN
R. W. Peel - Tellico Plains TN

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - Cheshire CT

International Classification:

G01N 2730

US Classification:

204242

Abstract:

A wire reference electrode and a method of employing the wire reference in an electrolytic cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in and wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material.

US Patent:

42216435, Sep 9, 1980

Filed:

Aug 2, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/063016

Inventors:

Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN
Larry D. Carpenter - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - New Haven CT

International Classification:

C25B 116
C25B 126
C25B 1102
C25B 1103

US Classification:

204 98

Abstract:

An improved process is described for the electrodeposition of both a low overvoltage metal and a sacrificial metal onto an electrically conductive substrate. The sacrificial metal is later removed by leaching the electroplated substrate with sodium hydroxide. The improvement comprises adding a sacrificial metal to the electroplating solution after electrodeposition is initiated. The amount of electric current supplied to the electroplating solution during electrodeposition may be increased or decreased to increase the surface area and the electrochemical activity of the electroplated substrate.

US Patent:

45619492, Dec 31, 1985

Filed:

Aug 29, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/526936

Inventors:

Ronald C. Miles - Cleveland TN
David D. Justice - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Olin Corporation - Cheshire CT

International Classification:

C23F 1300

US Classification:

204147

Abstract:

An improved method for shutting down an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions containing ionizable compounds is provided. The electrolytic cell has a first electrode, a second electrode of opposite polarity, a first conductor electrically connected to the first electrode and a second conductor electrically connected to the second conductor, and means for supplying an electric current to the first and second conductors. The method improvement comprises activating a cell protection circuit between the first conductor and the first electrode, and preventing the passage of reverse currents through the cell. The method can also be employed to prevent the passage of reverse currents through a plurality of cells in series in the case of a power outage or disruption.