# US 2004/0069640 A1 · Tubular electrodialysis and electrodeposition membrane electrode device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2004/0069640 A1 - Document ID: US20040069640A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/415,241 - Filed: 2003-10-27 - Published: 2004-04-15 - Earliest claimed: 2001-08-28 - Inventors: Roberto Pizzamiglio; Claudio Moretti; J?uuml;rgen Weschke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040069640A1 ## CPC - B01D 61/46: Apparatus therefor - B01D 61/422: {Electrodialysis} - B01D 63/06: Tubular membrane modules - B01D 69/10: Supported membranes; Membrane supports - C25D 13/22: Servicing or operating {apparatus or multistep processes} - C25D 13/24: Regeneration of process liquids - B01D 2313/345: Electrodes - B01D 2313/57: Tools used for removal of membranes - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - C25D: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR ## Abstract A tubular electrodeposition and electrodialysis cell (1), in particular for painting processes by immersion in a paint bath, having preferably a rigid supporting structure (8), at least one electrode (7), to separate the paint bath from a dialysis liquid circulating in the cell; members (21, 24, 41, 42, 46) are provided which cooperate with the supporting structure (8) to fit the membrane (9) hermetically to the supporting structure (8) and permit removal of the membrane. ## Claims ### Claim 1 1) A tubular electrodeposition and electrodialysis cell (1, 1a, 1b) comprising at least one electrode (7); a supporting structure (8); and a semipermeable membrane (9) carried by the supporting structure and surrounding said electrode, at a given distance from the electrode; the tubular cell having a dialysis liquid circulating channel (50) extending at least partly between the semipermeable membrane and the electrode; and the tubular cell being characterized by comprising members (21, 24, 41, 42, 46) cooperating with the supporting structure (8) to fit said semipermeable membrane (9) hermetically and releasably to said supporting structure (8), so as to permit replacement of said semipermeable membrane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 2) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said supporting structure (8) is a rigid structure; said semipermeable membrane (9) being supported by the rigid structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) 3) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the rigid said supporting structure (8) comprises a rigid tubular body (13) having a number of windows (17) defining a grille; the semipermeable membrane (9) closing said windows (17). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) 4) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said tubular body (13) is longer than the semipermeable membrane (9). ### Claim 5 (depends on 3, 4) 5) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said windows (17) are axially elongated radial openings having an axial dimension much greater than the circumferential dimension. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3, 4, 5) 6) A tubular cell as claimed in one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said tubular body (13) is a cylindrical body defining internally a seat for housing one or more electrodes (7). ### Claim 7 (depends on 3, 4, 5) 7) A tubular cell as claimed in one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said tubular body (13) comprises a central tubular member (60), and a number of radial arms (62) carried by the central tubular member (60) and defining a number of seats for housing respective electrodes (7). ### Claim 8 (depends on 6, 7) 8) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said tubular body (13) comprises a groove (21) extending along an endless path and housing an endless seal (24). ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) 9) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said groove (21) comprises two circumferential portions (22) formed at opposite axial ends (14, 15) of the tubular body (13), and two straight axial portions (23) closely adjacent to each other and connecting the circumferential portions (22). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) 10) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said semipermeable membrane is a sheet having two end portions (36) superimposed one on the other and over said axial portions (23) of the groove (21). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) 11) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said members comprise fastening assemblies (41, 42, 46) for gripping the semipermeable membrane (9) to the tubular body (13), with the interposition of said seal (24). ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) 12) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said members comprise two fastening rings (43) superimposed over said circumferential portions (22) of the groove (21). ### Claim at position 13 (depends on 12) 13). A tubular cell as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said members comprise a fastening bar (47) extending longitudinally between said fastening rings (43) and superimposed over said axial portions (23) of the groove (21). ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) 14) A tubular cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said semipermeable membrane (9) is a tubular membrane defined by a sheet having two superimposed, longitudinally welded end portions (36), or is made in the form of a seamless tube. ### Claim 15 15) A tubular cell as claimed in the foregoing claim, characterized in that said supporting structure (8) comprises a tubular body (13) in the form of a net or grille on which the semipermeable membrane (9) is wound, and two connecting portions (84, 85) located at opposite axial ends (14, 15) of the tubular body (13) and having respective grooves (90) housing respective endless seals (24); said members comprising two fastening rings (43) superimposed over said grooves (90) to grip the semipermeable membrane (9) to said connecting portions (84, 85), with the interposition of said seals (24).