Method for gas generation utilizing platinum metal electrocatalyst containing 5 to 60% ruthenium
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAnthony B. LaConti, Anthony R. Fragala
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas generation apparatus is described which utilizes a novel catalytic oxygen evolving electrode for such electrochemical systems as electrolysis and oxygen concentrator cells. The oxygen concentration and the electroylsis cells include a catalytic cathode, an improved catalytic anode containing an active reduced platinoid electrocatalyst containing 5 to 60% ruthenium. The cathode and the novel catalytic anode are positioned on opposite sides of a cation exchange membrane with a source of direct current potential being connected between the two electrodes to concentrate gases such as oxygen or generate gases by an electrolysis process.
Claims3
In a method for electrolytically generating oxygen, the steps comprising,
- a. providing a catalytic cathode,
- b. providing a catalytic oxygen evolving anode,
- c. positioning a ion exchange membrane between and in electrical contact with the cathode and the anode,
- d. providing a direct current potential between the cathode and the anode, supplying water to one of the electrodes to be acted on electrochemically to evolve oxygen at the anode,
- e. the improvement comprising the step of providing a catalyst at the oxygen evolving electrode, consisting of a platinum-ruthenium alloy comprising reduced oxides of platinum and ruthenium and containing from 5 to 60 weight percent of ruthenium.
The method for electrolytically generating oxygen from oxygen contained in a gaseous stream by concentrating the oxygen at, the anode, the steps comprising:
- a. providing a catalytic cathode,
- b. providing a catalytic anode,
- c. positioning an ion-exchange-membrane between and in electrical contact with the cathode and anode,
- d. providing a direct current potential between the cathode and the anode,
- e. providing a gaseous stream including oxygen at the cathode,
- f. supplying water to one of the electrodes to be acted on electrochemically,
- g. the improvement in combination therewith;
- of providing a catalyst at the oxygen evolving anode consisting of a platinum-ruthenium alloy comprising reduced oxides of platinum and ruthenium and containing 5 to 60 weight percent ruthenium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.