Start-up procedure for oxygen electrode
AssigneeDiamond Shamrock Corporation
InventorDouglas K. Rogers
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Abstract
This disclosure is directed to an oxygen (air) cathode start-up procedure capable of reducing operating voltage for such cathode without reducing useful electrode life by subjecting it to less (gauge) pressure than it will encounter during operation in conjunction with hot alkali, e.g., about 60.degree. to about 85.degree. C. for about 1 to about 24 hours. Preferably zero gauge pressure is used in conjunction with alkali at 60.degree. to 80.degree. C. for from 1 to 8 hours and a low current density of from about 30 to about 90 milliamperes/cm.sup.2 is employed. Even more preferably, air or oxygen is supplied to such cathode at a flow rate from about 3 to about 10 times the stoichiometric rate required to conduct oxygen reduction. When air is used, preferably it is CO.sub.2 -free air.
Claims5
A start-up procedure for an alkali metal halide electrolyzing cell having an oxygen cathode comprising subjecting said cathode to a positive gauge pressure but a lesser gauge pressure than it will encounter during operation and contacting the cathode with an alkali metal hydroxide at temperatures ranging from about 60.degree. to 85.degree. for from about 1 to about 24 hours prior to operational use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.