Electrokinetic potential measurement

Abstract

The measurement of electrokinetic potential is of importance in paper-making. A measuring cell (12) for a specific potential known as streaming potential of the kind disclosed in EP B1 0 079 726 is now provided with measuring electrodes (40, 42) of a metal which forms a reversible electrochemical reaction with pure water to oxidize the metal. The electrodes (40, 42) used in the measurement mode in the cell have a film comprising an oxide of the metal electrochemically formed thereover. Such electrodes are found to give more stable and consistent measurement than the stainless steel electrodes used previously. Silver, lead, copper and alloys such as lead and silver are preferred. The measuring electrodes (40, 42) are regenerated within the cell (12) through electrochemical reduction to bare metal, followed by oxidation to re-form the film. This is performed with the aid of auxiliary electrodes (60, 62) in the cell. A control system (50) for the measurement and regeneration mode is described. Excess excursions of the measurement mode voltage are monitored to indicate that the regeneration procedure is to be entered. The measuring electrode (42) in the cell compartment (22) in which the measurement pad is formed is provided with a shroud (13) to protect it during the flushing of the pad from the mesh (14) in the cell.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.