Diaphragm currents

On forcing a liquid through a diaphragm, diaphragm currents are set up, a phenomenon noted by Wiedemann and Quincke and one hilly accounted for on the hypothesis of the existence of an electrical double lay er between the diaphragm material and the liquid. 

While the spermicide-containing reusable diaphragms currently on the market are relatively effective when used in combination with a spermicidal formulation, they require careful fitting, insertion and maintenance. Moreover, adverse reactions, such as urinary tract infections, alterations in vaginal flora and occurrence of toxic shock syndrome, have been associated with their use. In contrast the silicone-based device described above has been reported to be stable, non-irritating and non-toxic. 

C h = in which n is the number of -> electrons involved in the electrochemical reaction, M is the molecular weight of the electroactive materials, and F stands for the Faraday constant. In calculating the theoretical capacity for a battery, only the cathode and anode material masses are taken into consideration, ignoring the electrolyte, separator (see diaphragm), current-collectors, container, etc. 

Current Efficiency. Current efficiency for caustic production in diaphragm and membrane cells can be estimated from collection of a known amount of caustic over a period of time and from a knowledge of the number of coulombs of electricity passed during that time period. An alternative method involves analysis of the gases evolved during electrolysis and determining the anolyte composition. Material balance considerations (7) show the expression for the caustic efficiency for membrane cells to be... 

Electrolytic Cell Operating Characteristics. Currently the greatest volume of chlorine production is by the diaphragm ceU process, foUowed by that of the mercury ceU and then the membrane ceU. However, because of the ecological and economic advantages of the membrane process over the other systems, membrane ceUs are currently favored for new production facHities. The basic characteristics of the three ceU processes are shown in Eigure 5. 

Lime Soda. Process. Lime (CaO) reacts with a dilute (10—14%), hot (100°C) soda ash solution in a series of agitated tanks producing caustic and calcium carbonate. Although dilute alkaH solutions increase the conversion, the reaction does not go to completion and, in practice, only about 90% of the stoichiometric amount of lime is added. In this manner the lime is all converted to calcium carbonate and about 10% of the feed alkaH remains. The resulting slurry is sent to a clarifier where the calcium carbonate is removed, then washed to recover the residual alkaH. The clean calcium carbonate is then calcined to lime and recycled while the dilute caustic—soda ash solution is sent to evaporators and concentrated. The concentration process forces precipitation of the residual sodium carbonate from the caustic solution the ash is then removed by centrifugation and recycled. Caustic soda made by this process is comparable to the current electrolytic diaphragm ceU product. 

The vapor pressure, of soHd iodine has been redetermined using the gas current method and by a static method using a flexible metallic diaphragm (27,28). The data from the gas current method are weU represented by equation 2 (27) ... 

Foxboro s Model 823 transmitter uses a taut wire stretched between a measuring diaphragm and a restraining element. The differential process pressure across the measuring diaphragm increases the tension on the wire, thus changing the wire s natural frequency when it is excited by an electromagnet. This vibration (1800—3000 H2) is picked up inductively in an oscillator circuit which feeds a frequency-to-current converter to get a 4—20 m A d-c output. 

Metal Anode Diaphragm Cathode Cell feed g/L Electrolyte, g/L Temperat ure, °C CeU voltage, V Cathode current density, A/m Energy requirement, kWh/kg Current efficiency, %... 

Transducers The ciirrent-to-pressiire transducer (I/P transducer) is a conversion interface that accepts a standard 4-20 rnA input current from the process controller and converts it to a pneumatic output in a standard pneumatic pressure range (normally (),2-L0 bar [3-15 psig] or, less frequently, 0,4-2,0 bar [6-30 p.sig]). The output pressure generated by the transducer is connected directly to the pressure connection on a spring-opposed diaphragm actuator or to the input of a pneumatic valve positioner. 

Measuring electrodes for impressed current protection are robust reference electrodes (see Section 3.2 and Table 3-1) which are permanently exposed to seawater and remain unpolarized when a small control current is taken. The otherwise usual silver-silver chloride and calomel reference electrodes are used only for checking (see Section 16.7). All reference electrodes with electrolytes and diaphragms are unsuitable as long-term electrodes for potential-controlled rectifiers. Only metal-medium electrodes which have a sufficiently constant potential can be considered as measuring electrodes. The silver-silver chloride electrode has a potential that depends on the chloride content of the water [see Eq. (2-29)]. This potential deviation can usually be tolerated [3]. The most reliable electrodes are those of pure zinc [3]. They have a constant rest potential, are slightly polarizable and in case of film formation can be regenerated by an anodic current pulse. They last at least 5 years. 

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