Patent ID: 6037075
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: C25B,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
An electrochemical cell that is operated at above-ambient pressures and that employs at least one ion-exchange membrane that creeps or flows under pressure, that comprises: at least two electrically non-conductive plate structures, wherein each said plate structure comprises: a first and a second surface; a central bore; at least one through aperture that opens onto said first and said second surfaces; a first border region on said first surface that surrounds said central bore; and a second border region on said first surface that defines an outside contour thereof,wherein said first surfaces of said plate structures are located on or contiguous to opposing sides of said membrane(s) andwherein said first surface of each said plate structure is provided with a means for impeding membrane creep or flow, such that, when said first surface of one such plate structure forcibly contacts a first surface of an ion-exchange membrane employed in said cell and when said first surface of a second such plate structure forcibly contacts an opposing surface of said membrane, said plate structures alone and collectively serve to contain, and thereby form a fluid tight seal with, said membrane.