Divided Electrochemical Cell and Low Cost High Purity Hydride Gas Production Process

摘要

This invention is an apparatus and a method for continuously generating a hydride gas of M1 which is substantially free of oxygen in a divided electrochemical cell. An impermeable partition or a combination of an impermeable partition and a porous diaphragm can be used to divide the electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, wherein the cathode chamber has a cathode comprising M1, the anode chamber has an anode comprising M2 and is capable of generating oxygen, an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising a hydroxide M3OH partially filling the divided electrochemical cell. Hydride gas generated in the cathode chamber and oxygen generated in the anode chamber are removed through independent outlets. M1 can be selenium, phosphorous, silicon, metal or metal alloy, M2 is metal or metal alloy suitable for anionic oxygen generation, and M3 is NH4 or an alkali or alkaline earth metal.

主权项

1. An apparatus for generating a hydride gas of M1 comprising:
a divided electrochemical cell comprising:
(a) tubular housing wherein at least part of the tubular housing comprising M2;(b) an electrical insulator bottom;(c) an electrical insulator top lid comprising a cathode gas outlet, an anode gas outlet and a water inlet;(d) a divider that divides the divided electrochemical cell into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, wherein the divider is electrically insulated from anode and cathode circuits;(e) the cathode chamber comprising a cathode selected from the group consisting of a solid rod of M1 and a fixed bed of M1 granules, and the cathode gas outlet;(f) the anode chamber comprising an anode that is part of tubular housing comprising M2, the anode gas outlet and the water inlet; an aqueous electrolyte solution partially filling the cathode chamber and the anode chamber comprising a hydroxide M3OH; a first control valve connected with the cathode gas outlet; a second control valve connected with the anode gas outlet; and a third control valve connected with the water inlet;
whereinthe cathode and the anode are at least partially immersed in the aqueous electrolyte solution;M1 is selected from the group consisting of selenium, phosphorous, silicon, antimony, arsenic, lead, cadmium; and combinations thereof;M2 is a metal or a metal alloy suitable for anionic oxygen generation selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, and combinations thereof; andM3 is NH4 or a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metals.