Regeneration method and device
First Claim
1. A method of regenerating an amperometric cell comprising at least two probe electrodes including at least one working electrode and at least one counter electrode, each of said electrode having an exposed surface for contact with a cell electrolyte provided within a cell space bounded by a membrane;
- said amperometric cell having, during electroanalysis, an operative current range limited by a maximum current density at said at least one working electrode;
said method comprising the steps of;
removing said membrane and said cell electrolyte from said amperometric cell and placing at least said at least two probe electrodes into contact with a regeneration electrolyte;
placing a regenerator electrode into contact with said regeneration electrolyte;
connecting said regenerator electrode and at least one of said at least two probe electrodes in circuit with a common electric power source and thereby subjecting said at least one of said at least two probe electrodes while in contact with said regeneration electrolyte, to a regeneration current at a current density which is substantially higher than said limited maximum current density in said amperometric cell during electroanaylsis;
said higher current density being generated by said regeneration current at said at least one probe electrode and said regenerator electrode;
maintaining said regeneration current at said higher current density at said at least one probe electrode; and
thereafter removing said regeneration electrolyte from said at least two probe electrodes and refitting said membrane and said cell electrolyte to said amperometric cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of regenerating a membrane-enclosed amperometric or Clark cell having an operative current range for electroanalytical operation limited by a maximum current density of typically not more than 100 μA/cm2 at the working electrode by subjecting at least one of the probe electrode in contact with a regeneration electrolyte, while the membrane is removed, to a regeneration current for causing a current density in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 mA/cm2 which is substantially higher, e.g. by a factor of at least 10 and preferably at least 100, than the maximum current density in electroanalytical operation.
The device for use in this method comprises an enclosure having a lower end and an upper end; the lower end is sealingly closed by the sensing end of the probe; the device comprises a regenerator electrode external to the probe arranged within the enclosure to provide a space for holding a regeneration electrolyte in contact with the regenerator electrode and the probe electrodes; a lead connects the regenerator electrode with a current source having a second outlet connected with at least one of the probe electrodes.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of regenerating an amperometric cell comprising at least two probe electrodes including at least one working electrode and at least one counter electrode, each of said electrode having an exposed surface for contact with a cell electrolyte provided within a cell space bounded by a membrane;
- said amperometric cell having, during electroanalysis, an operative current range limited by a maximum current density at said at least one working electrode;
said method comprising the steps of;
removing said membrane and said cell electrolyte from said amperometric cell and placing at least said at least two probe electrodes into contact with a regeneration electrolyte;
placing a regenerator electrode into contact with said regeneration electrolyte;
connecting said regenerator electrode and at least one of said at least two probe electrodes in circuit with a common electric power source and thereby subjecting said at least one of said at least two probe electrodes while in contact with said regeneration electrolyte, to a regeneration current at a current density which is substantially higher than said limited maximum current density in said amperometric cell during electroanaylsis;
said higher current density being generated by said regeneration current at said at least one probe electrode and said regenerator electrode;
maintaining said regeneration current at said higher current density at said at least one probe electrode; and
thereafter removing said regeneration electrolyte from said at least two probe electrodes and refitting said membrane and said cell electrolyte to said amperometric cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- said amperometric cell having, during electroanalysis, an operative current range limited by a maximum current density at said at least one working electrode;
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11. A regeneration arrangement for regenerating an amperometric cell devoid of a membrane bounding a cell-electrolyte-filled space at a sensing end containing at least two electrodes including a working electrode and a counter electrode;
- said regeneration arrangement comprising;
an enclosure means having a first open end and a second open end;
said first open end of said enclosure means sealingly accommodating said sensing end of said amperometric cell;
a regenerator electrode arranged within said enclosure means between said first open end and said second open end in an interior space for receiving a regeneration electrolyte for providing electrolytically conductive contact between said regenerator electrode and said at least two probe electrodes of said sensing end of said amperometric cell accommodated by said first open end of said enclosure means; and
electrical connection means for connecting said regenerator electrode and said at least two probe electrodes in circuit with a common electric power source. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- said regeneration arrangement comprising;
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17. In the method of regenerating an amperometric cell devoid of a membrane bounding a cell electrolyte-filled space at a sensing end having at least two probe electrodes including a working electrode which is operated at a limited maximum current density during electroanalysis, and a counter electrode;
- the improvement comprising the steps of;
providing a regenerator electrode and a regeneration electrolyte which are external to said amperometric cell to be regenerated;
placing at least said at least two probe electrodes into contact with said regeneration electrolyte;
placing said regenerator electrode into contact with said regeneration electrolyte;
connecting said regenerator electrode and at least one of said at least two probe electrodes in circuit with a common electric power source and thereby subjecting said at least one of said at least two probe electrodes while in contact with said regeneration electrolyte, to a regeneration current at a current density that is substantially higher than said limited maximum current density during electroanalysis;
said higher current density of said regeneration current being generated at said at least one probe electrode, and said regenerator electrode.
- the improvement comprising the steps of;
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18. A regeneration device for regenerating an amperometric cell having a sensing end which contains at least two probe electrodes including at least one working electrode and at least one counter electrode, said regenerating device comprising:
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an enclosure means having a first open end and a second open end; said first open end being adapted to sealingly receive the sensing end of the amperometric cell in a regeneration position in said enclosure means; said enclosure means defining an electrolyte space for receiving and holding a regeneration electrolyte; a regenerator electrode arranged within said enclosure means between said first and said second open ends and in said electrolyte space for providing electrolytically conductive contact between said regenerator electrode and said at least two probe electrodes; and electrical connection means for connecting said regenerator electrode and said at least two probe electrodes in circuit with a common electric power source. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification