NEW PATENTS: April 1982
Journal Archive
NEW PATENTS: April 1982
METALS AND ALLOYS
Dispersion Strengthened Precious Metal Alloys
owens-corning fiberglass corp. British Appls. 2,075,552/3 A
Alloys with superior creep resistance are obtained by the mechanical introduction of the oxide material, such as Y for Pt or Pt alloys. The thermomechanical processing of the products is described.
Dispersion-Hardened Metal Alloys
kernforschungszentrum karlsruhe g.m.b.h. European Appl. 44,351
An alloy composition hardened by dispersed carbide particles is formed by decomposing a ternary or higher mixed carbide in a suitable matrix alloy. The carbides are derived from Group IVB, VB and VIB transition metals while the matrix is a solid alloy of Group IVB, VB and VIB metals with Re or one of the platinum group metals.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Gas Separation Apparatus
a. p. sanders British Appl. 2,078,539 A
A diffusion apparatus for selectively separating H2 from other gases consists of a refractory base having an indented maze-like flow path which is coated with a H2 permeable membrance of 90% Pd-10% Ag alloy. Several diffusion plates may be stacked to form a diffusion unit for a thermal water dissociation apparatus.
Catalytic Electrode
westinghouse electric corp. European Appl. 40,897
An electrode for use in the oxidation of SO2, as part of a process for the large-scale production of H2, is obtained by impregnating a porous substrate, such as C with a salt of a platinum group metal, preferably Pd, in a specified manner.
Electrode for Use in Brine Cells
oronzio de nora impianti elettrochimici s.p.a. U.S. Patent 4,287,032
An improved membrane electrode is formed from a powdered electroconductive, electrocatalytic material, such as a mixture of Ru, Ir and Ti oxides, bound together with a fluoroolefin polymer having a hydrophilic surface. The hydrophilic surface may be obtained by exposing a PTFE polymer to ionising radiation from Co60 in the presence of hydrophilic group precursors.
ELECTRODEPOSITION AND SURFACE COATINGS
Method of Electroplating Platinum-Rhodium Alloys
u.s. secretary of the interior U.S. Patent 4,285,784
In a method for obtaining a Pt-Rh coating of predetermined composition and thickness, in which the composition of the alloy is uniform throughout the coating, individual Pt and Rh baths are prepared by dissolving an anode of the appropriate metal in a molten cyanide salt bath, and a mixed bath is then formed containing the required proportion of each metal. Alloys may then be plated from the mixed bath using alternating Pt and Rh anodes.
Palladium Plating
degussa a.g. German Offen. 3,013,029
Bright flawless Pd deposits are obtained from an electroplating bath at pH 6–8 containing, per litre, 1–15g of Pd in the form of a Pd diaminodinitrile, 10–15g NH4NO3, 0.05–1g of a water-soluble benzophenone derivative such as benzophenone sulphonic acid, and optionally 1–20g of a complexing agent such as EDTA.
LABORATORY APPARATUS AND TECHNIQUE
Solid Electrolyte Gas Sensor
sybron corp. British Patents 1,604,445/6
A concentration O2 cell is in the form of a tube divided at its centre point with a disc of ZrO2 or other solid electrolyte material. Pt heater wires embedded in the wall of the tube maintain equal temperatures at both sides of the sensor disc and the temperature of the two gas chambers is monitored by thermocouples, such as Pt or Pt-Rh, inserted in the tube close to the sensor disc.
Oxygen Sensor for Combustible Gases
westinghouse electric corp. U.S. Patent 4,285,790
A molten carbonate electrochemical cell is used to remove O2 in combination with CO2 from an O2-combustible gas mixture, at low temperature (400−700°C), in order to provide measurement of the O2 content of the gas via a Pt electrode solid electrolyte O2 sensor.
Solid Pole Oxygen Sensor
toyota jidosha kogyo k.k. U.S. Patent 4,292,157
A simplified O2 sensor for automotive use is produced by burying one end of a Pt or Pt-Rh lead in a single pole of Co/CoO, for example, coating the pole with a conductive Pt paste and then encapsulating the pole in a solid electrolyte, preferably Y-stabilised ZrO2 which is dried and pressure-moulded into a pellet. The surface of the pellet is then plated or baked to form a second Pt electrode.
JOINING
Method of Welding Precious Metal Foils
t. kiyosumi U.S. Patent 4,291,216
A method involving seam welding of a sandwich layer of metals enables a corrosion-resistant substrate to be coated with a protective layer of precious metal. In the method, which may be used to produce electrodes, a Ti or another valve metal substrate is covered by a thin (∼10μ m) layer of Pt, and then with a thicker layer of stainless steel or another corrosion resistant metal and after seam welding of the sandwich the outer metal layer is removed by etching with aqua regia.
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
Metal Supported Catalysts for Methanation
johnson matthey & co. ltd. British Patent 1,603,101
Synthesis gases are reacted in a temperature stable reactor having metallic channels made from or bearing a catalytic material which catalyses the methanation reaction. The preferred catalysts are alloys of Ni, Re or the platinum group metals, Ru alloys or platinum group metal impregnated Ni or Cr base metal alloys having refractory metal oxide washcoats.
Activating Catalyst Supports
gallaher ltd. British Patent 1,604,081
Conventional pelleted Al2O3 and zeolite catalytic pellets are activated by providing a surface deficiency of hydroxyl groups just before impregnation with the catalytic metal, such as Pt and Pd. The hydroxyl deficiency may be obtained by heating the support material, by crushing the particles or by providing Lewis acid sites. Such catalysts may be used in smoking materials or for exhaust gas purification.
A Process for the Preparation of Hydrocarbons
shell internationale research mij.b.v. British Appl. 2,077,754 A
Syngas with a H2 : CO molar ratio less than 1 is contacted in a first stage with a Fe-containing catalyst having Fischer-Tropsch as well as CO-shift activity. A H2/CO mixture optionally separated from the first stage product and having a H2: CO molar ratio of at least 1.5 is contacted in a second stage with a Co- or Ru-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. In this way the stability of the process is improved.
Production of Alcohols from Synthesis Gas
british petroleum co. ltd. British Appl. 2,078,745 A
A supported Rh-Re catalyst, optionally containing Fe, Mn, Mo, W, Ru, Cr, Zr, U and/or Th, is used for the commercial scale production of methanol-ethanol mixtures from synthesis gas.
Catalytic Converter
minnesota mining & manufacturing co. European Appl. 40,235
In a converter of specified design for decomposing ozone in aircraft atmospheres, the active catalyst may be Pt, Pd or Ni.
Hydrocracked Lubricating Oils
mobil oil corp. European Appls. 42,238/9
Low pour point oils are obtained by hydrocracking, catalytic dewaxing and hydrotreating a suitable feedstock. Pd and Pt catalysts may be used in some stages of the process.
Water Dissociation
horizon manufacturing co. U.S. Patent 4,287,169
The water is reacted with an amalgam of Hg, Na and Al to form the hydroxide Na3Al(OH6) which is then decomposed in the presence of a catalyst containing a platinum group metal, preferably Rh; Ge, Sb, Ga, Th, In, Cd, Bi, Pb, Zn and/or Sn, and optionally Au.
Catalytic Heat Exchange Apparatus
johnson matthey inc. U.S. Patent 4,288,346
A gaseous combustion mixture flows over the surface of a metal/ceramic screen consisting of Al2O3 carrying, on one side, a catalytic coating of one or more platinum group metals. Heat produced by the catalytic combustion is rapidly transferred to a gas stream flowing across the other face of the Al2O3 screen. The claims specifically refer to use of an Al2O3 cement derived from an aqueous dispersion of Al metal powder, Cr salt and an Al phosphate binder.
Polymetallic Reforming Catalyst
mobil oil corp. U.S. Patent 4,288,348
More severe reforming conditions may be used in the reforming of naphtha fractions when the catalyst consists of Re, separate particles of Pt-Re/Al2O3 and Ir/Al2O3.
Promoted Palladium Catalysts for Methanol Synthesis
union carbide corp. U.S. Patents 4,289,709/10
Pd containing Li, Sr, Ba and/or Mo promotors is selective towards the production of methanol from synthesis gas at a temperature 200−400°C and a pressure 150–20,000 psia. In U.S. Patent 4,289,710 the Pd catalyst is promoted by 0.5−1.0% Ca.
Oxidation of Methane
johnson matthey & co. ltd. U.S. Patent 4,289,737
A catalyst which will oxidise organic contaminants, such as CH4, present in exhaust gases, at low temperature, consists of a honeycomb support bearing a high surface area metal oxide layer containing Group II, III and IV metal oxides and a second active layer containing 35% Rh and 65% Pt. The catalyst operates between 300−325°C.
Multimetallic Reforming Catalyst
exxon research & engineering co. U.S. Patent 4,292,204
A small amount of Ir (0.01−0.2%) is added to a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation catalyst containing 0.1−2% Pd and 0.1−2% Re to increase the aromatic content of the reformate and to reduce the coking tendency of the catalyst.
HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS
Synthesis of Unsaturated Esters and Lactone
montedison s.p.a. British Patent 2,003,875 B
Carboxylation of butadiene in the presence of a phosphoric complex of Pd, such as Pd(PPh3)2, produces unsaturated esters and lactone.
Preparation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids
texaco development corp. British Appls. 2,078,722/3 A
Rh compound and complex catalysts, such as Rh oxide, acetylacetonate and carbonyls, are used together with an iodide or bromide promoter for the synthesis gas homologation of acetic acid and other aliphatic carboxylic acids. In British Appl. 2,078,723 A similarly promoted Pd and Ni catalysts, such as Pd acetate and acetylacetonate, are used in the same process.
Ruthenium Carboxylate Catalyst for Ethylene Glycol Production
halcon research & development corp. British Appl. 2,079,278 A
Homogeneous triarylphosphine Ru carboxylate catalysts produce high yields of ethylene glycol by the hydrogenation of glycoaldehyde, under moderate reaction conditions, without significant acetal formation.
Heteronuclear-Bridged Rhodium Cluster Hydroformylation Catalysts
union carbide corp. U.S. Patent 4,288,380
Robust catalysts, better able to meet the severe conditions encountered in low-pressure oxo hydroformylation reactions, are clusters of formula Rh(MR2)m(CO)p(M′R′3)q where M, M′ are Group VA metals, R, R′ are monovalent organic radicals and m, p and q are 2–6. The preferred catalyst is Rh3(PPh2)(CO)3(PPh3)2.
Rhodium Salt-Magnesium Catalyst for Synthesis Gas Conversion
hoechst a.g. U.S. Patent 4,288,558
Acetic acid, ethanol, acetaldehyde, etc., may be produced from synthesis gas by using a highly selective catalyst containing Rh salts or complexes, having a valency below 3, together with Mg salts or complexes. Suitable catalysts contain either Mg3{RhCl6]2 or Mg{Rh(CO)2Cl2}2.
Palladium Hydrogenation Catalysts
institut neftekhimicheskogo sinteza im. a.v. topchieva an. sssr Russian Patent 725,375
The selective hydrogenation of dienes or acetylenes to olefins is catalysed by a complex of a Pd salt with butylamine, octylamine, 4-amylthiacyclohexane, 3-methyl-thiophane, dibutylsulphide, 9–12C alkylsulphoxides, cetyl alcohol or polyethylene glycol reduced with diisobutyl Al hydride.
FUEL CELLS
Noble Metal-Chromium Alloy Catalysts
united technologies corp. British Appl. 2,078,254 A
An electrocatalyst, particularly for acid fuel cells, with twice the activity of an unalloyed noble metal consists of an alloy of Pt or another noble metal with Cr, preferably 25 at.%Cr. The catalysts may be used in exhaust gas purification and chemical reactions.
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
Uptake of Platinum Group Metals by Plants
johnson matthey & co. ltd. British Patent 1,604,768
Precious metals may be recovered from waste mineral ores by growing green-leafed plants on the ore and then recovering the metals, by dehydration and carbonisation, from the harvested plants. The treated ore is preferably spread over fertile land or it may be used in the form of an aqueous reservoir containing the discharged ore.
Solvent Extraction Recovery of Ruthenium
commissariat a l’energie atomique U.S. Patent 4,282,112
Radioactive Ru in HNO3 nuclear waste solutions is recovered by contact with an organic phase consisting of an organophosphorus compound having electron donor S atoms, especially di(2-ethyl-hexyl)dithiophosphoric acid, in the presence of a compound, such as sulphonic acid, which will displace NO ions of the Ru complex present in HNO3.
Promoted Amine Extraction of Platinum Group Metals
matthey rustenburg refiners French Appl. 2,472,025
In a method of separating Pt, Ir and/or Pd from a solution containing base and other platinum group metals, the solution is adjusted to a pH below 7 and then contacted with an organic phase containing amines or quaternary ammonium compounds and alcohols, phenols and/or carboxylic acids. Pt, Ir and/or Pd are extracted into the organic phase from which they may be separated by means of an acid.
GLASS TECHNOLOGY
Photochromic Glass for Lenses
corning glass works European Appl. 41,789
Spectacle lenses for persons suffering from pigment deficiency eye diseases are made from a glass having an integral coloured surface layer and zero transmission of short wavelength radiation photochromically activated by Ag, which may contain 1–50 ppm of Pd and/or Au and up to 5% of lanthanide metal colorants.
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
Low Resistivity Composite Conductor
standard microsystems corp. British Appl. 2,077,993 A
The gate electrode of a MOS device has a layer of a highly conductive material between two layers of polysilicon. This provides a gate electrode of reduced sheet resistivity. The highly conductive layer must be a metal silicide formed by depositing a layer of metal, such as Pt, and heating to form the silicide; or the metal silicide may be deposited directly.
High Pressure Metal Vapour Discharge Lamp
tokyo shibaura denki k.k. British Appl. 2,080,019 A
Stable discharge lamps are obtained by including in the sealed arc tube a radioactive material having a half-life less than 1×104 years. Suitable radioactive materials including 106Ru, 110Ag, 144Ce, 194Au and various lanthanide metal isotopes, may be impregnated onto In and La metal substrates.
Optical Recording Element
eastman kodak co. European Appl. 42,307
The element has a heat deformable layer, which may be made from vacuum-evaporated Rh or Pt, on which is deposited a barrier layer of a suitable polymer.
Capacitor Element
fujitsu ltd. European Appl. 44,742
Au-Pd-Au/Si electrode plates may be used on capacitor dielectrics and sourced by conduction wires of specified length (based on signal wavelength) which may be made of Au.
High-Resolution Mask for Magnetic Bubble Domain Structures
rockwell international corp. U.S. Patent 4,284,678
The mask consists of a thin (0.2−2μ m) layer of X-ray or low voltage E-beam transparent material (such as parylene) selectively coated with an opaque metal layer of Pt, Ir, Au, U or a lanthanide metal oxide.
Dual Schottky Contact Avalanche Semiconductor Structure
thomson-c.s.f. U.S. Patent 4,286,276
The structure has two conventional electrodes interdigitated with a supplementary electrode and separated by intervals of the same order of magnitude as the thickness of the active layer. The Schottky contact used is made of Pt.
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
Heat Flow Measurement System
elcon research ltd. British Appl. 2,077,435 A
Thick film Pt resistance thermometers are used in a system which measures the heat flow in a subsystem of a central heating system.
Resistance Thermometer
hayashi denko k.k. British Appl. 2,079,533 A
A Pt resistance wire is secured in bores in a ceramic insulating system by means of a filling of ceramic particles between 30 and 150μ m in diameter. Use of particles rather than crushed insulator materials facilitates the filling operation and ensures that the spaces between the coils are fully filled.
MEDICAL USES
Silver-Tin-Copper-Palladium Dental Alloy
special metals corp. British Appl. 2,076,854 A
Dental amalgam compositions which eliminate the formation of corrosive Sn-Mg phases, contain an alloy of 30−70% Ag, 15−37% Sn, 0.05−0.95% Pd, up to 4% Zn, up to 6% In, up to 2% Cd, up to 2% Al, up to 5% Ga, up to 2% Ru, up to 3% Hg and a balance of Cu. The alloy is amalgamated with 30−56% Hg.
Platinum Anti-Tumour Complexes
kureha kagaku kogyo k.k. European Appl. 41,792
Pt complexes have a glycine dimer ligand and one or two carboxyl groups which are converted into ester or salt form to increase their water solubility and to decrease side-effects in use.
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