Capillary reference half-cell

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870292

Hall, Stephen H ^[1]

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1. Kennewick, WA

The present invention is a reference half-cell electrode wherein intermingling of test fluid with reference fluid does not affect the performance of the reference half-cell over a long time. This intermingling reference half-cell may be used as a single or double junction submersible or surface reference electrode. The intermingling reference half-cell relies on a capillary tube having a first end open to reference fluid and a second end open to test fluid wherein the small diameter of the capillary tube limits free motion of fluid within the capillary to diffusion. The electrode is placed near the first end of the capillary in contact with the reference fluid. The method of operation of the present invention begins with filling the capillary tube with a reference solution. After closing the first end of the capillary, the capillary tube may be fully submerged or partially submerged with the second open end inserted into test fluid. Since the electrode is placed near the first end of the capillary, and since the test fluid may intermingle with the reference fluid through the second open end only by diffusion, this intermingling capillary reference half-cell provides a stable voltage potential for long time periods.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute (Richland, WA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5490916
• OSTI ID: 870292
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

capillary
reference
half-cell
electrode
intermingling
fluid
affect
performance
time
single
double
junction
submersible
surface
relies
tube
diameter
limits
free
motion
diffusion
placed
near
contact
method
operation
begins
filling
solution
closing
submerged
partially
inserted
intermingle
provides
stable
voltage
potential
periods
reference half-cell
voltage potential
capillary tube
time period
reference electrode
time periods
cell electrode
partially submerged
placed near
free motion
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