Electrolyser

Abstract

An electrolyser for separating a mixture of components using isoelectric focusing in a liquid media comprises a series of blocks defining chambers. The chambers are separable by isoelectric membranes of known pH. End chambers are located at each end of the series of chambers. The blocks are clamped together using four tie rods to make the apparatus substantially liquid tight. An electrodes is provided in each end chamber for use in applying an electric field across the series of chambers. One of the tie rods is conducting and carries current from an electrode at one end of the apparatus to the opposite end of the apparatus. A lever operated clamping mechanism is provided for tensioning the tie rods and clamping the chambers together between the end blocks in a liquid tight fashion.

1 . An apparatus for separating a mixture of components using isoelectric focusing in a liquid media, the apparatus comprising: 
 a series of blocks defining chambers, the chambers being separable by isoelectric membranes of known pH;    end chambers located at each end of the series of chambers;    at least two tie rods for use in clamping the blocks together to make the apparatus substantially liquid tight; and    electrodes for use in applying an electric field across the series of chambers;    wherein at least one of the tie rods is conducting and carries current from an electrode at one end of the apparatus to the opposite end of the apparatus.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the conducting tie rod is a metal rod which is in an insulating material along a substantial portion of its length.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the conducting tie rod is a steel rod.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including four tie rods.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for separating a mixture of components using isoelectric focusing in a liquid media, the apparatus comprising: a series of blocks defining chambers, the chambers being separable by membranes and capable of being clamped together in a watertight arrangement, the apparatus including end blocks between which the series of chambers may be held by means of a plurality of tie rods extending through the blocks, wherein a lever operated clamping mechanism is provided for tensioning the tie rods and clamping the chambers together between the end blocks in a liquid tight fashion.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a lever operated clamping mechanism is provided for tensioning the tie rods and clamping the chambers together between the end blocks in a liquid tight fashion.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein one end of each of the tie rods is fixed with respect to one end block of the apparatus.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the other end of each of the tie rods defines enlarged end portions and the other end block of the apparatus comprises a housing and a plate moveable relative to the housing and wherein the plate defines a series of apertures adapted to receive the ends of the tie rods and engage with the enlarged portions of the tie rods and wherein the clamping means is arranged to move the plate away from the housing using a cam mechanism or the like to tension the rods.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the apertures are generally keyhole shaped.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the engagement of the ends of the tie rod to the plate is by means of a twist fitting with the tie rods being inserted with the plate being rotationally off-set relative to the apparatus and rotatable to align the cross-section of the plate with the blocks and engage the enlarged portions of the tie rods behind narrower portions of the keyhole shaped apertures.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for separating a mixture of components using isoelectric focusing in a liquid media, the apparatus comprising a series of blocks defining chambers, the chambers being open on front and rear faces of the blocks, the chambers being separable by membranes disposed between adjacent blocks, the blocks being capable of being clamped together in a watertight arrangement, wherein the membranes are retained in washers each of which defines a recess for receiving a membrane and locating the same in correct alignment with the chambers.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein one face of each block defines a recess into which a corresponding annular protrusion locates and wherein an end wall of the recess defines a stepped portion and a front face of the annular protrusion defines a mating stepped portion the washer being stepped also and locating in use between the end wall and the front face of the annular protrusion  
   
   
       13 . A dummy block for use with the apparatus of  claim 1 , the block defining a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts which are biased apart but electrically connected which is adapted to replace one of the blocks in the apparatus while still allowing the passage of current along the chambers of the apparatus, in use.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for separating a mixture of components using isoelectric focusing in a liquid media, the apparatus comprising: 
 a series of blocks defining chambers, the chambers being separable by isoelectric membranes of known pH;    end chambers located at each end of the series of chambers with each chamber defining a well opening into the base of the chamber, in use;    at least two tie rods for use in clamping the blocks together to make the apparatus substantially liquid tight;    electrodes for use in applying an electric field across the series of chambers; and    a power supply defining a platform on which the apparatus may be placed in use, the power supply is arranged to supply power to the electrodes;    wherein a magnetic plate is located in the well wherein movement of the plate is accomplished by a solenoid disposed under a floor of the platform and means for periodically reversing the polarity of the solenoid.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the diameter of the well is slightly larger than the diameter of the magnetic plate such that the magnetic plate is prevented from turning over but is free to move along the central axis of the well.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the well defines an internal flange where it meets the base of the chamber dimensioned to prevent egress of the plate from the well.  
   
   
       17 . A method of agitating fluid contained in chambers of the apparatus of  claim 1  comprising the steps of 
 providing a well beneath and open to a chamber in the block;    providing a stirring means in the form of a ferro-magnetic disk in the well;    providing a solenoid disposed beneath the well and magnetic disk in operation; and    periodically reversing the polarity of the solenoid thereby causing movement of the magnetic plate.