Electrolytic process apparatus

Abstract

Electrolytic process apparatus comprises a voltage source for electrically coupling to first and second electrodes, a detection circuit electrically coupled to the voltage source and a guard for providing a barrier between the first and second electrodes. The guard is arranged to permit current to travel within an electrolyte between the electrodes. The guard includes a guard conductor arranged to be electrically isolated from the electrodes. The guard conductor is arranged to be electrically coupled to the detection circuit such that the detection circuit can detect the presence of a current path between the guard conductor on the one hand and either electrode on the other hand.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . Electrolytic process apparatus comprising a voltage source arranged to be electrically coupled to first and second electrodes, a detection circuit electrically coupled to the voltage source and a guard for providing a barrier between the first and second electrodes, the guard being arranged to permit current to travel within an electrolyte between the electrodes, wherein the guard includes a guard conductor arranged to be electrically isolated from the electrodes and arranged to be electrically coupled to the detection circuit such that the detection circuit can detect the presence of a current path between the guard conductor on the one hand and an electrode on the other hand. 
     
     
         21 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the detection circuit is arranged to transmit a signal, upon detecting the presence of the current path, operable to deactivate the voltage source. 
     
     
         22 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the detection circuit includes a first detector arranged to monitor the difference in an electrical characteristic between the guard and first electrode. 
     
     
         23 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the detection circuit includes a second detector arranged to monitor the difference in an electrical characteristic between the guard and second electrode. 
     
     
         24 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the detection circuit includes a third detector arranged to monitor the difference in an electrical characteristic between the electrodes 
     
     
         25 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the detection circuit includes a switch associated with a voltage detector, the voltage detector being arranged to generate a signal operative to open the switch in response to the monitored voltage difference exceeding a predefined threshold, such that upon the switch opening the voltage source is switched off. 
     
     
         26 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the guard includes an insulating coating provided over all surfaces of the guard conductor except those parts by which the guard conductor is arranged to be electrically coupled to the monitoring circuit. 
     
     
         27 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the guard is arranged to enclose a part of the first electrode. 
     
     
         28 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the guard conductor is coiled around the first electrode. 
     
     
         29 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the guard includes an insulating bracket arranged to fixedly space the conductor from the first electrode. 
     
     
         30 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the deletion circuit electrical characteristic is one or more of voltage, resistance or current. 
     
     
         31 . Electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the detection circuit has one or more set points, the set points being either fixed value or arranged to be automatically adjusted in accordance with the voltage source output. 
     
     
         32 . A guard for providing a barrier between first and second electrodes of an electrolytic process apparatus according to  claim 20 , the guard being arranged to permit current to travel within an electrolyte between the electrodes, wherein the guard includes a guard conductor arranged to be electrically isolated from the electrodes. 
     
     
         33 . A guard according to  claim 32 , wherein the guard includes an insulating coating provided over all surfaces of the guard conductor except those parts by which the guard conductor is arranged to be electrically coupled to a monitoring circuit. 
     
     
         34 . A guard according to  claim 32 , wherein the guard is arranged to enclose a part of the first electrode. 
     
     
         35 . A guard according to  claim 32 , wherein the guard conductor is coiled around the first electrode. 
     
     
         36 . A guard according to  claim 32 , wherein the guard includes an insulating bracket arranged to fixedly space the conductor from the first electrode.