Method and apparatus for controlling electrolytic processes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for economically, reliably and efficiently controlling electrolytic processes by measuring the conductivity of the product of the electrolysis, and having the process terminate when a specified conductivity value is reached, that value corresponding to a desired pH and/or ORP value.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for the electrolysis of an electrolyte, further comprising one or more sensors which measure the conductivity of the product or products of the electrolysis. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising circuitry or mechanism which controls the electrolysis according to conductivity measurements obtained by the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry or mechanism which controls the electrolysis terminates the electrolysis when a conductivity measurement reaches a predetermined value. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined value of the conductivity measurement is that value that correlates to a desired pH and/or oxidation reduction potential value. 
     
     
         5 . The method of electrolyzing an electrolyte, comprising having circuitry or mechanism control the electrolysis according to measurements of the conductivity of the product or products of the electrolysis. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising having the circuitry or mechanism which controls the electrolysis terminate the electrolysis when a conductivity measurement reaches a predetermined value. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined value of the conductivity measurement is that value that correlates to a desired pH and/or oxidation reduction potential value. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry or mechanism which controls the electrolysis terminates the electrolysis when the rate of change over time of conductivity measurements of the anolyte product of the electrolysis changes significantly.