In the early 1950’s Charles Engelhard developed and patented a Hydrogen Detector, which was adopted as a standard monitor in US Navy Submarine battery rooms. Soon after Platinum clad anodes were developed and used for impressed current cathodic protection on the Sea Wolf, an atomic submarine. In 1954, Engelhard the first order was received from the US Navy for the first CAPAC® (Cathodic Protection Automatic Control). Soon after, CAPAC had wide acceptance in the maritime community.
In 1972 the first Chloropac® patented electrochlorination fouling control systems are installed. Chloropac sodium hypochlorite generators use electrocatalysis to form sodium hypochlorite from salt water or brine. Sodium hypochlorite is used to inhibit the growth of marine organisms in diverse installations including power plants and off shore platforms.
To meet the expanding demand for their products in the world market, a new design, engineering, and manufacturing facility was established in Wales, UK in 1976. Additionally, in 1977, a full sales and service organization was established in California. Two years later the Singapore Service Center commenced operation.
In 1986, a water purification treatment system was introduced under the name of PACPURI®. The system provided an on demand chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite) output as well as the ability to adjust the amount of chlorine automatically.
In 1986 Engelhard decided to sell off this part of the business to an internal management group who renamed the company Electrocatalytic, Inc. From 1986 to 1999 the company prospered selling Chloropac and Capac systems for fixed and mobile off shore production and drilling platforms as well as protection against bio-fouling in land based installations.
In 1999, Electrocatalytic was purchased by USFilter and it became part of the newly form ChemFeed Disinfection group joining Stranco Products and Wallace&Tiernan Products.
Electrocatalytic Products continues to be a leading provider of commercial, industrial, municipal and residual water/waste water treatment systems in more then 100 countries.