Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corporation

Helmut Schurig

Bernd Strasser

Luciano Mose

An improved anode element for monopolar filter-press electrolysis cells comprises providing said anode element with an integral hollow member positioned above the upper surface of said anode element. Preferably, said hollow member is formed as an integral extension of the electrode frame, said hollow member having an outlet for withdrawing chlorine gas and being adapted to permit continuous fluid contact with said anode element, said hollow member being further adapted to provide sufficient hydrostatic pressure in said anode element for optimal liquid flow through the diaphragm over the entire operating cycle of the electrolysis cell.

Anode elements for monopolar filter press electrolysis cells

A unitary filter press cell circuit is described. The circuit comprises a plurality of individual electrolytic cells mounted on a support structure positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell circuit. The longitudinal support structure is comprised of the electrolyte inlet conduits for the cell circuit and the electrolysis product outlet conduits for the cell circuit. The composite unit, cells and support structure, may be moved as a single unit, suitably by hoisting, facilitating the removal from service of a faulty circuit and the subsequent substitution with a replacement circuit. The longitudinal support structure is suitably comprised of conduits or headers for catholyte, anolyte, the anodic products and the cathodic products of the cells in the circuit. Although the conduits may be round or oval in cross-section, conduits of a rectangular cross-section are preferred. In a preferred embodiment, the conduits for the anodic and cathodic products, mixtures of gases and liquids, are preferably of a larger capacity than required for the passage of solely liquid products, thus facilitating a separation of the gaseous and liquid products within the conduit. For example, in the case of the electrolysis of sodium chloride, wherein the anodic product from the individual cells is chlorine gas and aqueous sodium chloride and the cathodic product is hydrogen and an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, the larger capacity of the cell product outlet conduits facilitates separation of the chlorine product from the brine solution and the hydrogen product from the caustic solution.

Unitary filter press cell circuit

A unitary frame and membrane assembly particularly useful in a filter press electrolytic cell arrangement is provided by the present invention. The assembly comprises a rigid, peripheral frame member having separable peripheral frame portions. A permselective membrane member is positioned between the separable peripheral frame portions, and the membrane member and frame portions are secured together to form a unitary frame and membrane assembly. The present assembly is adapted for use as the barrier component in electrolytic cells which utilize a separatory membrane barrier between the cell electrodes.

Unitary frame and membrane for electrolytic cells

Electrode elements are provided for monopolar electrolysis cells useful in chlor-alkali electrolysis and having two vertical, planar, opposed electrode surfaces, said surfaces being substantially parallel and spaced apart from one another and being electrically fastened to an electrode frame, said electrode element being characterized in that at least one electrode rod is connected in electrically conductive fashion to the side portion of said electrode frame, extending through the space between said opposed electrode surfaces substantially parallel to said electrode surfaces, the diameter of said rod being smaller than the distance between said opposed electrode surfaces, said electrode rod being provided with conductive members distributed over the length thereof and connected in electrically conductive fashion to both the electrode surfaces and the electrode rod.

Electrode element for monopolar electrolysis cells

An improved electrolytic cell of the filter press type in which the electrode gap may initially be set and accurately maintained during assembly of the cell units is described. The cell units consist of a planar anode mounted in a peripheral anode frame, a planar cathode mounted in a peripheral cathode frame, a barrier, such as a diaphragm or membrane, positioned between the anode and cathode, a spacer member and at least one gasket member positioned between the edges of the anode and cathode frames. The total gasket width in an uncompressed state is greater than the thickness of the spacer member. Upon assembly of the unit, the gasket member is compressed forming a gas and liquid seal. The thickness of the spacer member determines the space between the anode and cathode frame members and, consequently, the space or gap between the anodes and cathodes mounted in the frame members.

Filter press cell

The present invention provides an electrolyte feed system for feeding an individual supply of electrolyte to electrolytic cells in a filter press cell circuit. The system includes a primary electrolyte feed line, having one closed end and a plurality of outlets, or orifices, therein spaced along the length of the line. The primary feed line is encased in a larger, secondary feed line. The secondary feed line has a plurality of outlets, or orifices, therein spaced along its length corresponding to the outlets in the primary feed line. In a preferred embodiment, the feed lines are circular in cross-section and are in the form of pipes or tubes. The outlets in the primary and secondary feed lines are spacedly aligned, and the outlets in the secondary feed line are communicatively connected with the electrolyte inlets in the cell compartments of the individual cells in the cell circuit. Preferably, the outlets in the secondary feed line and the inlets in the cell compartments are approximately the same size and the outlets in the primary feed line are substantially smaller. In operation, a supply of electrolyte enters the system through the primary feed line and initially fills both the primary feed line and the secondary feed line. The incoming electrolyte is jetted through the smaller outlets of the primary feed line, through the internal space between the primary and secondary feed lines, through the outlets in the secondary feed line and into the electrolyte compartments. The relatively small openings of the outlets in the primary feed line minimize the adverse effect that a drop in pressure in the electrolytic source line would have on the electrolyte level in the electrolyte in the electrolyte compartment of the cell circuit. If the outlets in the primary feed line do become clogged, the electrolyte compartments receive a supply of electrolyte from the secondary feed line.

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Holzwickede, Germany

Helmut Schurig