Basf Wyandotte Corporation

Energy Development Associates

Jacob Jorne

Michael Krumpelt

Edward D Creamer

Emad Roayaie

Atul Shah

A flow-through porous electrode structure for electrochemical systems having flowing electrolytes is disclosed. The flow-through porous electrode structure includes a single porous electrode having two planar opposing faces, each of which provides a reaction surface for electrochemical electron-transfer reactions of the same polarity. The porous electrode features spaced passage means which extends at least in part through the electrode between the opposing faces for distributing the circulating electrolyte through the electrode. The passage means comprises a plurality of vertically spaced, generally horizontally disposed passageways extending from a first side of the porous member. These passageways having a generally circular cross section and extend substantially across the width of the porous electrode member.

Flow-through porous electrodes

High current efficiency can be obtained in an electrolytic cell by inducing turbulence in the catholyte preferably by utilizing a gas-directing cathode and cation-permselective membrane combination. There is disclosed a process for electrolysis, particularly, the electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride such as sodium chloride to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide. Said cell has a cathode and an anode divided into catholyte and anolyte compartments by a cation-permselective membrane. Turbulence inducing means such as a gas-directing cathode provides turbulence in said catholyte at the surface of said membrane by directing gas evolving on said cathode toward or away from said membrane. Multicell arrangements are also disclosed wherein said cells are connected in series.

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Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Jacob Jorne