Huron Chemicals Limited

Diamond Shamrock Technologies S.a.

Richard Eric Loftfield

Harold Vincent Casson

Bruno Kindl

Oronzio De Nora

James W Bess, Sr

Giovanni Trisoglio

Relates to anodes for electrolytic cells, for the electrolysis of brine solutions, having primary lead-in means of high conducting capacity (copper) for supplying anodic current to the cell from outside the cell and connected to a current supply source, primary conducting means of lower conducting capacity (titanium, or tantalum or alloys thereof) inside the cell, secondary conducting means of lower conducting capacity (titanium, or tantalum or alloys thereof) inside the cell for conducting current to an electrocatalytically active coating carried on a valve metal base, said electrocatalytic coating being capable of catalyzing halogen ion discharge without becoming passivated over long periods of time, said anodes serving to distribute the current in a cascade fashion from the primary lead-ins to the anode face.

Anode structure

An electrolytic cell is provided which is particularly suitable for the production of oxy-halogen compounds such as sodium chlorate by the electrolysis of an alkali metal halide such as sodium chloride. A removable casing divides the cell into a separate cell chamber and a cooling and concentration chamber outside of said casing; means are provided for the circulation of the electrolytic solution between the cooling and concentration chamber and the cell chamber, but there is a substantial seal against the passage of gas from one to the other. Gas such as hydrogen is separately removed from the interior of the casing, a gas sweep is provided across the surface of the electrolyte in the cooling and concentration chamber to cool the electrolyte and evaporate part of it so as to concentrate it. In accordance with this invention, such can be accomplished without danger of explosion. The removable casing achieves the desired separation into the cell chamber and cooling and concentration chamber while not restricting convenient access to the cells.

Electrolytic cell

An electrolytic cell is provided that is particularly suitable for the production of oxy -halogen compounds such as sodium chlorate by electrolysis of an alkali metal halide such as sodium chloride. A cell chamber is provided containing an electrode assembly and is connected for the circulation of electrolytic solution to a cooling and concentrating chamber. Gas communication between the cell chamber and the cooling and concentration chamber is substantially avoided. Gas evolved during the electrolysis is separately removed from the cell chamber and is preferably scrubbed. Gas such as air is swept through the cooling and concentration chamber so as to provide at least part of the cooling requirements for removing the heat generated during the electrolysis and to evaporate, thereby concentrating the electrolytic solution. This takes advantage of the sensible heat of the electrolytic solution for the evaporation of such solution.

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Chardon, OH, United States of America

Richard Eric Loftfield