Olin Corporation

Ronald C Miles

David D Justice

Larry D Carpenter

Ronald L Dotson

George W Geren

R W Peel

Kenneth E Woodard, Jr

Garland E Hilliard

A process for the electrolysis of an alkali metal halide brine is operated in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment containing at least one anode, a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode, and a cation exchange membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The process comprises:

Controlled operation of high current density oxygen consuming cathode

The cell voltage of an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment separated from a cathode compartment, the cathode compartment containing an alkaline catholyte solution is reduced in a method which comprises introducing into the cathode compartment a compound of a heavy metal selected from Groups IVB, VB, and VIB and an alkylene polyamino complex with cobalt or iron. The method results in significant cell voltage reductions in electrolytic cells employing as separators porous diaphragms or ion exchange membranes.

Method and composition for reducing the voltage in an electrolytic cell

A process for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment containing at least one anode, a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode, and a cation exchange membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment comprises feeding the aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide to the anode compartment; feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the cathode compartment; and electrolyzing the alkali metal halide solution to produce a halogen gas and alkali metal ions in the anode compartment. The alkali metal ions and water are passed through the cation exchange membrane into the cathode compartment to contact a hydrophilic porous cathode. The alkali metal ions, the water and the oxygen-containing gas produce a concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution which flows through a hydrophilic porous cathode. The concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution is removed from the cathode compartment to prevent a substantial accumulation of the concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution in the cathode compartment. The process of the present invention provides operation of the membrane all independently of oxygen gas and liquid diffusion rates to permit high current densities to be employed.

Electrolysis of alkali metal chloride brine in catholyteless membrane

A method of employing wire reference electrodes in an electrolytic cell with at least one voltmeter to monitor the potential of the cell components and the cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material.

Method of monitoring an electrolytic cell

An improved method for shutting down an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions containing ionizable compounds is provided. The electrolytic cell has a first electrode, a second electrode of opposite polarity, a first conductor electrically connected to the first electrode and a second conductor electrically connected to the second conductor, and means for supplying an electric current to the first and second conductors. The method improvement comprises activating a cell protection circuit between the first conductor and the first electrode, and preventing the passage of reverse currents through the cell. The method can also be employed to prevent the passage of reverse currents through a plurality of cells in series in the case of a power outage or disruption.

Apparatus and method for preventing activity loss from electrodes during

An improved process for the electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte in an electrolytic membrane cell is provided. The membrane cell is comprised of an anode compartment having at least one anode and containing the aqueous electrolyte and a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode and a concentrated catholyte liquor. A vertically positioned cation exchange membrane separates the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The process improvement comprises exposing a substantial portion of the cathode to a gaseous atmosphere, this substantial portion of the cathode is not immersed in the concentrated catholyte liquor produced. The concentrated aqueous catholyte liquor is removed from the cathode compartment to prevent a substantial accumulation of catholyte liquor in the cathode compartment. The improved process can be carried out in a novel electrolytic cell in which the cathode compartment is substantially reduced in size to permit a material savings as well as provide a higher production capacity per unit of floor space.

Catholyteless membrane electrolytic cell

A method of making a wire reference electrode in an electrolytic cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in and wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material which is heated for a predetermined period of time to collapse the heat shrinkable insulating material about the sealing material.

Method of making reference electrode

A wire reference electrode and a method of employing the wire reference in an electrolytic cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in and wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material.

Reference electrode

Process of operation of catholyteless membrane electrolytic cell

A process for the electrolytic production of a chloride-free mixture consisting essentially of sodium and potassium nitrates is disclosed. In this process, an anolyte brine comprised of a mixture of sodium and potassium chlorides dissolved therein is electrolyzed in a membrane type electrolysis type cell to produce a mixed alkali metal hydroxide catholyte solution. The catholyte is reacted with nitric acid to form a mixed potassium-sodium nitrate solution. By properly adjusting the ratio of potassium chloride to sodium chloride concentration in the anolyte brine, a final nitrate product containing about from about 40% to about 80% NaNO.sub.3 and from about 60% to about 20% KNO.sub.3 by weight can be produced. The resulting product, after drying is suitable for use in many solar panel heat transfer applications.

Electrochemical production of KNO.sub.3 /NaNO.sub.3 salt mixture

An improved process is described for the electrodeposition of both a low overvoltage metal and a sacrificial metal onto an electrically conductive substrate. The sacrificial metal is later removed by leaching the electrodeposited substrate with alkali metal hydroxide. The improvement comprises adding a sacrificial metal to the electroplating solution after electrodeposition is initiated. The amount of electric current supplied to the electroplating solution during electrodeposition may be increased or decreased over time intervals to increase the surface area and the electrochemical activity of the electroplated substrate.

Process for the preparation of low overvoltage electrodes

An improved process is described for the electrodeposition of both a low overvoltage metal and a sacrificial metal onto an electrically conductive substrate. The sacrificial metal is later removed by leaching the electroplated substrate with sodium hydroxide. The improvement comprises adding a sacrificial metal to the electroplating solution after electrodeposition is initiated. The amount of electric current supplied to the electroplating solution during electrodeposition may be increased or decreased to increase the surface area and the electrochemical activity of the electroplated substrate.

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Cleveland, TN, United States of America

Ronald C Miles