Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft

Wolfgang Muller

Dieter Bergner

Kurt Hannesen

Wilfried Schulte

Eckhard Weber

Richard Broll

Roland Muller

Werner Bender

Johann Daimer

Process for separating fullerenes

The electrolysis apparatus for the manufacture of chlorine from aqueous alkali metal halide solutions has at least one electrolysis cell the electrodes of which, separated by a separating wall, are arranged in a housing of two hemispherical shells. The housing is furthermore provided with equipment for the feed of the starting materials for electrolysis, and equipment for the discharge of the electrolysis products. The separating wall is clamped by means of sealing elements between the rims of the hemispherical shells and positioned between power transmission elements of non-conductive material. The electrodes are fastened via spacers to the shells and connected mechanically and electrically with the shells via the rims thereof. The hemispherical shells of adjacent cells are positioned flatwise one upon the other, and the end positioned shells of the electrolysis apparatus are supported by pressure compensation elements.

Electrolysis apparatus

In the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution, a mixture of anolyte and steam-saturated gaseous chlorine is formed in the anode space of the electrolytic cell. According to the invention, the process is carried out under a pressure of at least 8 bars. For workup, the anolyte is at first separated from the steam-saturated gaseous chlorine which is then liquefied under a pressure of at least 8 bars by cooling. In the course of cooling there is obtained a condensate which consists of a liquid water-saturated chlorine phase and a liquid chlorine-saturated water phase. The temperature of said condensate is not to fall below 28.degree. C. during cooling. Finally, the light-weight water phase is separated from the chlorine phase having a heavier specific weight.

Process for the production of liquid chlorine

The electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride solutions under pressure has already been carried out. In accordance with the invention there is applied a pressure of at least 8 bars in the anode space for such an electrolysis, as well as a special process for the work-up of the products of the anode space. The mixture of gas and anolyte leaving the anode space is at first mechanically separated, and the anolyte is then depressurized into a stripping column. In the course of this process a dechlorination and cooling of the anolyte are taking place. The anolyte is to enter the pressure release vessel (stripping column) with a temperature being above the boiling point of the anolyte at atmospheric pressure. The reduced pressure is to be between 2 bars and atmospheric pressure. By means of these measures it may be ensured that the anolyte in the stripping column reaches boiling point. Finally the chlorine set free in the pressure release operation is separated from the anolyte.

Process for the dechlorination and cooling of the anolyte of the alkali

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Bad Soden am Taunus, Germany

Wolfgang Muller