Unitary filter press cell circuit

Abstract

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.