DE2244020A1 - ELECTROLYTE CELL ARRANGEMENT - Google Patents

Description

Patent attorneys

Dr. Ing.Wdtsr Abitz 22AA020

Dr. Dietor F. Morf

Dr. Hans-A. Brauns ⁷ * ^{Se tember} P

Munich bo, Hitffizenauerstr. 28. CE-1098-A

ENGELHARD MINERALS & CHEMICALS CORPORATION at 430 Mountain Avenue, Murray Hill, New Jersey _; 07974, V.St.A

Electrolytic cell arrangement

Algae, mud and Auslaufbakterienkonzenfrationen often contaminate water reservoir or water supply systems _s like Abwassersysterne, Cooling Tower Complex, drinking water supply systems, fire protection sy stones, etc irrigation systems ,. Ocean water storage or supply systems are polluted with algae, mud and numerous additional organisms such as barnacles, tunicates, hydro-animals, bog animals and others. The multiplication of these organisms is prevented by the use of chlorine. It is dangerous to store and use chlorine gas, and it also has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, so that even a moderate increase in temperature can lead to hydrostatic rupture of the storage container.

Sodium hypochlorite is the alternative form of chlorine,

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most likely to be economically viable chlorinating agents can be considered. Although the relative safety of sodium hypochlorite is well known, throws its storage has problems due to the large quantities required. To solve the storage and Security problems a system must be used which sodium hydrochlorite can produce as required without special storage. This can be done with an electrolytic Sodium hypochlorite generator or an electrolytic cell arrangement can be achieved, which is the subject of the present invention is.

The cell arrangement according to the invention has an electrolytic conductive elongated composite part or composite part or member formed from a pair of tubular electrodes arranged in an end-to-end ratio or end-to-end are arranged isolating at a distance from each other. One of these electrodes is an anode and the other one Cathode. The cell assembly further includes an elongated, tubular, bipolar electrode that is combined A pair of the electrodes forming the composite member are concentric and substantially within the same Direction or type runs. The inner and outer electrodes are preferably made from titanium. The bipolar electrode is radially spaced from the composite member to provide an electrolyte passage to form in between. The surface of the anode electrode is made of a metal with a cover the platinum group, such as platinum, rhodium, iridium or ruthenium oxide and preferably butyne, while a section of the bipolar electrode next to the cathode electrode with a metal from the platinum group or

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is coated with ruthenium oxide and preferably with platinum. However, the surfaces of both the anode and the cathode adjacent to the bipolar electrode and the entire surface of the anode and cathode electrodes adjacent to the bipolar electrode may be coated with a platinum group metal. The anode and cathode electrodes are each provided with electrical input lines. When the assembly is supplied with electrical energy while water or salt water or a salt solution is passed between the bipolar electrode and the anode and cathode electrodes, sodium hypochlorite is generated electrolytically and exits the cell assembly. With this arrangement, current can be conducted between the electrodes and through the saline solution without the use of electrical leads within the cell assembly.

In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view and partial elevation view of the electrolytic cell assembly according to the invention;

2 shows a schematic view of a line system with a number of the electrolytic cell assemblies according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view or partial a side view of a modified electrolytic cell arrangement according to the invention; and

4 shows a schematic view of a line system

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with a number of the electrolyte cell arrangements according to FIG. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, this figure shows the electrolyte, cell assembly comprising an electrically conductive, elongated tubular sleeve 1 formed from a pair of tubular electrodes 2 and 3 supported by spacer-insulating rings U and 5 coaxial with the sleeve 1 are arranged, are arranged at a distance from one another in an insulating manner. The rings 4 and 5 are made of an insulating material such as a methyl methacrylate polymer (Plexiglas), a polyester resin reinforced with fiberglass, an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin. Similar or identical spacer insulating rings 6 and 7 are each arranged at opposite ends of the sleeve 1. The tubular electrodes 2 and 3 are composed, for example, of titanium, the electrode 2 being arranged between the spacer rings 4 and 6 and the electrode 3 between the spacer rings 5 and 7. The tubular electrode 2 is provided with flanges 8 and 9 at opposite ends thereof and the tubular electrode 3 is provided with flanges 10 and 11 at opposite ends thereof. A retaining or washer 12 attaches the flange 8 in abutment with the spacer 6, the flange 9 is attached in abutment with the spacer ring 4 with the aid of a retaining or washer 13. The flange 11 is similarly to the spacer ring 5 through washer 14 and flange 10 are similarly attached to spacer ring 7 by washer 15. The tubular electrodes 2 and 3 are fixed end to end by bolts 16 and 17 extending through a pair of adjacent spacer rings H and 5.

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While Fig. 1 shows a single composite electrolytic cell assembly represents, it is apparent that a plurality of cell arrays 1 are arranged and fastened together by the spacer ring 6 on a spacer of another cell arrangement is bolted with the help of bolts 18 and 19, which are shown assigned from the spacer ring 6, and by bolting the spacer ring 7 to another cell arrangement with the aid of bolts 20 and 21, which are shown assigned from the spacer ring 7 to a plurality of cell arrays in one To obtain end-to-end ratio, as shown in Fig. 2 schematically. Each of the tubular electrodes 2 and 3 is provided with an electrical input line 22 and 23, respectively. The one having electrodes 2 and 3 tubular sleeve 1 contains an inner two-pole one which is concentric with it and essentially runs in the same way tubular electrode 24, which is preferably made of titanium. The inner surface of the sleeve electrode which serves as anode is lined with a fine layer 25 made of a metal of the platinum group, preferably platinum, while an outer surface of the two-pole electrode, which behaves anodically relative to the sleeve electrode 3, with a layer made of a metal from the platinum group, is preferably coated with a layer 26 of platinum, over an area next to the sleeve electrode 3, wherein this electrode 3 behaves as a cathode. The two-pole electrode 24 is at a distance from the inner wall of the sleeve 3 arranged, which has the anode electrode 2, the cathode electrode 3 and the spacer rings 4 and 5, To form a flow channel or passage 27 for annular flow of electrolyte therebetween. Opposite end portions 28 and 29 of the tubular bipolar electrode 24 are each provided with insulating

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plug 30 or 31 provided. These plugs extend inwardly from the end portions of the electrode or to the outside. The sections of the plugs 30 and 31, which extend outward from the electrode 24, are each provided with a central bore or recess 32 and 33, which extend from the tubular two-pole Electrode extends inward. Guide rings 34 and 35 are on opposite ends of the electrolytic cell assembly 1, each one of the spacer rings 6 and 7 being arranged adjacent. The guide rings 34 and 35 each have a central opening 36 or 37 connected, which is in communication with the bore recesses 32 and 33, respectively. A dowel device 38 extends through the guide ring opening 36 and into a bore or cavity 32, with a opposite end portion thereof extends from the guide ring opening 36 to the outside. A (not shown) identical dowel device extends through the guide ring opening 37 and sits in the bore or cavity 33 of the insulating plug 31. The guide ring 34 is spaced from one another by a number on the circumference arranged slots 3 9 and 40 provided with the Electrolyte passage 27 are in communication, a guide ring 35 with a number on the circumference in Spaced slots 41 and 4 2 are provided, which are connected to the electrolyte passage channel 27 in Connected.

The purpose of the combination of the plug holes, guide rings and dowel means, the bipolar electrode 24 and the tubular electrodes 2 and 3 of the tubular sleeve 1 concentrically spaced from each other arranged to keep. The flow of an electrolyte through the cell arrangement according to FIG. 1 is against

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leaks or leaks with the help of the O-rings 4 3, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 and 49 sealed as shown. From Fig. 1 it can be seen that with the help of the spacer rings.6 and 7 and the combination of the plug hole, of the guide ring and the dowel device, a plurality of cell arrangements in an end-to-end relationship with one another can be assembled as shown in FIG.

In the operating state, a saline electrolyte, e.g. sea water or a saline solution, is passed through the electrolyte passage channel 27 while the arrangement is fed with electrical energy through the input lines 22 and 23 will. The direct electric current flows from the tubular anode 2 through the platinum lining 25, through the electrolyte in the passage 27 to a portion of the two-pole electrode 24 next to the anode 2. There is a voltage drop or voltage gradient between the anode 2 and the part of the two-pole electrode next to of the anode 2, this part of the two-pole anode having a cathodic effect on the anode 2. As a result of the two-: pole electrode 24 next to the anode 2 imposed potential, however, current flows along the entire length of the Electrode 24. At the portion of the electrode 24 adjacent to the tubular cathode 3, current flows from the platinum coating 2 6 through the electrolyte in the Durchlaßkarial 27 to the tubular cathode 3, whereby as a result of the voltage drop the cathode 3 is more negative than the part of the bipolar electrode next to the cathode 3, the part of the bipolar Electrode next to cathode 3 is anodic with respect to cathode 3. With this arrangement and as a result The bipolar nature of the electrode 24 allows the current from the anode 2 through the electrode 24 and to the cathode 3 without

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Use of electrical lines or circuits within of the cell arrays are conducted.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a line system with a plurality of electrolytic cell assemblies according to FIG. 1 in an end-to-end ratio according to the present invention Invention.

In this arrangement, the cell arrangements 50, 51, 52 and 53 each formed according to FIG. 1 are of a plurality of cell assemblies connected to one another end by end to form a conduit system with an inlet 51 and an outlet 55 to get.

From Fig. 1 it can be seen that each cell arrangement. a pair of electrolyte cells in series with one another, with the anode 2 and an adjacent portion of the electrode 24 forms one cell and the cathode 3 and a portion of the electrode 24 next to the cathode 3 forms the other cell. This twin cell unit is powered, for example, with direct current of 14 volts for applying 7 volts to each Cell of the cell pair fully excited. Two of these twin cell units 50 and 51 are through line 5 6 in Series connected so that there are a total of four electrolyte cells, each of which requires 7 volts, so that a total of 28 volts must be applied to the units 50 and 51 connected in right. Another pair of identical ones Arrangements 5 2 and 5 3 are provided in the end-to-end ratio according to FIG. The arrangements 5 2 and 53 are electrically connected in series by a line 57.

To bring both the inlet and outlet ends 54 and 55 of the electrolytic cell battery to ground,

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i.e. zero volts, the two pairs of these series-connected units are electrically connected in parallel, for example, the series-connected arrays 50 and 51 are the series-connected arrays 5 2 and 5 3 connected in parallel, so that the series parallel connection can be supplied with electrical current from a common source 5 0 of 28 volts. if the center of this battery of units is maintained at a positive potential of 28 volts both the inlet and the outlet 54 and 5 5 for the electrolyte are maintained at ground potential. Through this corrosion damage is reduced to a minimum and a protection against electric shock or fire achieved «The voltage applied to the system depends on the characteristic Voltage drops in each assembly unit it has such a value that the inlet and the outlet of the system are at zero potential.

Referring to Fig. 3, this figure shows that the electrolytic cell assembly comprises an electrically conductive elongate tubular housing 1 'made, for example, of titanium and containing, coaxial with the housing 1', a pair of electrodes 2 'and 3' of tubular construction made of titanium or another suitable material. The electrodes are insulatively spaced longitudinally to the housing by means of an insulating spacer 4 "disposed between them. As shown, the spacer 4 'is a cylindrical portion with one end portion telescopically disposed in one end portion of the electrode 2' while the other end portion is similarly arranged in an adjacent end portion of the electrode 3 '. The electrodes 2' and 3 ¹ and the spacer 4 'are shown in FIG

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With respect to the inner wall 5 of the housing 1 spaced to form a passage 6 ¹ for the electrolyte therebetween. A cap 7 'is mounted in an insulating manner on one end 8' of the housing 1 'and covers this end, while another cap 9' is arranged in an insulating manner ^{on the other end 10 'of the housing I 1 and covers this end.} The caps are preferably made of an insulating material such as a methyl methacrylate polymer (Plexiglas), a polyester resin reinforced with fiberglass, an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin. Each cap 7 'or 9' is provided with a passage channel 11 'or 12' for the electrolyte, which are connected to the passage channel 6 *. The ends of the tubular electrodes 2 'and 3 ¹ remote from the spacer assembly H' are each closed by a plug 13 'and IU ¹ , respectively, which extend outwardly from each electrode as a tongue having such an outline that it can conduct a non-turbulent or no swirling flow of the electrolyte through the channels and through the electrolyte passage channel 6 '.

One of the caps 7 'has an electrical positive lead or conductor 15' which extends through the cap into the channel 11 ', through the plug 13' and then in contact with the anode electrode 2 ¹ , on which it is for example at 16 'is welded. The other cap 9 'has a negative electrical conductor or line 17', which extends through the cap into the channel 12 ', through the plug 14' and then with the cathode electrode 3 'in contact, on which it is for example is welded at 18 '. The outer surface of the anode electrode 2 'is covered with a coating 19' made of a metal from the platinum group, for example

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Platinum, rhodium, iridium, preferably platinum, provided. The inner wall 5 'of the housing I ¹ is provided with a metal coating 20' made of a metal from the platinum group and preferably made of platinum on a portion of the same next to the anode 3 ¹ «The total surface of the inner wall 5 'and the outer surfaces of the anode 2' and the However, the cathode 3 'may be coated with a metal from the platinum group.

An inlet duct 21 'is connected to the cap 9 ¹ in communication with the channel 12' by a gasket 22 'which is attached to the cap 9' by bolts 23 'and 24'. An outlet conduit 25 is connected to the cap 7 'in communication with the channel 11' by a gasket 26 'which is attached to the cap 7' by bolts 27 'and 20'. The cap 7 'is connected at one end 8' of the housing 1 'by a seal 29'; which is attached to the cap 7 'by bolts 30' and 31 '. The cap 9 'is connected to another end 10' of the housing 1 'by a seal 32' which is attached to the cap 9 'by bolts 33' and 34 '.

In the working state, a saline solution electrolyte, for example sea water or a saline solution, is passed through the electrolyte cell arrangement, while the arrangement is fed with electrical current through the conductors 15 'and 17'. The electrical direct current flows from the anode 2 'through the electrolyte in the passage 6' to the section A of the housing 1 'next to the anode 2 ¹ . There is a voltage drop between the anode 2 'and the section A of the housing 1', the section A being cathodic to the anode 2 '. As a result of the negative potential impressed on the cathode 3 'through the line 17'

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however, current along the entire length of the housing I ¹ . At section D of the housing, current flows from the top coat 20 through the electrolyte into the passage 6 ¹ to the cathode 3 ', due to the fact that the cathode 3' is more negative than the section B, due to the voltage drop between the section B. and the cathode 3 ^1, the portion B is anodic with respect to the cathode 3 ^1. With this arrangement, and due to the essentially bipolar nature of the housing I ¹ , current can be conducted from the anode 2 'to section A and from section B to cathode 3' without the use of any electrical leads within the cells He η.

FIG. H shows a schematic view of a line system with a number of the electrolyte cell arrangements according to FIG. 3.

In this arrangement, the cell assemblies 35 ', 36', 37 ', 38', a plurality of Zellenanordnvmgen each of FIG. 1 are formed and joined together to a conduit system with an inlet 39 'and a Auslß UO to obtain ^1. The electrolyte flows from inlet 39 * into assembly 35 'and then into assembly 36' through connecting tube 41 ', into and through assembly 37' through connecting tube 42 'and through assembly 38' through connecting tube 43 'and then out of the system through outlet UO ¹ .

From Fig. 3 it can be seen that each arrangement has a pair of electrolyte cells which are in relation to one another in Are arranged in a row, i.e. the anode 2 'and a section A of the housing 1' form a cell and the cathode 3 ' and the section B of the housing 1 'constitute the other cell. This double cell unit is for example with

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14 volts DC fully energized to impress 7 volts on each of the cells of the cell pair. Two of these Dual cell units 35 'and 36' are through the line 44 'electrically connected in series, so that there are a total of four electrolyte cells, each of which requires 7 volts, whereby a total of 28 volts must be impressed on the series-connected units 35 'and 36'. Another pair of identical assemblies 37 'and 38' are provided which are connected by a row line 45 ' are electrically connected.

To bring both the inlet and outlet ends of a battery of chlorine-generating electrolyte cells to ground potential, i.e. zero volts, two pairs of such series-connected units are connected in parallel, for example the series arrangements 35 'and 36' are connected in parallel with the series arrangements 37 'and 38' :, so that the series-parallel connection from a common source of 28 volts of electrical energy can be fed. When the center tap of this battery of cells is held at 28 volts positive potential the inlet 39 'and the outlet 40' for the electrolyte can be kept at ground potential corrosion damage is reduced to a minimum and protection against electric shock or fire is achieved. The voltage applied to the system depends on the characteristic The voltage drop in each arrangement decreases and has such a value that the inlet and the outlet of the system are at zero potential.

Various modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (3)

CE-1O98-A September 7, 1972 P ate η t claims 1. Electrolytic cell arrangement, characterized by an electrically conductive, elongated composite Member formed from a pair of tubular electrodes placed in end-to-end relationship with one another by an isolation device arranged between them are arranged insulating at a distance from one another, one of the electrodes being a Anode and the other is a cathode, and an isolation device at the opposite ends the combined anode and cathode is arranged by an elongated tubular, bipolar electrode, which is concentric with the assembled member and essentially in the same way or direction and radially spaced with respect to the composite member about an electrolyte passage to form between the bipolar electrode and the composite member, and by a electrical input line connected to each pair of the tubular electrodes is connected. 2. electrolytic cell arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that that the composite member is a sleeve containing the bipolar electrode. , 3. electrolytic cell arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that 309811/1052 CE-1O98-A IS indicates that the tubular bipolar electrode is the pair of electrodes of the composite Limb contains. Electrolyte cell arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the electrodes consist of titanium, one of the electrodes of the pair of electrodes having a layer of a platinum group metal is coated and one surface of the bipolar electrode is adjacent to the other electrode of the said pair of electrodes is coated with a platinum group metal. 5. electrolytic cell arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that one electrode of the electrode pair with ruthenium oxide and one surface of the bipolar electrode next to the other electrode of the Electrode pair is coated with a layer of ruthenium oxide. 6. electrolytic cell arrangement according to claim 2, marked. characterized by an insulation plug that is in each End portion of the bipolar electrode is arranged and extends outward therefrom, wherein a Bore or recess in each of the plugs is directed inwardly from the two-pole electrode and a guide device next to the outer surface each isolation device is arranged, - 15 - 309811/1052 22U020 CE-IO98-A each guide device having a central opening which is connected to the bores or recesses in the
Isolation plug is connected and each guide device on the circumference has spaced slots which are in communication with the electrolyte passage, and that a dowel device is provided which extends through the central opening of the guide device and sits in the bore or recess. 7. Elektrolytzcllenanordnung according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating device, which is arranged between the electrodes of the electrode pair, is an insulating ring, and that the insulating device, which is at each opposite end of the combined
Electrode pair is arranged, is an insulating ring. 8. electrolytic cell arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that that the guide device is a guide ring. Line system with a number of electrolyte cell arrangements according to Claim 2, characterized in that
that at least two pairs of arrangements in one
are interconnected endwise relationship to one another so that they form an electrolyte conduit system having an inlet and an outlet, the assemblies of the respective pairs in series electrically with one another
connected and one pair with the other pair in parallel - 16 -30981 1/1052 CE-IO98-A ι? is electrically connected to obtain a series parallel connection. 10. Line system according to claim 9, characterized in that a central portion of the combined plurality of Cell assemblies is switched at a positive DC potential and that the inlet and the Keep the outlet for the electrolyte at ground potential will. 11. electrolytic cell assembly according to claim 3, characterized by a cap that is at each end of the two-pole Electrode is arranged insulating and this end covers, one of the caps having a positive electrical Having lead extending through the cap and connected to one of the electrodes while the other cap has a negative lead extending through and with the cap of the other electrode is connected, one of the caps having an electrolyte inlet device connected to communicates with said passage channel, and the other cap is provided with outlet means which is in communication with said passage channel. 12. Electrolyte cell arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that characterized in that the inner surface of the bipolar Electrode of at least one area next to said pair of electrodes with a metal from the platinum - 17 - 309811/1052 CE-103S-A it group is overdone. 13. Electrolytic cell arrangement according to claim 3, characterized characterized in that the opposite ends of the combined pair of electrodes each by one Plug are closed, which extends from the electrode in question to the outside. 14. electrolytic cell arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that each cap with a flow channel is provided which is in communication with the electrolyte passage, and that the plugs are each extending outwardly from their respective electrodes into one of the channels. 15. Line system with a number of electrolyte cell arrangements according to claim 3, characterized in that at least two pairs of the arrangements with each other are connected to form an electrolyte conduit system having an inlet and an outlet, the assemblies of each pair being electrically connected in series with one another and one pair with is electrically connected in parallel with the other pair to obtain a series parallel connection. 16. Line system according to claim 15, characterized in that a central portion of the combined plurality of - 18 - 30981 1/1052 Cell arrays at a positive DC potential and the inlet and the outlet for the electrolyte are switched to ground potential. - 19th 309811/1052