EP0043945B1 - Cellule électrolytique et procédé d'électrolyse de saumures - Google Patents

Cellule électrolytique et procédé d'électrolyse de saumures Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0043945B1
EP0043945B1 EP81104813A EP81104813A EP0043945B1 EP 0043945 B1 EP0043945 B1 EP 0043945B1 EP 81104813 A EP81104813 A EP 81104813A EP 81104813 A EP81104813 A EP 81104813A EP 0043945 B1 EP0043945 B1 EP 0043945B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
electrolyte
entrained
electrolytic cell
electrolysis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP81104813A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0043945A1 (fr
Inventor
James Milton Ford
David Blaine Wright
John Olen Adams
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Olin Corp
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Olin Corp
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrolytic cells and a process for the production of gaseous products by the electrolysis of brines. More particularly, this invention relates to the separation of gases from liquid-gas mixture produced in electrolytic cells.
  • Modern electrolytic cells employing metallic electrodes having electrocatalytic coatings and separated by hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membranes are operated at high current densities and narrow interelectrode gaps to generate large amounts of gas and liquid products per unit of cell volume.
  • a gas-electrolyte mixture is produced which requires separation of the gaseous product from the electrolyte. This separation can be accomplished in a gas disengager apparatus which is connected to but separated from the electrolytic cell.
  • a gas disengager should effectively separate the gaseous product from the electrolyte while minimizing foam generation and optimizing the size of the disengager.
  • Gas disengagers employed in electrolytic cells of the prior art include those of U.S. Patent No. 1,855,732 issued to J. N. Smith, in which a mixture of water and oxygen or hydrogen contacts baffles which deflect both fluids downward onto a plurality of parallel screens through which the mixture percolates by gravity and a partial separation of the gas is achieved. The remaining gas separates when the electrolyte falls to the bottom of the disengager.
  • this apparatus permits undesired contact between the gas and the disengaged liquid which results in re-entrainment of the gas in the liquid.
  • this apparatus requires a large container to accommodate the combination of baffles and screens, adding to the cost of gas disengagement.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a cell capable of separating gas from a gas-entrained electrolyte produced in the electrolytic cell having increased cross-sectional area without increasing the size of the disengager.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,574,095 an electrolytic cell is known per se having a degassifier atop and being directly connected thereto, the degassifier being exemplified by a dome, the mixture from the cell being introduced tangentially thereto.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,052,287 furthermore discloses already an electrolytic cell wherein the degassifi- cation zone is a curved container subtending an angle of about 75°, terminating in a zone wherefrom the gas is removed from an upper, and the liquid from a lower, outlet.
  • the invention includes a process for the electrolysis of brines characterized in that it is carried out in a cell according to one of the claims 1 to 3.
  • Claims 4 and 5 show preferred embodiments of such a process.
  • Monopolar filter press cell 60 illustrated in FIGURE 1, comprises a plurality of interleaved anode frames 24 and cathode frames 68 compressingly held between front end plate 62 and a rear end plate 64 by a plurality of tie bolts 69.
  • Conductor rods 20 are bolted to anode collectors 50 to which electric current is supplied through anode terminals 52.
  • Electrolysis of the electrolyte in the anode frames 24 produces a gas-containing anolyte which enters anolyte disengager 56 through outlets 42. Within anolyte disengager 56, the gas-containing electrolyte contacts semicircular baffle 48.
  • Semicircular baffle 48 centrifugally moves the gas-containing electrolyte to separate the gas from the electrolyte, as best seen in FIGURE 2.
  • the product gas is removed from anolyte disengager 56 through gas outlet 58.
  • Gas-disengaged electrolyte is returned to anolyte frames 24 along with fresh anolyte supplied through anolyte feed pipe 54 through inlets 44.
  • Line 46 can be a valved drain line connected to the bottom member (not shown). of each of anode frame 24 by inlets 40 to allow anolyte to be drained.
  • line 46 can be connected to anolyte disengager 56 in order to provide a recirculation path for disengaged anolyte liquid.
  • semicircular baffle 48 is bolted to outlets 42.
  • Semicircular baffle 48 centrifugally separates the gas from the gas-containing electrolyte from a plurality of outlets 42, as shown in FIGURE 3.
  • FIGURE 4 depicts anolyte disengager 56 having outlets 42 through which gas-containing anolyte is discharged against semicircular baffle 48. Disengaged liquid is removed from anolyte disengager 56 through conduit 57. Gas released is removed from anolyte disengager 56 through gas outlet 58.
  • Semicircular baffle 48 centrifugally separates the gas from the gas-containing electrolyte, as shown in FIGURE 2, by directing the denser liquid along the curvature of semicircular baffle 48 towards area B.
  • the disengaged gas which collects in area A flows along the length of semicircular baffle 48 and out the ends, as shown in FIGURE 4.
  • FIGURE 5 shows an alternate embodiment in which anolyte disengager 72 has two curved surfaces 74 joined along inner edges 76. Gas-containing anolyte discharged through outlet 42 is centrifugally separated along curved surfaces 74, the disengaged gas being removed through gas outlet 58.
  • the novel apparatus and process of the present invention may be used with any gas-entrained electrolyte produced in an electrolytic cell including gas-entrained anolytes or gas-entrained catholytes.
  • Suitable anolytes include alkali metal halides or alkaline earth metal halides where the halides are chloride or bromides and the entrained gas is chlorine or bromine.
  • Suitable as anolytes are water or alkaline solutions in which oxygen is the entrained gas.
  • Preferred anolytes are alkali metal chlorides where the alkali metal is sodium or potassium. These anolytes are referred to as "brine" in the description and claims.
  • Gas-entrained catholytes include water or alkaline solutions such as metal hydroxides or alkaline earth metal hydroxides in which hydrogen is the entrained gas.
  • the gas-entrained electrolytes may be produced in a variety of electrolytic cells including monopolar or bipolar cells which employ liquid permeable diaphragms or ion permeable membranes as separators.
  • Preferred electrolytic cells are filter press cells and in particular monopolar filter press cells comprising a plurality of interleaved anode frames and cathode frames which are compressingly held between two end plates by a plurality of tie bolts.
  • the electrodes have horizontally oriented conductors which permit the construction of electrodes having a height of from about 1 to about 5 meters while maintaining a short direct current path through the cell. When used, for example, in electrolyzing alkali metal chloride brines such as sodium chloride, chlorine gas is produced in the anode frames.
  • the chlorine gas bubbles produced rise up through the anode chamber to form in the upper portions a chlorine-entrained sodium chloride brine containing up to about 30 percent by volume of the gas.
  • This chlorine-entrained brine passes through outlets in the top of the anode frame and through conduits of the type shown in FIGURES 1-3 into the disengager.
  • a gas disengaging means which, when impinged upon by the chlorine-entrained brine, imparts a centrifugal force to the fluid. This centrifugal force causes a separation by density of the chlorine gas from the liquid brine.
  • the denser liquid brine flows around the curved surface and down the side of the gas disengaging means while the gas remains under the curved portion, flowing along the disengaging means and being discharged at the ends of the disengaging means.
  • the gas and the electrolyte are separated in a manner which minimizes contact between the separated gas and the disengaged electrolyte and eliminates or substantially prevents re-entrainment of the gas by the disengaged electrolyte.
  • the disengaging means may be any surface capable of imparting a centrifugal force to the gas-entrained electrolyte.
  • surfaces having a curvature of at least 45 degrees and preferably of from about 100 to about 180 degrees are suitably used.
  • FIGURES 2 and 5 show the conduit discharging the gas-entrained electrolyte tangentially by being located adjacent to one side of the disengaging means, separation of the gas from the electrolyte may be attained, by, for example, placing the conduit so that the gas-entrained electrolyte is discharged at the center of the curved surface.
  • the gas disengaging means is attached, for example, by bolting to the conduits for discharging the gas-entrained electrolyte.
  • the gas disengaging means may be attached to, for example, walls of the sealed container by any suitable means.
  • Any container such as a tank may be used as the sealed container.
  • the novel process for disengaging gas from a gas-entrained electrolyte of the present invention results in efficient separation of the gas from the electrolyte while minimizing contact between the gas and the gas-disengaged electrolyte which would result in re-entrainment of the gas.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
  • Degasification And Air Bubble Elimination (AREA)

Claims (6)

1. Cellule (60) destinée à l'électrolyse de saumures, comprenant au moins un conduit (42) destiné à décharger vers le haut un électrolyte à entraînement de gaz dans une chambre dégagement contenant un dispositif (72) de dégagement comprenant un élément (48, 74) ayant une surface incurvée destinée à venir au contact dudit électrolyte à entraînement de gaz et à séparer le gaz de l'électrolyte, des sorties (57, 58) étant ménagées dans ladite chambre de dégagement pour ledit gaz et l'électrolyte débarrassé du gaz dégagé, la sortie (57) destinée à l'électrolyte étant placée sous ledit élément et la sortie (58) du gaz étant disposée au-dessus du niveau de l'électrolyte à collecter dans la chambre de dégagement, cellule caractérisée en ce que ledit élément forme un déflecteur (48; 74) placé avec sa surface incurvée au-dessus de l'extrémité de décharge dudit conduit, de manière que l'électrolyte soit dévié vers le bas le long de la surface incurvée et que le gaz soit collecté sous le sommet de la surface incurvée et quidé de manière à s'éloigner et à parvenir dans une zone supérieure de la chambre de dégagement vers la sortie (58) du gaz.
2. Cellule d'électrolyse selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ledit déflecteur (48,74) possède une surface semi-circulaire.
3. Cellule d'électrolyse selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans laquelle ledit déflecteur (48; 74) est fixé audit conduit (42).
4. Procédé pour l'électrolyse de saumures, caractérisé en ce qu'il est effectué dans une cellule selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3.
5. Procédé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ledit électrolyte est une saumure de chlorure de métal alcalin.
6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, dans lequel ledit gaz est le chlore et ledit électrolyte est le chlorure de sodium.
EP81104813A 1980-07-09 1981-06-22 Cellule électrolytique et procédé d'électrolyse de saumures Expired EP0043945B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16717780A 1980-07-09 1980-07-09
US167177 1980-07-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0043945A1 EP0043945A1 (fr) 1982-01-20
EP0043945B1 true EP0043945B1 (fr) 1985-11-21

Family

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EP81104813A Expired EP0043945B1 (fr) 1980-07-09 1981-06-22 Cellule électrolytique et procédé d'électrolyse de saumures

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0043945B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS5748306A (fr)
AU (1) AU537949B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR8104180A (fr)
CA (1) CA1157808A (fr)
DE (1) DE3172967D1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA814120B (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8321934D0 (en) * 1983-08-15 1983-09-14 Ici Plc Electrolytic cell module
GB9111975D0 (en) * 1991-06-04 1991-07-24 Ici Plc Chemical process
US6338786B1 (en) 1999-07-16 2002-01-15 Stuart Energy Systems Corporation Gas-liquid separation method and apparatus in electrolytic cells
CN112263850B (zh) * 2020-09-30 2022-04-26 青岛双瑞海洋环境工程股份有限公司 用于次氯酸钠发生器的气液分离装置

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1095324A (fr) * 1965-02-16
US3574095A (en) * 1968-08-30 1971-04-06 Gothe O Westerlund Chlorate system
US3639223A (en) * 1970-09-18 1972-02-01 Standard Chemical Ltd Chlorate cell
US3668087A (en) * 1971-02-03 1972-06-06 Olin Corp Brine dechlorination
CA1074257A (fr) * 1976-04-01 1980-03-25 Gow Enterprises Limited Systeme, piles et reacteurs electrolitiques innovateurs

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Chemical Engineers Handbook", Perry + Chilton, the McGraw Book Co., N.Y., 5th Ed., pp. 18-83, fig.18-134; *
Ullmans Enzyklopädie der technischen Chemie, 4th Ed., 1972, vol. 2, p. 232 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1157808A (fr) 1983-11-29
BR8104180A (pt) 1982-03-16
ZA814120B (en) 1983-01-26
AU537949B2 (en) 1984-07-19
DE3172967D1 (en) 1986-01-02
AU7189781A (en) 1982-01-14
EP0043945A1 (fr) 1982-01-20
JPS5748306A (en) 1982-03-19

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