GB101440A - Improved Process for the Electrolysis of Alkalichlorides. - Google Patents

Abstract

101,440. Hasselt, R. van. March 21, 1916. Alkalies and chlorine, obtaining; electrolytes, circulating and treating non-chemically; diaphragms. -A strong alkali-chloride solution enters an anode compartment just above an horizontal diaphragm 6, Fig. 1, say by a pipe 8, leaves at a higher level by a pipe 16, and passes to a chamber where it is heated to expel chlorine and resaturated with salt, after which it returns to the anode compartment. Circulation may be maintained by a pump. In cne arrangement, the regenerating-chamber 3, shown in horizontal section in Fig. 3, contains heating-coils 15 below a grating 14 supporting the salt. The liquid flows downwards through the chamber, and chlorine escapes through a pipe in the lid. Any additional solution required is supplied to the electrolyte after this has left the chamber. The composition of the electrolyte may be adjusted by regulating the composition of the 1'resh solution. In another arrangement, one compartment of the regenerator contains a heating-coil 18, Fig. 5, while another contains a perforated salt receptacle 23 above a filter 25, a passage between the compartments being arranged so that the liquid flows downwards through both. In this case, impure salt obtained by evaporation of the alkali may be employed, any precipitate being retained by the filter. The additional liquid is preferably passed into the second compartment above the filter. Alkali from the salt or from the cell, and hypochlorite, may be decomposed by hydrochloric acid. From either form of regenerator, the electrolyte flows to a vertical pipe 9, Fig. 1, open at its upper end and contained in a vessel 2 covered by a glass bell 10. An aerometer and thermometer may be arranged in this vessel. Several cells may be connected to one regenerator. The electrolytic diaphragm may be thick and homogeneous, to prevent increase of diffusion in consequence of the movement of electrolyte; or a thin diaphragm may be protected by a layer of coarse-grained material. A sight-glass may be provided to indicate the level in the cell, or the outlet pipe 16 may be of glass