GB1162551A - Electrode Construction for the Electrolysis of a Fused Electrolyte in an Electrolyte Cell. - Google Patents

Abstract

1,162,551. Electrode construction for electrolysis of a fused electrolyte. NORSK HYDRO - ELEKTRISK KVAELSTOFAKTIESELSKAB. Aug. 22, 1966 [Sept. 1, 1965], No.37613/66. Heading C7B. An electrode construction for the electrolysis of a fused electrolyte (e. g. for producing Mg and Cl 2 from Mg Cl 2 ) comprises an anode and a cathode each having opposed vertical working surfaces with cathodic members extending away from the vertical cathode working surface and (1) underneath the anode or (2) into a recess or recesses in the vertical anode working surface, each cathodic member being spaced from other cathodic members over at least part of its working surface. Fig. 3 shows cathode shafts 1 leading to cathode parts having transverse cathode members 3 between their lower ends. The transverse cathode members pass through recesses in a central anode 4, 5 built up from alternate long and short rods Fig. 2 (not shown). The recesses are so shaped at 6 as to guide the flow of electrolyte during electrolysis. Auxiliary cathodes 2 are provided. Partitions 7 form part of a hood, e. g. of ceramic, for collecting anode gas. Alternative constructions comprise cylindrical anodes and concentrically arranged cathodes with cathodic members either in the form of parallel plates or star-shaped, the centre of the star being on the axis of the anode so as to divide the lower part of the anode into segments. Electrical connection may be to the top of a cathode or to the transverse members. The cell walls can be made of steel in which case thetransverse cathode members can extend between opposite cell walls. The examples are of electrolysis using an electrolyte consisting of 15% by weight of MgCl 2 , 35% CaCl 2 , 30% NaCl and 20% KCl.