GB121460A - Apparatus and Process for the Electrolysis of Chlorides of the Alkaline Metals. - Google Patents

Abstract

121,460. Norsk Alkali Aktieselskabet. Dec. 13, 1917, [Convention date]. Cells; diaphragms; electrodes; electrolytes, treating non-chemically; alkalies, obtaining.-A diaphragm consists of fibrous or powdered material deposited directly from a suspension in a liquid, without an agglutinant, upon a horizontal wire netting serving as cathode and having at least 100 meshes to the sq. cm. Suitable diaphragm materials are asbestos wool, ground asbestos, and glass wool. Layers of increasing fineness may be deposited in succession. Above these may be a deposit of a fine powder such as calcined alumina, silica, iron oxide, or barium sulphate, to increase the density. Disturbance by currents of liquid may he prevented by a loose layer of long-fibre asbestos, glass wool, or the like, which also serves to prevent contamination of the diaphragm proper by anode slime. After long use, the diaphragm material may be washed to render it fit for service again. The cathode netting 3 is of highly conductive metal such as copper or silver, and is supported on the edges of flat current distributing bars 2, preferably of copper. Between the netting and the bars may be placed a coarser wire net or perforated plate. In order to check convexion currents in the ancde chamber, the electrolyte may be heated before introduction through pipes 8. Further heating may be effected by resistances 10 in series with the anodes, and the walls of the anode chamber may be covered with heat-insulating material 9, The anodes consist of horizontal or nearlyhorizontal rods 6, the bevelled ends of which rest against inclined surfaces on conductive supports. They may he of carbon, graphite, or magnetite.