GB1249323A - Electrolysis apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,249,323. Water electrolyzers. G. HAAS. Aug.30, 1968 [Jan. 30, 1968, Feb.2, 1968], No.41487/68. Heading C7B. In a water electrolyzer in which the cathode chamber releases to the open air the hydrogen evolved while the oxygen produced at the anode is stored in a container forming a unit with the electrolyzer and provided with means for supplying when required oxygen to air to be breathed, the anode chamber which is closed by a valve serves as the oxygen storage container and a limit switch is provided which shuts off the electrolysis current when a chosen maximum liquid level is reached in the cathode chamber. As shown the electrolyzer is divided by a wall 28 into anode chamber 3 and cathode chamber 4, the normal electrolyte level being at 29. When oxygen is evolved depressing the anolyte level and raising the catholyte level electrolysis is terminated by operation by the catholyte of a switch 13<SP>1</SP> or by the bottom of the anode emerging from the anolyte. On opening valve 26 to tap off oxygen electrolysis restarts by rise of the anolyte to re-establish a circuit to the anode by operation of a switch at anolyte liquid level 30 or by a switch operated by lowering of the catholyte level 31. Hydrogen outlet pipe includes a pressure operated outlet valve which prevents ingress of air to the cathode chamber. In a modification, Fig. 2 (not shown), the cathode comprises a hollow cylinder coated on its inner surface with metal and merging into a hydrogen outlet pipe at the normal electrolyte level 29, the cathode chamber being open to the air.