GB167469A - Electrolysis of solutions and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

167,469. Hooker Electrochemical Co., (Assignees of Hooker, A. H.). Aug. 5, 1920, [Convention date]. Alkalies, obtaining; electrolytes, agitating, circulating, and regenerating.- Solid salt is added to the salt solution supplied to an electrolytic cell in order to compensate for the dilution occurring within the cell and keep the electrolyte approximately saturated. In the apparatus shown, brine passes from a tank 2 to a tank 4 bv a valve 7 and a device 8 comprising a rotary member of the Roots' blower type geared by wheels 10, 12 and a chain 11 to a double - flight worm conveyer 13. Solid salt is fed by the worm from a hopper 3 into a pipe 14 whence it is carried by the brine into the tank 4 through a screen 15. The mixture is stirred by agitators 20 operated by a motor 18 and pumped to a delivery pipe 21 by a centrifugal pump 17 operated by the same motor. The delivery pipe 21 is provided with T-pieces into which glass tubes 27 are inserted through rubber stoppers. The tubes 27 are connected by glass tubes 30 and rubber hose 31 to earthenware pipes 32 extending into the cells 5 well below the liquid level. The end of the pipe 21 passes through the bottom of a tank 6 and terminates in an elbow 22, separated by a screen 26 from an overflow pipe 23 by which liquid may return to the tank 4. The pressure in the pipe 21 may be varied by using overflow pipes 23 of different lengths. A modified form of connection to the cells, Fig. 5, comprises a succession of tapered nozzles 34 each smaller than the preceding one and screwed upon it, and an adjustable curved inlet 35 extending into the pipe 21. The curved inlet 35 may be dispensed with. The pipe 21 is inclined so as to equalize the head on the several orifices. The pressure-regulating tank 6 may be dispensed with; in this case the percolation through the diaphragm varies according to the height of the electrolyte in the anode chamber. The feed-regulator 8 may be driven by the stream of brine or by power. The proportion of solid to solution may be adjusted by a proper choice of the wheels 10, 12. The salt in the hopper 3 may be produced by evaporation of the caustic liquor.