GB211946A - Improvements in electrolizers - Google Patents

Abstract

211,946. Scott, J. P. Nov. 28, 1922. Oxygen and hydrogen, obtaining; electrodes; cells; diaphragms; electrolytes, circulating.-In apparatus comprising a number of cells each having anode and cathode compartments and means for circulating the anolyte and catholyte between their respective compartments and gasseparating chambers, each compartment is connected to the corresponding circulating pipe by a number of conduits. In the oxygen and hydrogen generator shown each anode compartment is connected by four conduits 23 with a manifold 25 through which a flow of anolyte to a separating chamber 26 is maintained by the upward flow of gas; the anolyte returns to the compartments by a manifold 30 and conduits 31. Each cathode compartment is connected by four conduits to a manifold 27<a> and by four more to a manifold 27<b> connected to a separating chamber 28, from which the catholyte returns by a single manifold 32 and conduits 33. The manifold 25 is connected by pipes 35 of comparatively small section each fitted with a valve and a gauge to an oxygen header 36 connected to the upper part of the chamber 26. The manifolds 27<a>, 27<b> are similarly connected to a hydrogen header 38. The gas-spaces in the separting chambers may be artificially cooled or the circulating system may be lagged. The conduits 23 may be rubber tubes fitted over nipples 49, Fig. 6, having conical plugs fitted into the manifold 34 and held in place by a wire 49<a> engaging grooves in the nipples. Alternatively, the nipples may be integral with the manifold. The manifolds are made of or lined with an insulator resistant to hot acid or alkaline electrolyte. The cells comprise partitions 11, Fig. 4, and diaphragms 12 secured between and insulated from rectangular frames 10. Each electrodes 18 consists of a number of layers or interwoven plies of wire mesh; a number of panels of this character are welded to busbars 20 mounted on pillars 21 on the partitions 11. The partitions 11 may be of conducting or insulating material. The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises a number of groups of cells, each group being built up as shown in Fig. 4 and mounted on a carriage 57 running on a track 58. The end-plates 11<a> are connected by bars 61. The manifolds are provided with detachable couplings. Specifications 198,933, 205,883, and 210,130, are referred to.