GB229792A - Improvements in electrolytic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

229,792. Scott, J. P. Dec. 10, 1923. Oxygen and hydrogen, obtaining; electrodes; cells; diaphragms; electrolytes, circulating.-Relates to apparatus comprising a number of cells connected to gas-separating chambers by conduits which are arranged to provide separate systems for the circulation of the anolyte and catholyte, and consists in providing means whereby the conduits may be adjusted relatively to the cells in order to provide means for adjusting the hydrostatic pressure of the anolyte and catholyte systems. The apparatus comprises a number of call groups A, Fig. 1, arranged in series, each group consisting of a number of cell units B. Each cell consists of a wall or partition 1, Fig. 7, of thin sheet steel clamped between the inner flange 2 of frame members 3. Each wall carries on each side an electrode 87, preferably of woven. wire cloth, and a porous diaphragm 5 is clamped between the flanges 4 of adjacent units. Abovethe cells, manifolds 10 - - 13, Fig. 2, are arranged, the return manifolds 10, 11 communicating with the lower part of each anolyte and catholyte chamber, and the manifolds 12, 13 with the upper parts. A tube 14 connects each manifold 12 with an oxygen-anolyte header 17, the headers 15, 17 being connected with the upper parts of an oxygen-separating tank 18 and a hydrogen-separating tank 19, respectively. The manifold 10 communicates by a header 20 with the lower part of the tank 18, and the manifold 11 with the lower part of the tank 19. Each return manifold 10 is connected by means of a wire 42 with a relief chamber 44 and each manifold 11 is similarly connected to a relief chamber 46. Any gas which may find its way into the electrolyte in the separating tanks or in the return-flow connections will find its way to the relief chambers, and the electrolyte entering the cells will be free from gas. The different headers and the relief chambers are supported in, and insulated from, a frame consisting of a series of pipe columns 59 arranged in the longitudinal centre of the apparatus. Each header rests on a block 60 of insulating material carried by a cross arm 61 clamped to the columns. The cross arms 61 may be raised or lowered to adjust the levels of the various headers to facilitate assembly and to adjust the conditions of flow of the apparatus. A perforated screen 24 is suspended within the tanks 18, 19 to cause the minute gas bubbles suspended in the electrolyte to coalesce and rise into the, upper part of the tank and to cause the heavier electrolyte and impurities to fall to the bottom of the tank. Each tank is connected from a point above the bottom with a re-diffusion tank 27 and with the return header 20. A steam coil or other heating device may be enclosed in the tank to heat the electrolyte. Observation glasses 35 may be placed at various points in the piping system and gauge glasses 36 in the tanks. The circulating system as a whole is lagged in order to maintain the temperature of the electrolyte, but cooling chambers may be provided on the upper parts of the tanks 18, 19, or these parts may be free from lagging, in order that the consequent cooling may promote circulation through the system. The bottom of each tank is conical and is provided with a valve 118 to enable any solid matter that collects there to be withdrawn. The oxygen from the tank 18 may be passed to a cooling and washing tank 62, and the hydrogen to a similar tank 63, where the gas bubbles through water and passes through a screen as in the tanks 18, 19. Devices may be provided for maintaining the water in these tanks at a constant level.