GB293299A - Improvements in or relating to electric batteries - Google Patents

Abstract

293,299. Schmid-Patent Corporation, (Assignees of Schmid, A.). July 2, 1927, [Convention date]. Electrolytes, circulating; electrodes; amalgamating; carbon electrodes, making; connections; connections to carbons. - A battery comprises an outer container 13 enclosing a porous carbon receptacle 10 forming one electrode within which is the second electrode 25 consisting of a plate of aluminium or a metal of the calcium or magnesium groups. Inlet and outlet pipes 12, 17 are provided for the electrolyte which may be passed through a series of cells, A, B as shown in Fig. 1. The electrolyte may be contained in a tank 33 and forced out by air pressure. The electrode 25 is kept amalgamated by adding to the electrolyte a substance containing mercury such as a solution of chloride of mercury acidified with hydrochloric acid which may be contained in a receptacle 37 and delivered from a measuring tube 39 into the electrolyte conduit R:1. The carbon electrode 10 is provided with grooves 11 on its surface and is made porous by incorporating in its substance during manufacture sodium chloride or carbonate which is subsequently dissolved out. The carbon electrode may also contain manganese dioxide and may be coated on one side with porous porcelain. The bottom of the electrode is impervious and is provided with a copper strip 15 leading to a terminal 16. The electrode 25 slides in grooves in insulating strips 27 and is connected to a terminal 29 by a grooved bar 30 embracing the upper edge of the electrode. The cover 18 is held down by a screw 22. Electrolytes.-The electrolyte may be basic or acidic. The former consists of a solution of soda and sodium chloride. The acid electrolyte may consist of nitric acid with or without an addition of sodium chloride and sulphuric acid. Chlorates, such as sodium chlorate may also be used to which may be added sulphuric nitric or other' acids. Small amounts of sodium or potassium bichromate, manganous chloride or ferrous ammonium sulphate may be added as catalysts, and to reduce the amount of hydrogen evolved zinc sulphate chloride or nitrate, substances containing magnesium, calcium or aluminium, glycerine, sugar or potassium ferrocyanide may be added. Fig. 4 shows a modification in which the porous carbon electrodes are made in the form of tubes 45 arranged on both sides of an aluminium electrode 48. The tubes 45 communicate with conduits 46, 47 through which electrolyte is passed from a reservoir 51. If the electrolyte consists of nitric acid, the oxides of nitrogen evolved from the battery may be conducted through a pipe 62 back into the electrolyte after mixing with the air from the air supply 70.