GB503483A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for electrolytically decomposing liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

503,483. Electrolysis. SIEMENS & HALSKE AKT.-GES. Oct. 4, 1937, No. 26842. Convention date, Feb. 5, 1937. [A Specification was laid open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, April 22, 1938.] [Class 41] In an apparatus for electrolytically decom. posing liquids, the outlet conduit for at least one of the gases evolved communicates with a return conduit leading to the cell chamber, the return conduit having a nozzle the mouth of which is disposed slightly above the level of the electrolyte so that liquid electrolyte is carried into the said nozzle by the outflowing gas and flows back through the return conduit to the cell. The mouth of the nozzle may be surrounded by a check device consisting of a small container with a perforated bottom which serves to prevent excessive fluctuation in the level of the electrolyte alternately closing and opening the said mouth. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, water is electrolysed in a cell b mounted in a container a. The hydrogen liberated flows into the space d, and thence into the nozzle g, carrying some electrolyte with it, which electrolyte returns through the pipe f to the cell b, while the hydrogen is drawn off through the pipe e. A rising tendency in the level of the electrolyte at the mouth of the nozzle g may be maintained if the apparatus has a circulating arrangement in one gas space only, by maintaining a higher gas pressure in the other space, or if a circulating arrangement is present in each gas space, the rising tendency may be maintained by liquid balancing means. For example in Fig. 1, in which the circulating arrangement is shown for clarity in one gas space only, an electrolyte equalizing vessel i is in communication with the container a through a pipe m. If the level of the electrolyte in the container a falls, the level in the vessel i also falls and uncovers the end of the pipe connecting the-vessel i with the electrolyte make-up vessel l, whereby gas flows from the pipe k (which is connected with the pipe e) into the vessel causing fresh electrolyte to flow through the pipe n into the cell b and container a.