GB861978A - Improvements in or relating to a process for the electrolytic production of fluorineand apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

861,978. Producing fluorine electrolytically. IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd. July 17, 1959 [July 30, 1958], No. 24524/58. Class 41. In a process for the production of fluorine by electrolysis at a temperature of 80 to 110‹ C. from a fused electrolyte comprising a substantially dry mixture of potassium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride having a composition approximating substantially to KF. 1.8 HF to KF. 2.2 HF with no evolution of fluorine as free bubbles at a substantially vertical carbon anode in conjunction with a gas impermeable barrier which entirely surrounds but is not in contact with the anode and in a cell in which the body is of electro-conducting material and in which the upper portion of the anode is above the level of the top portion of the cathode, a cathode is employed which permits a cooling medium such as water to be circulated therethrough, and while electrolysis is taking place a cooling medium is circulated therethrough. The electro-conducting body of the cell may be in metallic electrical connection with the cathode. The distance between the anode and the cathode may be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches and the distance between at least the lower extremity of the barrier and the anode may be between 1/16 of an inch and <SP>7</SP>/ 16 of an inch. As shown, a container 1 surrounded by a heating jacket 2 is provided with a lid 3 and a cover 4. A carbon anode 5 is insulated from the lid by insulating materials 6 and suspended vertically in the cell; this is surrounded by an impermeable barrier 11 at the upper part and by a tubular cathode 10 at the lower part. The products of electrolysis are removed from the anode compartment by pipe 12 and from the cathode compartment by pipe 13. Hydrogen fluoride may be added to the electrolyte by pipe 14. Specification 852,369 is referred to.