JPS5818437B2 - Shinkinadenkaiso - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell suitable for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions, and more particularly to an electrolytic cell suitable for the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride solutions.

Electrolytic cells have been widely used for many years for the production of chlorine, chlorates, chlorites, hydrochloric acid, caustic, hydrogen and other related compounds.

Over the years, such electrolyzers have been developed to provide increased operating efficiency due to increased power usage.

, operating efficiency includes current, decomposition energy, power and voltage efficiency.

The development of most modern electrolyzers has focused on improvements that increase the production capacity of individual electrolyzers while maintaining high operating efficiency.

The aim is to improve or redesign individual electrolyzers,
By increasing the current capacity operating each electrolyzer
achieved to a considerable extent.

The high production capacity of each cell operated at a higher amperage capacity reduces the floor space of a given cell, provides higher production rates, and saves capital and operating costs.

In general, most recent developments in electrolyzers are moving toward larger electrolyzers that have greater production capacity and are designed to operate at higher current capacities while maintaining high operating efficiencies.

Within a certain operating system, the greater the current capacity that the electrolytic cell is designed to operate with, the greater the production capacity of the electrolytic cell.

However, as the ampacity of the designed electrolyzer increases, it is important that high operating efficiency is maintained.

Simply increasing the size of the components of an electrolytic cell designed to operate at a low current capacity will not result in an electrolytic cell that can operate at a high current capacity and maintain high operating efficiency. In order to maintain and obtain high production capacity, many design improvements must be made to high current capacity electrolysers.

The electrolytic cell of the present invention is suitable for use in various types of electrolytic cells, of which chlor-alkali electrolytic cells are the most important.

Hereinafter, the electrolytic cell of the present invention will be described in detail in relation to a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell, particularly a chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolytic cell.

However, this should not be construed as limiting the usefulness of the electrolyzer of the present invention relative to other types of electrolyzers.

In the early prior art, chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolyzers were designed to operate at relatively low current capacities of about 10,000 amperes or less, and had correspondingly low production capacities.

A typical example of such an electrolyzer is the Tsuka S-type electrolyzer, developed by the Tsuka Chemical Corporation of Niagara Falls, New York, USA, which was used in the electrochemical field during its development and early use. It was very good.

The Tsuka S type electrolyzer was then developed by Tsuka into the S-3 type,
It has been improved into a series of S type electrolyzers such as type 5-3A, type 5-3B, type S-3C, type S-3D and type S-4, approximately 15,000; 20,000; 25,000; 30.0
00; 40,000 and up to about 55,000 amperes, and production capacity increased accordingly.

The design and performance of these Tsuka S-type electrolyzers are described in Schreb's Chemical Process Industry, 3rd Edition, published by Matsuf Grow-Hill, p. 233 (1,
967), Mantel's Industrial Electrochemistry 1st Edition, Volume 3, 1950, published by Matsufugu O. Hill, p. 434 (1950); A, Properties and Usages, A, C, S, Monograph, No. 94-97 (196
2).

U.S. Pat. No. 2.9S 7,463Q shows a chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolyzer designed to operate at a current capacity of about 30,000 amperes, somewhat different from the series of Zuka S-type electrolyzers. There is.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,912 and U.S. Pat.
No. 493,487 discloses a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell designed to operate at a current capacity of about 60,000 amperes.

The above-mentioned publications describe the development of chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolysers which provide electrolysers which operate at higher current capacities and yield correspondingly higher production capacities.

- On the other hand, according to the present invention, a chlorine-alkali diaphragm electrolytic cell costs about 150,000 yen (door bare, the upper limit is about 200,000 yen).
An electrolytic cell has been developed that operates at a high current capacity of 0 amperes, provides a correspondingly high production capacity, and maintains high operating efficiency.

According to the present invention, a novel electrolytic cell is provided.

The novel electrolytic cell includes a novel cathode busbar structure, a cathode finger (hereinafter simply referred to as cathode) having a novel cathode finger structure, and a novel anode support structure.

The novel cathode busbar structure includes at least one retractable busbar and a plurality of busbar strips of relatively different dimensions.

The retractable busbar and busbar I-IJ tubes are made from highly conductive metal, and these retractable busbar busbar L-IJ tubes carry current and connect the cathode busbar structure to the point of electrical contact adjacent to the cathode. installed in an arrangement that maintains a substantially uniform current density throughout the cathode busbar structure, exhibits no significant voltage drop across the cathode busbar structure, and achieves the most economical power dissipation in the cathode busbar structure. .

The cathode busbar structure is attached to at least one side wall of the cathode carrying enclosure.

The enclosure contains a number of cathodes extending substantially across its interior and mounted in electrical contact with the inner surface of at least one sidewall of the enclosure.

The cathode busbar structure is mounted to make electrical contact with the outer surface of the sidewall of the enclosure adjacent the attached cathode.

This new cathode busbar structure allows for the most economical use of the invested capital, i.e. the amount of highly conductive metal used in the cathode busbar structure.

The configuration and different relative dimensions of the recessed busbar and multiple busbar strips significantly reduce the amount of highly conductive metal required in the cathode busbar structure compared to conventional ones.

The lead-in busbar and the plurality of busbar strips, by virtue of their configuration and different relative dimensions, are suitable for carrying current and maintaining a substantially uniform current density in the cathode busbar structure.

A cathode busbar structure according to the invention may be provided with means for attaching a cathode jumper connector to jump over an adjacent electrolytic cell and remove it from the electrical circuit.

Provide cooling means for the cathode busbar structure to prevent temperatures in the cathode busbar structure from rising to damaging heights and to further reduce the amount of highly conductive metal required in the cathode busbar structure. You can also save money.

The novel cathode according to the present invention comprises a cathode reinforcing means made of a conductive metal, a long highly conductive metal member installed in the cathode, and attached to the cathode reinforcing means to form a gas chamber space on the cathode surface and inside the cathode. Includes perforated conductive metal means.

The cathode reinforcing means is provided with a suitable number of pegs, pins or protrusions.

perforated electrically conductive metal means are attached to these protrusions;
This provides a separate chamber space for the gas formed at the cathode and sent to the collection chamber during the electrolytic operation; , means are provided for attaching the highly conductive metal member to the cathode reinforcing means.

The highly conductive metal member is placed in the cathode in a configuration such that the long highly conductive metal member carries the current and maintains a substantially uniform current density across the cathode, such that no significant voltage drop across the cathode is observed. The most economical power consumption in the cathode is achieved.

A number of cathodes extend substantially across the interior of the cathode carrying enclosure and are mounted in electrical contact with the inner surface of at least one sidewall of the enclosure.

The cathode busbar structure is mounted in electrical contact with the outer side wall surface of the cathode carrying enclosure adjacent to the attached cathode.

Means for supporting the other end of the cathode is provided adjacent the inner surface of the side wall of the enclosure opposite the side wall of the enclosure to which the cathode is attached.

The anode support structure according to the invention includes highly conductive metal means having a substantially flat, horizontal surface and a cross-section that becomes smaller as it extends away from the anode or interspecies coupling busbar, thereby providing a substantially stepped structure. A cross section in the shape of a truncated right triangle is formed.

This highly conductive metal means may be a solid metal plate having a configuration as described above, or may have different relative dimensions - creating a substantially stepped truncated right triangular cross-sectional shape as described above; It may be in the form of two or more highly conductive metal plates arranged in such a configuration.

The highly conductive metal means may be provided with means for attaching the anode plate.

The highly conductive metal means vary in relative dimensions and are configured to conduct electrical current and maintain a substantially uniform current density in the anode support structure up to the point of electrical contact adjacent the anode plate. , thereby exhibiting no significant voltage drop across the anode support structure and achieving the most economical power consumption in the anode support structure.

The anode support structure according to the invention also incorporates suitable structures for highly conductive metal means in order to obtain an anode support structure with sufficient means to support the other components of the novel electrolytic cell of the invention. structural support means and any other suitable structural support means.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,432,422 is incorporated herein to indicate the state of the art.

The anode support structure of the present invention allows for the most economical use of the invested capital, i.e. the amount of highly conductive metal used in the anode support structure.

The configuration of the highly conductive metal means and their relatively different dimensions significantly reduce the amount of highly conductive metal required for the anode support structure compared to the prior art.

The highly conductive metal means, because of their configuration and different relative dimensions, are also suitable for carrying electrical current and maintaining a substantially uniform current density in the anode support structure.

Anode support structures are required to jump over adjacent electrolytic cells and remove them from the circuit.

An anode jumper busbar may be provided for mounting an anode connector means.

Providing cooling means on the anode support structure; 1. It is also possible to prevent the temperature in the anode support structure from rising to damaging heights and to further reduce the amount of highly conductive metal used in the anode support structure.

The novel electrolytic cell of the present invention can be used in a wide variety of different electrolysis processes.

The electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride solutions is of paramount importance, and the electrolytic cell of the invention will therefore be explained in more detail in connection with this type of process.

However, that description should not be construed as limiting the usefulness of the electrolyzer of the present invention.

Most of the various elements or parts that make up the novel electrolytic cell of the present invention are constructed using two different types of metals.

One of these types of metals is a highly conductive metal, and the other is a conductive metal with good strength and structural properties.

As used herein, the term "highly conductive metal" refers to a metal that has a low resistance to the flow of electrical current and is an excellent conductor of electrical current.

Suitable highly conductive metals include copper, aluminum, silver, etc. and alloys thereof.

The preferred high conductivity metal is copper or any high conductivity alloy thereof; reference herein to copper means that any other suitable high conductivity metal is copper or any high conductivity alloy thereof. It should be understood to mean that it can be used in place of high conductivity alloys.

As used herein, the term "conductive metal" refers to
Refers to a metal that has considerable resistance to the flow of electric current, but is a reasonably good conductor of electric current.

Furthermore, conductive metals have good strength and structural properties.

Suitable conductive metals include iron, steel, nickel, etc., and alloys thereof, such as stainless steels and other chromium steels, nickel steels, and the like.

The preferred conductive metal is relatively inexpensive low carbon steel (hereinafter referred to simply as steel); references herein to steel include any and all other suitable conductive metals in place of steel. It should be understood that it can be used.

Do the highly conductive metals and conductive metals have sufficient resistance to corrosion during operation of the electrolytic cell?
Alternatively, they must be adequately protected from corrosion.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, an electrolytic cell 11 includes a corrosion-resistant plastic top 12, a cathode-carrying enclosure 13, and an electrolytic cell base 14.

The top 12 is mounted on the enclosure 13 and secured thereto by suitable fasteners (not shown).

The seal between the top 12 and the enclosure 13 is ensured by a sealing gasket.

The enclosure 13 is placed on the electrolytic cell base 14 and secured to the electrolytic cell base 14 by suitable fasteners (not shown).

The seal between the enclosure 13 and the cell base 14 is ensured by an elastic sealing pad.

The electrolytic cell 11 has legs 1 which are used as supporting means for the electrolytic cell 11.
It is installed on 5.

The cathode busbar structure 16 is attached to the steel sidewall 17 of the cathode carrying enclosure 13 in any suitable manner, such as by welding.

The cathode busbar structure 16 includes a copper retractable busbar 18 and a plurality of copper busbar L-IJ knobs 19, 21 and 22, each having different relative dimensions, and a retractable busbar 18 and a busbar strip 19,21.
and 22, a current flows through the side wall 11 of the enclosure 13.
The configuration is such that a substantially uniform current density is maintained in the cathode busbar structure 16 up to the electrical contact point above.

The cathode busbar structure 16 includes steel plates 24, 25, 26 and 3 assembled by any suitable method such as welding.
0 and cooling means 23 having an inlet 27 and an outlet 28 can be provided.

The cooling means 23 are attached to the retraction busbar 18 and the busbar strip 19 in any suitable manner, such as by welding.

A coolant (preferably water) is circulated into the cooling means 23 through an inlet 27 and an outlet 28.

The cooling means 23 is provided mainly for use in jumping over an electrolytic cell adjacent to the electrolytic cell 11 and removing it from the electrical circuit.

Due to the use of the cooling means 23, significantly less copper is used in the cathode busbar structure 16, resulting in substantial savings in invested capital costs.

The cooling means 23 is mainly provided to be used when jumping over an electrolytic cell adjacent to the electrolytic cell 11 to remove it from the circuit, but it is also used to cool the cathode busbar structure 16 in the event of periodic current overload. or can be used during normal electrolyzer operation to continuously cool the cathode busbar structure 16, thereby further reducing copper usage in the cathode busbar structure 16 and saving invested capital. Can be done.

The retraction busbar 18 can be provided with two steel contact plates 29 and 31 which serve as contact means.

Contact plates 29 and 31 are attached to retraction busbar 18 by suitable means such as screws 32.

The retraction bus bar 18 and the contact plates 29 and 31 include
A hole 33 can be provided to serve as a means for attaching a calibrated connector for carrying current from an adjacent electrolytic cell or a lead for supplying current to the inlet busbar 18 from another power source.

Retraction busbar 18 and busbar l-IJ knob 19
If the hole 34 is provided, it can be used as a cathode jumper bus bar for forgetting to attach a cathode jumper connector when jumping over an adjacent electrolytic cell and removing it from the electrical circuit.

The cooling means 23 provide maximum utility by preventing the temperature of the cathode busbar structure 16 from rising to a level that would result in damage to this structure 16 or other components of the electrolytic cell 11. is currently operating this jumper.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the cathode busbar structure 16 is shown from another angle, and this figure shows the structure and components of the cathode busbar structure 16 described in FIG. The cathode busbar structure 16 will now be described in more detail, including its different relative dimensions.

The cathode busbar structure 16 includes a copper lead-in busbar 18 and a plurality of copper busbar strips 19, 21 and 22.

The bus bars I-IJ tubing 19.21 and 22 are connected to the steel side wall 17 of the steel cathode supporting enclosure 13 by suitable means such as copper-to-steel welds 35, 37, 38 and 41, and copper-to-steel welds. They are attached to each other by suitable means such as 36 and 39.

The weld metal is preferably the same metal as the busbar strip, ie copper.

Attaching the busbar strip to the side wall 17 in this manner significantly reduces the required welding area and also
That is, it lowers the electrical contact resistance to the cathode steel.

The retractable busbar 18 is attached to the busbar I-IJ hub 19 by any suitable means, such as a copper-to-steel weld 42, and the retractable busbar 18 is attached to the side wall 17 by any suitable means, such as a steel block 43.

The retraction busbar 18 is attached to the steel block 43 by suitable means such as a series of screws (not shown) and the steel block 43 is attached to the steel-to-steel weld 40.
It is attached to the side wall 17 of the cathode carrying enclosure 13 by any suitable means such as.

Steel contact plates 29 and 31 are attached to retraction busbar 18 by suitable means such as screws 32.

The above installation provides a means (on-cathode busbar structure, in which the retracting busbar 18 and the plurality of disverse 1 helices 19, 21 and 22 are connected to the welds 36° 3γ, 38, 39
and 42, and the cathode busbar structure 16 is attached to the side wall 17 of the enclosure 13 by welds 35, 3γ, 38, 40 and 41 to maintain electrical contact.

The cathode 44 is mounted in electrical contact with the side wall 11 by any suitable means, such as by welding a cathode reinforcing means 45 to the side wall 17.

A portion of a representative cathode 44 is shown.

The cathode 44 comprises a steel cathode reinforcing means 45 and a perforated steel plate 46 attached by suitable means such as welding.
including.

A perforated steel plate 47 is attached to perforated steel plate 46 and side wall 17 by any suitable means such as welding to form a peripheral chamber 48.

The height of the plurality of bus berths I-IJ at the point of attachment to the side wall 17 is substantially the same as the height of the cathode reinforcing means 45 at the point of attachment to the side wall 17.

This height may also be defined as being greater than approximately ]/2 of the height of the enclosure 13.

The thickness of the busbar strips 21 and 22 is preferably less than or equal to the thickness of the retraction busbar 18 and the busbar strip 19.

The cathode reinforcing means 45 is preferably a corrugated structure made of conductive steel sheet, although other suitable reinforcing means may be used, such as conductive metal ronds, reinforcing sheets, etc.

This cathode reinforcing means has the following functions: firstly, to support and reinforce the perforated steel plate 46; and secondly, to supply current through the cathode reinforcing means to all parts of the perforated steel plate 46 with minimal electrical resistance. It fulfills two functions.

The perforated electrically conductive metal means used to form the cathode 44 and peripheral chamber 48 are preferably perforated steel plates, but steel screens may also be used.

Other suitable perforated conductive metal means that may be used to form the cathode 44 and peripheral chamber 48 include conductive metal grids, meshes, screens, "twier cloth," and the like.

The surrounding body 13 is installed at the electrolytic cell base 14-H, and a fastener (
(not shown) is fixed to the electrolytic cell base 14.

Cell base 14 includes a resilient sealing pad 49 and a conductive anode support structure 51 and optional structural support means 52.

A resilient sealing pad 49 ensures a seal between the enclosure 13 and the electrolytic cell base 14.5 In a typical electrolytic cell circuit, the current flows through the calibration connector (
(not shown) to the retraction busbar 18 of the cathode busbar structure 16.

The current then flows through the cathode busbar structure 16 and
3-lead busbars 18 and busbars I-IJ tubes 19 to maintain a substantially uniform current density so that no significant voltage drop across the cathode busbar structure 16 is observed and the most economical power consumption is achieved. .21 and 22 and their relatively different dimensions maintain a substantially uniform current density across the cathode busbar structure 16.

The current then flows through the cathode busbar structure 16 to the electrical contact point in the side wall 17 of the enclosure 13 where it is distributed to the cathode 44 and through the cathode reinforcement means 45 through the perforation with minimal electrical resistance. It is easily transported to any part of the steel plate 46.

The cathode busbar structure according to the invention allows for the most economical use of the invested capital, i.e. the amount of copper or other suitable highly conductive metal used in the cathode busbar structure.

This arrangement of the recessed busbar and the plurality of busbar strips and their relatively different dimensions significantly reduces the amount of copper or other suitable highly conductive metal required in the cathode busbar structure compared to conventional ones. Save money.

Because of their configuration and relatively different dimensions, the retractable busbar and the plurality of busbar I-IJ tubes can maintain a substantially uniform current density in the cathode busbar structure.

The placement and dimensions of the lead-in busbars and busbar strips will vary depending on the designed current carrying capacity of the electrolyzer and will also vary depending on many factors such as current density, conductivity of the metal used, weld area, and assembly cost.

The cathode busbar structure 16 according to the present invention provides improved electrical conductivity in the vicinity of the cathode 44, thereby minimizing or eliminating the voltage drop across the metal bar busbar structure (7) compared to the conventional method. substantially reduces the consumption of copper or other highly conductive metals compared to

This novel cathode tube spar structure allows the electrolytic cell of the present invention to operate at approximately 50,000 amps and up to 200,000 amps.
The key is to design it to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolyzer with a high current capacity of 0 amps while maintaining high operating efficiency.

These high current capacities increase production capacity and yield for a given electrolyzer floor area, 7 and also reduce capital investment and operating costs.

The electrolytic cell of the present invention is not only capable of operating at high currents, but can also be efficiently operated at lower currents, such as about 55,000 amperes, using this novel cathode busbar structure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cathode 44 is surrounded by the side walls 1γ, 54, 55 and 56 of the steel cathode carrying enclosure 13.

The number of cathodes 44 may be any number from about 10 to 50 or more, preferably about 15 to 40, and most preferably about 20 to 30.

An anode plate (not shown) is installed between these cathodes 44.

The steel cathode reinforcing means 45 includes a perforated steel plate 4.
6 is attached to 11 by suitable means, such as by welding.

, a steel plate 53 is also attached to the cathode reinforcing means 45 by suitable means such as welding.

The cathode 44 is attached to the cell side wall 17 by any suitable method, such as by welding a steel plate 53 and cathode reinforcing means 45 to the side wall 17.

A perforated steel plate 47 is attached to the side wall 1 by any suitable means such as welding.
7,54° 55 and 56, and perforated steel plate 46
It is attached to.

A non-porous steel plate 47 surrounds the inward side wall of the shroud 13 and forms a peripheral chamber 48 which serves as a collection chamber for the hydrogen gas produced at the cathode during the electrolytic operation.

Electrolytic work: Hydrogen gas, which is shaped like 1J at the circular cathode, passes through the cathode 44, reaches the peripheral chamber 48, and from there proceeds to the gas extraction section 57. Referring to FIG. is attached to the steel cathode reinforcing means 45 by any suitable means such as welding.

Steel plate 53 is attached to cathode reinforcing means 45 by any suitable means such as welding.

A support means 58 made of steel is attached to the cathode reinforcing means 45 and the side wall 56 of the enclosure 13 by any suitable means of welding.

A perforated steel plate 47 is attached to the perforated steel plate 46 and to the side walls 17 and 56 by any suitable means such as welding, thereby forming a peripheral chamber 48.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the .multidot.1.degree. scale [7] so that the peripheral chamber 48 is shown very clearly.

The cathode reinforcing means 45 has projections 59, and the perforated steel plate 46 is welded to these projections 5 by suitable means.
9, thereby providing another chamber space for the hydrogen gas to be conducted into the peripheral chamber 48 formed by the electrolytic gold bamboo medium cathode 3, steel tip 61.
and steel plate 53 are attached to copper rod 62 by any suitable means such as welding.

The steel tip 61 and steel plate 53 are attached to the cathode reinforcing means 45 by suitable means such as welding, and the connecting copper rod 62 is properly positioned on the cathode reinforcing means 45-1.

The cathode reinforcing means 45 is preferably a corrugated structure made from a steel sheet, but other suitable reinforcing means can also be used, such as rods, plates, reinforcing sheets, etc.

The cathode reinforcing means 45 has two functions: firstly, supporting and reinforcing the perforated steel plate 46, and secondly supplying current through the cathode reinforcing means 45 to any portion of the perforated steel plate 46 with minimal electrical resistance. Has a function.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the enclosure 13 is mounted on the cell base 14 and secured to said base 14 by fasteners (not shown).

Cell base 14 includes a conductive anode support structure 51 and, if desired, suitable structural support means 52.

The seal between the enclosure 13 and the electrolytic cell base 14 is ensured by an elastic sealing pad 49.

Anode plate 72 preferably comprises a metal plate and maintains electrical contact with electrically conductive anode support structure 51 by any suitable means such as bolts and/or bolts, identification projections, studs, welding, etc. It is installed like this.

An anode plate 72 is installed in the center between adjacent cathodes 44,
Provide a predetermined distance between the anode plate 72 and the cathode 44.
The cathodes 44 are provided at the same intervals.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the electrolytic cell 11
is of particular interest in the electrolysis of solutions of alkali metal chlorides (generally including not only sodium chloride, but also potassium chloride, lithium chloride, rubidium chloride, and cesium chloride).

When the electrolytic cell 11 is used for the electrolysis of oxidizing solutions, the electrolytic cell 11 is fitted with a diaphragm 71 which serves to create separate anolyte and catholyte chambers, so that chlorine is separated from the anode and catholyte chambers. Caustic alkali and hydrogen are produced at the cathode.

The diaphragm 71 is made of a halogen-resistant material that allows fluid to pass through, and the steel plate 46 that constitutes the cathode 44 and the peripheral chamber 4
A perforated steel plate 47 forming 8 is coated.

Preferably, the diaphragm 71 consists of asbestos fibers affixed in place on the outer surface of the perforated steel plate 46,47.

Many types of membranes may be used in the electrolytic cell 11, including asbestos fabric, asbestos paper, asbestos sheet, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art.

The perforated steel plate 46 forming the cathode 44 and the perforated steel plate 47 forming the peripheral chamber 48 are made of perforated electrically conductive metal.

Other suitable perforated conductive metals that may be used to form cathode 44 and peripheral chamber 48 include conductive metal grids, meshes, screens, and wire cloth temples.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, some of what has been described in the previous figures is shown in greater detail.

The cathode busbar structure 16 is attached to the outer surface of the side wall 17 of the enclosure 13, and the end of the cathode 44 adjacent thereto is attached to the side wall 17 of the enclosure 13 in the manner described in each of the previous drawings.
is attached to the inner surface of the

The other end of the cathode 44 is preferably arranged as follows.

That is, the rear end 63 of the steel cathode reinforcing means 45 is connected to the steel support members 64, 65, 66 and 6.
7 is installed adjacent to the steel side wall 55 of the enclosure 13.

Support members 64 and 65 are attached to cathode reinforcing means 45 by any suitable means such as welding, and support members 66 and 6 are attached to side wall 55 by any suitable means such as welding.
7 on top.

Support members 64 and 65 can be attached or fixed to support members 66 and 67, respectively, but linear and horizontal thermal expansion of cathode 44 can be avoided with or without support members 64 and 65 attached. and/or shrinkage is preferably possible.

The perforated steel plate 47 is attached to the side wall 1 by any suitable means such as welding.
7, 54, 55 and 56 and to the adjacent perforated steel plate 46, thereby forming a peripheral chamber 48.

The copper rods 62 preferably have different lengths;
Preferably, the cathode reinforcing means 45-A is installed as shown in FIG.

a steel tip 61 is attached to the distal end 68 of the copper rod 62 by any suitable means such as welding; a steel plate 53 is attached to the distal end 73 of the copper rod 62 by any suitable means such as welding;
A cathode copper assembly 69 is thereby formed.

The cathode copper assembly 69 is attached to the cathode reinforcement means 45 by any suitable means, such as by welding the steel tip 61 and steel plate 53 to the steel cathode reinforcement means 45.

The copper rod 62 is thus placed on the cathode reinforcing means 45.

The copper rods 62 are of sufficient length to maintain a substantially uniform current density in the cathode 44, and are preferably of different lengths.

The copper rod 62 does not necessarily have to have a round or uniform cross-section; the cross-section may be square, rectangular, hexagonal, hexagonal, etc., and the cross-section may vary along its length. .

However, the copper rod 62 has a length and cross-section sufficient to carry the current and maintain a substantially uniform current density so that it does not exhibit a significant voltage drop across the cathode 44.
It is also important to achieve the most economical power consumption at cathode 44.

The use of a suitable highly conductive metal, such as copper, for cathode 44, as shown in FIGS. 4-8, is considered a novel use of highly conductive metals in cathodes.

The use of copper for the cathode is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,464,912.
No. 3,493,487.

However, the use of copper in the cathode described in these patents does not teach the use of copper in the cathode of an electrolytic cell as described herein.

A copper rod 62 is placed on the cathode reinforcing means 45 and in the cathode 44.
This preferred method of arranging is also novel.

Steel depth 61 is welded to distal end 68 of copper rod 62, and steel plate 53 is welded to distal end 73 of copper rod 62, thereby forming cathode copper assembly 69.

Before attaching the cathode copper assembly 69 to the cathode reinforcing means 45, any distortions caused by welding the steel tip 61 and steel plate 53 to the copper rod 62 are corrected or compensated for.

By welding the steel tip 61 and the steel plate 53 to the steel cathode reinforcing means 45, the cathode copper assembly 69 is attached to the cathode reinforcing means 45.

The copper rod 62 is thus placed in the cathode reinforcing means 45 and in the cathode 44; in this manner, all copper-to-steel welds are performed prior to welding the cathode copper assembly 69 to the cathode reinforcing means 45. In turn, metal distortion caused by this welding is substantially eliminated.

This novel cathode allows the electrolytic cell of the present invention to be designed to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell with a high current capacity of approximately 50,000 amps and up to 200,000 amps while maintaining high operating efficiency. make it possible.

These high current capacities give high production capacity and result in high production rates for a given electrolyzer floor area (7, 1" throw:
'Save capital and operating costs.

The electrolytic cell of the present invention not only operates and draws large currents, but also
With this new cathode, currents as low as about 55,000 amperes can be effectively operated.

Referring to FIG. 6, the opposite side of the cathode reinforcing means 45 shown in FIG. 5 is shown here.

Also shown is the configuration of the copper rod 62 installed thereon.

Copper rod 62, steel plate 53 and steel tip 6
A cathode copper assembly 69 comprising 1 is shown disposed on the cathode reinforcement means 45 .

The cathode reinforcing means 45 is provided with a projection 59 to which the perforated steel plate 46 is attached by suitable means such as welding, thereby forming a cathode during the electrolytic operation.
A separate chamber space is created for the hydrogen gas to be sent to the peripheral chamber 48.

The protrusions 59 are arranged at intervals on the cathode reinforcing means 45, and only a representative part thereof is shown in FIG.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of the cathode reinforcing means is shown in the top and the arrangement of copper ronds placed in the top.

In this embodiment, the cathode reinforcing means 111 is the steel plate 1
12, which has a steel peg or pin 113 extending therefrom.

Copper rod 62, steel plate 53 and steel tip 6
1 is installed in the steel plate 112 envelope of the cathode reinforcing means 111, and a portion of the steel plate 112 is removed to accommodate the steel plate 53.

Cathode copper assembly 69 is attached to cathode reinforcing means 111 by any suitable means, such as by welding steel plate 53 and steel tip 61 to steel plate 112.

A perforated steel plate 46 is attached to the steel pegs 113 by suitable means such as welding, thereby providing chamber space for the hydrogen gas to be conveyed to the peripheral chamber 48 formed by the cathode during the electrolytic operation.

9 and 10, anode support structure 74 includes copper plates 75, 76 and steel plates 77.
78, 79, 81 and 98 or any other suitable construction means may also be included.

Copper plate 75.76 and steel plate 77°78.79,8
1 and 98 are joined by any suitable means such as bolting or welding to provide a unitary structure with suitable structural support means.

The anode support structure 74 can be protected from corrosion by resilient sealing pads 49.

The anode plate 72 is attached to the copper plates 75 and 76.
The anode plate attachment used for attaching to 6 is means 8
2 can be made.

Anode plate 72 is made of any suitable electrically conductive material that is resistant to corrosive attack by the various electrolyzer reaction components and products with which it comes into contact.

Anode plate 72 is preferably a metal plate.

Typically, the anode plate 72 is made from a so-called valve metal, such as titanium, tankard, or niobium, or an alloy thereof, with the valve metal making up at least about 90% of the alloy.

The surface of the valve metal can be activated by coating with one or more noble metals, noble metal oxides or mixtures of such oxides, alone or in mixtures with valve metal oxides.

Precious metals that can be used include ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, and platinum.

! The samurai's preferred metal anode is made of titanium and is such as described in US Pat. No. 3,632,498, which has a coating of a mixture of titanium oxide and ruthenium oxide on the surface.

The valve metal substrate can also be overlaid on a more electrically conductive metal core such as aluminum, steel, copper, and the like.

The anode plate 72 is attached to the copper plate 75.7 by any suitable method such as nuts and/or bolts, identification projections, studs, welding, etc.
It can be attached to 6.

A typical method for attaching anode plate 72 to copper plates 75, 76 is described in US Pat. No. 3,591,483.

The anode busbar 97 is mounted by attaching steel contact plates 89 and 91 to the copper plate 75 by means 85 and by drilling holes 83 in the steel plate and the copper plate, which holes are connected to the adjacent electrolytic cell. It serves as a means for attaching current carrying leads to the anode busbar 97 from a current carrying interspecies connector or other power source.

FIG. 10 shows that the cross-sectional structure of the copper plates γ5, 76 forms a substantially stepped truncated right triangular cross-section.

The copper plates 75, 76 each have different relative dimensions;
It is arranged to maintain a substantially uniform current density in the anode support structure 74 up to the point of electrical contact adjacent the anode 72 so that it does not exhibit a significant voltage difference across the anode support structure 74, and The most economical power consumption in the anode support structure 74 is achieved.

The substantially uniform current density is achieved by using copper plates 75, which have different cross-sections.
76, the copper plates form a substantially step-like truncated rectangular cross-sectional shape in which current is drawn substantially uniformly from the copper plates as the cross-section of the plates decreases. .

In a typical electrolyzer circuit, current is supplied to the anode busbar 97 of the anode support structure 74 through an interspecies connector (not shown).

The current is then carried to the anode support structure 74 such that a substantially uniform current density is maintained in the anode support structure and exhibits no significant voltage drop across the anode support structure 74. Achieve the most economical power consumption in the market.

Current is delivered to the anode support structure 74 while maintaining a substantially uniform current density due to the configuration of the copper plates 75 and 76 and the relatively different manner in which the copper plates 75 and 76 are arranged.

Thus, current flows through the anode support structure 74 to the electrical contact points where it is distributed to the anode plate 72.

Under these conditions -1., current is easily carried to all parts of the anode plate 72.

The new anode support structure makes the most economical use of the invested capital, i.e. the amount of copper or other suitable highly conductive metal used in the anode support structure.

The configuration and relatively different dimensions of the copper plates significantly reduce the amount of copper or other suitable high conductivity metal required in the anode support structure compared to prior art.

Due to their composition and relatively different techniques, these copper plates
It allows current to flow and maintain a substantially uniform current density in the anode support structure.

The configuration and dimensions of the copper plate will vary depending on the ampacity of the electrolytic cell and will also vary depending on a number of factors such as current density, conductivity of the metal used, weld area, assembly cost, etc.

This novel anode support structure provides improved electrical conductivity to the anode plate, thereby minimizing or eliminating voltage drop across the anode support structure, compared to those of conventional methods. substantially reduces the amount of highly conductive metal required.

This anode support structure allows the electrolytic cell of the present invention to operate at approximately 150,000 amps, up to approximately 2 amps, while maintaining high operating efficiency.
It allows it to be designed to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolyzer with high current capacities up to 00,000 amperes.

These high current capacities provide high production capacity, high production rates for a given cell floor area, and reduced investment capital and operating costs.

In addition to being capable of operating at high currents, the electrolyzer of the present invention utilizes a novel anode support structure to provide approximately 55,000
It can also operate effectively with lower currents, such as amperes.

The anode support structure 74 may be provided with cooling means 92 .

A refrigerant, preferably water, is introduced through the inlet 93 and circulated into the cooling means 92 by means of passages through the refrigerant passages 95.

After entering through the inlet 93, the refrigerant flows along the steel plate 8γ and is routed through and through the cooling device 96, and then flows again along the steel plate 87.
The refrigerant then flows along steel plate 88 and then along and around steel plate 89.

The refrigerant is then routed along the opposite side of steel plate 89 and then along the opposite side of steel plate 88.

The refrigerant is then routed along the opposite side of the steel plate 87 and discharged through an outlet 94.

Refrigerant passages 95 may be any suitable refrigerant transport means, such as those located along opposite sides and at each end of steel contact plates 87, 88 and 89 with copper conduits connecting cooling device 96. The refrigerant transport channel may be arranged in a manner similar to the above.

Cooling means 92, as shown in this figure and as described herein, comprises:
Merely representative cooling means, cooling means 92 should not be construed as being limited to the design shown in the drawings and described in parentheses.

The use of cooling means 92 requires significantly less copper to be used in the anode support structure 74, substantially reducing capital investment costs for the anode copper.

The cooling means 92 is provided primarily for use in jumping over adjacent electrolytic cells to remove them from the electrical circuit, but the cooling means 92 is used to cool the anode copper during periodic current overloads. , or can be used during normal electrolyzer operation to continuously cool the anode copper, thereby further reducing copper usage in the anode support structure 74 and concomitantly reducing the amount of copper used for the anode copper. Capital cost I
・Can be reduced.

The anode jumper bus bar 99 serves as a means for attaching an anode jumper connector when attaching the steel contact plates 87, 88 to the copper plate 75 using attachment means 86 to jump over an adjacent electrolytic cell and remove it from the electrical circuit. , by providing holes 84 in the steel and copper plates.

The cooling means 92 maximizes its effectiveness by preventing the temperature of the anode support structure 74 from rising to a height that would damage the anode support structure 74 or other components of the cell 11. It is during this jumper operation that it shows its true potential.

Referring to FIG. 11, an alternative embodiment of a flexible anode support structure 74 is shown in which the anode support structure 74 is provided with structural support means 52.

This support means 52 can provide additional structural support for the structure 74.

This embodiment is advantageous and preferred when the support structure 74 is made from a highly conductive metal such as copper, which has excellent electrical properties or relatively weak structural properties.

Structural support means 52 may be made of any number of suitable structural materials having sufficient strength to support the necessary support, such as aluminum, iron, copper, etc. and their alloys, such as stainless steel and other chrome steels, nickel steel, etc. It can be made from any material.

Such structural materials may have the form of a beam, a beam, a seven beam, a single beam, etc.

Structural support means 52 does not necessarily have to be made of full-length material, but can be made of any suitable structural material, such as concrete, reinforced concrete, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, this 5
9 shows an anode support structure 74 that is different from that shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.

The description of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 also applies to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14.

The difference between FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 from FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 is that the copper plates 101 and 1
02 and steel plates 103 and 104 are further added.

Furthermore, there are four rows of anode plates 72, with some modifications to the cooling means 92 and jumper bus bar 99.

13 and 14 show that the cross-sectional structure of the copper plates 75, 76° 101 and 102 has a substantially step-like truncated right triangular cross-sectional shape.

The copper plates 75, 76, 101 and 102 each have different relative dimensions so that the copper plates 75, 76, 101 and 102 carry current and substantially penetrate into the anode support structure 74 to the point of electrical contact adjacent to the anode plate 72. The anode support structure 7 is arranged in such a way as to maintain a uniform current density.
4 and achieves the most economical power consumption in the anode support structure 74.

Substantially uniform current density is achieved through copper plates 75 with different cross sections.
, 76.101 and 102, which form a substantially stepped truncated triangular cross-section in which a substantially uniform current flows as the cross-section of the copper plate decreases. It is extracted from these copper plates.

In a typical electrolytic cell circuit, current is supplied to the anode busbar 97 of the anode support structure 74 through a calibration connector (not shown).

The current then flows to the anode support structure 74 and maintains a substantially uniform current density therein, where there is no voltage drop across the anode support structure 74 and where there is no voltage drop across the anode support structure 74. The most economical power consumption is achieved.

Due to the configuration of the copper plates 75, 16, 101 and 102 and their relatively shiny manner, the current flows through the anode support structure 7.
4 and a substantially uniform current density is maintained in the anode support structure.

Current thus flows through the anode support structure 74 to the point of electrical contact where it is distributed to the anode plate 72.

Under these circumstances, current is easily carried to all parts of the anode plate 72.

This new anode support structure allows for the most economical use of the investment capital, i.e. the amount of copper or other highly conductive metal used in the anode support structure.

The arrangement of the copper plates and their different relative dimensions significantly reduces the amount of copper or other suitable high conductivity metal required for the I1gA pole support lateral support compared to the prior art.

These copper plates, because of their arrangement and their different relative dimensions, are also suitable for carrying current through the anode support structure and maintaining a substantially uniform current density through the anode support structure. .

The placement and dimensions of the copper plate will vary depending on the ampacity of the electrolyzer and will depend on many factors such as current density, conductivity of the metal used,
It also varies depending on the welding area, assembly cost, etc.

This novel anode support structure provides good electrical conductivity to the anode plate, thereby minimizing or eliminating voltage drop across the anode support structure, yet compared to conventional ones. Substantially reduces the amount of copper or other suitable highly conductive metal required.

The anode support structure 74 shown in FIGS. 9-14 may be one embodiment of the active anode support structure 51 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

This novel anode support structure allows the electrolyzer of the present invention to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell operating at high current capacities of approximately 50,000 amps up to approximately 200,000 amps while maintaining high operating efficiency. It allows you to design.

These high current capacities provide high production capacity, high production rates for a given cell floor area, and reduced capital requirements and operating costs.

Not only is the electrolytic cell of the present invention capable of operating at high currents, but by using this novel anode support structure, the electrolytic cell of the present invention can
It is possible to operate effectively with currents as low as 0.00 amps.

The following illustrative case illustrates the practice of the present invention as well as the manner in which the present invention is utilized.

Actual Case The data below shows the typical performance of the novel electrolytic cell of the present invention operated at a current capacity of 150,0007 amperes.

This performance was compared to that of a conventional small electrolyzer with a metal anode plate operating at a current capacity of 84,000 amperes.

Both electrolyzers are chlorine-alkali diaphragm cells.

*...The electrolytic cell can operate even when the caustic alkali content of the electrolytic cell liquid is even lower.

In this case, the current efficiency will be even higher.

The above data show that the new electrolyzer of the present invention operates at the same anode current density and at substantially the same current efficiency, voltage and operating conditions as the conventional small electrolyzer.

The novel cell p) of the present invention has a high production rate for a given cell floor area, requires less operating effort and requires less capital invested per ton of chlorine produced.

This example allows electrolytic cells to be designed to operate at high current capacities, provide high production capacity, and have high production rates while maintaining high operating efficiency.

The electrolyzer of the present invention has many other uses.

For example, an alkali metal chlorate can be produced by further reacting the generated caustic alkali and chlorine outside the electrolytic cell.

In this case, a solution containing both alkali metal chlorate and alkali metal chloride can be circulated to this cell for further electrolysis.

The electrolytic cell can be used to electrolyze hydrochloric acid by electrolyzing hydrochloric acid alone or in combination with an alkali metal chloride.

The novel electrolytic cells of the present invention are thus extremely useful in such processes and in many other aqueous liquid treatments.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electrolytic cell according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional side view of the electrolytic cell of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the cathode and cathode supporting enclosure taken along line 4--4 of the electrolytic cell shown in FIG. 3; FIG. is an enlarged sectional view of the cathode and the cathode supporting enclosure taken along the line 5-5 of the electrolytic cell shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 8 is an end view of the cathode reinforcing means of FIG. 7 cut along line 8-8, and FIG. 9 is an end view of the cathode reinforcing means of FIG. A plan view of the anode support structure used (for convenience of explanation - 1 anode plate is omitted), Figure 10 (also, the anode support structure in Figure 9 is drawn along line 10-1)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 0, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of an anode support structure that can be used in the electrolytic cell shown in FIG. 1 (for convenience of explanation, the anode plate is omitted);
Figure 13 shows the anode support structure in Figure 12]: 3-13
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view showing the version of FIG. 13 with structural tank support means attached.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An electrolytic cell comprising a cathode busbar structure, a cathode carrying enclosure, a cathode supported by the cathode carrying enclosure, an anode support structure, and an anode supported by the anode support structure. (a) the cathode busbar structure includes at least one retraction busbar and a plurality of highly conductive busburst IJ tubes having relatively different dimensions;
- the IJ knobs are connected to each other and to the retraction busbar;
and electrically connected, the cathode busbar structure being attached to and electrically connected to at least one sidewall of the cathode carrying enclosure made of a conductive metal and having sidewalls; The carrying enclosure includes a number of cathodes therein, and the cathode busbar structure conducts electrical current to contact points adjacent to the cathodes. (b) The cathode includes cathode reinforcing means made of conductive metal, a long highly conductive metal member disposed within the cathode, and a long highly conductive metal member attached to the cathode reinforcing means that connects the outer surface of the cathode and the gas chamber space inside the cathode. forming a perforated electrically conductive metal means, said elongated highly electrically conductive metal member being disposed within said cathode to carry an electrical current, and said cathode-carrying enclosure having a plurality of conductive metal means extending substantially across the interior thereof. a cathode attached to and electrically connected to at least one inner wall of the enclosure, and the cathode busbar structure is attached to an outer surface of a side wall of the enclosure adjacent to the attached cathode. (c) the anode support structure has a substantially flat, horizontal surface and a cross-sectional area that decreases with distance from the anode or intervessel connecting busbar; comprising highly conductive metal means having a substantially stepped truncated right triangular cross-sectional shape, the highly conductive metal means having relatively different dimensions and carrying an electrical current. , the electrolytic cell.