US1039415A - Process of oxidizing or reducing chemical substances by way of electrolysis. - Google Patents

Description

G. KOLSKY. PROCESS OF OXIDIZING 0R REDUCING CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES BY WAY OF BLEGTROLYSIS. APPLIOATION FILED NOV.3, 1911.

1,039,41 5, Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

trated in the accompanying UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE KOLSKY, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS OF OXIDIZING OR REDUCING CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES BY WAY OF ELECTROLYSIS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnome Konskr, of Switzerland, residing at New York, State of NeW York, have, invented an Improvemeht in t;l1je r'ocess of Oxidizing or Reducing Chemical Substances by Way of Electrolysis; andiI do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

This invention more especially relates to the electrolytic production of hypochlorites, chlorates, perchlorates and persulfates. I have found that such electrochemical reactions may be greatly facilitated by placing either the cathode into the interior of the anode or the anode into the interior of the cathodeand by rapidly rotating the inner electrode. For instance I have treated a solution of potassium chlorid with the apparatus which I shall describe hereafter. I found that With a certain current intensity, the tension was reduced to 3 volts, by using my improved apparatus with the anode rotating, whereas under the same conditions, but with the anode at rest, a tension of about 6 volts Wasmeeded. Furthermore the outut was considerably increased, and finally in spite of lower voltage a far greater current intensity could be used than with the same apparatus, and with the anode at rest, so that a certain quantity of chlorate could be produced in far shorter time than with the anode at rest.

The mechanical apparatus which, in the light of my present knowledge, I think best adapted to carry out my invention, is illusdrawing, which I will now describe.

Figure 1 is a vertical central section of an electrolytic apparatus for transforming al-.

kali chlorids into alkali chlorates, with the electrodes formed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a modification comprising means for cooling the solution treated.

Reference being had to Fig. 1, a is the anode having the form of a hollow sphere with a number of lateral perforations a and one opening at the bottom, similar to what is called the Witt stirrer. This hollow sphere is surrounded by a second hollow sphere b tormin the cathode. The outer sphere is also perihrated, the perforations having the form of oblong openings 6. The anode is mounted on the shaft 0 which freely passes through the cathode.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 3, 1911.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912. Serial No. 658,375.

The lower end of the anode terminates by a socket (l which is also freely movable in the outer shell Z). In order to allow of removing the cathode it iscomposed of two hemispheres. The current is supplied to the anode by the shaft 0, by the rods e, of which two or more may be provided. These rods'penetrate the outer shell I), and may be covered with china or glass tubes 7", to prevent loss of current and to insulate them against the walls of the containing vessel. Another purpose of the rods 6 is to support the cathode and to hold it in a closed condition. The anode may be made of any material which is suitable for the especial purpose, for instance of platinum, oxidized iron, lead perovid or the like. On the other hand it may be constituted by a nonconductor of electricity, for instance of earthen-ware, hard rubber or the like, and this nonconductor may be intertwined or equipped with platinum wires or another suitable conductor. For the purpose of guiding'the anode an insulating bearing 9 may be provided either in the upper or in the lower opening of the cathode shell, or in both of them. The socket (Z is then Preferably provided with a collar projecting into a corresponding groove in the bearing. By this means a more perfect joint between the electrodes is attained, so that no solution can be sucked up out through 'the socket d. The shaft 0 may also be guided by a bearing arranged in the cover of the containing vessel. Let it be understood that the vessel is only generally indicated, its true dimensions being far greater than as shown in the drawing.

The etliciency of this apparatus, comprising electrode, agitator and pump, is very great. The contents of the vessel seem to be converted into dust, although the current continues to flow in undiminished strength showing that the interval between the electrodes is wholly filled up with solution. Owing'to the spherical form of both electrodes, the current density on the latter is absolutely uniform, so that the electrochemical action at every point of the aetive'clcctrode is controlled by the same conditions and the process may be confined to one single desired reaction.

Instead of rotating the inner elect-rode I may effect the circulation of the liquid by another means, for instance by a propeller with the vessel 12., each being provided .With' arrangement'is illustrated by Fig. 2 inwhich -h indicates the greater and i the smaller vessel "containing the electrodes. Both vessels are connected-at the bottom by a pipe 7c and communicate near the top by a wider, tub e..-The liquid in the vessel 72.. is for instance cooled by the coil Z. Aplu ralityof smaller vessels '5 may be connected electrodes.

I claim 1 In an electrolytic apparatus the arran'gement of two spherical, perforated electrodes, one cit-them surrounding the other. i

2. In an electrolytic apparatus, the come s stem j-bmatlon of a containing vessel, another bination of spherical, perforated electrode surrounding another likewise spherical and perforated elect-rode, and means for rapidly .rotating the said inner. electrode.

3. In an electrolytic apparatus, the comsmaller vessel connected therewith, elec- "trodes in the said smaller vessel, and means for rapidly rotating one of the said electrodes.

I 4. In an electrolytic apparatus the combination of an outer, spherical, perforated electrode, an inner, likewise spherical and perforated electrode, a socket extending from the bottom of the second electrode andfreely penetrating the first electrode, and

means. for rotating the second electrode.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses;

GEORGE KOLSKY.

Witnesses: I

GEO. C. I-IEINIGKE, HEINRICH G. KOEHLER.

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