US1073559A - Electrolytic cell. - Google Patents

Description

E. A. 1; H. I. ALLEN.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLIUATION TILED AUG. 23, 1907.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

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ELECTROLYTIG CELL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.23,1907.

Lwpffiqfi Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

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' swarm A. ALLEN A171) Bahamas: 1. ALLEN, or PORTLAND, MAINE, Assnmons, B'Y

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ELECTRON CHEMICAL COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE,

A communion or mama.

ELECTROLYTIC I Specification of as... Patent. Application filed August 23, 1907. Serial No. 389,826.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known'that we, EDWARD A. ALLEN and HERBERT I. ALLEN, of Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Cells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to electrolytic cells of the Moore and Allen type, in which the cathode is unsubmerged and in which the electrolyte ercolates from the anode chamber throu a diaphra m into contact with the catho e. One of t e greatest difficulties that has always been met with in the o eration of electrolytic cells. is the back perco ation of the cathol te into the anode chamber and the electro ysis of the hypochlorites formed leadin to the destruction of theanodes. Another itiiculty arises from the constant electrolytic action which goes on in the cell, for, as the electrolyte becomes impoverished of salt, the water is electrolyzed, givin off oxygen at the anode, and causing the destruction of the anodes.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these evils and this is accomplished in accordance with our invention by constructing the anode in such manner that there is a constant circulation of the electrolyte in the anode chamber; and secondly, in supplying salt to the anode chamber to be taken upv as the electrolyte becomes impoverished, and thirdly, limiting the active surface of the cathode to the area of the diaphragm through which percolation takes place, so that the product of the electrolysis may be readily removed.

In addition thereto, the invention has further for its object to prevent the deterioration and destruction of the dia hragm by providing means for resisting t e outward hydrostatic ressure of the electrolyte in the According to the illus 'trated embodiment of the invention, this is Ell secured by providing braces which bear against the cathode on its outer surface and prevent it and the diaphragm from bendmg outward, without checking or retarding the electrolytic action or the discharge of the catholyte.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention and to which it will be understood the invention is not limited, Figure 1: represents an electrolytic cell which ma be considered as the preferred form of t e inventlon. Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents a vertical transverse section through the cell. Fig. 4 represents a vertical longitudinal section through the cell. Fig. 5 represents the construction of the multiple anode. Fig. 6 represents the supports for the anode as bemg formed thereon.

Referring to said drawings, the cell body is constructed with end walls 10 and side walls, or what we term free boards, 11, which connect the end walls at their upper portions. The end walls are secured to a bottom wall or plate 12, the walls 10, 11, 12, being all formed of slate or other suitable materiahsuch as cement, which will withstand the electrolytic action. Secured to the side faces of the bottom plate 12 and the end walls and to the outer faces of the free boards, or side bars 11, are the diaphragms 13 which are preferably formed of one or more layers of asbestos paper or other material which will permit comparatively free percolation of the electrol te which is contained within the cell. The c iaphragms are secured in place by rectangular frames 14: which are preferably made of metal such as iron, there being between these frames and the mar ins of the diaphragms, gaskets 15 of rub er or other insulating material. The margins of the diaphragms also overlap gaskets 16 of insulatlng material which are secured to the edges of the end walls 13, the side bars 11, and the bottom plate 12. The frames 14 are attached to the cell by clamps 17 which bear against flanges or strips 18 attached to the sidebars and against flanges on the upper longitudinal bars of the frame, said clam 5 being secured in place by screws 19. T 0 lower longitudinal bars of the frames 14 are clamped to the base plate by U-shaped clamps 20 and screws 21 passed throu h the upturned ends thereof and engaging anges on the lower bars of said frames. In addition, we may ample similar clamps 22 which extend across t is ends of the cell as shown in Fig. 2 with screws 23 engaging flanges on the upright bars of the frames 14. The construction thus far described,

provides an anode chamber forthe reception of the anode and an electrolyte consisting of any saline solution which it is desired 7 to electrolyze. The cathode consists of several (two or more) layers of foraminous material such as wire gauze capable of maintaining in its pores or interstices a body of the catholyte. -These cathodes are indicated at 24, and they are placed with their inner faces against the outer faces of the diaphragms. The edges or margins of the cathodes are bent outwardly at right angles to their active faces, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and these outwardly projecting margins or edges are secnredto the inner faces of the rectangular frames 14 by clamping bars 25 and screws 26. In accordance with this construction,

the active faces of the cathodes are limited "escape into the room in which the cells are installed, we attach to the outer edges of the frames 14, plates 27 which are clamped in place by small rectangular frames 28 and screws 29; and for the purpose of preventing the diaphragms and cathodes from yielding outward under hydrostatic pressure of the solution contained in the anode chamber, we

provide at various points braces 30. Each brace consists of a small rod which is bent i to substantially [Ll-shaped with its ends attached to the plate so that its middle por tion bears against the cathode. Instead of having one brace extending the entire height of the cathode, we preferably employ two or more to gain additional strength.

It will be seen that on each side of the cell there is a rectangular frame to. which is secured the cathode and the outer plate 27, so that the cathode chamber thus formed and the attached cathode may be removed as a unit, so as to expose the diaphragm and permit its renewal or replacement. In practice, the hollow frame, the cathode, the brace rods 30 and the outer plate are all assembled and secured together, so that, when. the diaphragm has been stretched across the open side of the anode chamber, the assembled parts are clamped against the edgesof the diaphragm. This constitutes one of the advantageous features of our cell.

The anode chamber is closed at the top by i a cover 33 which is luted in'place, there extending from the cover a conduit 34 fior the gas which is given ed in the anode chamber,

The anode is what we term a multiple anode, being so constructed as to permit of chamber.

electric generator.

the circulation or the'electrolyte in the anode It consists of parallel bars 35 35 of carbon or-graphite whlch are separated to leave a comparatively large open space between their confrontin innertaces. ;At their upper edges these ars are dove-tailed as at 36, to receive dove-tailed crossbar-s 37 which are likewise formed of carbon or graphite. These cross-bars serve to connect the parallel bars 35 and to hold them in proper relation. Preferably, though not necessarily, the bars 35 are each longitudinally divided into sections indicated at a and b, which are separated by a passageway c. In this event, we employ additional crossbars 38 which are oppositely dove-tailed to engage dove-tail grooves in the sections a and b of the side bars of the anodes. The exposed outer faces of the side bars of the anode may be substantially equal in area to the faces of the diaphragms which are exposed to the electrolyte, although. we preferably have the exposed area of the faces of the anode somewhat less than the exposed face of. the diaphragm and the active faces of the cathodesr The anode rests upon supports 39 which may take the form of glass-bars of any s'uitable shape to elevate the anode above the bottom plate of the cell. These supports may however, be formed of downward projections X on the plates as shown in Fig. 6.

The cross bars 37 38 of the anode have apertures 40 41 into which extend spindles or bars 42 which arej formed of carbon or graphite, and which extend upwardly through the cover 33 as illustrated in Fig. 4. Preferably these bars or spindles 42 are relatively large in cross section so as to reduce their resistance and enable usto use a current of relatively low voltage. The cover is provided with an upstanding flange 43 around the projecting portion of each bar or minals of electric connectors which connect the anodes-with the cathodes of an adjacent cell or with the positive pole of a suitable The anode of the. next adjacent cell or the negative pole of the generator, is connected to mercury cups 46 which are electrically connected with the metallic' frames 14, hereinbefore described,

which are in electrical contactor connection with the cathodes, the latter. being pressed thereagainst by the clampingbars'25.

In order that the'electrolyte may be maintained at its highest point of saturation, we provide means for continuously s'u plying from the interior of the anodechamber, the salt of "which the solution is made; This takes the form-{in the present case, of

its

a basket or receptacle 50 which is made of hard rubber, earthenware, glass or any other material which will withstand the action of the chlorin liquor and gas, and it is provided with numerous perforations so that the electrolyte may pass throu h it; This receptacle or basket is placed etween the side bars of the anode near the top thereof where the electrolyte is weakest, and it is supported by a tube 51 which depends 'from the cover 33. This tube may be made of the same material as that of which the basket or receptacle is formed, and it is provided at its upper end with an outwardly and downwardly extending flange 52 which dips into a lute 53 on the top of the cover 33. A removable cap 54 also extends into said lute so as to prevent the escape of gas from the cell into the atmos here. The normal level of the electrolyte 1n the cell is indicated by the transverse dotted line a: in

Fig. 4, although this level will be raised as the. diaphragm becomes more or less clogged so as to secure the same percolation of the electrolyte through the diaphragm, but in any event it is above the upper edges of the anode. The lower bent end of the tube 51, however, is below the level of the electrolyte in the anode chamber so that, when the cap 54: is removed for the purpose to be described, there is practically no escape of gas from the cell. In the receptacle is placed, as previously stated, a quantity of salt, to which fresh salt is added from time to time, so that there is always maintained in the basket or receptacle a quantity of salt which is accessible to the electrolyte in the anode chamber. Preferably, the salt which we employ is chemically pure to prevent the introduction of foreign matter into the cell.

The electrolyte is introduced into the cell in any usual. or convenient manner through a conduit 55 into which the flow of the electrolyte is governed by a float valve located in a receiving tank with which the conduit is connected (not shown). The catholyte is Withdrawn from the exterior of the cathode by conduits leading from the bottom of the chamber formed by the plate 29, the "frames 14 and the diaphragms and cathodes.

In operation, the anions are given off on the outer faces of the side bars of the anodes and the ebullition which results causes an upward flow of the electrolyte through the space between the diaphragm and the said outer faces of the anode. This results'in a downward flow of the electrolyte throu h the passageway between the side bars of t e anode, a part or the electrolyte assing outward through passageways c c etween the sections a and "0 of the side bars. As the electrolyte thus circulates within the anode chamber, entirel around the anode, the more im overis ed part thereof passes through t e receptacle 50 or in contact with tact with the cathodes and the cations, which are liberated thereat, are washed down, the liberation of the cations continuing as the catholyte flows down through and on the faces of the cathodes. More or less hydrogen is liberated on the outer faces of the cathodes, and this gas is carried oft through conduits 60. The liberation of the hydrogen serves to break up any hypochlorites which are formed on the cathodes andassists in preventing the same from working backward into the anode chamber.

We propose to use as many of the baskets or receptacles 50 as may be necessary although we have shown but one as that is probably suflicient for a cell of the size indicated. a

The circulation within the-cell of the electrolyte, as herein described, not only keeps the strength of the electrolyte uniform, as the device for holding the salt allows free access of the brine thereto, but at the same time it keeps undissolved salt away from the active parts of the cathode and thus prevents mechanical wear.

Having thus described the nature of our said invention, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use, what we claim is:

1. In an electrolytic cell, a cell body com prising bottom, end and upper side walls, a diaphragm overlappin said walls, a cathode chamber superimposet upon the margin of said diaphragm, a cathode having its marginal edges secured to the cathode chamber to be removable therewith, and an insulating asket interposed between the cathode cham er and the diaphragm.

2. An anode for an electrolytic cell, comprising horizontally separated plates havmg an open space between them, each plate being longitudinally divided into vertically separated sections for the circulation of the electrolyte, cross bars connecting said plates and sections thereof, and cathodes adjacent the outer faces of said plates.

3. An anode for an electrolytic cell, comprising separated plates having an open space between them, each plate being longitudinally divided into separate sections, means connecting said plates together and also connecting the sections of each plate, and cathodes adjacent the outer faces of said plates.

4. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, supports in the cell chamber, and an anode in said chamber resting on said supports so as to be separated from the bottom of said chamber by a free space, said anode comprising vertically arranged substantially parallel plates extending longitudinally of said chamber and having their inner faces confronting, and whose upper edges are be low the normal level of the electrolyte in the anode chamber for the circulation of the electrolyte.

5.- An anode for an electrolytic bell, comprising parallel separated plates, cross bars connecting said plates, and bars orspindles introduced into apertures in said cross bars and a cathode adjacent the outer face 0 eachof said plates.

6. An anode for an electrolytic cell, comprising parallel separated piates each divided longitudinally into sections, cross bars connecting said plates and said sections, and bars or spindles introduced into apertures in said cross bars, and a cathode adjacentthe outer face of each of said plates.

7. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, an anode therein comprising flat plates spaced from the to bottom and sides of said chamber an having spaced confronting faces to permit a vertical circulation of the electrolyte between and over and under said plates, and a salt receptacle withinsaid chamber and disposed in the path of circulation of said electrolyte for the continuous saturation of the electrolyte.

8. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, an anode therein comprising parallel fiat plates spaced from the top, bottom and sides of said chamber and having spaced confront ing faces to permit a vertical circulation of the electrolyte between over and under said plates, and a salt receptacle disposed between said plates in the-path of the circulation of the electrolyte.

9. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, an

anode therein comprising parallel fiat plates.

spaced from the top, bottom'and sides of said .chamber and having spaced confronting faces to permit avertical circulation of the electrolyte between said plates, a cover for said chamber, a tube supported by and depending from said cover, a salt receptacle aeraaee.

below said tube and arranged in the space between theconfronting faces of said plates.

10. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, a cover therefor a pair of separated parallel fiat anode members extending longitudinally of the chamber and spaced from the top, bottom and sides of said chamber, alongitudinally extended salt receptacle, a cover for the chamber, a tube extending through the cover for delivering salt to said'recep- 't-acle, and a luted cap for closing the upper end of the tube.

11. An electrolytic cell, comprising an open side anode chamber, an anode therein, a diaphragm across the open side of said chamber, and a cathode chamber comprising a. frame andouter plate clamped against the margin of saiddiaphragm, and a cathode having its edgessecured to the said frame so that said frame plate and cathode form a removable unit.

12. In an electrolytic cell, a cell body comprising bottom, end and upper side walls, a diaphragm overlapping said walls, a cathode chamber superimposed upon the margin of said diaphragm and a cathode having its edges separated from said diaphragm and secured to the walls'of the cathode chamber to be removable therewith as a unit;

13. In an electrolytic cell,- a cell body comprising bottom, end and upper side walls, a diaphragm overlapping said side walls, a hollow frame superimposed upon themargin of said diaphragm, a cathode formed of foraminous material having its active face against the active portion of said diaphragm and its edges bent outward to lie inside said frame, and means-for securing said edges to said frame.

In testimony whereof we have afiixed our signatures, in presence of two witnesses.

EDVVABD A. ALLEN.

-HERBERT I. ALLEN. Witnesses: 4

M. )3. MAY, 1?. Prizznrrr.

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