US1075026A - Process of electrolysis. - Google Patents

Description

H. M. DU BOIS.

PROCESS OF ELEGTROLYSIS. APPLICATION rum) APR. 11, 1910.

1 $175,096, 4 Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

y fgaa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD M. on 1201s. or nn'rnorr. MICHIGAN I PROCESS OF ELECTROLYSI IS.

Specification of Letters Patent. 3 Iafg- Application filed April 11, 1910. Serial No. 554,605.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that LHowann M. DU BOIS,

' a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State otMichigan, have invented oer-- tam new and useful Improvements in Processes of Electrolysis, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had-therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to the manufacture of various products by the electrolysis of salts, being more particularly designed for use in the electrolysls of chlorid soduun and apparatus.

Wit-h these objects in view, the invention consists in the process as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a vertical central section through an electrolytic cell, 'which may be employed for carrying out my improved rocess; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereo In the electrolysis of solutions where porous diaphragms are employed, great difliculty is experienced in maintaining the porosity of the diaphragm. Consequently, the cells decrease in eflicienc Y as the pores become clogged with impurities in the solution, the electrical resistance being increased and requiring a higher voltage and greater expenditure of-energy in the production of the product. My improved process'is d.e-' signed to a. large measure overcome this difficult-y without destroying the effectiveness of the diaphragm or incurring any danger of commingling of the gaseous products of the electrolysis.

' Broadly consldered, the process "consists 'the flowing of the electrolyte over the upper end of a vertically-arranged; diaphragm, and j thence downward between the diaphragm and the exposed cathode f surface, whereby the flowin of the cathode liquor is notde -'f pendent so el upon the porosity of the diaphragm,-whi e the electrolytic action is unim aired.

only: compensate for that which passes through t the surplus will be forced upward through the space between'theflanges Ill-and G and.

ith the apparatus as'shown,,A is the cathode which forms also .the outer container for the li uid in the cell. This cathode is prefera 1y formed with vertically-extendingchannels B in its inner face. while a porous diaphragm C is arranged adjacent to and sup orted by the cathode.

D is an anode fhrmed" preferably of a. series of vertically-arranged bars of carbon extending around 'thecell adjacent to the inner face of the diaphragm. These bars are secured at their upper ends to, a support ing cap E which is rovided with adepending annular flange G is a parallel annular flange surrounding the flange F but spaced therefrom and supported upon the cathode. H is another annular flange surroundin and 31): from v the flange G and depending iron-z. the cap E and seated on the upper end of tho cathode. The construction of the annulariianges F, G and H is such that they form a seal preventing the passage of as from one compartment to the other, ut, permitting the flow of liquid tlierebetween At the lower end of the cell is an annular channel I communicating with "all of the vertically-extending grooves or and having a discharge conduitthereto.

K is an inlet for the electrolyte preferably extending through the bottom of the cell tpassages B connected and connected with suitable means for maintainlng a constant flow of the liquid there through.

' L is a gas outlet connecting with the upper end of the anode compartment, and M is a gas outlet connected with the cathode compartment.

In operation, the salt solution, or other liquid to be electrolyzed, is fed into the anode compartment through the conduit K and 'byreason of the porosity of the diaphragm C' this liquid is also brought into contact with the face of the cathode. Electrolysis will thus take place, the caustic and hydrogen .gas collecting at the cathode and the chlorid gas collecting at the anode. The constant inflow of the electrolyte will not e pores of the diaphragm, but

into the cathode-compartment, where it will.

stantoutflow of said liquor through. the dis charge pipe J.

. It. will be noted that the electrolyte on,v both sides of the diaphragm isarranged in terminate the anode and the cathode, and, therefore, is maintained in .the field of theelectrolysiis. The gases liberated at the:

anode'and cathode will ascend through the solution, and will be collected in their respective compartments, and any commingling of these gases is prevented by the liquid seal maintained between the flanges F, Grand H. There will, however, be a certain amount of the hypochlorite formed during the electrolysis, since dissolved chloringas ,may pass with the electrolyte through the liquid seal and into contact with the cathode liquor. Here the hypochlorite formed will be directed in the path of the liberated hydrogen which, reacting thereon, will reduce the hypochlorite to a chlorid- Here it-will be directed in the path of the liberated hydrogen, which, reacting thereon,

.will reduce the hypochlorite to a chlorid.

Thus before the solution comes into contact with the metallic surface of the cathode practically all of the hypochlorite is eliminated and this prevents the corrosion and destruction of the cell. c

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The process of electrolysis, which com: prises flowing the electrolyte from the anode compartment through a gas-proof seal into the cathode compartment, and thence across" the electrolytic field Within a space between the diaphragm andthe cathode.

2. The process of electrolysis, which com -:prises maintaining constant freedom of comcopiel of this patent may be obtained for lil'unicatioii .betweer'r-thei anode alfd cathode compartments, and a constant How of liquid acros the electrolytic field within a space "between the cathode and the porous diaphragm,

3. The process of electrolysis, which comv prises maintaining a constant pressure on the electrolyte in the anode compartment,

and a flow of liquid across the electrolyticfield within a space between the porous diaphragm and the cathode, with a constant discharge of the cathode liquor.

' 4. The process of electrolysis, which comprises constantly feeding in electrolyte into I the anode compartment, in by-passing a portion of the electrolyte around, the porous diaphragm, and in maintaining a flow of thetrolytic field downward within a space between the diaphragm and the cathode.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses. I

. HOWARD M. DU 1301s.

lVitnesses NELLIE KINsnLLA, JAMns P. BARRY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissionerot Patents, Washington, D. C.

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