US1360542A

US1360542A - levin

Info

Publication number: US1360542A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1920-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 1937-11-30

Description

I. H. LEVIN.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 25. 1911. RENEWED APR.23,1920.

1,3 0,542, Patented Nov. 30,1920.

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ji pazwa l. H. LEVIN.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1917. RENEWED APR. 23-. 1920.

1,360,542. Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- M mung/m 'UNITED STATES Parent" cit-rice.

ISAAC I-I. LEVIN, OF NEXFJ YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ELECTROLYTIC OXY-HYDROGEN LABORATORIES, INC., OF NEW' YORK, N. Y.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

Application filed May 25, 1917, Serial No. 170.858.

" thereof.

lily invention relates to electrolytic apparatus and more particularly to apparatus of the uni-polar-type for use in the production of oxygen and hydrogen.

In electrolytic ap aratus of the type to which my invention relates, oxygen and hydrogen are produced. by the decomposition of acidulated water electrolysis; and the capacity eilicienc of the apparatus, or 01"- the volume of gases produced. is dependent in large measure upon the area of the elements oi"- each couple; while the purity of o ch gas produced is dependent upon a perfect separation of that portion oi the apparatus wherein one of the gases is evolved and stored, and of that portion or" the apparatus wherein the other gases are evolved and stored. in addition to this complete sepa ration of different portions of each cell from each other, is necess to provide a separating diaphragm which will permit the flow of the electric current therethrough while preventing the seepage of gas from one com par-lament to the other. It is also highly de sir-able to maintain the pressures on opposite sides of this diaphragm as nearly uniform as possible so as to minimize any tendency toward the seepage of the gas through the diaphragm with resultant impurity in one of the ases produced.

In apparatus cl this type, the tank forms one of the electrodes and the cover for this tank is utilized for supporting the other electrode and the separating diaphragm. It is therefore essential to not only insulate the tank from the cover, but also to insulate the other electrode from the cover in a manner to prevent generation gases by the current going from the cover to the electrode supported thereby or vice versa.

By my present invention, 1 provide electrolytic apparatus of the uni-polar type capable of high capacity efiiciency. not only by reason of large surface areas in the electrodes of each cell. but by reason of the possibility Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

Renewed April 23, 1920. Serial No. 376,167.

of combining a plurality of such cells in a single compact apparatus having an ofitake system common to all of the cells, which system will be so constructed as to minimize any tendency toward electrolytic action in the ofitake in a manner to produce both gases therein with resultant impurity in the product. By this constr ction, the problem of insulation is very much simplified and uniform pressure in the compartments for each gas is assured. Furthermore, I so construct and arrange the partition, or partitions, dividing the upper portion of the apparatus into compartments for different gases as to always keep the diaphragm in its entirety submerged in the electrolyte, thus minimizing any tendency of the seepage of the gas therethrough because of the drying of a portion of this diaphragm.

I also so construct each partition forming the gas chambers, as to permit the electrolyte to flow from adjacent one electrode to adjacent the other, thus not only compensating for difference in pressure within said partition, and within the portion of the tank immediately below the cover, but on the opposite side of the diaphragm, but also t'acili tating the delivery of the teed-water for diluting the electrolyte, to both sides of the diaphragm simultaneously. The means through which the feed water is thus delivered to, and distributed in, the apparatus is so constructed as to cause the feed water to flow through open troughs upon opposite sides of the diaphragm, the flow of the electrolyte through such elongated open'trough permitting any gas contained in the electro lyte flowing from one compartment to the other, to be freed and delivered to each cornpartment in a manner to prevent its being carried into the other compartment with resultant impurities in the product.

In apparatus made in accordance with my invention, when employing a plurality of couples, the tank proper is provided with a dividing partition, or partitions, so arranged as to permit a free circulation of the electrolyte throughout the tank. The partition, or partitions, dividing the tank in the manner above referred to, are 01" a height to be spaced below the cover sulficiently to form a plurality of electrolyte chambers in the lower part of the tank and one large gas chamber throughout the upper portion of the tank, and are in electrical connection with the tank so as to be of the same polarity therewith, and thus present an electrode surface completely surrounding each of the inner electrodes.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus embodying my invention, parts thereof being broken away upon different planes to disclose portions of the interior arrangement thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with a portion thereof broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end view thereof with a portion broken awa 7 Figs. 41 5 and 6 are fragmentary views showing modified forms of the invention illustrating different ways of forming a gas tight joint between the cover and the tank, and of forming the gas chamber above the inner electrode; and

Fig. 7 is a view of a still further modified form of securing a gas tight joint about the inner electrode.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

ln the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, (6 indicates the main tank for the electrolyte, which tank constitutes an electrode of one polarity, adapted to cooperate with an electrode, or electrodes, of the opposite polarity, which are suspended within this tank from a cover 2') closing the top of the tank while being supported and insulated therefrom, in' a manner to prevent the escape of gases from within the tank, or the inclusion of this cover in the electrical circuit. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a gas tight joint between the tank a and its cover Z) is formed by means of a trough 0/ extending entirely about the top of said tank into which a flange b pendant from the cover 6, projects. Said flange 72' engages blocks Q of insulating material in the" bottom of said trough, and the trough is filled, or partially filled, with a fluid which will not conduct the electricity from the tank to said cover, such as oil or distilled water.

The ank a is so supported as to be insulated from the ground.

To increase the capacity eliiciency of the apparatus, I preferably divide the lower portion thereof into a plurality of electrolytic chambers, said chambers terminating below the top of the tank sufficiently to form a single large upper gas chamber common to all of the lower chambers in which one of the gases evolved will be delivered and accumulate prior to its delivery from one i'pparatus through its system In the form of the invention shown, two such lower chambers are employed, these chambers being formed by the partition 0 which terminates below the cover Z) of the tank. The partition 0 is preferably formed integrally with the tank 64, although, if desired, it may be formed separately therefrom, so long as it is in electrical connection with the tank, in a manner to be the same polarity therewith. If desired, the partition 0 may have an opening, or openings 0' at the bottom thereof, to facilitate a free circulation of the electrolyte through both of the lower chambers of the tank.

Suspended from the cover I) in a manner to be insulated therefrom, is an inside electrode, or electrodes cl, the number of these electrodes corresponding to the number of electrolytic chambers Iormed within the lower portion of the tank Hence, when a plurality of such electrodes (5 are employed, the current will flow between one surface thereof and the inner wall of the tank a and the opposite outer surface thereof and the partition 0.

Each electrode (Z is formed of sheet metal and substantially cup like, being closed at the bottom and sides, with the exception of a plurality of openings therethrough to facilitate the circulation of the electrolyte about and within same. The electrode a? is elongated materially in one direction, so as to afford a sufficiently large operative area while permitting the use of a comparatively small tank a. The tank is also elongated in one direction.

The electrode (Z is supported from the heads (2, each having a screw threaded stem d passing through an opening 2 in the cover 7 Z), said stems each being held in a fitting (Z seating upon a packing gasket (5* forming a gas tight joint about said stem. The fittings d are clamped by means of screws e upon said gasket (Z said screws being insulated from said fittings.

To separate the gases evolved as the result of the passing'of the electric current between it ie tank a and partition 0, and "the electrode d, it is necessary to interpose a gas impervious diaphragm between said electrode d and the surface of the other electrode, and also to provide a separate gas chamber into which the evolved at the inner electrode Z flows and accumulates, prior to being drawn from the apparatus through the gas oiftake system.

In the accompanying drawings, such a diaphragm, which ordinarily is made of asbestos. is shown ate this dia ahrapm bein cup-shaped and of a size to completely inclose the electrode (3.

The chamber for receiving the gas evolved at the electrml (Z is formed by a partition pendant rom the cover, preferably in the form of an inverted trough 7, said partition projecting within the tank to an extent to bring the lower edge thereof considerably below the normal level of the electrolyte within the tank The diaphragm e is attached in any desired manner to the outer wall of the inverted trough 7, so that said trough will form a solid barrier between the gas chamber at the top of the tank a, and the chamber within said trough, thus preventing any possible seepage 01' gas from one of said chambers to the other in the event of a temporary diiferential of pressures of the gases in said chambers. To equalize such pressures, I provide the partitions forming the trough f with an opening through which the electrolyte may flow from one side or" said diaphragm to the other side thereof, and a diluting fluid, such as disstilled water, for the electrolyte may flow on opposite sides of said diaphragm.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and 7, the trough f is made integrally with the cover I), while in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, this trough is made separately therefrom and is connected thereto in a particular manner, which will be referred to hereinafter.

The trough f constitutes a partition forming a gas tight chamber within the upper portion 01 the tank which partition has therein an opening through which the electrolyte may pass from one side of the diaphragm to the other side thereof, said opening being below, but adjacent, the normal level of the electrolyte, and means being provided whereby the escape of gas bubbles therethrough is prevented. in the form of the invention shown. this means comprises a trough 9 supported from the lower edge of the trough 7', the side walls at one end thereof merging into the wall of said trough f and at the other end thereoi having openings toward the bottom 01 the trough, and the side Walls of said trough 9 being arranged upon opposite sides of a portion of said trough f. Diluting fluid may be de livered to the apparatus through said trough g. The side Walls of said trough extend above the normal level of the el ctrolyte in the tank (0 thus permitting gas to escape from the top of said trough at opposite sides of the wall of the trough f in a manner to minimize likelihood of bubbles being carried through the openings 7" from one side of the diaphragm to the other, the openings at the bottom of said trough g limiting the flow of the electrolyte from the tank ainto the trough g to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte.

The opening f is in a partition f extending from one wall of the trough f to the other and is of substantially the same dimensions as an opening f in the side wall of said trough f. The two chambers'f -f forned by the partition f v are closed at the bottom by the trough g and the openings ff are so positioned as to be below the normal level of the electrolyte in the tank Said chambers are in communication with each other through the opening or port f, o e of said chambers f being in direct commnnicationwith the trough 9 upon one side of the wall of the trough f, and the other chamber being in communication through the opening or port with the portion of the trough 9 upon the other side oi said wall. Said trough g is closed at the bottom.

Discharging into one of the chambers i is a feed cup it, said cup, when a plurality of troughs are employed with a single apparatus, comunicating with all of said troughs through a duct 2' carried by the cover 6 and communicating with the chant her ,7 of said troughs respectively.

Leading from the gas chamber :lormed at the top of the tank a is a gas ofitake system j including therein an ordinary lantern j and communicating with the trough f is the oli'take system is including therein a lantern 7c, the construction and operation of said lanterns being old and well known in this art. When a plurality of troughs f are employed in a single apparatus, this oiltake system includes therein a duct Z extending from the upper portion of one trough f to the upper portion of the other trough or troughs 7". Associated with said lanterns is an ordinary fluid level and pressure regulater m.

In electrical connection with the tank a is a terminal wire a, while in electrical communication with the stems (Z oi? the electrodes d is the other terminal wire 0 of said circuit. The direction of the flow of the current in apparatus oi this character is immaterial, although, ordinarily the terminal. 0 will be positive and the termi l a will be negative, because of the rela oly greater capacity of the gas chamber at the top oi. the tank a as compared w' h the capacity of the other gas chambers 'iormed by the troughs f.

in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the construction is as heretofore described with the e"*eption that instead 01" joint a---s h, be-

i the cover 25, l employ a compressi --t 39 between the top of the k and said cover, said cover being secured in place and said gasket compacted, by means of a plurality of bolts 32' properly insulated from said cover 5.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the construction is the same as in Fig. 4 with the exception that instead of forming the troughs fg integrally with the cover Z), I make them independently of said cover and bolt them to the cover by means of a continuous flange q overhanging the top ot the cover and secured in place by means of bolts 9. A suitable packing g is used to form a gas tight joint about said flange.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the construction is the same as that shown in Fig. 4:, with the exception that instead of forming the troughs fg integrally with the cover Z), I form these troughs separately from said cover and suspend them by mea s of insulated blocks 1" from the electrode stems (P.

in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, I. employ a trough 5 corresponding in functionings with the trough g which incloses the entire lower end of the trough be supported from this trough in any desired manner by means of the rivets s. t

The bottom of the trough s is spaced away from the lower end of the wall of the trough 7' so as to permit the circulation of the electrolyte from one side of said trough to the other.

The operation of the herein described apparatus is substantially as follows The tank a is charged with electrolyte, ordinarily a caustic soda, or a potash, solution, the electrodes (Z and their associated diaphragms being assembled in relation to the cover 6, before placing this cover in position upon the tank a. When the partition is assembled in this manner, with one inner electrode d in each of the compartments formed toward the bottom of the tank a, the water level will be substantially as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the lower end of the trough f and the lower portion of the trough 9 will be immersed in the electrolyte in the tank, extending to a point sufficiently below, yet adjacent the normallevel of, the electrolyte to preserve this condition notwithstanding fluctuations from this normal level upon opposite sides of the diaphragm, due to varying conditions in the gas collecting chamber at the top of the tank a and within the trough or troughs f. The tank a and the electrodes (Z need be of no especial polarity such being arbitrarily determined by the control of the direction of the flow of the current. Ordinarily, the positive terminal of the circuit will be connected with the electrodes (1, and the negative terminal with the tank a, for the reasons above stated. Under this condition, the decomposition of the electrolyte within the tank will result in oxygen being evolved adjacent the electrodes (Z and hydrogen being evolved, adjacent the wall of the tank a. The diaphi m 0 being entirely submerged in the electrolyte of the tank a, will permit the flow of the electric current therethrough but so long as the pressure upon the opposite sides of the diaphragm is uniform, will prevent the seepage of the gas therethrough.

As the gas is evolved adjacent the electrodes (Z. it will accumulate in the form of bubbles upon said electrode, and will eventually break away from the electrode and rise to the surface of the electrolyte and be released within the trough The same condition will prevail as to hydrogen which will be evolved at the tank a and the partition 0 therein.

The gas which accumulates within the trough or troughs f will flow therefrom through the offtake pipe j and lantern j to a gasometer, or to some point of consumption or storage, and the gas accumulating in the upper portion of the tank 0; about said trough or troughs will flow through the ofltake pipe Z: and lantern Z2 in the same manner.

The seal at the edge of the tank a will prevent the escape of gases from said tank to atmosphere, while the gas impervious nature of the partition forming the trough f, particularly as to that portion above the normal level of the electrolyte, will prevent the escape of gas from said trough.

While in operation, the fresh electrolyte or distilled water, will be simultaneously delivered upon both sides of. the diaphragm c from the feed cup h, duct i and the trough or troughs g. As the water from the duct 2', enters the chamber f it flows therefrom through the openings f and f to the opposite side of the wall of the trough 7', from whence it goes into the tank (0 either adj a cent the inner or the outer side of the diaphragm e. The openings f--f being located below the normal. level of the electrolyte in the tank, the flow of gas from one side of the diaphragm to the other is prevented.

The manner of mounting the cover 5 upon the tank a: prevents said cover, or the parts carried thereby, from being included in the electrical current in evolving the different gases, thus preventing the evolution of gas adjacent the metal surfaces of said cover, or the parts carried thereby.

In the event of the development of a differential of pressures upon opposite sides of the diaphragm, the electrolyte will flow from one side of the daphragm, through the trough g, and the opening 7 to the chamber f and from this" chamber to the port or opening 7, chamber f and into the troughs 9 upon the other side of the trough f and said diaphragm, thus preventing this tendency toward" the development ofdifferential of pressures, resulting in such unequal pressures upon opposite sides of the diaphragm as will tend to break the fluid seal within the trough g or cause the seepage of gases through the diaphragm with resultant impurities in the product.

As the electrolyte thus flows from one side of the diaphragm to the other through the trough g and an opening through the partition forming the trough f, (and this flow may be in either direction), it will of necessity traverse a considerable length of trough open at the top and the movement of the electrolyte, will have the effect of releasing any gas bubbles which may be contained therein, so that the gas will be freed and escape from the top of this trough into the gas chamber designated to receive that particular gas.

An apparatus made in accordance with my invention, possesses the advantages that a large volume capacity may be secured with a small number of parts, and that the insulating problem is very much simplified Furthermore, likelihood of the presence of impurities in the gases due to varying pressures in the gas chambers of the apparatus is practically eliminated or minimized.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

1. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said closure, a partition carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte therein, whereby two non-communicating gas chambers are formed in the upper part of said tank, an inner electrode mounted in said tank, a diaphragm carried by said partition between said electrode and said tank, said partition having an opening therethrough above the bottom thereof and adjacent, but below the normal level of the'electrolyte in said tank, whereby electrolyte is permitted to flow from one side of said diaphragm to the other, gas ofitake systems leading from said gas chambers respectively, and means including said tank and said inner electrode in an electric circuit.

2. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said closure, a partition carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte therein, whereby two non-communicating gas chambers are formed in the upper part of said tank, an inner electrode mounted in said tank, a diaphragm carried by said partition between said electrode and said tank, said partition having an opening therethrough above the bottom thereof and adjacent, but below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank, whereby electrolyte is permitted to flow from one side of said diaphragm to the other,

projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte therein, whereby two non-communicating gas chambers are formed in the upper part of said tank, an inner electrode mounted in said tank, a diphragin carried by said partition between said electrode and said tank, said partition having an opening therethrough above the bottom thereof and adjacent, but below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank, whereby electrolyte is permitted to flow from one side of said diaphragm to the other, an elongated trough inclosing the lower edge of said partition, said trough opening upwardly upon opposite sides of said partition into said gas chambers respectively and having openings through the side walls thereof communicating with said tank upon opposite sides of said diaphragm, gas offtake systems leading from said gas chambers respectively, and means including said tank and said inner electrode in an electric circuit.

' 4. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said closure, an inverted trough carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte therein whereby two non-communicatpart of said tank, an inner electrode mounted in said tank, a cup-shaped diaphragm ing gas chambers are formed in the upper carried by said trough and inclosing said inner electrode, the wall of said trough having an opening therethrough above the bottom thereof and adjacent, but below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank, whereby electrolyte is permitted to flow from one side of said diaphragm to the other, gas oii'take systems leading from said gas chambers respectively, and means including said tank and said inner electrode in an electric circuit.

5. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a tight joint between said tank and said closure, an inverted trough carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte therein whereby two non-communicat ing gas chambers are formed in the upper part of said tank, an inner electrode mounted in said tank, a cup-shaped diaphragm carried by said trough and inclosing said innerelectrode, the wall of said trough having an opening therethrough above the bottom thereof and adjacent, but below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank, whereby electrolyte is permitted to flow from one side of said diaphragm to the other, an elongated trough inclosing the lower edge of said inverted trough, said last named trough opening upwardly upon opposite sides of said inverted trough into said gas chambers respectively and having openings through the side walls thereof communicating with said tank upon opposite sides of said diaphragm, gas otftake systems leading from said gas chambers respectively, and means including said tank and said inner electrode in an electric circuit.

6. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure theretor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said clo sure, an inverted trough carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte therein, whereby two non-communicating gas chambers are formed in the upper part of said tank, an inner electrode mounted in said tank, an elongated trough,the side walls of which merge into the side walls or" said inverted trough, the top of said elongated trough being open throughout a portion thereof and having one side thereoi closed adjacent the point where one of said walls merges into the wall of said inverted trough,the other end of said trough discharging into said tank upon opposite sides of the wall of said inverted trough, a partition in said inverted trough forming two chambers and the walls of said inverted trough each having an opening therethrough, whereby feed water for diluting the electrolyte and the electrolyte may flow from one of said chambers into said elongated trough on one side of the wall of said inverted trough, and said other chamber and the portion of said elongated trough on the other side of said wall, a cup-shaped diaphragm carried by said inverted trough and inclosing said inner electrode, gas off-take systems leading from said chambers respectively, and means including said tank and said inner electrode in an electric circuit.

7. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said closure, an inverted trough carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte therein, whereby two non-communicating' gas chambers are formed in the upper income,

part of said tank, a cup-shaped inner electrode havin openings therethrough mount ed in said tank, an elongated trough the side walls of which merge into the side walls oi said inverted trough, the top of said elongated trough. being open throughout a portion thereof and having one side thereof closed adjacent the point where one of said walls merges into the wall of said inverted trough, the other end of said trough discharging into said tank upon opposite sides of the wall of said inverted trough, a partition in said inverted trough forming two chambers and the walls of said inverted trough each having an opening therethrough, whereby feed water for diluting the electrolyte and the electrolyte may flow from one of said chambers into said elongated trough on one side of t e wall of said inverted trough, and said other chamber and the portion of said elongated trough on the other side of said wall, a cup-shaped diaphragm carried by said inverted trough and inclosing said inner electrode, gas otltake systems leading from said gas chambers respectively, and means including said tank and said inner electrode in an electric circuit.

8. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said closure, a plurality of inner electrodes mounted in said tank, a diaphragm disposed between each oi. said inner electrodes and said tank, an electro-conductive body electrically connected with said tank and positioned between succeeding inner electrodes, a plurality of partitions adjacent the top of said tank whereby a chamber is formed at the top of said tank, and a chamber is formed above each of said inner electrodes, said chambers being non-communicating, and each of said partitions having an opening therethrough above the bottom thereof and adjacent, but below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank, whereby electrolyte is permitted to flow from one side of each of said diaphragms to the other side thereof, a gas oiitake system communicating with the gas chamber at the top of said tank, a gas offtake system communicating with all of the chambers above said inner electrodes, and means including said tank and all of said inner electrodes in an electric circuit.

9. An electrolytic apparatus vembodying therein a tank adapted to contain electrolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said closure, a partition dividing the lower portion of said tank intoa plurality of electrolyte chambers, said partition having an opening therethrough, an inner electrode positioned in each of said electrolyte chambers, a diaphragm inclosing each of said inner else,

trodes, a plurality of inverted troughs carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank, each of said troughs having an opening therethrough. above the bottom thereof and adjacent, but below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank whereby electrolyte is permitted to flow from one side of each of said diaphragnis to the other side thereof, means preventing gas from flowing through said opening, a gas ofttake system communicating with the upper portion of said tank without said. troughs, a gas otltake system communicating with all or" said inverted troughs, and means including said tank and all of said inner electrodes in an electric circuit.

10. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a tank adapted to contain elec rolyte, a closure therefor, means forming a gas tight joint between said tank and said closure, a partition in electrical connection with, and dividing the lower portion of said tank into a plurality of electrolyte chambers, said partition having an opening therethrough, an inner electrode positioned in each of said electrolyte chambers, a diaphragm inclosing each of said inner electrodes, a plurality of inverted troughs carried by said closure and projecting within said tank to a point below the normal level of the electrolyte in said tank, each of said inverted troughs having associated therewith an elongated trough the side walls of which merge into the side walls of said inverted trough, the top of said elongated trough being open throughout a portion thereof and having one side thereof closed adjacent the point where one of said walls merges into the wall of said inverted trough, the other end of said trough discharging into said tank upon opposite sides of the wall of said inverted trough, a partition in said inverted trough forming two chambers and the walls of said inverted trough each having an opening therethrough, whereby feed water for diluting the electrolyte and the electrolyte may flow from one of said chambers into said elongated trough on one side of the wall of said inverted. trough, and said other chamber and the portion of said elongated trough on the other side of said wall, a feed cup, ducts leading therefrom discharging into one of the chamhers formed by said partition in said inverted trough, a gas offtake system communicating with all of said inverted troughs, means including said tank and all of said inner electrodes in an electric circuit.

In witness whereof, I hereunto ail-1X my signature, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 21st day of May, 1917.

ISAAC H. LEVIN.

Witnesses:

T. T. WENTWORTH, D. J. TOUKONOFY.