US1485473A

US1485473A - Electrolytic cell

Info

Publication number: US1485473A
Application number: US543677A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert I Allen
Original assignee: ELECTRON CHEMICAL Co
Current assignee: ELECTRON CHEMICAL Co
Priority date: 1922-03-14
Filing date: 1922-03-14
Publication date: 1924-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1941-03-04

Description

:1 1,485,473 H. I. ALLEN ELECTROLYTIC CELL Filed March 14, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 4 1924.

Patented Mar. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT I. ALLEN, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRON CHEMICAL COM- PANY. OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

Application filed March 14, 1922. Serial No. 543,677.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT I. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland. in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Cells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toelectrolytic cells particularly intended for the so-called nonsuhmerged cathode and diaphragm type such as are used for decomposition of electrolytes. as for example, brine in the formation of caustic soda. As commonly constructed these cells are provided with gas chambers or freehoard portions above the tops of the cathodes.

A primary feature of this invention rclates to a construction by which a gas and liquid tight joint may be maintained between the freeboard or gas chamber and the lower portion, but which permits ready separation of these parts whenever this becomes desirable. This permits the supply of suflicient electrolyte so that it extends into the freeboard section to furnish a hydrostatic head for increasing the flow of electrolyte throughthe diaphragm adjacent the cathode, as this diaphragm becomes increasingly clogged with impurities during the operation of the cell.

Further features will appear from a description of the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a top plan of the cell.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa vertical section on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an end elevation looking in the direction of the arrow A on Figure 2.

As shown in the drawings the cell comprises a lower section or part comprising an open topped rectangular tank at 1 to the top edge of which about the margin of the sides and ends is an inwardly extending flange 2 which may comprise one of the flanges of an angle iron portion 3 madefast at intervals to the wall of the tank. Within this tank"is positioned a cathode ii-preferof iron or similar material having foraniinous sides and ends, and-supported from the base of the tank 1 at intervals by supports 5 of glass, porcelain, or other suitable material. The top of the cathode is turned outwardly at 6 to rest on a gasket 12 overlying the flange 2 and throughout a portion of its length may be bent upwardly outwardly of the tank 1 as shown at 7 to form connecting portions to which negative buss bars 8 may be attached as by means of bolts 9.

Positioned on the inner face of the cathode is a diaphragm 10 formed of asbestos sheets or other material through which electrolyte may pass into contact with the cathode and through the openings in this cathode to the bottom of the tank 1 from which the efiluent flows off through a pipe 11 positioned at one end of the tank. The upper edge of the diaphragm is turned outwardly to rest on the outwardly turned portions 6 of the cathode, this construction serving to hold the diaphragm in place. Adapted to be supported from the flange 2, the gasket,-cathode and diaphragm being interposed therebetween, is the freeboard section of the cell. While the diaphragm). may serve as a gasket between the freeboard section and the tank top, an additional gasket member 13 may be interposed therebetween if desired. 7

The freeboard section is composed of slabs or plates 20 of slate, concrete, or other inert material which will not be affected by the electrolyte or gas evolved therefrom. .The upper edges of these slabs are recessed to form a seat for a cover 21 which is made of similar material and about the edges of which may be positioned a suitable packing 22 to maintain a fluid and gas tight joint with the side and end walls of the freeboard section.

Within the diaphragm 10 and the cathode 4 are positioned the anodes which as shown comprise a series of carbon or graphite plates 30 made fast on either side of a series of upright posts 31 ofthe same material which extend upwardly through openings in the cover, packings being interposed at 32 between the cover and posts to. maintain a tight joint therebetween. The anodes laresupported in pos tion by. means pi e series of porcelain or glass blocks 35 positioned at intervals throughout the length of the cell and shaped to t the lower edges of the lowest pair of plates 30.

The top of each post 31 has fixed therein conductors 40 WhICh are also fixed to a positive buss bar 41 supported at one side of the posts 31 by means of brackets 42 fixed thereto by bolts 43. This buss bar 41 preferably tapers lengthwise, the larger end thereof being connected to a buss bar 45, and the negative buss bars 8 may be connected at one end by a bridge 46 to which is made fast the buss bar 47.

In order to retain the freeboard section fixed to the lower or tank section to maintain a gas tight joint between the top of the tank and the cathode and a fluid tight joint between the cathode and freeboard section, clamping members are provided. These clamping members comprise a series of hooks 5O havin their outer ends downwardly directed an which are passed through the upper portion of the tank 1 and through the mating flange of the angle iron 3. Eye bolts as 51 may be engaged over the hooks 50, the eyes therein being of sufficient size to permit the bolts to be swung upwardly mto vertical position, shown in full lines in Figures 3 and 4 from the portion shown in dotted lines on the right hand side of Figure 4 so that they may be readily placed on or removed from the hooks. The upper ends of these eye bolts are threaded and they are designed to be inserted through perforations in the opposite ends of a series of clam ing bars 52 which extend laterally across t e top of the freeboard section between the anode posts 31. These clam ing bars 52 may be urged downwardly to orce the freeboard section into tight engagement with the lower or tank section by means of nuts 53 threaded on their upper ends. By the use of the eye bolts it is seen that the freeboard section will be clamped firmly under pressure to the lower tank section to insure a gas and ii uid proof joint, the joint between the free oard section and the cathode being subjected to liquid pressure from the hydrostatic head of the electrolyte, while the joint between the tank and cathode is subjected to gas pressure resulting from the decomposition of the electrolyte at the cathode, but that it may be readily disconnected therefrom whenever desired so that the freeboard section. may be removed and access had to the interior of the cell without diificulty.

An suitable means may be provided for mtro ucing electrolyte into the cell, as shown such means comprising a float valve 60, shown in section in Figure 2, the float thereof being movable in a tubular guide 61,

and the valve engaging a suitable seat on the lower end of a pipe 62. At 7 0 is shown a float indicator by which the level of the electrolyte within the cell may be accurately known.

While a rectangularly sha ed cell has been herein shown, it will be evi ent that the invention is not limited to any particular configuration.

Having thus described an embodiment of this invention it should be evident to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications might be made therein without departing from its spirit or scope as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A11 electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathode having an outwardly directed flange at its upper portion overlying said tank, an anode positioned within said cathode, and a freeboard section resting on said flange and made fast to said tank to form a liquid tight joint with said cathode.

2. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathode supported within said tank, an anode within said cathode, and a freeboard section attached to said tank and making a liquid tight joint with said cathode.

3. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathode supported within said tank, an anode within said cathode, and a freeboard section attached to said tank and held under pressure against said cathode to make a liquld tight joint therewith.

4. An electrolytic cell comprising a box shaped foraminous cathode, a diaphragm within said cathode for containing electrolyte, an anode within said diaphragm, a tank in which said cathode and diaphragm are supported to receive the effluent from the electrolyte, and a freeboard section extending above said cathode and attached to said tank, making a gas tight joint between the cathode and the top of said tank.

5. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathode supported therein from the top of said tank, an anode within said cathode, and a freeboard section supported by said tank and fixed thereto to insure a gas tight joint between the top of said tank and said cathode.

6. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathode supported therefrom from the top of said tank, an anode within said cathode, and a freeboard section supported by said tank and held thereto under pressure to insure a gas tight joint between the top of said tank and said cathode.

7. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathode supported therein from the top of said tank, an anode within said cathode, and a freeboard section made fast to said tank and effecting a liquid tight joint with said cathode and a gas tight joint between said cathode and tank.

8. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank having an inwardly extending marginal flange at its top, a box shaped foraminous cathode extending into said tank and having an outwardly turned flange overlying the tank flange, a diaphragm within said cathode and having a portion overlyin said cathode flange, an anode Within sai diaphragm, a freeboard section, and means for clamping the cathode flange and diaphragm portion between said tank flange and free board section to insure a liquid tight joint between said freeboard section and cathode and a gas tight joint between said cathode and tank.

9. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank having an inwardly extending marginal flange at its top, a gasket overlying said flange, a box shaped formanious cathode extending into said tank and having an outwardly turned flange overlying said gasket, a diaphragm within said cathode and having a portion overlying said cathode flange, an anode within said diaphragm, a freeboard section, and means for clamping the cathode flange diaphragm portion and gasket between said tank flange and freeboard section to insure a liquid tight and a gas tight joint between said cathode and tank.

10. In an electrolytic cell, a tank, a cathode within said tank and supported by the top thereof, a freeboard section supported on said cathode, an anode extending through said freeboard section and Within said cathode, and means for clamping said freeboard section to said tank to provide a liquid tight joint between said freeboarda section and cathode and a gas tight joint within said cathode and the top of said tank.

11. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathode and an anode within said tank, a freeboard section resting on the top of said tank, and means for clamping said freeboard section to said tank.

12. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathode and an anode within said tank, said tank having an inwardly extending marginal flange at its top, a freeboard section supported by said flange, a bar extending across the top of said freeboard section, and tie elements extending from said bar at either side of said freeboa-rd section and engagin said tank.

13. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathode and an anode within said tank, a freeboard section resting on the top of said tank, clamping bars resting on the top of said treeboard section, and eye bolts pivoted to said tank and movable into and out of engagement with said bars to detachably clamp said freeboard section in liquid and gas sealing engagement with said tank.

14. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathode and an anode within said tank, a freeboard section resting on the top of said tank, a series of downwardly directed hook elements spaced along the upper margin of said tank, bars extending across the top of said freeboard section, eye bolts having their eyes engageable over said hooks and passed through perforations in the ends of said bars, and nuts threaded on the ends of said bolts and movable to engage the bars to clamp said freeboard section to said tank.

15. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank having an inwardly extending marginal flange at its upper edge, a box shaped formanious cathode extendin into said tank and having an outwardly directed marginal flange at its top overlying said tank flange, a diaphragm lining the interior of said cathode and overlying said cathode flange, a freeboard section resting on said flanges, an anode within said diaphragm and projecting through said freeboard section, a bar extending across the top of said freeboard section, hooks extending outwardly from said tank adjacent its upper edge, eye bolts engaging said hooks and passing through perforations in said bar, and nuts engaging the upper ends of said bolts above said bar for clamping said freeboard section in position to form a liquid tight joint between said cathode and freeboard section and a gas tight joint between said cathode and said tank flange.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

HERBERT I. ALLEN.