US1771984A - Electrolytic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 29, 1930. w. G. ALLAN' 1,771,984

ELECTROLYTIC APFARATUS Original Filed March 16. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l uw Mh IVIENTOR -ITTOR\EYS BYV July 29, 1930. w. G. ALLAN 1,771,984

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Original Filed March 16, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ma/W A TTORNISYS.

Patented July 29, 1930 UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM G. ALLAN, F TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO FARLEY G. CLARK ELECTRQLYTIC APPARATUS i Application led March 16, 1925, Serial No. 15,709. Renewed July 12, 1927.

The invention relates to apparatus adapted for the electrolytic production of materials in the solid, gaseous or liquid state, and more particularly for the decomposition of water into its gaseous elements by electrolysis, and while the apparatus illustrated and described is peculiarly adapted for the electrolytic decomposition of an aqueous solution of an acid or an alkali for the production of oxygen and hydrogen, the invention is no-t limited to such use, but may be employed in the art of electrolysis generally.

The objects of the invention are To produce a simplified and compact construction; which will be cheap to manufacture; which will occupy a relatively small floor space; which will be self contained; which will, because of its light weight, be eX- tremely portable; which may be readily hooked up into groups; in which a single set of line piping only need be employed; in which each cell unit will discharge into its own gas containers; in which all means of communication will enter the top of the cell; in which there will be no iping between units; in which the production, separating, and washing may be carried out in a single structure, in which the gas washing and separating element will be small; in which the amount of piping and pipe fittings are reduced to a minimum. These and further objects will more fully appear in the following specification and accompanying drawings considered together or separately.

One embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like parts in each of the several figures are designated by similar characters of reference, and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention as applied toa group composed of a plurality of cell units.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing a portion of a group of units and a return flowl manifold.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectionof the product washing and separating tank, the section being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line of 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail section, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the device illust-rated in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of a modification.

In the drawings A designates a unitary' structure comprising a group of cells, and a gas separating and washing tank.

rlhe cells forming the group may be of any desired construction, and there may be any number of them. The drawings show the cells as constructed more or less as illustrated in my Patent Number 1,464,840 of August 14, 1923 and as composed of rectangular, more or less dish-shaped frame elements formed of sheet metal and having outturned flanges l. The bottoms, as it were, of the dished portions being stamped out to form a rectangular opening whereby each cell wall will be composed of short top, bottom and side walls 2, an outwardly projecting flange 1 and an inwardly projecting flange 3, as shown in Fig. 3.

In assembling the elements to form a group of cells, the same are placed in opposed relation and in axial alinement. Between each pair of frame elements is a plate 4 secured in position between the flanges 1 and insulated therefrom. Between each pair of plates 4 and secured to but insulated from one of the flanges 3 is a plate 5 which is adapted to carry a pair of electrodes, one on each side of the plate, whereby each plate with its electrodes will form a bipolar electrode. At each end of the structure is a plate 6 forming the end walls of the group, and each of which is adapted to carry an electrode whereby each plate 6 will be a unipolar electrode. Between the free faces of each pair of electrodes is disposed a porous diaphragm which is supported from the plates 4 whereby each unit of the group is divided into a cathode cham-v berl and an anode chamber, as illustrated in my patent above referred to.

Secured to the outside of each end plate 6 is a pluralit of metal strips 7 each having a plurality o out turned lips whereby the necessary current leads may be attached to the group, or by the use of jumpers a number of groups may be arranged in series, or

in any other electrical arrangement. t

The cells illustrated and described herein are used as a type, and the invention is not tobe considered as limited to such a cell or combination of cells.

The invention is capable of being adapted to, or embodied in, any type yof electrolytic cell. It may be applied to a single cell or to any number of cells arranged in a unitary structure or any number of such structures in electrical contact, and is adapted to either the so called filter press or pot type of cell, or lto a form of cell having thex characteristics of either or both of them, or to t any other type of cell.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the spaces bounded by the walls 2 and flanges l are filled with a material 8 having electrical or thermal insulating qualities or both, and carried on the top of the group of cells is a gas separating and washing receptacle B.

They said receptacle, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, is formed of sheet metal, preferably of the material stamped out of the sheets of which the cell walls are composed. These stamped out portions are rectangular-sheets and preferably, in a roup of cells such as that illustrated, five o such sheets will be employed.

Four of the sheets will be stamped to form shallow rectangular pans each with an outwardly projecting annular iange 9. The bottoms of two of said pans are stamped out leaving a narrow, inwardly projecting flange 10. The narrow, inwardly projecting flanges are secured together, as by welding. One of the pan-shaped elements is secured by means of its flange 9 to the similar ii'ange of the doubled element and the other pan-shaped element is similarly secured to the opposite side of the doubled element but with a fiat metal sheet 11 between the flanges 9. This will produce a rectangular tank having a longitudinal partition therein dividing the samel into two unequal compartments.

Y The partition plate 11 is insulated from the tank elements by sheet insulation 12 and the opposite tank wall element is insulated from the central tank element by sheet insulation 13. The elements are secured togetherby means 'of bolts 14 passing through the iianges 9, as shown, and said bolts are insulated from the elements by means of insulating strips 15 and collars 1.

The partition 11 is provided near its lower end with an opening 11a covered with a screen 11b and a horizontal plate 11c is secured to the plate 11 above the opening and extends toward the opposite wall of the tank. The plate 11c is provided with a downturned extension having a screened opening 11d therein, the openings 11a and 11d being opposed. The plates 11 and 11c form a pocket extending across the lower portionof the tank and afeed water inlet pipe 11 communicates with the pocket, as shown. The feed water pipe extends upward above the top of the v have electric insulating qualities and which i extends between the tank and the top of the cell structure whereby heat from the cell structure will not be communicated to the tank. In addition to the laggingv a block of electric insulating material 1 a is interposed between the tank and cell structure.

It is desired to have it understood that tanks other than that illustrated may be employed and that the same may or may not be dlvided into unequal compartments. A tank havlng two equal compartments, or two tanks, of capacity sufficient to accommodate the hydrogen generated, may be employed.

Each anode cell chamber is provided with an electrolyte inlet tube 19 which enters the top of the chamber near one end thereof, eX- tends downwardly near the end wall and then horizontally across the chamber to the opposite wall near the bottom of the cell. The horizontallimb of the tube is perforated to permit of the escape of the electrolyte.

A similar tube 20 is provided for admitting electrolyte to the cathode compartment of each cell unit.

The tubes 19 communicate with a return flow manifold 21 above the cell structure to one side of the tank B, and the tubes 20 communicate with a. similar manifold 22 on the opposite side of the tank. The manifolds 21 and 22 are similar in-all respects and a description of one will suffice for both.

Each manifold is composed of a seriesv of short metal tubes 23 in axial alinement, each section being spaced from each other section by means of a. plurality of perforated discs 24 of insulating material and each metal section is in communication with an inlet tube 19 or 20 as the case may be. The two end sections 25 need not be as heavily insulated as are the sections to which the tubes are attached. The ends of the manifold are closed by heavy circular metal plates 26 insulated from the sections 25 and the parts are clamped together by means of bolts 27. The manifold is provided with a gas relief pipe 28 preferably assing through one of the end sections 25. 'lBhe two return flow manifolds are connected by means of a pipe 29 having tank B pre erablyopposite t transparent sections 30, and a branch'31 communicatin with the mixin chamber of vthe lie entrance of the feed pipe 11. A

Each anode cell-chamber is provided with a gas and electrolyte outlet pipe 32 and each cathode chamber with a gas and electrolyte outlet pipe 33. The pipes 32 enters a manifold 34 and the pipes 33 have similar connections with a manifold 35, the

Ilatter being of greater capacity than the former. The manifolds are preferably .built up in the same manner as are themanlfolds 21 and 22. The manifold 34 is provided with an anolyte outlet pipe 36having a transparent section 37, which communicates with the smaller compartment of the tank B above the screen 18, and a similar pipe 38 connects the manifold 35 and the larger compartment of the tank. l

The top of the small compartment of the tank communicates with a line pipe 39 by means of a pipe 40 having trans arent portion 41, the large compartment o the tank is connected to a hydrogen line pipe 42 by means of a pi e 43 similar to the ipe 40.

In the modlfcation illustrated 1n Fig. 7a cooling coil 44 is illustrated for mantaining a temperature lower than room temperature in the upper part of the tank B. In this situation the lagging may, if desired, be omitted from the lower part of the tank.

In preparing the apparatus for operation, electrolyte of proper density is poured into the separating tank and thence to the cells, until a level has been established somewhere between the levels of the oftake manifolds 34 and 35 and the return llow manifolds 21 and 22. This may be called the non-operating level and should be maintained by -feeding make-up water through the pipe 11".

When the electrolytic process is functioning a higher electrolyte level, which may be termed the operatin level, will be maintained in the tank ue to flow of current through the cells. This level will vary with the strength of the current flow, that is to say, with the volume of gases produced.

When the cells are operating theelectrolyte diluted with make-u .water in the stand pipe l1*a will be higher tan the level of the denser electrolyte, but when there is no current on the cells and there is no pressure due to generated gases in the separatin compartments the levels in the tanks an stand ipehwill tend to be reestablished at the same e1 t.

'lghe gas relief pipes 28 will prevent accumulation of gases in the return low manifolds and thereby prevent clogging of the same. The said pipes, when discharging to the atmosphere, should be carried to such a height that electrolyte will not be discharged due to hydrostatic and gas pressure in the apparatus, and likewise to prevent electrolyte from being carried along with the gas due to as elect.

n accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle of the invention has been described together with the apparatus which is now considered to represent the best embodiment thereof, but it is desired to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that the invention may be carried out in other ways.

The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. Electrolytic apparatus, comprising .a cell, gas and electrolyte separating tanks mounted on the top of the cell, the bottoms of the tanks being in close proximity to the top of the cell, connections for discharging electrolyte from the tanks into the cell and connections for discharging gas and electrolyte from the cell to the tanks, and means for maintaining differences in temperature in the tanks.

2. Electrolytic apparatus, comprising a cell, gas and electrolyte separating tanks mounted on the top of the cell, the bottoms of the tanks being in close proximity to the top of the cell', connections for discharging` electrolyte from the tanks into the cell and con nections for discharging gas and electrolyte from the cell to the tanks, and means whereby the upper portions of the tanks are maintained at a lower temperature than the lower portions thereof.

3. Electrolytic apparatus for the production of oxygen and hydrogen b v the decomposition of water, comprising a cell, a tank member mounted on the top of the cell said member being divided vertically into two comv partments,`there being a mixing chamber in the member common to'both compartments, means for introducing electrolyte into said chamber, and means whereby electrolyte from the member will be conveyed to the cell.

4. Electrolytic apparatus for the production of oxygen and hydrogen by the decomposition of water, comprising a cell, a tank member mounted onthe top of the cell said member being divided vertically into two compartments, there being a mixing chamber in the member common to both compartments, means for introducing electrolyte into said chamber, and means whereby electrolyte from the member will be yconveyed to the cell, said last mentioned means communicating with said mixing chamber.

5. Electrolytic apparatus for the production of oxygen and hydrogen by the decomposition of water, comprising a cell, a tank member mounted on the top of the cell said member being divided vertically in two compartments, there being a mixing chamber in the member, said chamber having foraminous walls whereby the chamber will be common said space into the cell an to both compartments, means for introducing electrolyte into` said chamber, and means whereby electrolyte from the member will be,

conveyed to the cell.

6. Electrolytic apparatus for the production of oxygen and-hydrogen by the decomposition of water, comprising` a group consisting of individual cells secured together, a rectangular tank member mounted on top of the cells and in proximity thereto, said member comprising two compartments, a stand pipe communicating with said compartments, a pair of return flow manifolds in communication with the compartments, a tube offering communication between each manifold and each cell of the group, each tube being insulated from each other tube, a second pair of manifolds, conduits connecting the anode side of each cell to one of said manifolds, conduits connecting the cathode side of each cell with the other of said second manifolds, a conduit connecting the anode manifold to one of the tank compartments, and a conduit connecting the cathode manifold with the other tank compartment.

7 Electrolytic apparatus for the production of'oxygen and hydrogen by the decomposition of water, comprising a group consisting of individual cells secured together, a rectangular tank member mounted on top of the cells and in proximity thereto, said member comprising two compartments, a stand pipe communicating with said compartments, a pair of return flow manifolds in communication with the compartments, a tube odering communication between each manifold and each cell of the group, each tube being insulated from each other tube, a second pair of manifolds, conduits connecing the anode 'side of each cell to one of said manifolds, conduits connecting the cathode side of each cell with the other of said second manifolds, a conduit connecting the anode manifold to one of the tank compartments, and a conduit connecting the cathode manifold with the other tank compartment, and means for conveying gas from each of said compartments.

8. Electrolytic apparatus, comprising a cell, a gas and electrolyte separating tank mounted on the top of the cell and having compartments and a passage between these compartments atfordin a space common to them, means for supplying the tanks with discharging gas and electrolyte from the cell to the compartments.

10. Electrolytic apparatus, comprising a. cell, a as and electrolyte se aratin tank mounted on the top of the cel and y aving compartments and a passage betwe'en these compartments at their lower portions affording a space common to them, connections for discharging electrolyte from said space and connectionsv for discharging gas and electrolyte from the cell to the upper portions of the compartments.

' 11. Electrolytic apparatus, comprising a cell, having cell compartments for the production of oxygenand hydrogen by the dei composition of water, a gas and electrolyte separating tank mounted on the top of the cell and in close proximity thereto, said tank being heat insulated from the cell and having two compartments and a passage between them affording a s ace common to both, separate connections w ereby oxygen and electrov heat insulated from the cell and having two compartments communicating with one another so as to afford a space common to both, separate connections whereby gases and electrolytemay pass from the ce l compartments to the tank compartments and se arate connections whereby electrolyte will e returned from the space common to both tank compartments to the cell compartments.

This specification signed and witnessed 'this sixteenth day of February, 1925.

WILLIAM G. ALLAN.

electrolyte, connections for supplying the cell with electrolyte from said space, and means for removing gases from the cell and supplying thesame to the compartments.

9. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a cell, a gas and electrolyte separating tank mounted on the top of the cell and having compartments and a passage between these compartments affording a space common to them, connections for dischargin electrolyte from connections for les'

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