US2522661A - Electrolytic cell - Google Patents

Electrolytic cell Download PDF

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Publication number
US2522661A
US2522661A US710789A US71078946A US2522661A US 2522661 A US2522661 A US 2522661A US 710789 A US710789 A US 710789A US 71078946 A US71078946 A US 71078946A US 2522661 A US2522661 A US 2522661A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
frame
compartments
sections
electrolyte
flanges
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US710789A
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English (en)
Inventor
Bowen Charles Edward
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
INTERNAT ELECTRIC PLANT COMPAN
INTERNATIONAL ELECTRIC PLANT Co Ltd
Original Assignee
INTERNAT ELECTRIC PLANT COMPAN
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
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Publication of US2522661A publication Critical patent/US2522661A/en
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/70—Assemblies comprising two or more cells

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements in electrolytic cells and more particularly to electrolytic cells for the production of oxygen and hy drogen by the electrolysis of Water of the type in which a number of cell frames are assembled together to form a unitary structure.
  • One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved construction of cell which allows the electrolyte to be efliciently separated from the gases immediately on their evolution so that external separating means are unnecessary.
  • Other objects are to permit free circulation of the electrolyte without imposing strain on the diaphragms by localised pressures, and to obtain effective balancing between adjacent cells.
  • an electrolytic cell is built up from a number of parallel skeleton frames, the members of each frame being of I or equivalent cross-section so that when the frames are assembled together compartments surrounding the cells proper are formed between the webs and flanges of the frames.
  • Each frame may be cast as a unit in metal or moulded from a suitable plastic material or it may be built up from members of the required cross-section.
  • An inwardly extending lip or ledge is conveniently formed integral with or secured to the inner flange of the frame to carry the diaphragm, and in cells for the production of oxygen and hydrogen this lip or ledge and the web of the frame section are offset to provide a greater space on the catholyte side of the diaphragm than on the anolyte side.
  • the reason for this is that the hydrogen is evolved at twice the rate of the oxygen and entrains more than twice as much electrolyte, and the allocation of greater space for the catholyte eliminates local areas of high pressure on the diaphragm.
  • the joints between adjacent frames are of the full depth or width of the frame members so that there is a separate compartment extending all round the frame on each side of the web thereof, the compartment being defined by the web and flanges of the frame and the jointing.
  • Partitions are arranged at the junctions of the vertical side sections of the compartment with the bottom to isolate the bottom section from the rest.
  • Electrolyte is fed into the cell from the bottom section of each compartment through openings in the upper flanges of the bottom frame member, and similar openings are provided in the bottom flange of the upper frame member through which gases from the chambers on opposite sides of the diaphragm together with any entrained electrolyte pass freely upwards into the top sections of the compartments on opposite sides of the web of the frame member.
  • the gas and electrolyte separate and the electrolyte flows along into the side sections while the gases on opposite sides of the web pass into separate outlets mounted ontop of the frame and communicating by way of inclined passage in the frame members with the respective top sections.
  • Figure 1 is an end elevation of one cell frame.
  • Figure 2 is a plan of the frame.
  • Figure 3 is a side elevation in part section on a larger scale of a frame.
  • Figure 4 is a similar elevation in part section of a frame from the other side.
  • Figure 5 is a side elevation in part section of three-frames assembled together.
  • Each frame of the cell unit illustrated is of I or H cross-section with a web It and flanges ll, I2.
  • the frame may be cast as'a unit in metal or moulded from a suitable plastic material, or it may be built up from members of the required cross-section.
  • the web H] is offset from the central plane of the frame.
  • Each of these compartments is defined by the web and flanges of the frame member and the jointing I6 which constitutes a partition between the adjacent compartments of adjacent frames.
  • the bottom section is of each compartment is isolated from the slide sections by horizontal partitions 20.
  • Electrolyte is fed into the bottom section I! of each compartment and flows upwardly into the cell through openings 2
  • openings 21 are provided in the web of the bottom .frame member :and small ports .28 are provided in the web .separating the side sections adjacent to the partitions .20. Mixing ofthe gases is prevented by an externally made seal which maintains aicertain rminimum depth-of electrolyte in the-side sections .of the compartments.
  • a pad or zgasketfill isprovided at thebotto-m of the frame goneeach side to receive a block 3! of insulating material whichis bored horizontally-to form two vertically spacedducts 32, 33 having their axes vat right anglesto the plane of the frame.
  • the npperqduct :32 is in communication through a horizontal passage 34 with .the side section of the adjacent compartment above the partition 20 and the lower ,duct 33 is .in communication "through a a passage ,3 5 (with-the bottom section .I 9.
  • packing washers '36 are arranged between the adjacent: endsof .the ducts in adj acentblocks -which;provide ,twocon- .tinuous ;ducts extending along each side .of the unit, the upper duct receiving theoverflowelec- :trolyte from the side zsections ,of the compartments and the lower ducttaking the ,returnflow of electrolyteto thecells.
  • the overflow electrolyte. can betaken off atany convenient point througha vesselhavingrmeans for correcting the temperature of .the .electrolyte which .is .fed back to the cells either direct or through a. circulating pump.
  • the compartments With a direct .feed the .side sections .of. the compartments are flooded with electrolyte and the circulation is caused by the difference in specific gravity between the electrolyte .in the side sections of the compartments and the -.mix- .ture of gas .and electrolyte inthe cell and also by the-slight difference in temperature.
  • the improved cell has annumber of advantages .inpraotice over existing cells-amongst whichrare .that efficient'separation of the electrolyte from ithe gases is effected 2.5150011 .as the ,gasesga-re evolved, that effective balancing between-thecells cross-section minimises stray current losses.
  • an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality iofiskeletonframeszassembled together in parallel relationship to form a unitary structure, each membenof each .ofsaid frames being of I-section iformedibyspaced flanges and a connecting web, the webs of all the members in each frame being in the same plane, jointing material between the members of adjacent frames co-operating with the edges :of -therflanges :and constituting ,pa-rtitionsso as to;.f01m "with theweb and-flaneescof each frame closed gcompartments ,having top, side and :bottom :sections surrounding-acell'snace, and "other partitions between theibottom section and the side sectionsof each of said compartments, .each frame rloeing provided with ports of communication between :the top and bott0m s ections of said compartments and said cell :space.
  • each of .said members. including a ;lip -sextending inwardlyrfrom the inner flange thereof saidaweb and said .lip being offset from :the central plane .of the frame, and adiaphragm.carried.by the lips of the members 20f :each ;frame, ,-wher.eby the compartment on .the one .side of the web :ofreach frame is of greater volume than that :on ;the other aside and the cell spaceson the cor-- responding side of the diaphragm,is;,of,;greater volume thanthat onthe otherside.
  • each frame is further rprovided'awith .ilorts :in the :Web aof. :the frame member i-separat ing the side sections of adjacent compartments, said ports being above and close to the partitions at the junctions of the side sections with the bottom sections.
  • An electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of skeleton frames assembled together in parallel relationship to form a unitary structure, each member of each of said frames being of I-section formed by spaced flanges and a connecting web, the webs of all the members in each frame being in the same plane, jointing material between the members of adjacent frames and constituting partitions so as to form with the web and flanges of each frame closed compartments having top, side and bottom sections surrounding a cell space, a diaphragm secured to each frame in said cell space substantially in the plane of said webs, and other partitions between the bottom section and the side sections of each compartment, each frame being provided with first ports in the inner flange of its top member on opposite sides of the web to allow gases from the cell spaces on opposite sides of the diaphragm together with any entrained electrolyte to pass into the upper sections of the compartments on opposite sides of the web, second ports in the outer flange of the top member through which the gases may be taken off while electrolyte separated from the gases drains down
  • An electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of skeleton frames assembled together in parallel relationship to form a unitary structure, each member of each of said frames being of I-section formed by spaced flanges and a connecting web, the webs of all the members in each frame being in the same plane, jointing material between the members of adjacent frames cooperating with the edges of the flanges and constituting partitions so as to form with the web and flanges of each frame closed compartments surrounding a cell space, other partitions at the junction of the side sections of each compartment with the bottom section to isolate the bottom section, each frame being provided with openings in the upper flanges of the bottom frame member through which electrolyte passes from the bottom sections into the cell space, a
  • each block being provided with two vertically spaced horizontal ducts having their axes at right angles to the frame, said gaskets and the adjacent side members being provided with passages establishing communication between the upper ducts of the associated blocks and the side sections of the adjacent compartments and between the lower ducts and the bottom sections, said blocks, combining in said unitary structure of frames to provide tWo combined ducts extending along said structure on each side, the upper combined duct receiving the overflow electrolyte from the side sections, and the lower combined duct taking the return flow of electrolyte to the cells.
  • a frame of an electrolytic cell unit comprising a rectangular structure formed of top, side and bottom members, each of said members being of I-section formed by spaced inner and outer flanges and a, connecting web, the webs of all the members being in the same plane, partitions across the flanges of the side members substantially at their junction with the bottom member so as to form on each side of said plane one bottom channel closed at its ends, and another continuous channel extending along the remaining sides of said rectangle, and each member having on its inner flange an inwardly extending lip for carrying a diaphragm.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
  • Hybrid Cells (AREA)
US710789A 1945-11-24 1946-11-19 Electrolytic cell Expired - Lifetime US2522661A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB254535X 1945-11-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2522661A true US2522661A (en) 1950-09-19

Family

ID=10227918

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US710789A Expired - Lifetime US2522661A (en) 1945-11-24 1946-11-19 Electrolytic cell

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US2522661A (xx)
BE (1) BE469387A (xx)
CH (1) CH254535A (xx)
FR (1) FR938471A (xx)
GB (1) GB604100A (xx)
NL (1) NL64109C (xx)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2786811A (en) * 1955-12-01 1957-03-26 Robert B Swope Electrolytic cell for producing gases
US4197182A (en) * 1978-12-29 1980-04-08 Allied Chemical Corporation Cathode assembly for plural cell electrolyzer
US4253932A (en) * 1978-05-19 1981-03-03 Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corp. Unitary frame and membrane for electrolytic cells

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1181549A (en) * 1915-04-03 1916-05-02 Harry T Shriver Electrolytic cell.
US1344220A (en) * 1917-08-01 1920-06-22 Electrolytic apparatus
US1372442A (en) * 1921-03-22 levin
US1420037A (en) * 1918-08-04 1922-06-20 Carbo Oxygen Company Electrolytic cell
US1855732A (en) * 1928-08-21 1932-04-26 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Electrolytic cell
US2446692A (en) * 1942-04-07 1948-08-10 Carnegie Illinois Steel Corp Structural member
US2450723A (en) * 1944-05-08 1948-10-05 William R Elrad Bed rail blank

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1372442A (en) * 1921-03-22 levin
US1181549A (en) * 1915-04-03 1916-05-02 Harry T Shriver Electrolytic cell.
US1344220A (en) * 1917-08-01 1920-06-22 Electrolytic apparatus
US1420037A (en) * 1918-08-04 1922-06-20 Carbo Oxygen Company Electrolytic cell
US1855732A (en) * 1928-08-21 1932-04-26 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Electrolytic cell
US2446692A (en) * 1942-04-07 1948-08-10 Carnegie Illinois Steel Corp Structural member
US2450723A (en) * 1944-05-08 1948-10-05 William R Elrad Bed rail blank

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2786811A (en) * 1955-12-01 1957-03-26 Robert B Swope Electrolytic cell for producing gases
US4253932A (en) * 1978-05-19 1981-03-03 Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corp. Unitary frame and membrane for electrolytic cells
US4197182A (en) * 1978-12-29 1980-04-08 Allied Chemical Corporation Cathode assembly for plural cell electrolyzer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR938471A (fr) 1948-09-16
NL64109C (xx)
BE469387A (xx)
CH254535A (de) 1948-05-15
GB604100A (en) 1948-06-28

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