US3324020A - Apparatus for interrupting the flow of mercury and/or of amalgam in electrolytic cells - Google Patents

Apparatus for interrupting the flow of mercury and/or of amalgam in electrolytic cells Download PDF

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Publication number
US3324020A
US3324020A US295548A US29554863A US3324020A US 3324020 A US3324020 A US 3324020A US 295548 A US295548 A US 295548A US 29554863 A US29554863 A US 29554863A US 3324020 A US3324020 A US 3324020A
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United States
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drum
mercury
housing
amalgam
liquid
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US295548A
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English (en)
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Druylants Paul
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Solvay SA
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Solvay SA
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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
    • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
    • C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for interrupting the flow of mercury and/ or amalgam through the inlets and/or outlets of cells with liquid mercury cathodes for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides.
  • the discontinuity of the flow of mercury can also be effected by closing and opening of a valve controlled by a shaftwith cams on it, by compressed air, or by an electromagnet (French Patent 503,288, US. Patent 2,849,- 524).
  • a housing there are disposed a plurality of coaxial drums. These drums are either completely electrically insulated from each other, or, if integral, at least the liquid receiving space of each drum is provided with an insulated lining; in any event, the liquid receiving space of each drum is electrically insulated from the corresponding liquid receiving space of any other drum.
  • Each drum is provided with a discharge outlet and the discharge outlets of the several drums are angularly displaced around the common "Ice axis to such an extent, that liquid can be discharged only from one drum at a time.
  • Proper degassing and liquid discharge means are provided in the housing, and conduit means run insulatedly into the innermost drum for discharging mercury or amalgam or both into this innermost drum.
  • FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a transverse section on the line A-A of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURES 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are transverse sections showing the cylinders in their various positions to show the manner of functioning
  • FIGURES 4 and 5 show modifications of the first embodiment and in longitudinal cross sectional view
  • the apparatus of this eX- ample of the preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of two coaxial cylinders or drums 1 and 2 rotating in a stationary housing 3 that is electrically insulated from the cylinders or drums 1 and 2.
  • Drums 1 and 2 respectively have hollow axial extensions 4, 4' and 5, 5' which are also insulated from each other but which journal the drums in the housing 3.
  • 6, 6 and 7, '7 are roller bearings in which the hollow shafts 4, 4 and 5, 5' are mounted respectively for rotation.
  • These extensions are secured to each other by a coupling system 8 having insulating rod 10 to keep the drums insulated from each other. Both of these cylinders are driven in unison by the motor 9 which can be mounted either outside or even inside the housing 3.
  • Power transmission from motor 9' to drums 1 and 2 can be had by any known means, such' insulated therefrom there are provided conduits 12 and 13 for delivering mercury and pure water respectively into the innermost drum which is cylinder 1. Although the use of water is not absolutely necessary, it is advantageous in assisting the mercury to collect instead of clinging to the walls.
  • Each of these drums 1 and 2 is pierced by at least one longitudinal opening 14 and 15 respectively and each extending preferably the entire length of the respective cylindrical mantle of the drum, the openings in the twodrums are displaced from each other by half the angle between successive openings. It is generally sufiicient to use a minimum number of openings and in the apparatus here shown there is only one opening per drum.
  • the two openings 14 and 15 are therefore diametrically opposite each other and permit the passage of mercury and/or amalgam (and water) by gravity, first from drum 1 to drum 2 and then from drum 2 to drum 3, the flow of mercury being thus interrupted alternately between drum 1 and drum 2 and between drum 2 and drum 3.
  • the housing 3 is provided with an outlet 17 for the discharge of mercury and/ or amalgam and water. It is also provided with baffles 18 to prevent water from getting to the various bearings. Finally, a degassing outlet 16 is provided on top of housing 3.
  • FIGURES 3a, 3b, and 3d represent different operating stages of the apparatus described thus far.
  • the direction of common rotation of the several drums is represented by the arrow. I
  • FIGURE 3a the mercury and the water are being led into drum 1 by the fixed i.e. nonrotating conduits 12 and 13.
  • the mercury is here at the entrance potential.
  • FIGURE 3d the mercury pool in drum 2 is completely discharged into housing 3 where it is at the exit potential. It is apparent that the assumption of a new potential of the mercury when pouring from drum 2 into housing 3 is a completely electrostatic process involving for all practical purposes no energy.
  • FIGURE 4 is shown an arrangement wherein the two drums 1 and 2 are integral with each other and they have the same hollow shaft 4. In such a case it is necessary to insulate the drum-s from the remaining parts of the apparatus by an inner lining, for example, a coating of ebonite.
  • the different reference numerals have the same significance as in FIGURE 1 in general.
  • Reference numeral 20, however, represents an additional insulating support for the conduits 12 and 13; 21 is an insulating connection between the housing 3 and the roller bearing 6 which roller bearing is supported by a support 22.
  • the roller bearing is covered by an ebonited member 23.
  • drum assembly 124 is (1) normally insulated from housing 3, and (2) normally in sulated from conduits 12 and 13.
  • FIG- URES 3a to 3d For purpose of describing the operation reference can be made again to FIG- URES 3a to 3d.
  • the mercury electrically connects only the mercury pool in drum 1 to conduits 12, 13 due to insulation of the drums; no connection is present to housing 3.
  • FIGURE 31 there is electrical interconnection between the pools in drums 1 and 2.
  • FIGURE 30 no electrical connection between the pools in drums 1 and 2 is present so that the pool in drum 1 is kept at the potential of conduits 12 and 13 whereas the pool in drum 2 is separated therefrom and at an intermediate potential.
  • FIGURE 3d there now is an electrical connection between the pool in drum 2 and housing 3, outlet 17 etc., while no connection can be found between the newly formed pool in drum 1.
  • pool interconnection is possible only (FIG. 3b) when opening 15 is on top so that surely no mercury discharge occurs anymore between the pool in drum 2, if any, into housing 3, while the pools are interconnected.
  • FIGURE shows another modification in which there i is a disc 26 between drums 1 and 2 to prevent gradual creeping of the mercury on the insulated walls. Otherwise the design of the device of FIGURE 5 follows that of FIGURE 4.
  • an arrangement for interrupting periodically the flow of mercury and/ or amalgam between the cells and the separating element comprising: a housing; a first drum having hollow shaft means and being journaled therewith in said housing and being electrically insulated therefrom, said first drum having at its circumferential mantle a discharge outlet; a second drum coaxially disposed in said first drum and having a liquid receiving space insulated from said first drum, there being means for positively interconnecting said first and second drum; means for driving said drums to rotate in unison; said second drum having a discharge outlet angularly displaced from the discharge outlet of said first drum, conduit means in said hollow shaft electrically insulated from said first and said second drums for discharging liquid such as mercury and/or amalgam into said second drum to such an extent that any outpour of liquid from said first drum through its outlet and into said housing is completely interrupted during
  • an arrangement for interrupting periodically the flow of mercury and/or amalgam between the cells and the separating element comprising: a housing; a first drum having hollow shaft means and being journaled therewith in said housing and being electrically insulated therefrom, said first drum having at its circumferential mantle a discharge outlet; 21 second drum coaxially disposed in said first drum, electrically insulated therefrom and having a hollow shaft received by the hollow shaft of said first drum; means including electrically insulating means for positively interconnecting said first and second drums for common rotation; means for driving said drums to rotate in unison; conduit means traversing said hollow shaft of said second drum for discharging liquid such as mercury and/ or amalgam into the interior of said second drum, said second drum having a discharge outlet angularly displaced from the discharge outlet of said first drum to such an extent that any outpour of liquid from said
  • an arrangement for interrupting periodically the flow of mercury and/ or amalgam between the cells and the separating element comprising: a housing; a first drum having hollow shaft means and being journaled therewith in said housing and being electrically insulated therefrom, said first drum having at its circumferential mantle in a discharge outlet; a second drum coaxially disposed in said first drum and integral therewith, each drum having an electrically insulating inner lining; means for driving said drums to rotate in unison; conduit means in said hollow shaft and being electrically insulated from said first and said second drums for discharging liquid such as mercury and/ or amalgam into said second drum, said second drum having a discharge outlet angularly displaced from the discharge outlet of said first drum to such an extent that any outpour of liquid from said first drum through its outlet and into said housing is completely interrupted during any outpour of liquid from said
  • an arrangement for interrupting periodically the flow of mercury and/or amalgam between the cells and the separating element comprising: a housing; a plurality of coaXially disposed drums emboxed in each other, each drum having a'liquid receiving space insulated from that of any other drum; each drum having a liquid discharge opening angularly displaced from that of any adjoining drum; conduit means for discharging liquid such as mercury and/or amalgam into the innermost drum; means defining a degassing outlet of said housing; and means defining a liquid discharge outlet from said housing.
  • an arrangement for interrupting periodically the flow of mercury and/ or amalgam between the cells and the separating element comprising: a housing; a first drum having hollow shaft means and being journaled therewith in said housing and being electrically insulated therefrom, said first drum having at its circumferential mantle a discharge outlet; a second drum coaxially disposed in said first drum and having a liquid receiving space insulated from said first drum, there being means for positively interconnecting said first and second drum; means for driving said drums to rotate in unison; first conduit means in said hollow shaft electrically insulated from said first and said second drums for discharging liquid such as mercury and/or amalgam into said second drum; second conduit means for discharging an additional liquid into said second drum; said second drum having a discharge outlet angularly displaced from the discharge outlet of said first drum to such an extent that any outpour of

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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 Metals (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
US295548A 1962-07-20 1963-07-16 Apparatus for interrupting the flow of mercury and/or of amalgam in electrolytic cells Expired - Lifetime US3324020A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL281239 1962-07-20

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US3324020A true US3324020A (en) 1967-06-06

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US295548A Expired - Lifetime US3324020A (en) 1962-07-20 1963-07-16 Apparatus for interrupting the flow of mercury and/or of amalgam in electrolytic cells

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US (1) US3324020A (da)
BE (1) BE635097A (da)
CH (1) CH398510A (da)
DE (1) DE1212950B (da)
ES (1) ES288159A1 (da)
GB (1) GB1066212A (da)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2849524A (en) * 1952-03-28 1958-08-26 Asahi Garasu Kabushiki Kaisha Flow interrupter for mercury cell battery circuits

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2849524A (en) * 1952-03-28 1958-08-26 Asahi Garasu Kabushiki Kaisha Flow interrupter for mercury cell battery circuits

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES288159A1 (es) 1963-10-16
CH398510A (fr) 1966-03-15
BE635097A (da)
DE1212950B (de) 1966-03-24
GB1066212A (en) 1967-04-26

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