US3425929A - Method for stabilizing the position of anodes and anode bus bars in an electrolytic cell - Google Patents

Method for stabilizing the position of anodes and anode bus bars in an electrolytic cell Download PDF

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Publication number
US3425929A
US3425929A US537949A US3425929DA US3425929A US 3425929 A US3425929 A US 3425929A US 537949 A US537949 A US 537949A US 3425929D A US3425929D A US 3425929DA US 3425929 A US3425929 A US 3425929A
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Prior art keywords
conductive medium
anode
irregularity
cell bottom
bus bar
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Expired - Lifetime
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US537949A
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English (en)
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Alvin T Emery
John E Currey
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Occidental Chemical Corp
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Hooker Chemical Corp
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Assigned to OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION reassignment OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 1982. Assignors: HOOKER CHEMICALS & PLASTICS CORP.
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
    • B01J8/02—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
    • B01J8/06—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds in tube reactors; the solid particles being arranged in tubes
    • B01J8/062—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds in tube reactors; the solid particles being arranged in tubes being installed in a furnace
    • 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
    • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
    • C25B9/63—Holders for electrodes; Positioning of the electrodes

Definitions

  • Electrolytic cells are often composed of a plurality of alternately positioned anode and cathode configurations
  • the cathode structure is commonly constructed as an electrically unitized configuration having a plurality of projections known as cathode fingers, which projections may span the cathode structure from one side to the other or may be in a serpentine configuration.
  • cathode fingers are in spaced relationship to each other having a predetermined distance between each finger.
  • anode blades Prior to assembly of the electrolytic cell, anode blades are positioned in the cell bottom in a spaced relationship to each other so that when the cell is assembled, the anode blades are positioned between the cathode fingers.
  • the criticality of alignment of the anode blades with respect to the cathode fingers becomes extremely important.
  • the distance between anode blade and cathode finger is about one-quarter to one-half inch.
  • the difficulty of maintaining such distance constant, with the electrodes in alignrment increases because an end of each anode blade is embedded in a conductive material, which material can subsequently act as a fulcrum about which the projected end of the anode blade is pivoted on the slightest movement of the conductive material.
  • Such movements are greatly magnified with increasing lengths of the anode blade.
  • On misaligning the anode blade so that it is no longer centered between the cathode fingers reduced electrical efliciencies result. If the blade becomes misaligned to the point where it makes contact with the cathode finger, a
  • a means for securing an anode in an electrolytic cell comprising a cell bottom having therein a preformed irregularity, a
  • the present anchorage system provides a means for firmly holding the anode blades in position thereby reducing or eliminating even slight shifts of the conductive medium such as those encountered with changes in temperature. Further, when lead or other soft metal is used as the conductive medium, migration of the conductive medium at cell operating temperatures is greatly reduced or eliminated.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cell bottom illustrating the position of the bus bars and preformed irregularity in the cell bottom;
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the cell bottom of FIG. 1 along plane 22 having added thereto anode blades embedded in a conductive material;
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view along plane 33 of FIG. 1, further illustrating the irregularity in the cell bottom relative to the positioning of the bus bar.
  • Cell bottom 10 is a preformed structure of desired size and shape having preformed therein an irregularity 16 on the inside bottom surface thereof, Cell bottom 10 can be constructed of any of numerous materials which are inert or can be rendered inert to the environment within the cell. Suitable materials include various ferrous metals such as steel, ferrous alloys such as stainless steel, nickelsteel, and the like, and ferrous materials coated with inert materials such as after-chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, Teflon, ceramics, and other suitable inorganic and organic materials.
  • concrete is normally a preferred material of construction because of its relative ease of fabrication, non-conductivity, inertness and relatively low cost. Therefore, the cell bottom referred to herein and in the drawings is of concrete. However, it is to be realized that in referring to the cell bottom as being a concrete structure, other structures of other materials used in the art are also contemplated.
  • Irregularity 16 can be either a projection or a. recess or a combination of both in the cell bottom. A corresponding matching projection or recess is formed in the conductive medium 20 so that when the two parts are joined, the projection and recess fit securely together. Irregularity 16 is positioned transversely, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the general direction of the bus bar 12 in conductive medium 20. In a highly preferred embodiment, irregularity 16 is positioned at or near a plane passing through the center of the mass of the conductive medium 20, which plane is perpendicular to the general direction of the "bus bar.
  • the position of the irregularity relative to the center of the mass of the conductive medium can be displaced therefrom with somewhat lesser effectiveness, or a plurality of irregularities can be used as by placing the irregularities on either side of the plane passing through the center of the mass, especially as in a position equal distances from both sides of the center of the mass.
  • a plurality or multitude of irregularities are often used.
  • correspondingly good results are obtained by positioning the irregularities near the geometric center of the conductive medium.
  • the bus bar is not included therein and therefore, the center of the mass is often displaced from the geometric center, depending on the configuration and position of the bus bar.
  • Irregularity 16 can be either a recess or projection that spans the entire side to side distance of the cell bottom or any part thereof. Further, irregularity 16 can be formed in a shape other than the bar projection specifically illustrated. Thus, circular, triangular and rectangular irregularities can be used.
  • the irregularity 16 is preferably formed in a manner such that the projections and recesses have relatively sharp corner angles.
  • irregularity 16 has an edge of projection 24 or sidewall which is nearly vertical, having corner angles of near 90 degrees.
  • sidewall 26 is preferably a fiat wall rather than a curved wall.
  • corner angles are usually slightly more than 90 degrees, preferably being in the range of 90 to about 120 degrees. Most preferably, the corner angles are in the range of about 90.5 to 100 degrees, the slightly obtuse angle providing ease in subsequent removal of the conductive medium from the cell bottom.
  • the sidewalls 26 of bus bar recess 14 are also preferably nearly vertical, the corner angles thereof preferably being relatively sharp angles having angles of about 90 to 120 degrees and most preferably about 90.5 to 100 degrees.
  • a plurality of anode blades is generally embedded or otherwise attached to the conductive medium.
  • the number which corresponds to the number of rows of anode blades, can vary widely from about two to 100 or more. In most instances, the number is about to 50.
  • the position of the anode blades with respect to the direction of the bus bar embedded in the conductive medium can be either parallel or perpendicular thereto.
  • the detrimental effects of the conductive medium movements are most pronounced when the anode blades are perpendicular to the direction of the bus bar.
  • substantial elimination of detrimental movements of the blades is effected by the present invention.
  • Conductive medium is preferably of a highly conductive metal such as lead, copper or alloys thereof which have a relatively low melting point so that they can readily be cast about anode blades 18 without decomposing the anodes due to the heat of the molten metal. Lead is the most preferred material.
  • the conductive medium 20 having the anode blades 18 embedded therein along with bus bar 12, is normally cast apart from cell bottom 10. In this manner, the anode blades and conductive medium can be replaced in the cell bottom after the anode blades are decomposed due to the electrolytic process.
  • thermoplastic sealant 22 is applied across the exposed surfaces of the conductive medium.
  • Bus bar 12 is embedded in the conductive medium 20 in a manner such that it is preferably recessed into cell bottom 10.
  • the bus bar need not be included in the recess or the recess can be eliminated and replaced with a projection or other irregularity in a position generally parallel to the direction of the bus bar.
  • only a single bus bar is utilized in the cell bottom. Equally good results are also obtained with a single bus bar wherein a crossed projection and/or recess arrangement is provided in the cell bottom corresponding to a matching projection and/or recess in the conductive medium.
  • the preferred height or depth of the irregularities and the width thereof are factors ascertainable, depending on the particular cell bottom design.
  • the combination of the recess depth and width is preferably that suificient to eliminate deformation of the conductive metal and/or the irregularity in the cell bottom where they are joined in tongue and groove fashion.
  • the irregularity projection and/or recess varies from about 10 to about 60 percent of the average depth of the conductive medium.
  • the width of the irregularity can also be varied depending on the number used, the length thereof and the size of the conductive medium. In general, the width may range from about 0.5 to about 20 percent of the width of the conductive medium. The most preferred dimensions can be readily determined empirically by those skilled in the art.
  • the anode anchorage system of the present invention is suited for use in many diiferent types of electrolytic cells. It is particularly useful in cells which utilize carbon or graphite electrodes as the anode. Such uses include electrolytic cells such as chlor-alkali cells, alkali-metal chlorate cells, hydrochloric acid cells and numerous other similar type electrolytic cells.
  • the anchorage system of the present invention is particularly suited for use in chloralkali cells such as those producing chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen.
  • Cells of this type utilize a diaphragm between the anode blades and the cathode fingers thereof. These diaphragms are known to the art as deposited or applied diaphragms.
  • the diaphragm utilized is a fluid permeable type composed of materials such as asbestos and synthetic fibers such as after-chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, Teflon, polypropylene, and the like.
  • chlor-alkali cells which electrolyze alkali-metal [chlorides such as sodium chloride
  • other alkali-metal chlorides can also be readily electrolyzed in the same cells.
  • Such other alkali-metal chlorides include postassium chloride, lithium chloride, rubidium chloride and cesium chloride.
  • the importance of the present invention is particularly emphasized in electrolytic cells of high electrical capacity.
  • electrolytic cells of high electrical capacity.
  • large chlor-alkali cells for instance, such as those of 60,000 amperes and higher current capacities
  • the length of the anode blades is generally increased substantially over lower capacity electrolytic cells, such as those of 30,000 amperes or less.
  • Small movements of the anode anchorage medium are magnified so as to greatly deflect the projecting ends of the anode blades.
  • the importance of careful alignment and the maintaining of such alignment during cell operation which is usually at a temperature substantially higher than the original aligning temperature, is of utmost importance for eflicient cell operation.
  • a method for stabilizing the position of anodes and anode bus bars in an electrolytic !Cll which comprises constructing as a unit assembly the anodes and at least one anode bus bar in an anchorage means comprising a conductive medium having one surface thereof shaped to conform to a preformed irregularity of the bottom of said electrolytic cell, said irregularity of said cell bottom and conductive medium being a matching projection and recess wherein said irregularity is positioned transversely to the direction of the bus bar in said conductive medium, and positioning said unit assembly in said cell bottom.
  • bus bar is at least partially embedded in said conductive medium, wherein the conductive medium has a projection thereon corresponding to said bus bar and wherein said cell bottom has a recess therein corresponding to said conductive medium projection.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
US537949A 1966-03-28 1966-03-28 Method for stabilizing the position of anodes and anode bus bars in an electrolytic cell Expired - Lifetime US3425929A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US53794966A 1966-03-28 1966-03-28

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US3425929A true US3425929A (en) 1969-02-04

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Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3425929A (fr)
BE (1) BE696208A (fr)
DE (1) DE1671436A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES338521A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR1515646A (fr)
GB (1) GB1119817A (fr)
NL (2) NL6704367A (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3507772A (en) * 1967-12-18 1970-04-21 Christopher C Silsby Jr Anode support structure for electrolytic cells having a base of aluminum or magnesium and alloys thereof
US3527688A (en) * 1965-12-29 1970-09-08 Solvay Electrolytic cells
US3642604A (en) * 1968-12-30 1972-02-15 Umberto Giacopelli Anodic assembly for electrolysis cells
US3719578A (en) * 1969-09-22 1973-03-06 Progil Electrolysis cell with anode support means
US3753660A (en) * 1969-09-16 1973-08-21 Dynamit Nobel Ag Heater for tube reactors
US4142959A (en) * 1974-11-21 1979-03-06 Electro-Chlor Corporation Electrode assembly
US5527441A (en) * 1994-05-04 1996-06-18 General Electric Company Welding electrode with flat blade

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO139865C (no) * 1977-06-06 1979-05-23 Norsk Hydro As Utskiftbar katodeenhet egnet som modul for oppbygging av stabile, ikke deformerbare katodesystemer i elektrolysoerer for fremstilling av magnesium samt elektrolysoer med innmonterte katodeenheter

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2392868A (en) * 1942-05-04 1946-01-15 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali halogen cells
US2409912A (en) * 1942-05-28 1946-10-22 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali chlorine diaphragm cell
US2447547A (en) * 1945-06-02 1948-08-24 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali chlorine cell
US2865834A (en) * 1953-02-24 1958-12-23 Monsanto Chemicals Electrolytic alkali halogen cell
US2967142A (en) * 1958-09-22 1961-01-03 Union Carbide Corp Blade electrode assembly

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2392868A (en) * 1942-05-04 1946-01-15 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali halogen cells
US2409912A (en) * 1942-05-28 1946-10-22 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali chlorine diaphragm cell
US2447547A (en) * 1945-06-02 1948-08-24 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali chlorine cell
US2865834A (en) * 1953-02-24 1958-12-23 Monsanto Chemicals Electrolytic alkali halogen cell
US2967142A (en) * 1958-09-22 1961-01-03 Union Carbide Corp Blade electrode assembly

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3527688A (en) * 1965-12-29 1970-09-08 Solvay Electrolytic cells
US3507772A (en) * 1967-12-18 1970-04-21 Christopher C Silsby Jr Anode support structure for electrolytic cells having a base of aluminum or magnesium and alloys thereof
US3642604A (en) * 1968-12-30 1972-02-15 Umberto Giacopelli Anodic assembly for electrolysis cells
US3753660A (en) * 1969-09-16 1973-08-21 Dynamit Nobel Ag Heater for tube reactors
US3719578A (en) * 1969-09-22 1973-03-06 Progil Electrolysis cell with anode support means
US4142959A (en) * 1974-11-21 1979-03-06 Electro-Chlor Corporation Electrode assembly
US5527441A (en) * 1994-05-04 1996-06-18 General Electric Company Welding electrode with flat blade
US5649355A (en) * 1994-05-04 1997-07-22 General Electric Company Welding electrode with flat blade and related method of manufacture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE696208A (fr) 1967-09-28
NL130825C (fr)
DE1671436A1 (de) 1971-09-02
GB1119817A (en) 1968-07-10
ES338521A1 (es) 1968-04-01
FR1515646A (fr) 1968-03-01
NL6704367A (fr) 1967-09-29

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