US3512220A - Vertical decomposing device for separating mercury and alkali metal hydroxides - Google Patents

Vertical decomposing device for separating mercury and alkali metal hydroxides Download PDF

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Publication number
US3512220A
US3512220A US668817A US3512220DA US3512220A US 3512220 A US3512220 A US 3512220A US 668817 A US668817 A US 668817A US 3512220D A US3512220D A US 3512220DA US 3512220 A US3512220 A US 3512220A
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United States
Prior art keywords
alkali metal
mercury
decomposing device
hydroxide solution
decomposition
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Expired - Lifetime
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US668817A
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English (en)
Inventor
Helmut Hund
Frantz Glos
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Hoechst AG
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Hoechst AG
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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
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/34—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis
    • C25B1/36—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis in mercury cathode cells
    • C25B1/42—Decomposition of amalgams

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vertical decomposing device for separating mercury contaminated with alkali metal from alkali metal hydroxide solution.
  • the alkali metal amalgam produced by electrolysis of alkali metal chloride in the so-called primary cell is decomposed in a decomposing device (secondary cell) by reaction with water in the presence of a catalyst, for example graphite, to yield alkali metal hydroxide solution and hydrogen.
  • a catalyst for example graphite
  • the mercury depleted of alkali metal referred to in the following as mercury, is reconducted into the primary cell.
  • horizontal and vertical decomposition devices the vertical devices having the advantage of being better adaptable to the efiiciency of the primary cell.
  • the amalgam is fed at the head in countercurrent flow with water and trickles over a packing of broken graphite pieces or graphite balls and the mercury is reconducted to the primary cell from the foot of the decomposing device.
  • the decomposition is the more complete the finer the amalgam in the reaction.
  • the fine distribution of the amalgam is brought about by the shape and the size of the graphite pieces and the packing height thereof.
  • the yery fine disintegration of the amalgam into droplets involves, however, the disadvantage'that at the foot of the decomposing device the mercury and the alkali metal hydroxide solution are difficult to separate from one another so that part of the produced alkali metal hydroxide is passed with the mercury from the decomposing device into the primary cell.
  • hypochlorite or chlorate which does not only reduce the chlorine yield but also causes an increased corrosion of the anodes.
  • US. Pat. 2,588,469 proposes to contact mercury contaminated with alkali metal hydroxide solution, after it has left the decomposing device, with the water of decomposition in a special chamber or section.
  • the chamber is closed towards the decomposing zone by an intermediate wall provided with non-return valves and water seals for the hydroxide solution, gas or vapour and mercury.
  • An intermediate wall of this construction shall prevent the concentrated hydroxide solution from passing by diffusion from the zone of decomposition into the wash tank.
  • the mercury enters the device through a water seal and flows downward over a series of alternately arranged plates, while the water of decomposition flows in countercurrent therewith through the non-return valve into the decomposing device. In spite of the technical equipment in the vertical decomposing device, an optimum separation of the mercury from the alkali metal hydroxide solution is not obtained.
  • the present invention provides a vertical decomposing device consisting of a decomposing zone filled with graphite as catalyst, a washing zone equipped with intermediate plates in which the mercury contaminated with alkali metal hydroxide solution and possibly alkali metal is washed in countercurrent flow with water of decomposition and a sieve bottom separating the washing zone from the zone of decomposition through which the mercury flows off uniformly over the entire cross-section of the decomposing device, the intermediate plates in the washing zone having the shape of alternating upright cones and suspended truncated cones.
  • the intermediate plates are suitably inclined by 1.5 to 2.5 mm. for 'mm. and the distance at the points of deflection is adjusted in such a manner that in the washing zone a concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide solution of at rnost 5% is maintained.
  • the upright cones are provided with radial guide ribs.
  • FIG. 1 represents a diagrammatical cross-section of the decomposition device according to the invention and
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of an especially favourable shape of the upright cones.
  • the amalgam flows into the decomposing device through conduit 1 and while being decomposed it descends through the graphite packing 17 to sieve bottom 16.
  • the mercury passes through the sieve bottom and flows in the direction of the arrows over the 4 intermediate plates 2 to 5, of which 3 and 5 are upright cones while 2 and 4 are suspended truncated cones, and leaves the device through conduit 6.
  • the water of decomposition enters the device by conduit 7 and flows in countercurrent with the mercury.
  • the alkali metal hydroxide solution is withdrawn through conduit 8 and the hydrogen through conduit 9.
  • guide ribs 14 (FIG. 2) are mounted on intermediate bottoms 3 and 5, for example in vertical direction with respect to the axis of the decomposing device.
  • On intermediate plate 3 stands a vent pipe 10 in axial position. Gaps 11 to 13 through which flows the mercury contaminated with alkali metal hydroxide solution in countercurrent with the water of decomposition are formed by the distances of the intermediate plates.
  • EXAMPLE With a current load of the primary cell of to kilo-amperes 50 tons per hour of mercury were circulated.
  • the decomposition device had a height of 120 cm. and a diameter of 80 cm.
  • the intermediate plates had a distance of 14 to 16- mm., they had an inclination of about 2 mm. for 100 mm.
  • the alkali metal hydroxide solution had a concentration of 0.1 to 5%.
  • the hydroxide solution withdrawn at' the head of the column had a concentration of 40 to 50% and the mercury flowing oif at the bottom of the decomposing device contained less than 0.5% of alkali metal hydroxide solution, calculated on the amount of solution withdrawn at the head.
  • the vertical decomposing device offers the advantage that the washing zone only requires a small space and that with a minimum amount of mercury required the alkali metal hydroxide is almost fully washed out of the mercury.
  • a vertical decomposing device for recovering mercury from alkali metal amalgam consisting of a decomposition zone filled with graphite as catalyst, a washing zone provided with intermediate plates in which the mercury contaminated with alkali metal hydroxide solution and alkali metal is conducted in countercurrent flow with the water of decomposition, and a sieve bottom to separate the decomposition zone from the washing zone, through which the mercury flows uniformly over the entire crosssection into the washing zone, the improvement which comprises using as intermediate plates in the washing zone alternating'upright cones and suspended truncated cones.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)
  • Extraction Or Liquid Replacement (AREA)
  • Devices And Processes Conducted In The Presence Of Fluids And Solid Particles (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
US668817A 1966-09-23 1967-09-19 Vertical decomposing device for separating mercury and alkali metal hydroxides Expired - Lifetime US3512220A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEF0050272 1966-09-23

Publications (1)

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US3512220A true US3512220A (en) 1970-05-19

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US668817A Expired - Lifetime US3512220A (en) 1966-09-23 1967-09-19 Vertical decomposing device for separating mercury and alkali metal hydroxides

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US (1) US3512220A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4927957B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) AT272378B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE704247A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH499462A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1533447B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES345211A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FI (1) FI47586C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1204145A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL156757B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO118972B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE331983B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3736724A (en) * 1972-01-13 1973-06-05 E Wygasch Method of drying and demercurizing hydrogen
US4161433A (en) * 1977-12-05 1979-07-17 Oronzio De Nora Impianti Elettrochimici S.P.A. Decomposition of alkali metal amalgams
US4204937A (en) * 1978-01-24 1980-05-27 Oronzio Denora Impianti Elettrochimici S.P.A. Novel electrolytic amalgam denuder apparatus
US4230486A (en) * 1978-04-28 1980-10-28 Olin Corporation Process for removal and recovery of mercury from liquids
US4500327A (en) * 1982-07-08 1985-02-19 Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. Process for removal of mercury vapor and adsorbent therefor
US5824210A (en) * 1995-06-06 1998-10-20 Kuryluk; Michael H. Separation of minerals

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5647997U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1980-08-15 1981-04-28
ITMI20022420A1 (it) * 2002-11-15 2004-05-16 De Nora Elettrodi Spa Decompositore di amalgama metallica per celle elettrolitiche a catodo di mercurio.

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2588469A (en) * 1944-02-18 1952-03-11 Solvay Process for the production of high concentration alkaline lyes
US2801163A (en) * 1956-09-17 1957-07-30 Pintsch Bamag A B Apparatus and method for decomposing an amalgam

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2588469A (en) * 1944-02-18 1952-03-11 Solvay Process for the production of high concentration alkaline lyes
US2801163A (en) * 1956-09-17 1957-07-30 Pintsch Bamag A B Apparatus and method for decomposing an amalgam

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3736724A (en) * 1972-01-13 1973-06-05 E Wygasch Method of drying and demercurizing hydrogen
US4161433A (en) * 1977-12-05 1979-07-17 Oronzio De Nora Impianti Elettrochimici S.P.A. Decomposition of alkali metal amalgams
US4204937A (en) * 1978-01-24 1980-05-27 Oronzio Denora Impianti Elettrochimici S.P.A. Novel electrolytic amalgam denuder apparatus
US4230486A (en) * 1978-04-28 1980-10-28 Olin Corporation Process for removal and recovery of mercury from liquids
US4500327A (en) * 1982-07-08 1985-02-19 Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. Process for removal of mercury vapor and adsorbent therefor
US5824210A (en) * 1995-06-06 1998-10-20 Kuryluk; Michael H. Separation of minerals

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1533447A1 (de) 1969-12-18
BE704247A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1968-03-25
NL6712151A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1968-03-25
AT272378B (de) 1969-07-10
FI47586C (fi) 1974-01-10
ES345211A1 (es) 1969-01-01
NL156757B (nl) 1978-05-16
SE331983B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-01-25
FI47586B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-10-01
DE1533447B2 (de) 1972-04-06
CH499462A (de) 1970-11-30
NO118972B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-03-09
GB1204145A (en) 1970-09-03
JPS4927957B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-07-22

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