US3642604A - Anodic assembly for electrolysis cells - Google Patents

Anodic assembly for electrolysis cells Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3642604A
US3642604A US887527A US3642604DA US3642604A US 3642604 A US3642604 A US 3642604A US 887527 A US887527 A US 887527A US 3642604D A US3642604D A US 3642604DA US 3642604 A US3642604 A US 3642604A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
anodic
base
assembly according
aggregate
sidewall
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
US887527A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Umberto Giacopelli
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3642604A publication Critical patent/US3642604A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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

  • ABSTRACT An assembly for use in electrolysis cells including a per- Dec. 80, 1968 Belgium ..681S6 manem rigid, inert and reusable base which has the form of a square open tank with only three sidewalls; and, an anodic ag- '8 g gregate set down on this base without an fastening means.
  • This aggregate is composed of graphite anodic plates, anodic bars [58] Field of Search ..204/266, 286, 288, 289 and the fourth sidewall ofthe base- A" metallic p of the sembly are protected by a covering which also embodies the [56] (defences cued fourth sidewall. The tightness between the fourth sidewall and UNITED STATES PATENTS the base is insured by a flexible seal.
  • the anodic plates are made of graphite and are vertically settled in a reinforced concrete base. They are set in a bed made of leader a low melting point alloy. Conductive bars supply the electric current and are embedded in contact with the bottom of the anodic plates. An inert covering protects this lead or alloy bed against an attack of the electrolyte or of the electrolysis products.
  • the anodic plates become thinner and thinner and must be replaced periodically. However, the lead or alloy and the conductive bars may only be recovered by destroying the base.
  • Belgian Pat. Nos. 674,452 and 708,888 relate to improvements to conventional assemblies. These improvements consist essentially in melting the embedding material by means of the Joule effect, and then using a low melting point alloy, such as a lead-bismuth alloy. These alloys are much more expensive than lead which is generally used as the embedding material, and the materials used to manufacture the base must withstand the melting temperature of the alloy. Finally, the assembly must be sealed where the conductive bars cross one side wall of the base.
  • Objects of the present invention include: the provision of an anodic assembly in which the anodic bars and the embedding may be easily recovered without destroying the base of the cell; the provision of an anodic assembly where pure lead may be used as an embedding material; the provision of an anodic assembly which does not require a heat resistant base for extremely high temperatures; and, the provision of an anodic assembly which does not require special sealing means where the conductive bars come out of the base.
  • cathodic and anodic elements are interleaved and supported in a base.
  • the base is an open quadrangular rigid tank of which one of the sidewalls is missing.
  • the anodic aggregate comprises vertical anodic plates made of graphite, anodic conductive bars, and the fourth sidewall of the base, and said aggregate without any fastening means is set down on the base.
  • the anodic conductive bars convey the electric energy to the anodic plates and cross the fourth sidewall of the base.
  • the base is provided with a protective covering for withstanding the electrolyte and the electrolysis products, and the anodic aggregate, except the unernbedded part of the anodic plates and the projecting parts of the conductive bars, is enclosed in a rigid inert envelope.
  • the tightness between the anodic aggregate and the base is insured when the fourth sidewall fits into the base by means of a flexible seal made of a closed cell cellular material laid in a groove provided in the base.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an anodic aggregate which fits into the base represented in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the anodic aggregate represented in FIG. 2 set down in the base represented in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a detail view of the flexible seal and its receiving groove before the anodic aggregate is set down.
  • FIG. 5 is a detail view of the flexible seal and groove after the anodic aggregate has been set down.
  • the anodic assembly illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted for use as part of a diaphragm electrolysis cell used to electrolize aqueous solutions of sodium chloride and in another electrochemical process.
  • the base as shown in FIG. 1, is made of reinforced concrete, and is provided with a synthetic resin coating for withstanding the chlorinated brine.
  • the base comprises a structure having a rather square bottom l and three sidewalls 2.
  • the fourth sidewall 3 (see FIG. 2) is removable and forms a part of the anodic aggregate.
  • a flexible seal 4 made of a closed cell cellular material for withstanding the chlorinated brine, is placed between the fourth sidewall and the base.
  • the seal has a rectangular cross section and it is laid in the flat bottom groove 5 of the base.
  • the sealing edge of the fourth sidewall is provided with an angular ledge 6, having a triangular section, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the ledge presses on the seal 4 perpendicularly to the bottom of the groove 5, and its two oblique faces press the seal against the edges of the groove 5.
  • the ledge 6 and the groove 5 combine to provide a very efficient seal by effectively forming three sealing edges of compression on the flexible seal 4. That is, sealing edges are formed by pressure of the apex of the ledge on the flexible seal 4, and by the pressure of said flexible seal against the comers of the groove 5 as caused by the oblique faces of the ledge.
  • the anodic aggregate (see FIG. 2) comprises essentially vertical anodic plates 7, anodic bars 9 (see FIG. 2A), embedding metal 10, connecting crosspieces made of copper 8, and the fourth sidewall 3 of the base illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the anodic plates 7 are made of graphite and are aligned in parallel rows. The rows are spaced to let the cathodic elements interleave with them.
  • the bottoms of the anodic plates are embedded in lead 10, and said plates are supported on anodic bars 9 which convey electrical energy to the plates.
  • the bars 9 are made of copper and are connected with the crosspieces 8 which pass through the fourth sidewall 3.
  • the anodic aggregate is an alignment of independent anodic units each of which comprises a crosspiece 8, an anodic bar 9 two rows of anodic plates 7 and the embedding metal 10, and said anodic units are separated at their lower portions by sheets of plastified polyvinylchloride 11.
  • anodic aggregate With the exception of the crosspieces 8 and the graphite plates 7, the entire anodic aggregate is provided with an exter' nal protective envelope which is made of a charged polyester resin, and which withstands the chlorinated brine.
  • the fourth sidewall 3 which is integral with the anodic aggregate, encloses strengthening elements 12,13 made or rigid expanded material, as shown in FIG. 2B. These elements 12,13 are laid respectively between and above the crosspieces 8, and they confer rigidity to the aggregate. Said elements also provide a saving of polyester resin and make the aggregate lighter. Their dimensions are preferably controlled so that the thickness of the polyester envelope is essentially constant, and tensions due to the thermal expansion are thus avoided.
  • the anodic aggregate and the base are assembled without any binding material or fastening means.
  • the aggregate is simply set down on the baseand held in place only by gravitational force.
  • the electrolysis brine may penetrate without damage between the aggregate and the base, and an effective seal between the fourth sidewall 3 and the base is realized automatically by the resultant compression of the flexible seal 4 when the aggregate is set down.
  • the anodic aggregate When the anodic plates are consumed, the anodic aggregate is lifted from the basement by simple lifting means and a new one is set down. This change does not require any destruction and may be done very quickly. Only the envelope must be destroyed to recover the anodic bars 9 and the embedding material 10 in the anodic aggregate while the base may be continually reused.
  • An anodic assembly for electrolysis cells in which anodes and cathodes are interleaved comprising a base consisting essentially of a rectangular bottom and three upstanding sidewalls at three sides only of said bottom, said base having an open side at the fourth side of said bottom defined by an opening having a bottom edge extending along said fourth side of said bottom and two inclined side edges sloping up and joining adjacent sidewalls of said base; and an anodic aggregate set down on said conductors in conductive relation therewith, embedding material embedding said conductors and lower portions of said anodic elements to unit them in a unit, a fourth side wall unitary with said unit and cross-connectors embedded in said material, connecting said conductors and extending out through said fourth sidewall, said anodic aggregate being set down on said base over said bottom with said fourth sidewall fitting in said opening, and a flexible sealing gasket disposed between lower and side edges of said fourth sidewall and said bottom and side edges of said opening to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween, said an
  • anodic assembly according to claim 5 wherein said anodic aggregate comprises an assembly of units of which corresponding portions of said embedding lead are separated from one another by sheets of plastified polyvinylchloride.

Landscapes

  • 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)
US887527A 1968-12-30 1969-12-23 Anodic assembly for electrolysis cells Expired - Lifetime US3642604A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE68156 1968-12-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3642604A true US3642604A (en) 1972-02-15

Family

ID=3841165

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US887527A Expired - Lifetime US3642604A (en) 1968-12-30 1969-12-23 Anodic assembly for electrolysis cells

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3642604A (no)
DE (1) DE1962072A1 (no)
FR (1) FR2027316A1 (no)
ZA (1) ZA698521B (no)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3911565A (en) * 1974-05-24 1975-10-14 Ppg Industries Inc Method of protecting current leads in electrolytic cells
US4028208A (en) * 1974-12-16 1977-06-07 Solvay & Cie Electrolyte cell with vertical electrodes
US4060474A (en) * 1975-02-26 1977-11-29 Rhone-Poulenc Industries Electrolytic cell of the diaphragm type comprising a base made of an insulating material
US4142959A (en) * 1974-11-21 1979-03-06 Electro-Chlor Corporation Electrode assembly

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2370087A (en) * 1940-09-04 1945-02-20 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali halogen cells
US2865834A (en) * 1953-02-24 1958-12-23 Monsanto Chemicals Electrolytic alkali halogen cell
US3425929A (en) * 1966-03-28 1969-02-04 Hooker Chemical Corp Method for stabilizing the position of anodes and anode bus bars in an electrolytic cell
US3477938A (en) * 1967-10-06 1969-11-11 Dryden Chem Ltd Anode structure for electrolytic cell
US3498903A (en) * 1964-03-04 1970-03-03 Georgy Mikirtiechevich Kamarja Electrolytic diaphragm cell for production of chlorine,hydrogen and alkalies

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2370087A (en) * 1940-09-04 1945-02-20 Hooker Electrochemical Co Electrolytic alkali halogen cells
US2865834A (en) * 1953-02-24 1958-12-23 Monsanto Chemicals Electrolytic alkali halogen cell
US3498903A (en) * 1964-03-04 1970-03-03 Georgy Mikirtiechevich Kamarja Electrolytic diaphragm cell for production of chlorine,hydrogen and alkalies
US3425929A (en) * 1966-03-28 1969-02-04 Hooker Chemical Corp Method for stabilizing the position of anodes and anode bus bars in an electrolytic cell
US3477938A (en) * 1967-10-06 1969-11-11 Dryden Chem Ltd Anode structure for electrolytic cell

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3911565A (en) * 1974-05-24 1975-10-14 Ppg Industries Inc Method of protecting current leads in electrolytic cells
US4142959A (en) * 1974-11-21 1979-03-06 Electro-Chlor Corporation Electrode assembly
US4028208A (en) * 1974-12-16 1977-06-07 Solvay & Cie Electrolyte cell with vertical electrodes
US4060474A (en) * 1975-02-26 1977-11-29 Rhone-Poulenc Industries Electrolytic cell of the diaphragm type comprising a base made of an insulating material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1962072A1 (de) 1970-07-16
ZA698521B (en) 1971-07-28
FR2027316A1 (no) 1970-09-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3591483A (en) Diaphragm-type electrolytic cells
SU1524810A3 (ru) Электролизер фильтр-прессного типа
GB1571272A (en) Electrolytic cell banks
SK278836B6 (sk) Elektrolyzér obsahujúci dve elektródové koncové št
US3755105A (en) Vacuum electrical contacts for use in electrolytic cells
KR20010061947A (ko) 전기분해 판
EP0185271A1 (en) A monopolar electrochemical cell, cell unit, and process for conducting electrolysis in a monopolar cell series
US3642604A (en) Anodic assembly for electrolysis cells
ES517648A0 (es) Perfeccionamientos en una celda electrolitica.
US3498903A (en) Electrolytic diaphragm cell for production of chlorine,hydrogen and alkalies
US3477938A (en) Anode structure for electrolytic cell
US3898149A (en) Electrolytic diaphragm cell
US3515661A (en) Electrolytic cells having detachable anodes secured to current distributors
US2749301A (en) Mercury type, caustic, chlorine cell
US3140991A (en) Mercury cathode electrolytic cells
US3790465A (en) Electrolytic cell including vertical hollow anodes with deflector panels diverging upwardly from each anode
BE790209A (en) Diaphragm electrolytic cell - with permeable anodes and cathodes having valve ie semiconductor props
GB1400053A (en) Diaphragm cells for electrolysis
US4046665A (en) Electrode assembly for diaphragm cells
CA1070265A (en) Electrolytic cell
AU634666B2 (en) Electrolyser comprising at least two elementary electrolysis cells coupled in electrical series along a common vertical wall
US4013536A (en) Electrolytic cell
US5338414A (en) Electrolytic cell, electrolyzer and a method of performing electrolysis
JPS5822385A (ja) ＭｇＣｌ↓２用電解槽
RU236U1 (ru) Электролизер