US3813326A - Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor/connector means - Google Patents

Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor/connector means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3813326A
US3813326A US00309310A US30931072A US3813326A US 3813326 A US3813326 A US 3813326A US 00309310 A US00309310 A US 00309310A US 30931072 A US30931072 A US 30931072A US 3813326 A US3813326 A US 3813326A
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Prior art keywords
conductor
backplate
copper
resistant
connector
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US00309310A
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English (en)
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L Gunby
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PPG Industries Inc
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PPG Industries Inc
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Priority to US00309310A priority Critical patent/US3813326A/en
Priority to ZA00737927A priority patent/ZA737927B/xx
Priority to CA183,572A priority patent/CA999253A/en
Priority to AR250587A priority patent/AR200412A1/es
Priority to AU61552/73A priority patent/AU478146B2/en
Priority to NL737314411A priority patent/NL151745B/xx
Priority to IT70255/73A priority patent/IT996914B/it
Priority to NO4320/73A priority patent/NO139006C/no
Priority to IL43611A priority patent/IL43611A/en
Priority to DE2357550A priority patent/DE2357550B2/de
Priority to ES420750A priority patent/ES420750A1/es
Priority to FR7341634A priority patent/FR2207760B1/fr
Priority to BR9135/73A priority patent/BR7309135D0/pt
Priority to JP13209373A priority patent/JPS5738674B2/ja
Priority to ES420751A priority patent/ES420751A1/es
Priority to SE7315849A priority patent/SE393999B/xx
Priority to BE138080A priority patent/BE807708A/xx
Priority to GB5475673A priority patent/GB1440483A/en
Priority to US430977A priority patent/US3900384A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3813326A publication Critical patent/US3813326A/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
    • C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
    • 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

  • a bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having a low resistance conductor/connector between the cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell.
  • the conductor/connector which penetrates through the backplate, has an anolyte-resistant member connected to the anode and a catholyte-resistant member connected to the cathode.
  • the anolyteand catholyte-resistant members are connected to an intermediate high conductivity member by friction welding.
  • Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cells useful in the electrolysis of brines, e.g., aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides such as sodium chloride, have a plurality of individual electrolytic cells in bipolar mechanical and electrical configuration.
  • the structure for eifecting bipolar mechanical and electrical configuration is an electroconductive, electrolyte-resistant backplate separating the adjacent cells from one another, and serving as a structural member for the cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the bipolar electrolyzer.
  • the backplate has three functions. First, the backplate separates the catholyte of one cell from the anolyte of the next adjacent cell of the electrolyzer. Second, the backplate is a conductive member connecting the cathodes of one electrolytic cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the electrolyzer, thereby providing bipolar electrical configuration between the cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the electrolyzer. Third, the backplate acts as a common structural member, having cathodes extending substantially perpendicularly from one side and anodes extending substantially perpendicularly from the other side, thereby providing bipolar mechanical configuration.
  • a typical electrolyzer may contain a plurality of cells, for example, from 3 to 8 or 11 or more cells, for example, as many as 70 or 80 cells. Additionally, electrolyzers are frequently connected in series, thereby providing as many as three or four hundred individual cells in a series. Bipolar electrolyzers frequently operate at high currents; for example, 70,000, 100,000, or even 150,000 amperes. Thus, it can be seen that a voltage reduction of only ten one-thousandths of a volt per cell may result in an overall voltage savings of 3 or more volts 3,813,326 Patented May 28, 1974 ice across an entire cell circuit and a power savings of as much as three hundred kilowatts across the entire cell circuit.
  • the titanium sheathing was typically silver welded to the copper conductor using a 99.99 percent pure siver filler, and the steel sheathing was typically welded to the copper conductor using a copper-silicon filler metal.
  • the silver Welded joints were characterized by high cost, and a substantial degree of non-reproductibility, thereby necessitating percent inspection of all of the joints.
  • the means provided for complete inspection of all soldered joints were themselves subject to occasional failure, allowing electrolyte to attack the copper conductor, raising the voltage drop across the cell, and ultimately leaking into the eletcrolyte of the adjacent cell, and causing failure of the conductor/connector.
  • Friction-welded conductor/connectors are characterized by the absence of a third phase between the joined pieces, a high degree of reproducibility of the voltage drop across the conductor/ connector, and a considerable cost savings in fabrication. Additionally, the friction-welded conductor/connector is substantially less subject to attack by electrolyte than the siver welded conductor/connectors, and may be prepared at significantly lower cost.
  • a conductor/connector having a copper current-conducting member. At one end of the current-conducting member, the anodic end, is a friction-welded member of an anolyte-resistant metal. At the other end of the conductor/connector, the
  • cathodic end is a catholyte-resistant member which also extends along the sides of the copper conductor as a sheath or sleeve to protect the copper from the catholyte.
  • FIG. 4 is a cutaway drawing showing a side-by-side comparison of the conductor/connector described in the prior art, FIG. 4A, and a conductor/connector of the type described herein, FIG. 4B.
  • FIG. is a schematic flow diagram for a method of preparing a backplate for a bipolar electrolyzer according to the method described herein.
  • a typical bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell is shown in schematic exploded view in FIG. 1.
  • the cell has a cell box 101 containing the individual electrolytic cells. While a single cell box is shown, there may alternatively be a plurality of individual cell boxes. For purposes of illustration, three cells are shown inside the cell box.
  • Each of the individual bipolar cells has a backplate 1 with a cathodic surface 5 of a catholyteresistant metal and an anodic surface 9 of an anolyte-resistant material. Extending perpendicularly from the cathodic surfaces 5 of the backplate 1 are cathodes 37. Extending perpendicularly from the anodic surfaces 9 of the backplate 1 are anodes 21. The anodes are interleaved between the cathodes 37 of the next backplate.
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric, partial cutaway view of a single backplate of an electrolytic cell
  • FIG. 3 is a cutaway along plane 33' of FIG. 2.
  • the backplate has anodes 21 and cathodes 37 connected thereto.
  • the backplate 1 has a cathodic surface 5 and an anodic surface 9 as described above.
  • the cathodes 37 extend from the cathodic surface 5 of the backplate 1, and have mesh fingers 41 covered with a diaphragm 53.
  • the diaphragm may be an asbestos diaphragm, an electrolyte-permeable resin, or a permionic membrane.
  • the cathodes 37 are supported on a steel base 45 which is bonded to the conductor/connector 61 and have a reinforcing member 49 to prevent collapse during diaphragm pulling.
  • a cathodic backscreen 57 also covered with a diaphragm 53, separates the individual cell into anolyte and catholyte compartments.
  • the backscreen 57 is mounted on the backplate 1 of the cell on the cathodic side 5 thereof.
  • the anodes 25 are connected to the anolyte surface 9 of the backplate 1.
  • the anodes 21 extend perpendicularly from the backplate and are interleaved between the cathodes of the next adjacent backplate in the series as shown in FIG. 1 above.
  • the anodes themselves may either be graphite anodes or they may be of the metal type known in the art as dimensionally-stable anodes.
  • Such dimensionally-stable anodes have an electroconductive surface, e.g., a platinum group metal, an oxide of a platinum group metal, an anolyte-resistant conductive oxide of a metal, an anolyte-resistant, conductive oxide of several metals, or the like, on a valve metal base.
  • the valve metals are those metals which form a non-conducting oxide which is resistant to the anolyte when exposed to the anolyte.
  • the valve metals include titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, and tungsten.
  • the anodes are typically in the form of blades 25 and a base 29.
  • the blades 25 may be perforate or foraminous.
  • the anodes may be a single blade between two cathode fingers or two blades interposed between a pair of cathode fingers.
  • the anode blades 25 may be coated on only the surfaces facing the cathodes 45, or only on the surfaces within the anode between the two anode blades, or on both sets of surfaces.
  • the anode base 29 is bonded to a conductor 33 of the conductor/connector 61.
  • the conductor/connector 61 is shown extending through the backplate 1 bonded to the steel base 45 of the cathode 41 and the conductor 33 at the base of the anode 29.
  • the conductor/connector is shown in more detail in FIG. 3.
  • the conductor/connector 61 breaches the backplate 1 of the electrolytic cell.
  • the conductor/connector 61 has a cylindrical copper stud 65 extending through the center thereof.
  • On the anodic side of the copper stud 65 is an anolyte-resistaut conductor 33.
  • On the cathode side of the copper studs 65 is a catholyte-resistant member 45.
  • the bond between the anolyte-resistant member 33 of the conductor/connector 61 and the copper member 65 typically has a conductivity of greater than 1.5x 10 mho when measured by leads one half of an inch from the bond in a 0.75 inch diameter piece.
  • the conductivity is between 1.6)(10 and 5.0)(10 mho, and most frequently, the bond has a conductivity of from about 3.0)(10 mho to about 3.6 l0 mho, although conductivities of as high as 10 mho or even higher may be attained.
  • a conductor/connector having a voltage drop of less than 25 milli- -volts at a current flow of 400 to 500 amperes.
  • the bond is further characterized by the complete absence of a slag, solder, or welding flux containing third phase between the anolyte-resistant member 33 and the copper member 65.
  • the bond is also characterized by the substantial absence of a third phase containing an alloy or intermetallic compound of copper and the metal used in fabricating the anolyte-resistant member 33.
  • Such an alloy or intermetallic compound-containing phase if present at all, is not detectable by optical examination at 1000 magnification.
  • anolyte-resistant member 33 is friction-welded to the copper stud 65.
  • the catholyte-resistant member 45 may be friction-welded to the copper stud 65 or it may be bonded thereto by another means.
  • a catholyte-resistant sheave or sleeve 77 shields the While the copper conductor 65 is spoken of and illustrated as being a cylindrical stud, other geometries may be used. Thus, the copper conductor 65 may be a machined hexagonal or rectangular stud.
  • the sheathed conductor/connector 61 is placed through an opening in the catholyte-resistant member 5 of the backplate 1 with the sheath inserted to a depth sufiicient to provide some rigidity to the conductor/connector 61.
  • the sheath is welded to the backplate.
  • a concentric member 13 such as a copper washer, fits in contact with the backplate and concentric with the center-line of the conductor/connector 61, although not necessarily contacting the anolyteresistant member 33-.
  • the anolyte-resistant member 9 of the backplate 1 fits around the anolyte-resistant member 33 of the conductor/connector 61, separated from the catholyte-resistant member 5 of the backplate 1 by the concentric member 13.
  • the concentric member 13 serves to separate the anolyte-resistant member 9 of the backplate 1 from the catholyte-resistant member 5 of the backplate 1 in order to allow for the recombination of atomic hydrogen evolved at the catholyte surface of the catholyte-resistant member 5 of the backplate 1 which atomic hydrogen thereafter permeates through the catholyte-resistant member of the backplate, as more fully described in the commonly assigned application of Carl W. Raetzsch et a1., Ser. No. 158,695, filed July 1, 1971, now Pat. No. 3,759,813 for an Electrolytic Cell.
  • the anolyte-resistant member 9 of the backplate 1 may be bonded to the anolyte-resistant member of the conductor/connector 61 by any means known in the art such as butt welding, resistance welding, flash welding, heliarc welding, or the like. Or, as shown in the figures, the anolyte-resistant member 33 of the conductor/connector 61 may be bonded to an anolyte-resistant concentric member 17 which is in turn bonded to the anolyteresistant surface 9 of the backplate 1.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are a side-by-side comparison of the conductor/connector of the prior art and one exemplification of the conductor/connector described herein.
  • Both the prior art conductor/ connector and the conductor/com nector described herein are shown in combination with a backplate 1 having a cathodic 5 and an anodic surface 9 separated from the cathodic member 5 by a copper washer 13.
  • a steel cathode base 45 At the cathodic end of both conductor/connectors is a steel cathode base 45.
  • an anode base 29 which is bonded to an anolyte-resistant conductor 33 and 133 in both the conductor/connector described herein and the conductor/ connector of the prior art.
  • Both the prior art conductor/connector and the conductor/connector described herein have a copper stud 65 encased in a catholyte-resistant sleeve or sheath 77 which sleeve or sheath is bonded to the catholyte-resistant member 5 of the backplate 1.
  • Both the prior art conductor/ connector and the conductor/connector described herein are bonded to the anolyte-resistant member 9 of the backplate 1. As shown in FIG.
  • this may be accomplished by bonding the anolyte-resistant member 33 of the conductor/connector 61 to an anolyte-resistant concentric member 17 such as titanium washer, which concentric member 17 is then bonded to the anolyte-resistant surface of the backplate.
  • anolyte-resistant concentric member 17 such as titanium washer
  • the anolyteresistant member 134 is an anolyte-resistant nut which is bolted to a threaded copper stud 65. It has been found that in order to obtain satisfactory conductivity, the anolyte-resistant titanium nut 134, afer being bolted to the copper stud, must be silver welded thereto.
  • the anolyte-resistant nut cap 133 is titanium welded or otherwise suitably bonded to the titanium nut 134.
  • the copper stud 65 is welded to the cathoylte-resistant sleeve 77 and the catholyte-resistant sleeve 77 is silver welded 173 to the catholyte-resistant member 45.
  • FIG. 4B The exemplification of the conductor/connector described herein is shown in FIG. 4B.
  • the anolyte-resistant conductors 33 and copper studs 65 have an interface 69 therebetween. This interface is the site of the friction weld.
  • This interface 73 may be provided by conventional welding techniques, or by friction welding. In a preferred exemplification of this invention, the bond at the interface 73 between the copper stud 65 and the catholyte-resistant member 45 is provided by a friction welding.
  • a friction welded copper-titanium typically has a resistance of from about 28 10 ohm to about 30 1-0- ohm when tested by applying probes 0.5 inch on either side of the joint on a 0.75 inch diameter piece.
  • high conductivity welds of copper to titanium are provided by welding techniques characterized by the substantial absence of either a flux or of a molten metal phase during welding.
  • Such techniques include friction welding, ultrasonic welding and detonation welding.
  • Friction welding also known as inertial welding, is particularly satisfactory for providing a high conductivity copper-titanium joint.
  • the copper-titanium joint is characterized by a high degree of reproducibility of the electrical conductivity from weld to weld, and requires a lower degree of quality control than copper-titanium bonding techniques of the prior art. Friction welding makes use of the frictional heat generated at the forging surfaces of two workpieces, when the two workpieces are revolved relative to one anotherand then pressed against one another.
  • the speed of revolution and the imposed pressure are such as to evolve suflicient heat to raise the temperature of the two workpieces above the extrusion or softening temperature of the workpeices, thereby plasticizing the butting areas or forging surfaces, but below the melting temperatures of the workpieces, thereby avoiding the formation of a liquid phase.
  • the rotational force, or torque is halted and the imposed pressure increased to form a'joint.
  • the friction-welded joint is characterized by the existence of a collar of extruded metal around the joint. Additionally, the completed workpiece is characterized in that its length is less than the sum of the original length of the two workpieces. This diminution in length, which occurs during the formation of the collar is called the upset.
  • Friction welding for example of copper to titanium, or of steel to copper, is a three-stage process. Each stage is characterized by a distinctive torque, feed pattern, and temperature pattern.
  • the first stage of friction welding is evidence by a low torque and increasing temperature.
  • the onset of the second stage is evidenced by a trend of unevenly increasing torque and increasing temperature.
  • the torque reaches a maximum.
  • the third stage is evidenced by upset as the collar forms around the weld.
  • the first stage is reported in the literature as being characterized by the collision and erosion of high spots, the rupturing of oxide films such as the TiO,, film, and metal to metal contact as the rotating bodies are subjected to dry friction.
  • the second stage a stage of unevenly increasing torque, is reported as being characterized by seizure, i.e., the formation of metal to metal bonds, and shear, i.e., the breaking of these metal to metal bonds.
  • seizure or making of the metal to metal bonds transforms the kinetic energy into chemical energy (heat of formation), while the shear or breaking of the bonds transforms the chemical energy into sensible heat, which in turn heats the workpieces.
  • the second stage is a stage of increasing temperature of the forging surfaces.
  • the third stage characterized by upset and the formation of the collar, is described in the literature as occurring when the temperature is high enough that the compressive strength becomes less than the imposed shear.
  • the temperature of the workpieces is below the melting temperature of the lower melting of the two workpieces, but above their extrusion or softening temperatures.
  • the actual welding of the titanium and copper occurs.
  • a large upset e.g., from about 0.050 inch to about 0.100 inch is preferred.
  • the duration of the third stage is reported in the literature as being essentially independent of the rotational velocity, the quality of the weld is reported to be a function of the rotational velocity during the third stage. Too low a rotational velocity may result in a weld at the periphery only and not at the center of the surfaces to be welded. This is because frictional welding starts at the perimeter of the surfaces to be friction welded and works toward the center. A complete weld, through to the center, requires a high rotational velocity.
  • FIG. shows a schematic flow chart for a method for preparing a backplate according to the method of this invention.
  • a copper stud 65 is friction welded to a titanium member 33 as described hereinbefore.
  • a catholyte-resistance member 45 such as a steel cap or stud is bonded to the opposite surface of the copper stud. This may be either by conventional copper-iron welding techniques, or alternatively, by friction welding.
  • the catholyte-resistant sleeve or sheath 77 is slid over the copper and titanium stud and bonded to the catholyte-resistant member, e.g. a steel cap 45. This may be by friction welding or by conventional steel welding techniques.
  • the conductor/connector 61 a copper stud 65 with a steel cap 45 and sheath 77 bonded to one end thereof, and a titanium stud 33 friction welded to the other end thereof, is inserted in the steel member 5 of the backplate 1, with the catholyte-resistant cap 45 and sleeve 77 protruding through the cathodic surface 5 of the backplate.
  • the sleeve 77 is welded to the backplate 1, for example, with a weld of the type shown in FIG. 3 herein above.
  • a fitting 13 such as acopper washer is then placed around the conductor/connector on the opposite side thereof in contact with the opposite surface of the cathodic member of the backplate 1.
  • the anolyte-resistant member 9 of the back plate 1 is placed on the catholyte-resistant member 5 of the backplate with the conductor/connector 61 protruding through an opening in the anolyte-resistant member 9 of the backplate 1. Thereafter, an anolyteresistant fitting such as a titanium washer 17 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is welded to the titanium stud thereby holding the anolyte-resistant 9 and the catholyte-resistant 5 members of the backplate 1 in compression.
  • an anolyteresistant fitting such as a titanium washer 17 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is welded to the titanium stud thereby holding the anolyte-resistant 9 and the catholyte-resistant 5 members of the backplate 1 in compression.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates one order of assemblying the conductor/connector
  • the sheath or sleeve 77 and the copper stud 65 may be friction welded to the catholyteresistant member 45 simultaneously.
  • the anolyte-resistant member 33 may be friction welded to the copper stud 65 either before or after the sheath or sleeve 77 and catholyte-resistant member 45 have been welded to the copper stud 65.
  • the steel sheath or sleeve 77 may be welded to either the cathodefacing surface of the catholyte-resistant member, or to the anolyte-facing surface of the catholyte-resistant member, or to both surfaces. Additionally, the sheath or sleeve 77 may extend the full depth of the catholyteresistant member or only to the cathodefacing surface of the catholyte-resistant member, or to an intermediate length therein.
  • the sheath 77 of the conductor/connector 61 may be welded directly to the catholyte-resistant member of the backplate 1, or alternatively, it may be welded or bonded to a washer-type fitting, which is in turn welded or suitably bonded to the catholyte-resistant member of the backplate.
  • the washer or spacer between the catholyte-resistant member of the backplate 5 and the anolyte-resistant member 9 may be dispensed with, and the two members 5 and 9 of the backplate 1 may be in direct physical contact with each other.
  • the backplate may be a bonded steel-titanium backplate fabricated from Detaclad (trademark) as described in US. Pat. 3,137,937 to Cowan et al. In such a case, the sleeve or sheath 77 would only extend a fraction of the depth of the backplate.
  • the anolyte-resistant member 33 of the conductor/connector 61 may be bonded directly to the anolyte-resistant member of the backplate 9 or it may be bonded to an anolyte-resistant fitting 17 which is in turn bonded to the anolyte-resistant member 9 of the backplate 1.
  • the anodes may be bonded directly to the anolyte-resistant member 33 of the conductor/connector, or there may be an intermediate member therebetween, such as an anode bar or anode base member.
  • the cathodes 37 may be bonded to the cathode bars, resistant member 33 of the conductor/connector 61, or the cathode 37 may be bonded to the cathode bars, cathode connectors, cathode bases or the like, which are in turn bonded to the catholyte-resistant member of the conductor/connector of this invention.
  • quality control may be exercized by measuring the voltage drop.
  • the voltage drop should be less than 25 millivolts.
  • Friction welded conductor/connectors of two dissimilar metals e.g., titanium and copper, may be used in any bi polar electrolytic cell having dissimilar electrolytes separated by a diaphragm or membrane wherein a high conductivity between two dissimilar metals is necessary.
  • the conductor/connector of this invention may be used in bipolar fuel cells having a membrane separating the anodic compartment from the cathodic compartment of one cell and requiring a conductor having anolyte-resistant and catholyte-resistant faces for connecting one set of electrodes of opposite polarities in the next adjacent cell through a common backplate.
  • Friction welded conductor/connectors may also be used in bipolar electrolytic cells, generally, such as electrolytic cells for the production of sodium chlorate.
  • a pilot plant bipolar diaphragm electrolyzer containing two bipolar backplates is constructed to test the effects of different types of conductor/connectors.
  • Each individual diaphragm cell has a backplate which is a 1.00 inch thick Type A36 steel plate functioning as a cathodic member and a 0.040 inch thick titanium sheet functioning as an anodic surface.
  • the cathodic member is separated from the anodic member of the backplate a hi inch thick copper washer between the titanium member and steel member.
  • the anodes are expanded mesh A.S.T.M. B265 Grade One titanium having a platinum-iridium surface thereon.
  • the cathodes are A.I.S.I.
  • the cathodes have identical asbestos diaphragms pulled from Johns-Manville type 3T-4T absestos aged in a cell liquor solution.
  • the conductor/connectors are of the type shown as representative of the prior art on the left-hand side of FIG. 4, having a 3.8225 inch long by 0.75 inch diameter coper conductor threaded at the anode end thereof.
  • the conductor/connector has a steel sleeve on the cathode end and a inch thick by 1.0 inch wide by 6 inch long steel bar silver-welded to the open end of the sleeve.
  • Another backplate for an electrolytic cell is prepared having friction welded conductor/connectors between the cathode of one cell and the anode of the next adjacent cell.
  • the conductor/connectors have a 0.5 inch diameter by 3.4375 inch long copper stud friction welded to a 0.8 inch diameter by 0.375 inch long A.S.T.M. B265, Grade One titanium cap.
  • the friction welding of the titanium to the copper is conducted at a rotational velocity of 2500 revolutions per minute and a forge pressure of 10,000 pounds per square inch. An upset of about 0.075 inch is obtained.
  • a Type A36 steel bar inch thick by 1% inches wide by 6 inches long is friction-welded to the opposite surface of the copper rod. Thereafter, a steel sleeve is friction welded to the steel bar providing a catholyteresistant surface around the copper member of the conductor/connector. This procedure is followed with all of the conductor/connectors. The voltage drop across the friction welded conductor/connector is 14.4 millivolts at 408 amperes.
  • the conductor/connectors are then welded into openings in the backplate, a copper washer is placed on the opposite surface of the steel member of the backplate and the 0.040 inch thick titanium sheet, as described above, is placed against the steel member of the backplate.
  • a titanium washer is then placed around the titanium member of the conductor/connectors and welded thereto and to the backplate by titanium welding.
  • the anodes and cathodes are welded to the conductor/connector as described hereinabove.
  • the electrolyzer is then assembled and electrolysis is commenced with a brine feed containing about 310 grams per liter of sodium chloride being fed to the electrolytic cell.
  • a bipolar electrolyzer having a plurality of electrolytic cells in series, with cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the electrolyzer supported upon a common, electrolyte/resistant structural member, in bipolar electrical and mechanical configuration with each other, the said structural member having means for connecting said anodes and cathodes to said backplate and conducting electricity from said cathodes to said anodes, the improvement wherein said connecting and conducting means comprise:
  • an anolyte-resistant member friction welded to the opposite end of said copper member.
  • a bipolar electrolyzer having a plurality of electrolytic cells in series, with the cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the electrolyzer supported upon a common, electrolyte-resistant structural member, in bipolar electrical and mechanical configuration with each other, the said structural member having means for connecting anodes and cathodes to said backplate and conducting electricity from said cathodes to said anodes, the improvement wherein said connecting and conducting means comprises:
  • a bipolar electrolyzer having a plurality of electrolytic cells in series, with the cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the electrolyzer supported upon a common, electrolyte-resistant structural member, in bipolar electrical and mechanical configuration with each other, the said structural member having means for connecting said anodes and cathodes to said backplate and conducting electricity from said cathodes to said anodes of the said next adjacent cell, the improvement wherein said connecting and conducting means comprise:
  • a bipolar electrolyzer having a plurality of electrolytic cells in series, with the cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the electrolyzer supported upon a common, electrolyte-resistant structural member, in bipolar electrical and mechanical configuration with each other, the said structural member having means for connecting said anodes and cathodes to said backplate and conducting electricity from said cathodes to said anodes, the improvement wherein said conducting and connection means pass through said structural member and comprise:
  • an anolyte-resistant member friction welded to the opposite end of said copper member, the friction welded bond between said anolyte-resistant member and said copper member having an electrical conductivity of greater than about 1.5 X10 mho and having substantially no third phase visible at 1000 magnification between the copper member and the anolyte-resistant member.
  • a bipolar electrolyzer having a plurality of elcctrolytic cells in series,-with the cathodes of one cell and the anodes of the next adjacent cell in the electrolyzer supported upon a common, electrolyte-resistant structural member, in bipolar electrical and mechanical configuration with each other, the said structural member having means for connecting said anodes and cathodes to said backplate and conducting electricity from said cathodes to said anodes, the improvement wherein said conducting and connecting means pass through said structural member and comprise:
  • an anolyte-resistant member bonded to the opposite end of said copper member, the bond between said anolyte-resistant member and said copper member having an electrical conductivity of greater than about 1.5 X10 mho and having substantially no third phase visible at 1000 magnification between the copper member and the anolyte-resistant member.
US00309310A 1972-11-24 1972-11-24 Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor/connector means Expired - Lifetime US3813326A (en)

Priority Applications (19)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00309310A US3813326A (en) 1972-11-24 1972-11-24 Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor/connector means
ZA00737927A ZA737927B (en) 1972-11-24 1973-10-11 Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor/connector means
CA183,572A CA999253A (en) 1972-11-24 1973-10-17 Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor/connector means
AR250587A AR200412A1 (es) 1972-11-24 1973-10-18 Mejoras en un electrolizador bipolar
AU61552/73A AU478146B2 (en) 1973-10-18 Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor/connector means
NL737314411A NL151745B (nl) 1972-11-24 1973-10-19 Werkwijze voor de vervaardiging van een elektrolyseerinrichting, alsmede de aldus verkregen inrichting en werkwijze voor de vervaardiging van een bipolaire elektrode, alsmede de bipolaire elektrode verkregen volgens deze werkwijze.
IT70255/73A IT996914B (it) 1972-11-24 1973-11-06 Cella elettrolitica bipolare a diaframma avente mezzi condut tori connettori saldati ad attri to
NO4320/73A NO139006C (no) 1972-11-24 1973-11-09 Bipolar elektrolytisk diafragmacelle med friksjonssveiset leder/koblingsstykke
IL43611A IL43611A (en) 1972-11-24 1973-11-09 Bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell
DE2357550A DE2357550B2 (de) 1972-11-24 1973-11-17 Bipolare Elektrolysiervorrichtung
ES420750A ES420750A1 (es) 1972-11-24 1973-11-22 Perfeccionamientos introducidos en un electrolizador bipo- lar.
FR7341634A FR2207760B1 (xx) 1972-11-24 1973-11-22
BR9135/73A BR7309135D0 (pt) 1972-11-24 1973-11-22 Eletrolizador bipolar e processo de eletrolise de salmour
JP13209373A JPS5738674B2 (xx) 1972-11-24 1973-11-22
ES420751A ES420751A1 (es) 1972-11-24 1973-11-22 Perfeccionamientos introducidos en un electrolizador y en un metodo para hacerle funcionar.
SE7315849A SE393999B (sv) 1972-11-24 1973-11-22 Bipoler elektrolysor
BE138080A BE807708A (fr) 1972-11-24 1973-11-23 Cellule electrolytique bipolaire a diaphragme equipee de conducteurs-connecteurs soudes par friction
GB5475673A GB1440483A (en) 1972-11-24 1973-11-26 Bipolar electrolytic cell
US430977A US3900384A (en) 1972-11-24 1974-01-04 Method of assembling a bipolar electrode having friction welded conductor/connector means and bipolar electrode formed thereby

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US (1) US3813326A (xx)
JP (1) JPS5738674B2 (xx)
AR (1) AR200412A1 (xx)
BE (1) BE807708A (xx)
BR (1) BR7309135D0 (xx)
CA (1) CA999253A (xx)
DE (1) DE2357550B2 (xx)
ES (2) ES420750A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR2207760B1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1440483A (xx)
IL (1) IL43611A (xx)
IT (1) IT996914B (xx)
NL (1) NL151745B (xx)
NO (1) NO139006C (xx)
SE (1) SE393999B (xx)
ZA (1) ZA737927B (xx)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3945909A (en) * 1973-03-28 1976-03-23 Solvay & Cie Bipolar electrodes and electrolytic cell therewith
US3988220A (en) * 1974-01-04 1976-10-26 Ppg Industries, Inc. Process for electrolyzing brine in a bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor connector means
US4036727A (en) * 1974-11-11 1977-07-19 Ppg Industries, Inc. Electrode unit
US4059216A (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-11-22 Diamond Shamrock Corporation Metal laminate strip construction of bipolar electrode backplates
US4060475A (en) * 1975-03-06 1977-11-29 Rhone-Poulenc Industries Electrolytic cell suitable for producing alkali metal chlorates
US4085027A (en) * 1975-01-29 1978-04-18 Kerr-Mcgee Chemical Corporation Hybrid bipolar electrode
US4116807A (en) * 1977-01-21 1978-09-26 Diamond Shamrock Corporation Explosion bonding of bipolar electrode backplates
US4136004A (en) * 1975-07-15 1979-01-23 Kamarian Georgy M Solid electrode electrolyzer for electrolysis of aqueous solutions
US4279731A (en) * 1979-11-29 1981-07-21 Oronzio Denora Impianti Elettrichimici S.P.A. Novel electrolyzer
US4339323A (en) * 1980-09-18 1982-07-13 Ppg Industries, Inc. Bipolar electrolyzer element
DE3342449A1 (de) * 1983-11-24 1985-06-05 Uhde Gmbh, 4600 Dortmund Elektrolytische zelle fuer die elektrolyse von waessrigem halogenidhaltigem elektrolyt

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5739183A (en) * 1980-08-16 1982-03-04 Kanegafuchi Chem Ind Co Ltd Novel vertical diaphragm type electrolytic tank
DE4419459A1 (de) * 1994-06-06 1995-12-07 Heraeus Elektrochemie Verfahren zur Verbindung zwischen einer Elektrode für elektrolytische Zwecke und einem Stromzuführungsbolzen und Verbindungsanordnung

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE790209A (en) * 1971-10-19 1973-02-15 Oronzio De Nora Impianti Diaphragm electrolytic cell - with permeable anodes and cathodes having valve ie semiconductor props

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3945909A (en) * 1973-03-28 1976-03-23 Solvay & Cie Bipolar electrodes and electrolytic cell therewith
US3988220A (en) * 1974-01-04 1976-10-26 Ppg Industries, Inc. Process for electrolyzing brine in a bipolar electrolytic diaphragm cell having friction welded conductor connector means
US4036727A (en) * 1974-11-11 1977-07-19 Ppg Industries, Inc. Electrode unit
US4085027A (en) * 1975-01-29 1978-04-18 Kerr-Mcgee Chemical Corporation Hybrid bipolar electrode
US4060475A (en) * 1975-03-06 1977-11-29 Rhone-Poulenc Industries Electrolytic cell suitable for producing alkali metal chlorates
US4136004A (en) * 1975-07-15 1979-01-23 Kamarian Georgy M Solid electrode electrolyzer for electrolysis of aqueous solutions
US4059216A (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-11-22 Diamond Shamrock Corporation Metal laminate strip construction of bipolar electrode backplates
US4138324A (en) * 1975-12-15 1979-02-06 Diamond Shamrock Corporation Metal laminate strip construction of bipolar electrode backplates
US4116807A (en) * 1977-01-21 1978-09-26 Diamond Shamrock Corporation Explosion bonding of bipolar electrode backplates
US4279731A (en) * 1979-11-29 1981-07-21 Oronzio Denora Impianti Elettrichimici S.P.A. Novel electrolyzer
US4339323A (en) * 1980-09-18 1982-07-13 Ppg Industries, Inc. Bipolar electrolyzer element
DE3342449A1 (de) * 1983-11-24 1985-06-05 Uhde Gmbh, 4600 Dortmund Elektrolytische zelle fuer die elektrolyse von waessrigem halogenidhaltigem elektrolyt

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2207760B1 (xx) 1976-12-03
IT996914B (it) 1975-12-10
IL43611A (en) 1976-08-31
ES420750A1 (es) 1976-04-01
BR7309135D0 (pt) 1974-08-29
FR2207760A1 (xx) 1974-06-21
ES420751A1 (es) 1976-07-16
IL43611A0 (en) 1974-03-14
JPS4982585A (xx) 1974-08-08
NO139006C (no) 1978-12-20
BE807708A (fr) 1974-05-24
AR200412A1 (es) 1974-11-08
NL7314411A (xx) 1974-05-28
ZA737927B (en) 1975-05-28
SE393999B (sv) 1977-05-31
NO139006B (no) 1978-09-11
DE2357550B2 (de) 1980-05-22
JPS5738674B2 (xx) 1982-08-17
NL151745B (nl) 1976-12-15
CA999253A (en) 1976-11-02
AU6155273A (en) 1975-04-24
GB1440483A (en) 1976-06-23
DE2357550A1 (de) 1974-06-12

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