US3883415A - Multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell for producing caustic soda - Google Patents

Multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell for producing caustic soda Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3883415A
US3883415A US419864A US41986473A US3883415A US 3883415 A US3883415 A US 3883415A US 419864 A US419864 A US 419864A US 41986473 A US41986473 A US 41986473A US 3883415 A US3883415 A US 3883415A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrolytic cell
cathode
anode plates
iron mesh
anode
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
US419864A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Hiroshi Shibata
Yasuo Yamazaki
Yoshikazu Kokubu
Isao Okazaki
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.)
Kureha Corp
Original Assignee
Kureha Corp
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 Kureha Corp filed Critical Kureha Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3883415A publication Critical patent/US3883415A/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
    • C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
    • C25B9/19—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms
    • 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
    • C25B1/46—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis in diaphragm cells

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An electrolytic cell for producing caustic soda comprising a large number of unit cells installed compactly in a cathode tank in electrically parallel connection, each of said unit cells consisting of two anode plates interwelded by at least two electroconductive supporting rods which in turn are connected to outer bus bars, an iron mesh cathode frame lined with an asbestos diaphragm surrounding the anode plates at a prescribed narrow distance, a corrosion-resistance cap mounted on the iron mesh cathode frame and a bottom dish inserted thereinto, The outer upper side walls of the anode plates are supported by setscrews to prevent the upper part of the anode plates from rocking,
  • This invention relates to an electrolytic cell of vertical diaphragm type for producing caustic soda, and more particularly to a multiple cell constructed by compactly installing a large number of vertical unit cells in a spacious cathode tank in electrically parallel connection.
  • a cathode section constructed by a large number ofintegrally combined cathode compartments each surrounded by an iron mesh electrode and diaphragm is disposed between numerous anode plates set up close to each other in a single anode tank.
  • a single and long cathode chamber passes in a zigzag fashion through the interspaces between numerous anode plates set up side by side in an anode tank.
  • the anode plate generally has such a large surface area as is defined by a height of 70 to 80 cm and a width of 100 to 200 cm, and moreover the anode and cathode members are spaced from each other at as narrow an interval as 1 cm. Therefore, it is considerably difficult to maintain said narrow interval uniformly throughout the cell.
  • the prior art multiple cells have further disadvantages that concrete or rubber lining used is not sufficiently effective to pervent the inner walls of the anode tank from being corroded by chlorine gas evolved from the anode, necessitating the frequent repair of said inner walls; anode plates, iron mesh cathode frame and diaphragm also have often to be repaired or replaced; a great deal of time and work is consumed in dismantling the integrally arranged anode and cathode members for repair and thereafter reassembling them or replacing defective or worn members of said integral assembly by fresh ones; and great difficulties are encountered in attaining a uniform space between the anode and cathode members throughout the cell, thus making it necessary to maintain the mean cell voltage of one tank at a higher level than 4.0 volts.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell admitting of quick repair.
  • an electrolytic cell in accordance with this invention which is characterized in that a large number of unit cells wherein each upright anode plate is spatially surrounded by an iron mesh cathode frame having its inside fitted with a diaphragm are detachably and compactly installed in a big cathode tank in electrically parallel connection, said iron mesh cathode frames being connected to the cathode tank.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational cross sectional view on line A-A of a unit cell shown in FlG. 2, concurrently showing the manner in which the unit cell is fitted to a big cathode tank;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic fractional perspective view of a multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell according to an embodiment of this invention with the cathode tank indicated partly in section,
  • a unit cell 1 consists of a set of two upright titanium anode plates 2 to 3 mm thick, electroplated by, for example, platinum group metal 3; an iron mesh cathode frame 4 lined with an asbestos diaphragm 5 and so disposed as to surround each set of the anode plates 2 at a fixed interval of about 6 mm; a cap 6 made of material resistant to corrosion by chlorine gas and a solution of common salt and fitted into the upper part of said cathode frame 4; and a dish 7 formed of similar corrosion resistant material and in serted into the lower part of said cathode frame 4.
  • the corrosion-resistant material may consist of, for example, rubber, polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene fluoride.
  • the peripheral portion 8 of the bottom dish 7 fully covers an iron frame 11. Pressed against the peripheral portion 8 are the lower portions of the diaphragm 5 and iron mesh cathode frame 4 by means of flanges 12, which in turn are fixed to an iron bottom plate 9 by setscrews 13, thereby causing the iron mesh cathode frame 4 to be electrically connected to a big cathode tank 10 (FIG. 2) which is properly connected to a cath ode bus bar not shown in the figure.
  • a big cathode tank 10 FIG. 2
  • the two upright anode plates 2 are interfixed by welding with at least two similarly upright titanium-clad copper rods 14 about 30 mm in diameter.
  • the lower end portion of the copper rod 14 penetrates the iron bottom plate 9, projects downward therefrom and is tightly fixed to a corresponding anode bus bar 16 by bolt-nuts assemblies 17 respectively.
  • a rubber packing tube 19 is inserted into an interstice between a penetrating hole 18 of the bottom dish 7 and iron bottom plate 9 and the outer periphery of the copper rod 14, thereby effecting insulation between the anode and cathode members and also preventing the leakage of anode liquorv
  • the outer upper side walls of the set of anode plates 2 are supported by a plurality of setscrews 20 electrically insulated and held gastight by a packing 21 so as to prevent the rocking of the upper part of the set of anode plates 2.
  • both members may be integrally formed of graphite. Since, however, the graphite material is subject to crumbling while it is molded into said assembly or during operation, a graphite anode member is not favorably accepted in a large scale industrial production of caustic soda.
  • a large number of unit cells 1 constructed as described above are arranged, as shown in FIG. 2, in the cathode tank 10 at a prescribed interval of I0 mm in electrically parallel connection.
  • the top surface of the cap 6 of the unit cell 1 is penetrated gastightly with a corrosion-resistant fluid pipe 22 through which brine or chlorine gas passes.
  • This fluid pipe 22 passes gastight through the upper lid 23 of the cathode tank to project upward therefrom so as to communicate with a main corrosion-resistant pipe 24 horizontally extending over the cathode tank 10.
  • the main pipe 24 is connected at one end to a brine supplying pipe 25.
  • an upright head pipe 26 Connected to the upper side of the main pipe 24 is an upright head pipe 26, the upper end thereof is fitted with a chlorine gas outlet pipe 27.
  • the head pipe 26 is provided with a liquid level indicator (not shown ⁇ .
  • the upper lid 23 of the cathode tank 10 is fitted with a hydrogen gas outlet pipe 28, and one side wall 29 of the cathode tank 10 is provided with a caustic soda solution outlet pipe 30 at a point substantially as high as the cap 6 of the unit cell 1.
  • Brine saturated with common salt is supplied to the main pipe 24 through the inlet pipe 25 and continuously introduced into each unit cell 1 through the fluid pipe 22.
  • the flow rate of brine is controlled by readings on the liquid level indicator.
  • the brine is electrolyzed by impressing a proper amount of voltage across the anode and cathode.
  • Chlorine gas evolved around the anode plates 2 bubbles up through the brine contained in the unit cell 1, fluid pipe 22, main pipe 24 and head pipe 26, and is discharged through the outlet pipe 27 into a chlorine gas holder (not shown).
  • an electrolytically produced caustic soda solution and hydrogen gas collected in the cathode tank are drawn off through the outlet pipes 30 and 28 into a caustic soda solution tank and hydrogen gas holder (not shown) respectively.
  • the above-mentioned electrolytic cell may be moditied into such type wherein both end faces of the iron mesh cathode frame 4 are replaced by an iron plate coated with corrosion-resistant material so as to be prevented from being used as cathode.
  • a single main pipe for conducting concurrently brine and chlorine gas may be replaced by two main pipes for conducting these materials separately.
  • the subject electrolytic cell may be further modified by reversing the vertical arrangement of the unit cells and anode bus bar from the embodiment of FIG. 1, namely. installing the anode bus bar horizontally above the cathode tank and suspend each set of anode plates therefrom through the upper lid 23. This last men tioned modification is not indicated in the appended drawings.
  • the multiple anode and multiple cathode are respectively integrated into one body, as described in the initial part of this specification. If a part of said anode and cathode assembly is damaged, then the defected body will have to be taken out ofthe anode tank to be replaced by a separately provided flowless body. This replacement consumes a great deal of time and work. Further, repair of the damaged body is accompa nied with considerable difficulties due to the compli cated form of the body. Where a spare body is disposed in the anode tank, it is very difficult to maintain a uniform interval between the iron mesh cathode frame and anode plates throughout the cell.
  • the multiple electrolytic cell of this invention has a large number of unit cells of simple construction separately placed in the cathode tank. Where, therefore, any of the unit cell is damaged, it is only required to open the cathode tank and remove the damaged cell alone for replacement by a spare one, thus quickly finishing reassembly.
  • the anode plate and iron mesh cathode frame can be easily kept apart at a fixed interval, minimizing time and work required for repair of the cell. Reliable main tenance of a prescribed narrow space between the anode and cathode members enables an aqueous solution of caustic soda to be electrolytically produced at a prescribed concentration more efficiently with lower cell voltage than in the prior art multiple cell.
  • the caustic soda solution outlet pipe 30 should be fitted to the side wall 29 of the cathode tank 10 at such a point as causes the liquid level therein to be maintained substantially as high as the top of the unit cell in normal operation. It is also necessary that the unit cell be always fully filled with brine, and the level of the brine be kept within the head pipe 26.
  • the head difference between the cathode and anode liquor surfaces in the initial operation period was made about 30 cm, and after 6 months, said difference was raised to about cm in order to overcome the increased penetrating resistance of diaphragm.
  • a multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell for producing caustic soda comprising:
  • each of said unit cells including two anode plates intertixed by welding with at least two electroconductive supporting rods which in turn are connected to outer bus bars respectively,
  • said supporting means including a plurality of setscrews electrically insulated and held gas tight by a packing so as to prevent the rocking of the upper part of said anode plates.
  • each unit cell has a corrosion-resistant pipe for brine and chlorine gas connected to the top of the cap mounted on the iron mesh cathode frame and also to a main pipe horizontally extending over the cathode tank, said main pipe being connected at one end to a brine supplying pipe and on the top side to an upright head pipe fitted with an outlet pipe for chlorine gas.
  • each unit cell has two fluid pipes made of corrosionresistant material and connected to the top of the cap mounted on the iron mesh cathode frame, one of said fluid pipes being used for drawing off the chlorine gas evolved around the anode plates and connected to one main pipe for chlorine gas, and the other for supplying brine to the cell connected to another main pipe for brine. both main pipes horizontally extending over the cathode tank.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
US419864A 1972-12-04 1973-11-28 Multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell for producing caustic soda Expired - Lifetime US3883415A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP47120718A JPS5210436B2 (sv) 1972-12-04 1972-12-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3883415A true US3883415A (en) 1975-05-13

Family

ID=14793268

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US419864A Expired - Lifetime US3883415A (en) 1972-12-04 1973-11-28 Multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell for producing caustic soda

Country Status (14)

Country Link
US (1) US3883415A (sv)
JP (1) JPS5210436B2 (sv)
BE (1) BE808188A (sv)
CA (1) CA1012090A (sv)
CS (1) CS182240B2 (sv)
DK (1) DK143290C (sv)
ES (1) ES420941A1 (sv)
FI (1) FI54332C (sv)
FR (1) FR2208719B1 (sv)
GB (1) GB1406969A (sv)
IN (1) IN140415B (sv)
NL (1) NL155890B (sv)
NO (1) NO138151C (sv)
SE (1) SE401841B (sv)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4017376A (en) * 1974-10-02 1977-04-12 Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corporation Electrolytic cell
US4045322A (en) * 1976-03-29 1977-08-30 Olin Corporation Connection means for anode posts in diaphragm cells
US4051008A (en) * 1976-03-31 1977-09-27 Olin Corporation Flanged connection means for anode posts in electrolytic diaphragm cells
US4268373A (en) * 1977-12-26 1981-05-19 Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Method and apparatus for installation of a membrane to an electrolytic cell
US4271004A (en) * 1979-07-11 1981-06-02 Ppg Industries, Inc. Synthetic separator electrolytic cell
US5306410A (en) * 1992-12-04 1994-04-26 Farmer Thomas E Method and device for electrically coupling a conductor to the metal surface of an electrolytic cell wall
US20040108203A1 (en) * 2002-12-10 2004-06-10 Sullivan John T. Apparatus for converting a fluid into at least two gasses through electrolysis

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5254683A (en) * 1975-10-31 1977-05-04 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Diaphragm porcess cell
GB1582593A (en) * 1977-04-13 1981-01-14 Ici Ltd Diaphragm cells
JPS5528164A (en) * 1978-08-18 1980-02-28 Tokico Ltd Pressure control unit

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1172932A (en) * 1914-10-22 1916-02-22 Davis Bournonville Co Electrolytic cell.
US1355116A (en) * 1918-02-05 1920-10-12 Electron Chemical Company Electrolytic cell
US1485473A (en) * 1922-03-14 1924-03-04 Electron Chemical Company Electrolytic cell

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1172932A (en) * 1914-10-22 1916-02-22 Davis Bournonville Co Electrolytic cell.
US1355116A (en) * 1918-02-05 1920-10-12 Electron Chemical Company Electrolytic cell
US1485473A (en) * 1922-03-14 1924-03-04 Electron Chemical Company Electrolytic cell

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4017376A (en) * 1974-10-02 1977-04-12 Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corporation Electrolytic cell
US4045322A (en) * 1976-03-29 1977-08-30 Olin Corporation Connection means for anode posts in diaphragm cells
US4051008A (en) * 1976-03-31 1977-09-27 Olin Corporation Flanged connection means for anode posts in electrolytic diaphragm cells
US4268373A (en) * 1977-12-26 1981-05-19 Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Method and apparatus for installation of a membrane to an electrolytic cell
US4521289A (en) * 1977-12-26 1985-06-04 Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Method and apparatus for installation of a membrane to an electrolytic cell
US4271004A (en) * 1979-07-11 1981-06-02 Ppg Industries, Inc. Synthetic separator electrolytic cell
US5306410A (en) * 1992-12-04 1994-04-26 Farmer Thomas E Method and device for electrically coupling a conductor to the metal surface of an electrolytic cell wall
US5403449A (en) * 1992-12-04 1995-04-04 Farmer; Thomas E. Methods and apparatus for electrically coupling electrical conductors with a conductive alloy having a low melting point
US20040108203A1 (en) * 2002-12-10 2004-06-10 Sullivan John T. Apparatus for converting a fluid into at least two gasses through electrolysis
US6890410B2 (en) * 2002-12-10 2005-05-10 John T. Sullivan Apparatus for converting a fluid into at least two gasses through electrolysis

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL155890B (nl) 1978-02-15
SE401841B (sv) 1978-05-29
JPS4978699A (sv) 1974-07-29
NO138151B (no) 1978-04-03
ES420941A1 (es) 1976-05-01
IN140415B (sv) 1976-11-06
JPS5210436B2 (sv) 1977-03-24
GB1406969A (en) 1975-09-17
FR2208719A1 (sv) 1974-06-28
AU6292473A (en) 1975-05-29
CA1012090A (en) 1977-06-14
DK143290B (da) 1981-08-03
FI54332C (fi) 1978-11-10
NL7316498A (sv) 1974-06-06
DE2360448B2 (de) 1976-08-26
DE2360448A1 (de) 1974-06-20
NO138151C (no) 1978-07-12
FR2208719B1 (sv) 1978-11-10
FI54332B (fi) 1978-07-31
DK143290C (da) 1981-12-07
BE808188A (fr) 1974-03-29
CS182240B2 (en) 1978-04-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4032426A (en) Electrolysis cells
RU2101392C1 (ru) Электролизер для получения алюминия электролизом, анодный блок электролизера, способ переналадки электролизера и способ получения алюминия электролизом
US4107023A (en) Filter press halate cell
US3883415A (en) Multiple vertical diaphragm type electrolytic cell for producing caustic soda
US3791947A (en) Electrolytic cell assemblies and methods of chemical production
US3956097A (en) Titanium blankets and anode constructions for diaphragm cells
CN109423661A (zh) 高浓度微酸性电解水生成方法及装置
JP2009215578A (ja) フッ素電解装置
US4139449A (en) Electrolytic cell for producing alkali metal hypochlorites
US3732153A (en) Electrochemical apparatus and process for the manufacture of halates
US3804739A (en) Electrolytic cell including arrays of tubular anode and diaphragm covered tubular cathode members
RU2092615C1 (ru) Электрод для электрохимических процессов, электрическая ячейка, способ получения хлора и щелочи и многокамерный электролизер
CA1123376A (en) Electrolysis bath assembly
US4108756A (en) Bipolar electrode construction
US3898149A (en) Electrolytic diaphragm cell
US4130468A (en) Method of operation of an electrolysis cell with vertical anodes and cathodes
US3684670A (en) Electrolytic cell
CN112752869A (zh) 氟气制造装置
US6200435B1 (en) Ion exchange membrane electrolyzer
JPS6143437B2 (sv)
US3796648A (en) Electrolytic cell having self-aligning anodes
US4340460A (en) Internal downcomer for electrolytic recirculation
US3677927A (en) Electrolyzer
CN208136345U (zh) 一种次氯酸盐生产系统
US4622113A (en) Process for producing caustic alkalis