Apparatus for decomposing alkali metal amalgams

In an apparatus for decomposing amalgams of alkali metals, said apparatus having a tower with vertical wall means and a reaction body with perforated vertical means, and means for passing the amalgam and water through the tower and in contact with the reaction body therein, the improvement which comprises means providing an interstice for escape of hydrogen gas between the perforated vertical wall means of the reaction body and vertical wall means of the tower, and wherein the reaction body is of substantially uniform horizontal cross-section, said perforated vertical wall means are made of a metal chosen from the group consisting of steel, nickel and an iron-nickel alloy, and horizontally spaced perforated sheets in excess of two made of a metal chosen from the group consisting of steel, nickel and an iron-nickel alloy, said horizontal sheets being supported by said perforated vertical wall means and packings of particulate bodies between these perforated sheets, said particulate bodies being made of material chosen from the group consisting of graphite and titanium carbide and having the form of pellets, balls, chips and the like, whose diameter is 3-20 mm.