Diaphragm process electrolytic cell

A chloro-alkali electrolytic cell which operates at a current density of 40 to 60 amperes per square decimeter, comprising anode and cathode compartments with a metal anode and a metal cathode opposing each other and a diaphragm therebetween, the distance between said anode and said cathode being at most 12 mm, said anode being a metal plate having holes or slots, said cathode being a rough metal wire net or plate having holes or slots, said diaphragm having a thickness of 1 mm to 10 mm, being permeable to brine and being made of a non-conductive adsorbing layer, said adsorbing layer being made of a mixture of asbestos fibers and from 10 to 30 percent by weight of carbon fibers, said carbon fibers having a diameter of approximately 7 to 10.mu., a first net having a mesh size of 10 to 32 Tyler, said adsorbing layer being formed by adhering said mixture on said first net by suction, and a second net pressed against said diaphragm, said diaphragm being disposed between said cathode and said anode so that said first net contacts the active face of said cathode at discrete points and said second net faces or contacts the active face of said anode.