Cell and process for electrolyzing aqueous solutions using a porous metal separator

Abstract

Electrolysis of alkali metal chloride solutions to produce chlorine and alkali metal hydroxides is accomplished in a cell comprising an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, a cation permeable divider separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment, where the anode compartment contains a porous metal separator. The porous metal separator is comprised of a porous plate of, for example, a valve metal having a porosity of from about 30 to about 75 percent and an air flow value of from about 0.1 to about 60 CFM. The anode separator is positioned in the anode compartment so it is spaced apart from the cation permeable divider and from the anode. During electrolysis, an alkaline brine zone is formed between the porous metal separator and the cation permeable divider which increases the service life of the cation permeable divider. In addition, the porous metal separator provides improved chlorine gas separation properties.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.