US 4,361,471 A · Electrolytic swimming pool chlorination

Abstract

An open-cell electrolyte chlorine generator such as a type used for the chlorination of various aqueous streams including swimming pools is constructed without the use of a diaphragm or membrane isolating or partitioning the electrolyte between the anode and cathode. Instead, a gas separating plate separates the electrolyte above horizontally projecting electrodes, in order to keep the different gasses generated at the different electrodes separated as they rise to the top of the cell. Aqueous buffering reagents are added to the chloride-containing electrolyte to neutralize the hydroxide anions generated at the cathode and to optimize the evolution of chlorine gas by stabilizing the pH of the electrolyte. The chlorine and hydrogen gasses produced may be separately added to the solution which is to be treated, with an optional cooling circuit taking the pre-treated solution and passing it through the cell (in heat-exchanging tubing) prior to treatment with the gasses. Thus during much of the operation of the cell, only the desired product (chlorine gas) and the easily disposed of hydrogen gas must be removed from the cell.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An open-cell electrolytic chlorine gas generator comprising:

a housing forming a sealed container adapted to contain an electrolyte within said housing which comprises:
a chloride-containing solution, and
a buffer for the solution;
a pair of substantially planar electrodes attached to the housing and projecting into the electrolyte, said pair of electrodes are attached to and project inwardly from a side of said housing, with the surfaces of said electrodes having the largest surface area disposed in vertical planes;
a gas separating plate forming a sealed relationship to a lid of said housing and projecting downwardly into the electrolyte in a vertical plane located between and substantially parallel to the vertical planes of said pair of electrodes, to a depth directly above the electrodes;
a means for the addition of chemicals into said housing;
and
a means for conducting the gases produced within said housing, from the sealed container,
whereby when a current is passed between the electrodes, the gases produced by each electrode remain separated and may be selectively removed from the housing.

6 more elements

An open-cell electrolytic chlorine gas generator comprising:

a housing forming a sealed container adapted to contain an electrolyte within said housing which comprises:
a chloride-containing solution, and
a buffer for the solution;
a pair of substantially planar electrodes attached to the housing and projecting into the electrolyte;
a gas separating plate forming a sealed relationship to a lid of said housing and projecting downwardly into the electrolyte in a vertical plane located between said pair of electrodes, to a depth directly above the electrodes;
a means for the addition of chemicals into said housing;
and
a means for conducting the gases produced within said housing, from the sealed container which comprises:
a first and second length of tubing, the first length of tubing attached to the lid of said housing on one side of the gas separating plate, the second length of tubing attached to the lid of said housing on the other side of the gas separating plate, and both lengths equipped with check valves which only permit the flow of gas from the sealed container, said first length of tubing is attached to the lid on the side of the gas separating plate containing the anode electrode;
and
an injector attached to said tubing, which comprises:
a length of piping;
a solution inlet in said piping to receive the solution to be chlorinated;
a chlorine gas inlet in said piping to receive the first length of tubing from the housing;
and
an outlet located downstream of said inlets for the return of the chlorinated solution,
whereby when a current is passed between the electrodes, the gases produced by each electrode remain separated and may be selectively removed from the housing.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrolytic swimming pool chlorination

Life of this patent

Electrolytic swimming pool chlorination

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21