Electrolyte circulation in an electrolytic cell
AssigneeOlin Corporation
InventorMorton S. Kircher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a filter press membrane chloralkali electrolytic cell there is provided an improved external electrolyte recirculation system wherein the salt brine and deionized water replenisher feed lines are inserted individually within the electrolyte return conduits from each external gas-liquid disengager to thereby introduce feed electrolyte into a reservoir of electrolyte fluid which is in low resistance contact with the electrodes.
Claims16
In a filter press membrane chloralkali electrolytic cell containing electrolyte fluid connectable to a source of electrical energy utilized to energize the electrolytic reaction therein, the combination comprising:
- (a) frame means to support the cell;
- (b) a plurality of planar cathodes supported by the frame means, each cathode further having two opposing surfaces, a top and a bottom;
- (c) a plurality of planar anodes supported by the frame means, each anode being sandwiched between a pair of cathodes and having two opposing surfaces, a top and a bottom;
- (d) a plurality of planar hydraulically impermeable ion-selective membranes positioned between each anode and cathodes to control the flow of ions and fluid thereacross;
- (e) a catholyte disengager external to each cathode and in fluid flow communication therewith at least partially supported by the frame means for the separation of gas from the catholyte fluid contained therein;
- (f) an anolyte disengager external to each anode and in fluid flow communication therewith at least partially supported by the frame means for the separation of gas from the electrolyte fluid contained therein;
- (g) an anolyte return conduit of predetermined length external of the anodes in fluid flow communication with the anolyte disengager and the individual anodes, the anolyte return conduit having a first predetermined cross-sectional area through which electrolyte fluid flows to recirculate electrolyte from the anolyte disengager to the anodes;
- (h) a catholyte return conduit of predetermined length external of the cathodes in fluid flow communication with the catholyte disengager, the catholyte return conduit having a second predetermined cross-sectional area through which catholyte fluid flows to recirculate fluids from the catholyte disengager to the cathodes;
- (i) anolyte outlet means having a first portion joined at a junction with a second portion, the first portion extending from the anolyte disengager into the anolyte return conduit a first predetermined distance and the second portion exiting the anolyte disengager;
- and
- (j) feed means for replenishing electrolyte fluid connected to the anolyte return conduit and external to the anolyte disengager to provide a flow of fresh electrolyte to the cell, the means extending a second predetermined distance greater than the first predetermined distance into the anolyte return conduit and having a third predetermined cross-sectional area substantially less than the first predetermined cross-sectional area such that the outlet of the flow of fresh electrolyte is into the flow of recirculated electrolyte within the anolyte return conduit to effect thorough mixing of the fluids prior to entering each anode and to decrease the leakage of electrical energy therethrough.
In a filter press membrane cell for the production of chlorine and hydrogen gas and a caustic having a plurality of anodes of predetermined height with a top and a bottom connected to an electrical power source, an external anolyte disengager in fluid flow communication with each anode via an anolyte return conduit having a first predetermined cross-sectional area utilized to recirculate electrolyte from the disengager to a location adjacent the bottom of each anode, electrolyte feed replenisher means connected to the anolyte return conduit and each anode, the improvement comprising:
- an improved electrolyte recirculation system wherein the electrolyte feed replenisher means is connected to the anolyte return conduit external of the anolyte disengager, the anolyte return conduit being external of the anodes and in fluid flow communication with each anode via an anode feed pipe extending into the bottom of each anode, the electrolyte feed replenisher means further extending a first predetermined distance into the anolyte return conduit and having a second predetermined cross-sectional area such that the outlet flow of replenishing electrolyte is into the flow of recirculated electrolyte within the anolyte return conduit to effect thorough mixing of the fluids prior to entering the anode and to decrease the leakage of electrical current therethrough.
In a filter press membrane cell for the production of chlorine and hydrogen gas and a caustic having a plurality of anodes of predetermined height with a top and a bottom connected to an electrical power source, an external anolyte disengager in fluid flow communication with each anode via an anolyte return conduit having a first predetermined cross-sectional area utilized to recirculate electrolyte from the disengager to a location adjacent the bottom of each anode, an improved electrolyte recirculation system comprising in combination:
- (a) the anolyte return conduit being external of the anolyte disengager and the anodes connected to the electrolyte feed replenisher means;
- (b) an anolyte manifold positioned beneath the bottom of the cell and in fluid flow communication with each anode via a plurality of anode feed pipes that extend up into the bottom of each anode a predetermined distance;
- and
- (c) electrolyte feed replenisher means connected to the anolyte return conduit extending a first predetermined distance into the anolyte return conduit and having a second predetermined cross-sectional area such that the outlet flow of replenishing electrolyte is into the flow of recirculated electrolyte within the anolyte return conduit to effect thorough mixing of the fluids in the anolyte return conduit and the anolyte manifold prior to entering each anode.
In a filter press membrane cell for the production of chlorine and hydrogen gas and a caustic having a plurality of cathodes of predetermined height with a top and a bottom connected to an electrical power source, an external catholyte disengager in fluid flow communication with each cathode via a catholyte return conduit having a first predetermined cross-sectional area utilized to recirculate electrolyte from the disengager to a location adjacent the bottom of each cathode, an improved electrolyte recirculation system comprising in combination:
- (a) the catholyte return conduit being external of the catholyte disengager and the cathodes connected to the electrolyte feed replenisher means;
- (b) a catholyte manifold positioned beneath the bottom of the cell and in fluid flow communication with each cathode via a plurality of cathode feed pipes that extend up into the bottom of each cathode a predetermined distance;
- and
- (c) electrolyte feed replenisher means connected to the the catholyte return conduit extending a first predetermined distance into the catholyte return conduit and having a second predetermined cross-sectional area such that the outlet flow of replenishing electrolyte is into the flow of recirculated electrolyte within the catholyte return conduit to effect thorough mixing of the fluids in the catholyte return conduit and the catholyte manifold prior to entering each cathode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.