Electrolytic cell

An electrolytic cell positioned in a vertical mode and comprising a plurality of anodes each having an active anode area and a plurality of cathodes each having an active cathode area, and a substantially hydraulically impermeable cation-exchange membrane and a gasket of an electrically insulating material positioned between each adjacent anode and cathode to form in the cell a plurality of separate anode and cathode compartments, characterised in that either

• (a) the cation-exchange membrane is in contact with the anode at least around the periphery of the anode, is positioned on both sides of the anode, and is in the form of a film draped over the top of the anode, and in that the gasket is positioned between the membrane and the cathode and abuts onto that part of the membrane which is in contact with the periphery of the anode, or
• (b) the cation-exchange membrane is in contact with the cathode at least around the periphery of the cathode, is positioned on both sides of the cathode, and is in the form of a film draped over the top of the cathode, and in that the gasket is positioned between the membrane and the anode and abuts onto that part of the membrane which is in contact with the periphery of the cathode.