Fluorine cell
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsGerald L. Bauer, William Ves Childs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell for the production of fluorine includes an anode having a carbon portion partially or fully impregnated with a polymeric material and a conductive centrally disposed internal channel that permits the anode to be run at high current with uniform current densities without undue resistance heating.
Claims20
An electrochemical cell for the production of fluorine, comprising:
- (1) a cell housing;
- (2) a KF.multidot.2HF electrolyte;
- (3) a cathode, in contact with the electrolyte, at which hydrogen gas is generated;
- (4) an anode assembly comprising:
- (a) a carbon anode, in contact with the electrolyte, at which fluorine gas is generated;
- (b) an internal metal conductor, positioned in a centrally located internal channel, wherein the internal metal conductor is not in contact with the electrolyte and extends from the top of the carbon anode to below the electrolyte;
- (c) an outer gas separator positioned equidistant between the anode assembly and the cathode;
- and
- (d) an anode hanger abutted to the carbon anode;
- mechanically and electrically connected to the carbon anode using a sleeve and compression means to hold the sleeve, anode hanger and carbon anode in alignment;
- (5) a means for supplying current to the cathode and the anode;
- and
- (6) means for removing the generated fluorine gas and a means for removing the generated hydrogen gas.
An anode for use in an electrochemical cell for the generation of fluorine from a KF.multidot.2HF electrolyte, the anode comprising a carbon anode partially or fully impregnated with a polymeric material, and a conductive metal located in a centrally disposed internal channel inside the carbon anode that extends from the top of the anode to at least the level of the electrolyte surface when the anode is positioned in an electrolyte in an electrochemical cell.
An electrochemical cell for the production of fluorine, comprising:
- (1) a cell housing;
- (2) KF.multidot.2HF electrolyte;
- (3) a cathode, in contact with the electrolyte, at which hydrogen gas is generated;
- (4) an anode having a carbon anode, in contact with the electrolyte, at which fluorine gas is generated;
- (5) a sleeve, compression means, and holder to mechanically support the carbon anode and electrically contact with the carbon anode;
- (6) an outer gas separator that maintains a separation in the cell, in the space above the electrolyte, between the hydrogen generated at the cathode and the fluorine generated at the anode;
- (7) an inner gas separator positioned between the upper portion of the anode assembly and the outer gas separator;
- (8) a perforated gas separator positioned at the bottom of the outer gas separator and immersed in the electrolyte;
- (9) at least one inert gas inlet between the inner gas separator and the upper portion of the anode assembly;
- (10) a fluorine gas outlet through which passes a mixture of the inert gas, the generated fluorine gas and hydrogen fluoride vapors arising from the electrolyte when the electrochemical cell is in operation;
- and
- (11) a hydrogen gas outlet through which passes the generated hydrogen gas and hydrogen fluoride vapors arising from the electrolyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.