CA1171817A - Electrode structure for electrolyser cells - Google Patents

Electrode structure for electrolyser cells

Info

Publication number
CA1171817A
CA1171817A CA000393106A CA393106A CA1171817A CA 1171817 A CA1171817 A CA 1171817A CA 000393106 A CA000393106 A CA 000393106A CA 393106 A CA393106 A CA 393106A CA 1171817 A CA1171817 A CA 1171817A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
electrode
current
collector
high points
electrode structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000393106A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
H. John Davis
Rodney L. Leroy
Christopher T. Bowen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolyser Corp Ltd
Noranda Inc
Original Assignee
Electrolyser Corp Ltd
Noranda Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolyser Corp Ltd , Noranda Inc filed Critical Electrolyser Corp Ltd
Priority to CA000393106A priority Critical patent/CA1171817A/en
Priority to DE8282306578T priority patent/DE3277587D1/en
Priority to EP82306578A priority patent/EP0082643B1/en
Priority to JP57225764A priority patent/JPS608310B2/en
Priority to BR8207435A priority patent/BR8207435A/en
Priority to ZA829414A priority patent/ZA829414B/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1171817A publication Critical patent/CA1171817A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25BELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B11/00Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
    • C25B11/02Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form
    • C25B11/03Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form perforated or foraminous
    • C25B11/031Porous electrodes

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
An electrode structure for electrolytic cells is disclosed. The electrode structure comprises a central current-collector structure having high points on at least one side and adapted to be placed vertically in the electrolytic cell, and a porous electrode secured to the high points of the current-collector structure on at least one side thereof so as to form an essentially-planar pre-electrode surface. The high points of the current-collector are arranged so as to allow. an unimpeded rise of the evolved gases to the top of the electrode.

Description

7~817 AN ELECTRODE STRUCTURE FOR ELECTROLYSER CELLS
~ his invention relates to an electrode structure for electrolyser-cells, more particularly of the unipolar type.
It is well known that the voltage o an electrolytic cell is the sum of three major components: the thermo-dynamic potential required for the overall cell reaction; ~:
the electrode overvoltages which result from kinetic limi-tations; and a resistive contribution to cell voltage. For a particular desired process, the major avenues open for reduction of energy requirements are electrode activation to reduce the overvoltages for the desired reactions, and design improvement to reduce resistive losses.
Resistive losses are of two types: ionic, reflect-ing a resistance to the passage of current in the electro-lyte; and electronic, reflecting the resistance to the pas-~age of current in current-carrying metallic components o'f the electrolyser. In bipolar electrolyser designs, the ionic resistance contribution is of overwhelming importance, since current paths through metallic elements are normally very short in length. In e~uipment of the unipolar design, however, electronic resistance losses can become substantial, as the electronic current is normally removed from each ~ `

~17~ 7 electrode to a current-removal structure.
In designing to control ionic resistance of an electrolyser, two considerations are particularly important:
minimization o the distance between the anodic and cathodic electrode elements; and minimization of the quantity-of evolved gases which is retained between the electrodes, in-creasing the effective electrolyte resistivity. This latter requirement can be particularly important in cells having gas separating elements or diaphragms, where gas may accu-mulate in the separator or on its surface, thus increasingits resistance.
A design approach directed at satisfying these two requirements for minimizing ionic resistance, which has come into widespread use, is to use a porous pre-electrode struc-ture on which the gas evolves, and which allows passage ofthe product gases through the structure to a rear area where they can be removed. Typical pre-electrode forms are per-forated plates, expanded-metal sheet, and woven metal cloth.
Any suitably-porous structure can be envisaged, including grooved ~heets on foam metal.
A number of designs make use of porous pre-electrodes of this type which are fabricated from material which is sufficiently strong to be used without support, and which can be attached directly to a current-removal structure at the periphery of the electrode. An example is Canadian Pa*ent No. 822,662, issued September 9, 1969. However, these pre-electrodes do not have the current removal capacity which is required or industrial unipolar electro-lyser cells.

,.
.

~ 718~7 Se~eral inventors have recognized the desirability of using a supporting structure as part o~ the electrode, in order to accomplish desirable mechanical objectives.
For example, Canadian Patent 1,002,476 issued December 28, 1976, discloses the use of a thin corrugated structure, internal to the pre-electrode, to provide a spring effect and improve the compression of anodeJseparator/cathode array while allowing for flexibility during cell assembly.
Canadian Patent 1,086,256, issued September 23, 1980, lQ features the use of a similar internal structure for the purpose of providing support to the pre-electrode when a diaphragm material is being deposited on the electrode surfaces under vacuum. ~owever, the internal support structure of these electrodes is not connected to current removal structures and, more importantly, not designed to carry currents in the order of 1000 to 10,000 amperes or more, such as re~uired in industrial unipolar electrolyser cells .
The pre-electrode elements are often attached to central current-collector structures, for example rods or an eguivalent fabricated structure in the unipolar design as disclosed in Canadian Patent 1,041,040, issued October 24, 1978, or a formed bipolar plate in bipolar electrolyser r equipment, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,379,634, issued - 25 April 23, 1968. These electrode designs are, however, not adequate for electrolyser cells because they do not allow efficient removal of gases up the electrode. U.~. Patent 4,008,143 discloses an electrode structure comprising ' ,. . - - .

- \
1~L718~7 two:space~ porous pre-electrodes and a plurality of current conductive rods separately attached to each porous pre-electrode and positioned in the space betueen the porous pre-electrodes in such a way as to leave space for electro-lyte to flow upwardly between the porous pre-electrodes.
However, electrolyser cells would require a large number of current conductive rods in order for the pre-electrodes to carry currents in the order of 1000 to 10,000 amperes and more, and this would unduly restrict gas circulation between the porous pre-electrodes.
It is therefore, the object of the present invention to provide an electrode for electrolyser cells which has the following characteristics:
a) Allows efficient removal of gases formed on the outer faces of the electrode surface to the interior o the electrode structure and up the electrode structure under the influence of their natural buoyancy in the electrolyte, thus reducing ; the ionic contribution to electrolyser voltage.
b) Allows current to be removed from each electrode while minimizing electronic resistance losses.
c) Is amenable to fabrication by low-cost techniques such as rolling, stamping and welding, thus providing an economic electrode.
d) Allows use of low-cost materials of construction having regular surfaces which can be reliably and economically protected from corrosion in the electrolyte by the electroplating of nickel or other corrosion-resistant coatings.

.

1171~317 e) Has a thin profile, to be c ~sistent with an electrolyser design for minimum size per unit of production capacity.
The electrode structure, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a central current-collector struc-ture having high points on at least one side thereof and adapted to be placed vertically in the electrolytic cell, and a porous electrode secured to the high points of the current-collector structure on at least one side thereof so as to form an essentially-planar pre-electrode surface. The high points of the current-collector struc-ture are located on the central current-collector so as to allow an unimpeded rise of the evolved gases to the top of the electrode.
The central current-collector is preferably a plate having vertically oriented corrugations and the pre-elec-trode is secured to the crest of such corrugations.
, The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrode ,in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 i8 a plan view of a portion of the electrode of figure 11 and Figures 3 and ,4 illustrate typical optimization curves for an electrode from which current is being removed uniformly at the side.
Referring to igures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there - is shown a gas evolving electrode 10, anode or cathode - \ ~
~17~8~7 which comprises a central current collector 12 to each side of which is attached a pre-electrode 14. Ionic current flow from the adjacent electrode or electrodes o oppasite polarity would flow to the electrode S perpendicular to the pre-electrode structures, as shown by arrows A, and current is removed from the pre-electrodes by the current collector 12, as indicated by arrow B.
The pre-electrodes are normally woven screen, expanded metal, or perforated plate but can be of any other perforated or porous geometry which allows for gas passage through the structure to the interior of the electrode.
The central current-col.lector is a solid, formed metal piece which is illustrated as being corrugated, although any structure which could be formed.in an economic manner, and which allows or unimpeded rise of the.evolved gases i to the top of.the elec.trode, would be within the scope of : the invention.
. The pre-electrode is attached to the central current collector at the high points of the structure so as to form an essentially-planar pre-electrode surface. The attachment may be by a weld, by screws or other mechanical fa~teners, or by pressure which is exerted by the composite electrode/separator mass.
The ~entral current collector must be attached to the elements removing current from the electrode. This attachment may be continuous, through a welded, bolted, or riveted contact, or it may be at several points through connections to suitable conductors. In this latter case, ' 117~8~7 additional current-conducting material may be included in the structure, as indicated by bar 16, to assist current equalization in the vertical direction, to further mini-mize resistive losses.
In any particular electrolyser design, the parameters of the electrode of this invention are established by an optimization which considers the resistive losses in the structure, the cost of the material of construction, and the physical constraints imposed by the detailed electro-lyser design on maximum and minimum electrode thickness.
It has been surprisingly found that a depth of the corru-gations C (Figure 2) as low as 0.16 cm is satisfactory for electrode heights as great as 75 cm, with gas evolution at current densities to 1,000 mA/cm2; no increase in the ionic-resistance factor of the electrolyser was detectibie with increasing current density, suggesting that the product gas is being efectively removed to the interior of the electrode structure. However, the depth of corru-gations would likely not be less than 0.1 cm. The maximum depth of corrugation would be established by practical constraints on electrolyser size; it would be unlikely that a depth of corrugation greater than 3 cm would be desirable.
The thickness D ~Figure 2) of the current collector material may be between .04 and 1.5 cm depending on ; 25 the amount of current to be removed from the electrode.
The length E (Figure 2) of the corrugation waves, or the spacing of the high points of equivalent formed struc-tures, will be the minimum consistent with economic forming of the current-collector material. This is :11718~L7 necessary to minimize resistance losses in the pre-electrode structure. The length of c~rrugation might be between 0.7 and 15 cm for a current-collector material having a thickness of between 0.04 and 1.5 cm.
Other dimensions o the current-coIlector structure can be established through a detailed optimization to minimize total operating cost, including capital amor-tization. Each of the major electrode parameters can be optimized in this way: thickness of the material from which the current collector is formed, width of the electrode, and, depending on the detailed method being ! used for current removal, dimensions of the current egualization or removal bar 16 and the electrode height.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a typical optimization, for an electrode from which current is being removed ; uniformly at the side. The anode and cathode are assumed to be of similar design. The contribution to cell voltage due to electronic resistance of the current-collector structure ~Fig. 3) diminishes as the thickness of the current-collector material is increased, or;as the width of the electrode is reduced. Such voltage contributions can be calculated unambiguously by the method described by R.O. Loutfy and R.L. LeRoy in the Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 8 (1978) pages 549-555. The results presented assume that the material of construction is mild steel at 70 C, and that the current density on the projected pre-electrode structure is 240 mA~cm2.

~71817 g Figure 4 shows a typical optimization, in this case assuming a current price for mild steel and a power cost of $0.03/kWh. The optimum electrode thickness is seen to increase with increasing electrode wid~h. Of course the optimum values indicated by calculations such as these will have to be modified based on other considerations ; related to the overall dimensions of the electrolyser, the method of current removal, etc.
It must be noted that the formed current-collector structures of this invention are in no way related to formed structures described in the prior art, which have been used for mechanical purposes such as compression of the electrode mass. The electrodes of this invention are designed to carry currents of 1,000 to 10,000 amperes and more, and precise specification of the current-removal ; provisions ig essential to achieve an economic result.
Simllarly, the massive guantities of gas evolved at such current loadings must ~e free to move unimpeded up the electrode to escape at the top. None of the propo~als o the prior art accomplish these two objectives.

Claims (6)

1. An electrode structure for electrolytic cells comprising:
a) a central current-collector structure having high points on at least one side thereof and adapted to be placed vertically in the electrolytic cell; and b) a porous electrode secured to the high points of the current-collector structure on at least one side thereof so as to form an essentially-planar pre-electrode surface, the high points of the current-collector structure being located on the central current-collector so as to allow an unimpeded rise of the evolved gases to the top of the electrode.
2. An electrode structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said central current-collector is a plate having vertically oriented corrugations, and wherein said pre-electrode is secured to the crest of said corrugations.
3. An electrode structure as defined in claim 2, further comprising a current-collecting structure secured to one vertical edge of said current-collector structure for current equalization.
4. An electrode structure as defined in claim 2 or 3, wherein the depth of corrugation of the electrode is between 0.1 and 3 cm.
5. An electrode structure as defined in claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein the thickness of said current-collector structure is between 0.04 and 1.5 cm.
6. An electrode structure as defined in claim 2 or 3, wherein the length of said corrugations is between 0.7 and 15 cm for a current-collector structure having a thickness of between 0.04 and 1.5 cm.
CA000393106A 1981-12-23 1981-12-23 Electrode structure for electrolyser cells Expired CA1171817A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000393106A CA1171817A (en) 1981-12-23 1981-12-23 Electrode structure for electrolyser cells
DE8282306578T DE3277587D1 (en) 1981-12-23 1982-12-09 An electrode structure for electrolyser cells
EP82306578A EP0082643B1 (en) 1981-12-23 1982-12-09 An electrode structure for electrolyser cells
JP57225764A JPS608310B2 (en) 1981-12-23 1982-12-22 Electrode for electrolytic cell
BR8207435A BR8207435A (en) 1981-12-23 1982-12-22 ELECTRODE STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC CELLS
ZA829414A ZA829414B (en) 1981-12-23 1982-12-22 An electrode structure for electrolyser cells

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000393106A CA1171817A (en) 1981-12-23 1981-12-23 Electrode structure for electrolyser cells

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1171817A true CA1171817A (en) 1984-07-31

Family

ID=4121691

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000393106A Expired CA1171817A (en) 1981-12-23 1981-12-23 Electrode structure for electrolyser cells

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0082643B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS608310B2 (en)
BR (1) BR8207435A (en)
CA (1) CA1171817A (en)
DE (1) DE3277587D1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA829414B (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3829879A1 (en) * 1988-09-02 1990-03-08 Metallgesellschaft Ag GAS DIFFUSION ELECTRODE
JPH08199726A (en) * 1995-01-31 1996-08-06 Daiwa Danchi Kk Fitting structure of ceiling panel in wooden building
DE102020204224A1 (en) * 2020-04-01 2021-10-07 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device and method for carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide electrolysis

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH331199A (en) * 1955-04-01 1958-07-15 Lonza Ag Bipolar electrode for pressure electrolysers of the filter press type
US3941675A (en) * 1971-09-28 1976-03-02 Friedrich Uhde Gmbh Bipolar multiple electrolytic cell comprising a diaphragm and electrode for same
US3925886A (en) * 1974-01-03 1975-12-16 Hooker Chemicals Plastics Corp Novel cathode fingers
US4050961A (en) * 1974-11-22 1977-09-27 Knight Bill J Method for casting anodes
DE2632073A1 (en) * 1976-07-16 1978-01-19 Schlemmer Fa Manfred Accumulator electrode with support and porous substance - has conductive metal coating hot sprayed on selected surface regions of porous substance
GB2001347A (en) * 1977-07-20 1979-01-31 Imp Metal Ind Kynoch Ltd Electrode and hanger bar therefor
DE2821984A1 (en) * 1978-05-19 1979-11-22 Hooker Chemicals Plastics Corp ELECTRODE ELEMENT FOR MONOPOLAR ELECTROLYSIS CELLS
IT1118243B (en) * 1978-07-27 1986-02-24 Elche Ltd MONOPOLAR ELECTROLYSIS CELL

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0082643A3 (en) 1983-09-14
BR8207435A (en) 1983-10-18
EP0082643A2 (en) 1983-06-29
ZA829414B (en) 1983-10-26
DE3277587D1 (en) 1987-12-10
JPS608310B2 (en) 1985-03-01
JPS58151484A (en) 1983-09-08
EP0082643B1 (en) 1987-11-04

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