CA1232232A - Chlorine cell design for electrolyte series flow - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A bank or series of chlor-alkali electrolytic cells is provided wherein each cell comprises at least one electrode pair separated by a cation perm-selective membrane with means for series flow of an electrolyte comprising an anolyte and a catholyte sequentially through the cells such that the anolyte flow is in a direction countercurrently to the catholyte flow.
The invention distinguishes over electrolytic cells that are in use by flow means for 1) directing gas lifted electrolyte from a first of said cells to a de-gassing compartment located above the electrodes;
2) for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed electrolyte to a point below the surface of the electrolyte in the next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed electrolyte to re-enter the cell from which it came;
3) for directing de-gassed electrolyte from the last of the series of cells, and 4) for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartment. The cells of the invention are suitably employed as monopolar or bipolar cells wherein the electrodes are of a pocket or flute plate design.

Description

CHLORINE CELL DESIGN FOR ELECTROLYTE SERIES FLOW

In US, Patents 4,197,179 and 4,269,675, there is disclosed a method and means for operating a plurality of chlor-alkali membrane cells by flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell sequentially while counter-currently flowing acolyte from cell-to-cell sequentially.

US. Patent 4,057,474 discloses a bank of cat ionic permselec-tive membrane cells operated with series (cell-to-cell) flow of the catholyte. The cell is illustrated as having flat monopolar electrodes.

Other patents which disclose electrolyte series flow are: US. No. 1,284,618; US. No. 3,899,403i and British No. 1,452,880 (Far) Hoechst AGO

The present invention resides in an electrolytic cell to provide electrolyte series flow in banks of membrane cells, especially those of bipolar electric conduction.

The present invention also provides for electrolyte series flow in such membrane cells wherein the electrolyte flow from cell-to-cell is taken from a `. Jo 27,730-F

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level above or near the tops of the electrodes of one cell and introduced to a level below the tops of the electrodes in the next cell in sequence.
The invention further provides for electrolyte series flow in such cells by taking the electrolyte from de-gassing compartments located atop the cells and introducing the electrolyte to the next succeeding cell at a location which it preferably below the top of the electrodes.
Another feature of the invention is to provide novel de-gassing compartments for installation atop specially designed cell banks, the de-gassing compartments containing means for causing electrolyte prom a given cell to flow through down-comers in the next succeeding cell in the bank, the gases in the de-gassing compartments being preferably removed cumulatively.

Banks or series ox chlor-alkali membrane cells are provided with means for flowing electrolyte from cell-to-cell in a manner such that electrolyte from a cell is taken from a point near the top or above the vertical electrodes in the cell and introduced to the corresponding electrolyte section in the next succeeding cell, preferably at a location below the top of the electrodes, the last cell of the series having flow means for removing the electrolyte to its subsequent destination.
More particularly, the invention resides in a bank or series of chlor-alkali electrolytic cells, wherein each cell comprises at least one electrode pair vertically disposed and separated by a caution 27,730-F -2-~",,.,.,~
q :~23;2~3;2 permselective, substantially hydraulically impermeable membrane, with means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, and inlet and outlet means for flowing acolyte to from each of said cells, inlet means for adding water or dilute caustic to the catholyte portion of a first cell of the bank or series, flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte liquor from said first cell to a de-gassing compartment above said cathodes, flow means for directing de-gassed catholyte liquor from the last cell of the bank or series, and flow means for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartment wherein said bank or series of cells comprises a bank of cell frames having openings in the top surfaces thereof and electrolyte cell covers substantially open on the underside and substantially closed on the topside, disposed on the top surfaces of said bank of cell frames and in communication with the interiors of the cell frames via said openings, said electrolyte cell covers having baffles therein which provide a : plurality of flow passages, the number of which I
'J correspond to said cell frames, and said means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell comprising, in operable combination, (i) an inlet conduit for adding water or dilute caustic to the catholyte compartment within a first cell frame of the bank 7 (ii) flow means on the top surface of said first cell frame of the bank for directing gas lifted catholyte from the interior of said first cell frame of the bank to the 27,730-F -3-q~r3 corresponding area of said electrolyte cell cover above said cathode, (iii) flow means for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to a point below the surface of the catholyte within the next successive cell frame while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to repenter the interior ox the cell frame from which it came, (iv) flow means for directing gass-lifted catholyte from the interiors of said next successive cell frame and each additional successive cell frame in the bank thereafter, to the corresponding areas of said electrolyte cover above the cathodes, at least a portion of the degassed catholyte of each Ill being directed by the slow means to interior of the next successive cell frame while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to reuniter the interior of the cell frame prom which it came.
(v) an outlet conduit for removing de-gassed - catholyte from the last cell of the bank and eta (vi) an oily Pi or removing cell gas from the catholyte cover.
The following drawings are provided as visual aids for describing embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view (not to scale) of a cathode-plate (1), a membrane-covered 27,730-F -4-Jo ., ,, j, ~Z~223~
-PA-pheromones cathode (5), a metal anode (11), and an anode plate (to).
Figure 2 illustrate an i30metric view of a cell frame embodiment (not to scale) useful in constructing bipolar membrane cells for use in the present invention.

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Figure 3 illustrates a top view (cross-section) of an embodiment (not to scale) comprising three cells arranged in a "filter-press" type of arrangement with bipolar conduction of electricity through the cells.

Figure 4 illustrates three cells connected by flow means for accomplishing cell-to-cell flow of electrolytes Figure 5 illustrates three cells arranged in a manner somewhat similar to Fig. 4 but the compartments for separating cell-gases from electrolyte are elevated above the cells.

Figure 6 illustrates a generalized view of five cells arranged in filter-press manner with the cell cover compartments shown in an exploded manner.

Figure 7 illustrates a partial view of a cell to demonstrate the relative positioning of cell cover compartments such as shown in Figure 6.

The banks (or series) of cells useful in the present invention are defined as monopolar or bipolar chlor-alkali membrane cells having vertically-disposed anodes and cathodes, wherein the electrodes are of a pocket or flat plate design, separated by a membrane.
The membranes are cat ionic permselective and are sub-staunchly hydraulicaily-impermeable. The cells, when installed as a bank of cells, are preferably 'bipolar"
in that electrical current flow occurs through conductors which are connected to the anodes of one cell and to the cathodes of the next adjacent cell, such as in US.
Patent No. 2,282,058. In a preferred embodiment there 27,730-F -I-~.Z32~3Z

is a space between the anode-plate and the electrically-conjoined cathode-plate wherein the bipolar coupling is made, said space serving as part of the catholyte compartment similar to US. Patent No. 2,282,058. The space within each of the pocket-cathodes communicates (through ports in the cathode plate with the catholyte compartment and is, therefore, a part of the catholyte compartment. Electrochemical current flow is from the cathode, by way of the bipolar electric coupling to the anode of the next adjacent cell and so on until the circuitry is completed by current flow from the last cathode or cathode-plate in the bank of cells.

The bank or series of cells may comprise any plural number of cells when the bipolar method of conducting electric current from cell-to-cell is used.
The practical limit to the number of cells in a series is decided more by frictional factors (pressure drop) of the electrolyte liquors and by the practical volt-metric limit of the flow means required to handle the quantity of liquors, than by the electrical consider-lions. A practical range is usually from 2 to 10 cells in a series, with 3 to 7 being preferred. Most preferably, a series of 5 cells is employed. Preferably, the series flow (also sometimes called a "cascade" flow) involves flowing both the acolyte and the catholyte, especially when such simultaneous series flows are done counter-currently.

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a cathode-plate (1), a pocket cathode (5), an anode 11, and an anode-plate (14~. The cathode-plate (1) is shown as a metal plate I having sufficient thickness or construction to remain rigid in service. Bolt holes 27,730-F I-~23~'~3Z

(3) and ports (4) are provided in the plate. The pocket-cathode (5) is shown as a pheromones metal (8) which is bent or folded back to form two substantially parallel sides, the top end and bottom end being closed by metal portions (7) which may also be pheromones, the remaining side (or edge) being closed by a rigid mummer (pa) which is provided with studs or bolts (10) and through which extend ports (9) to permit liquid flow to and from the inner space of the pocket-cathode (5).
The cathode ports (9) are aligned with cathode-plate ports (4) when the bolts (10) are positioned in the bolt holes (3) when assembled. The pheromones metal screen may be constructed as woven wire screen, but it may also be a punched-plate or expanded slit plate, all of which are known in the art. A membrane (6) completely covers cathode (5), except for rigid member (pa) and there is normally little or no space between membrane (6) and pheromones metal go depending on how tightly the membrane is installed and, at times, depending on whether the membrane stretches or shrinks during handling, storage, or operation. Complete (tight) blinding of the external surface of pheromones metal (8) by the membrane (6) is not generally recommended. The cathode configuration, often referred to as pocket-type or pocket-shape, is one in which the space within the cathode communicates only with the catholyte; commune-cation of liquid water with acolyte is substantially prevented by the substantially hydraulically-impermeable membrane which covers the cathode on all sides except the side or edge) which is attached to the cathode plate (1). The number of bolts (10) and ports (9) in the cathode construction is not critical except of course that there is to be a matching number of holes (3) and ports I in cathode-plate (1).

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In Figure 1 there is also illustrated an anode (11) which comprises, preferably a pheromones metal sheet (12) bent or folded back to form sub Stan tidally parallel sides, usually leaving the upper edge and lower edge open. The edge opposite the bent edge may be closed by a metal strip to which are attached studs or bolts (13) which are provided with threads at their terminal ends. The bolts (13) are aligned (when assembled) with bolt holes (16) in a metal plate (15) which comprises the anode plate (14). Alternatively, the anode may be a sheet or slab which is solid or pheromones, instead of the folded back design, as shown.

The cathodes I and anodes (11) are not required to be prepared by bending or folding a single sheet of metal back to form parallel sides, since one may also form the two sides by welding or otherwise fastening two sheets of metal to edge pieces to form the desired shape. Generally, however, the bend-back or fold-back method is preferable.

Figure 2 illustrates a cell-frame (20), not to scale, having a top-side (21~, a first vertical side (24~, a second vertical side ~22) and a bottom side (23). A portion of side (22) is cut-away to reveal a cross-sectional view of ridges (aye) and (22b) which protrude from the inner surfaces of all four sides.
The purpose of ridges (aye) and (22b) will become more apparent from Fig. 3, described hereinafter. In top side (21) there are two ports ~27) for flow of degassed acolyte to down comers (29). Between ports (27) there is at least one port (28) for acolyte (with gas) to flow upwardly (such as by gas-lift anger mass flow) 27,730-F
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g from the acolyte space within cell-frame (20). When -the cells are assembled and in operation the annihilate with gas which flows up through ports (28) is diverted to a next adjacent cell where it is degassed and then flows back downwardly through down comer ports (27) where the acolyte flow is channeled down the outer portion of the next acolyte chamber by the action of flow down comers (29). Flow down comers (29) are thus-treated in Fig. 2 in an "exploded" view, only one such down comer being shown, although it is easily recognized that there is, preferably, a down comer (29) for each down comer hole (27). When assembled in place, the down comer (29) is positioned to communicate directly with hole or port (27) by means of, e.g., an attachment or insert piece (aye), causing the acolyte to flow downwardly between the ridges (aye) and (22b) to a point below the upper portion of the acolyte space within cell-frame (20). Other configurations for the down comers may be employed and, in fact, it is possible to build down comers directly into the cell-frame.
Ports (25) and (26) serve as catholyte flow means whereby catholyte flow travels from cell-to-cell by gravity flow down one port, say (25) in a given cell frame and by gas-lift back up the opposite port, say (26) of the same cell frame, where it then flows back down through a corresponding catholyte flow port of the next cell frame in the series. A major portion of the liquor is carried up by gas through slots (25) or (26) and is returned to the catholyte compartments through slots (25) or (26). The liquor flow is separated by weir-baffles (see 85 of Fig.
7). It is to be understood, of course, that the elect trolyte flow to the first cell of a bank or series is from an external source and that the electrolyte flow ".

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from the last cell of a bank or series is taken from the series for further handling, but that the electrolyte flow within the series is from cell-to-cell. Side ports (29b) may be used when frame (20) is used as in Fig. 4.

In order to readily accommodate the cell covers (50) and (51) shown in Figures 6 and 7, it is preferred that the acolyte ports (27) in Fig. 2 be located closer to the middle of top side (21) than the catholyte ports ~25 and 26), substantially in a manner as shown in Figures 2 and 7.

With reference to Fig. 3 there is illustrated a series of three cell-frames (20), viewed in cross-section - from the top. Within each cell frame (20) there are mounted a plurality (only 4 are shown in each frame) of anodes (11) interleaved from opposite directions with a plurality (only 3 are shown in each frame) of membrane--covered cathodes (5). The cathodes (5) are assembled into place and supported by cathode-plates (1). The anodes (11) are assembled into place and supported by anode-plates (14). The means for attaching anodes and cathodes to their respective plates are, e.g., the bolts shown in Fig. 1. Electrical circuitry is provided by attaching the electrode bolts to conductive couplings (preferably copper couplings) substantially as illustrated.
The coupling of cathodes of one frame to the anodes of another frame carries the electric current from frame-to-frame. In operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, acolyte is in acolyte portions (33) and catholyte is in catholyte portions (32) as well as within the pocket cathodes (5) which communicate, via ports (4) within cathode-plates I to said catholyte JO
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portions (32), substantially as illustrated in Fig. 1 The cathode-plates (1) are tightly sealed in place against ridges (22b) to avoid mingling of acolyte and catholyte, while anode-plates (14) are sealed in place against ridges (aye) for the same purpose. The seal or gasket) (22c) may be an inert rubber, plastic, or mastic, preferably one which is substantially inert and long-lived in the cell environment and conditions. The series of cell-frames (20) are usually sealed at their conjoined faces and tightly squeezed together by a bolt-means or clamp-means (not shown) to avoid leakage from the joints. Squeezing together of the cell-frames also squeezes together the conductive couplings (e.g.
34 and 35). Area (36) is ~ead-space, housing only the conductive couplings carrying electric current to the first set of anodes. End section (30) is a cathode buss-plate and end section (31) is an anode buss-plate.
In Figure 3, the cathode-plate (1) has optionally, but preferably, a vertically-mounted baffle or flow-divider (85) which is affixed to the plate at a position outside the end cathode at each end; this flow-divider (85) extends above the cathode plate so that when mounted in a cell-frame of Figure 2, the flow-divider (85) splits ports (25) and (26) into two portions.

Figure 4 is an illustration to show cell-to-cell flow, çountercurrently, of acolyte and catholyte in an alternate embodiment. It illustrates that acolyte or brine is fed through conduit (40) into the top (or near the top) of the acolyte portion of cell-frame (AYE) and flows from cell (AYE) to cell (20B) through flow means (41~, then from cell (20B~ to cell (20C) through flow-means (42), then from cell (20C) through flow means (43). The catholyte flows counter currently to !` ' /. ? 1 , I,,' ` 27,730-F -I

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the acolyte, by entering cell (20C) as catholyte or water at flow means (44) which is at or near the top of the catholyte portion of cell (20C), then flows from cell (20C) to cell (20B) through flow means (45), then from cell (20B) to cell (AYE) through flow means (46), then from (AYE) through flow means (47). It will be understood, of course, that in each cell-frame the acolyte portions are separated from the catholyte portions by substantially hydraulically-impermeable membranes.
The cells illustrated in Figure 4 may be of the monopolar type or may be of the bipolar type. The cells in Figure 4 need not be spread apart as illustrated, but may be closely pressed one against another such as in Figure 3, especially when bipolar series electrical circuitry is desired. Cell gasses from the acolyte portions are collected in a header or de-gassing compartment (48) and cell gases from the catholyte portions are collected in a header or de-gassing compartment (49). The levels of acolyte and catholyte in the Figure 4 cells are controlled somewhat by the flow rates, but primarily by the locations of the flow means which carry them to and from each cell, the separations of cell gases (de-frothing) in each cell being permitted by the head space above the electrolytes in each cell.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a kind of flow arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 4, except that the separations of cell gases from the electrolytes in each cell are accomplished in separate de-gassing compartments mounted atop the cells. Electrolytes are conveyed to the respective 27,730-F -12-.

compartments through conduits from the acolyte portions and the catholyte portions.
Figure 6 is an exploded view of a series of five cell-frames (20) arranged in bipolar, "filter-press" manner in order to demonstrate cooperation with novel cell covers. The cell-frames (20) are of the type such as illustrated in Figure 2, the bipolar filter-press arrangement being substantially as shown in Figure 3. when assembled, catholyte cell covers (50) and (51) are conveniently arranged, respectively to communicate with the top of a near-side of the cell series (shown here as 5 cells), and with the top of the corresponding opposed far-side ox the cell-series. The covers serve as de-gassing 5 compartments and are substantially open on the underside, having the general appearance of inverted closed-end troughs. Within cover (50) there is shown a series of "tall" spaced-apart upright baffles (aye) separated by spaces with each continuing "short"
wiretap baffle (50b). Running lengthwise (and about midway) of cover (50) there is a "short baffle (50c) which is not only a part of the catholyte flow directors, but may also serve beneficially as a I strengthening means for the "tall" and "short" baffles.
Cover (51) is quite similar to cover (50), but the baffle arrangements are different; in cover (51) there is a series of "short" baffles separated by spaces which each have a "tall" baffle. Thus, where cover (51) has a "tall" baffle, the corresponding baffle directly across from it in cover (50) is a "short"
baffle. Acolyte cover (52) has the general appearance of an inverted trough and also serves as a de-gassing compartment. The acolyte cover (52) is wider than the 27,730-F -13-I 23~
-AYE-catholyte covers (50) or (51), and is designed in this illustration with appropriate baffles to serve the five cells (20). When assembled onto the solacer, covers (50), (51), and (52) are sealed by use of casketing, mastic, "cell-putty" or other appropriate sealing means to avoid leakage of electrolytes from under the covers to the outside of the 27,730-F -AYE-.

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cells. The ends of the cell series are "capped" by buss-plates (30) and (31) such as illustrated in Fig.
3, cathode buss-plate (30) serving as a wall portion of an end catholyte-portion, and anode buss-plate (31) serving as a wall portion for the opposite end.
Electrical circuitry is provided for the cell-series of Fig. 6 substantially in accordance with that sown in Fig. 3.

When assembled, charged with appropriate lo electrolytes, and in operation, catholyte or water flow in the cell series of Fig. 6 is conducted through inlet flow means (53) into the first baffled section of cover (50) from where it enters the first catholyte portion through port (26). Because it cannot flow over the tall baffle, the catholyte flow from the said first -catholyte portion is forced up through port (25) into cover (51) where the catholyte flows over the "short"
wiretap baffle and back down into the second catholyte portion. From the second catholyte portion the liquor flows up into cover (50) into the second baffled section, then across the "short" wiretap baffle to the third catholyte portion and so on, up, across, and down between covers (50) and (51) through cells (20) until it reaches the end of its journey and flows out of flow means (54) from cover (51). Catholyte flow means (54) may be fitted with an adjustable leg so that the catholyte level may be adjusted above or below the acolyte level in cover (52) as the operating conditions require. The annihilate level in cover ~52) may also be raised or lowered by use of an adjustable leg at outlet flow means (55). At the same time, acolyte flows counter-currently to the catholyte flow in the cell-series, by being conducted as brine or acolyte through inlet flow 27,730-F I

~LZ32232 means (58) and (59) which communicate with acolyte ports (AYE) and (27~) in the cell which is the "last"
cell with respect to catholyte flow, but which is the "first" cell with respect to the acolyte flow. The acolyte in the first acolyte portion is forced up into -cover (52) through acolyte ports (28) and is directed by baffling to corresponding ports (AYE) and (27B) into the second acolyte portions. In each of the acolyte portions there are, preferably, down comers such as shown in Fig. 2 to cause the acolyte liquor -to merge with the acolyte in the cell at a point below the surface of the acolyte, preferably near the bottom of the acolyte portion. The acolyte cover (52) contains corner baffles (62) to form a compartment for each of flow means I and (59), the area between the two corner baffles defining a space communicating with the first set of acolyte ports (28). It is not essential that there be more than one down comer hole in each acolyte portion, but better acolyte mixing and circus lotion within each acolyte portion is achieved behaving more than one down comer hole, especially if they are oppositely disposed from each other. The acolyte flowing from up comer holes (28) is directed by baffling means (63) to the down comer holes in the next adjacent cell through openings (60) between the baffles, this manner of acolyte flow proceeding through the cell-series until the acolyte from the final set of up comer holes (28) flows out through flow means (65). The exact configuration of baffles ~63) is not critical, so long as the baffling causes flow of acolyte from up comer holes in one cell to the down comer holes in the next cell, except of course, when the acolyte flow is removed from the last set of up comer holes. The baffles (63) are solidly connected to the inner surfaces of the side .~, ", I' 27,730-F I
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walls of cover (52), but there is a common head space for cell gases above the baffles within the acolyte cover; cell gases can exit through vent (57) to a collector. Only one such vent (57) is shown, but it is within the purview of this invention to have more than one such vent in each acolyte cover. Vents ~55) and (56) are also provided in the catholyte covers to remove catholyte cell gases to a collector. The "depleted" acolyte from flow means (t65~ annihilate cover (52) may be, if desired, re-s-~ren tenet with alkali metal halide (e.g. Nail) and recirculated, along with any desired make-up acolyte, back to a cell series.
In the baffles (63) and (64) in acolyte cover (52) there are small openings (61) at the bottom near the down comer holes to permit some mixing of acolyte in the down comer area and up comer area of a given cell. These small holes (61) recirculate the excess acolyte carried up into cover l52) by gas-lift, thus offsetting any tendency for the gas-lift to "pump-down" the acolyte level within cell (20).

Figure 7 depicts a top view of a portion of a cell-series, not to scale, with cut-away portions, to illustrate the approximate position of the catholyte covers and acolyte cover of Fig. 6. There are major portions of two cell frames (AYE) and (20B) tightly abutted along line (70). On one side there is shown a portion of catholyte cover (51), a portion of which is cut-away to reveal baffles therein and to reveal a catholyte port (aye) which is in the top of frame (AYE). The baffles in the illustrated portion of cover (51) may, depending on which part of the cell series is considered to be depicted, represent a "short" wiretap baffles (71) and a "tall" baffle (73) or may represent I, ....

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2~32 "tall" baffles (71) with a "short" wiretap baffle (73). A cell gasket joint (72~ is depicted. The long baffle (74) serves to separate the froth flowing up into the cover from the de-gassed liquor flowing back down into the cell and is generally about the same height as the "short" wiretap baffles. The long baffle (74) is located above the catholyte compartment baffle (85) shim in Fig. 7 and in Fig. 3; this baffle (85) separates the up flow of froth (i.e., gas and liquor) from the downfall of liquor into the catholyte -compartment, thereby obtaining some internal recircula-lion within each catholyte cell compartment. Above the acolyte ports (28), (AYE), and (27B) there is depicted an acolyte cover (52) with a portion cut-away to reveal some of the said acolyte ports and to reveal baffles (63) which are within the cover but which rest solidly on top of frames AYE and (20B). The rota-lively small, flow holes (61) at or near the bottom of baffles (63) are also shown; these allow the excess acolyte carried up into the cover (52) in the froth gas-lift to flow back down into the cell it came out of, thereby obtaining some internal recirculation within each acolyte cell compartment. It can be seen that acolyte from up comer holes (28) in frame (20B) is directed, by the baffles, to down comer holes (AYE) and (27B) of frame AYE). For purposes of illustrating an additional possible embodiment of the invention, there is shown a conduit or pipe (80~ which may be positioned between covers (51) and ~52) or which may be slightly elevated above such a position. The pipe or conduit (80~ may serve either to bring electrolyte to the cell series or to remove cell gases from the series; there are, obviously, many piping arrangements which may be used to carry electrolytes to and from the ~ell-series lo I- ~27,730-F -k7-:~;

and to remove cell gases from the cell-series. The "inverted trough" type of cell covers may, obviously, have rounded tops or other such configuration so long as there is sufficient height of the covers to provide head-space to accommodate collapse of the liquor/gas froth (i.e., for "de-frothing" or "de-gassing") which is likely to be carried into the covers through the up comer holes, said head-space extending at least slightly above the baffles in the cell cover portion from which gases are to be removed. Preferably, and beneficially, the head-space extends the full length of each cover in order that only one gas exit is needed for the entire cover.

In Figure 7, opposite the side where Cathy-lyre cover (51) is shown, the catholyte cover is not shown, but cross-hatched areas Sal) and (82) are indicated to show where a corresponding catholyte cover would be if it were shown. In that catholyte Cover area, a cut-away reveals anodes and cathodes mounted on their respective mounting plates in position against ridges (aye) and (22b) and showing bipolar electrical hook-ups from anodes of frame (20B) to cathodes of frame (AYE), the space in which top hook-ups are shown being the catholyte portion (32) of frame (29B~ which is served by catholyte port (AYE), all substantially as described herein before. The said catholyte portion (32) of frame (20B) also communicates with catholyte within the cathodes of cell (AYE) by way of ports in the cathode-plate to which the said cathodes are mounted. Baffle (85) serves to separate the up flow of froth (catholyte and gas) from the downfall of excess catholyte.

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It is preferred that the acolyte up flow ports ~28) of Fig. 2 have dimensions which provide greater than about 0.0258 cm2 (0.004 in. 2 ) of cross-sectional flow of froth per ampere of current capacity and that the down-flow ports (27) have dimensions which provide greater than about 0.0516 cm2 (0.002 in. 2 ) of cross--sectional flow of de-gassed acolyte per ampere of current capacity. Also, referring to Fig. 2, it is preferred that catholyte ports (25) and (26) provide essentially about the same catholyte flow capacities as used for the acolyte flow.

The methods and principals of the present invention are applicable in providing ce11-to-cell or series-to-series flow of electrolytes in other embody-mints of chlor-alkali membrane cells of monopolar or bipolar circuitry and of flat-plate electrode or pocket-electrode designs.

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Claims (9)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A bank or series of chlor-alkali electro-lytic cells, wherein each cell comprises at least one electrode pair vertically disposed and separated by a cation permselective, substantially hydraulically im-permeable membrane, with means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, and inlet and outlet means for flowing anolyte to and from each of said cells, inlet means for adding water or dilute caustic to the catholyte portion of a first cell of the bank or series, flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte liquor from said first cell to a de-gassing compartment above said cathodes, flow means for directing de-gassed catholyte liquor from the last cell of the bank or series, and flow means for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartment, wherein said bank or series of cells comprises a bank of cell frames having openings in the top surfaces thereof and electrolyte cell covers substantially open on the underside and substantially closed on the topside, disposed on the top surfaces of said bank of cell frames and in communication with the interiors of the cell frames via said openings, said electrolyte cell covers having baffles therein which provide a plurality of flow passages, the number of which corresponds to said cell frames, and said means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell comprising, in operable combination, (i) an inlet conduit for adding water or dilute caustic to the catholyte com-partment within a first cell frame of the bank, (ii) flow means on the top surface of said first cell frame of the bank for directing gas-lifted catholyte from the interior of said first cell frame of the bank to the corresponding area of said electrolyte cell cover above said cathode, (iii) flow means for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to a point below the surface of the catholyte within the next successive cell frame while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to re-enter the interior of the cell frame from which it came, (iv) flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte from the interiors of said next successive cell frame and each additional successive cell frame in the bank thereafter, to the corresponding areas of said electrolyte cover above the cathodes, at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte of each cell being directed by the flow means to the interior of the next successive cell frame while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to re-enter the interior of the cell frame from which it came, (v) an outlet conduit for removing de-gassed catholyte from the last cell of the bank, and (vi) an outlet vent for removing cell gas from the catholyte cover.

2. The cell of Claim 1, including means for flowing the anolyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, which comprises (i) an inlet conduit for adding alkali metal chloride solution to the anolyte com-partment within a first cell of the bank, (ii) flow means for directing gas-lifted anolyte liquor from said first cell to a de-gassing compartment above said anodes, (iii) flow means for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to a point below the surface of the anolyte liquor in the next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de--gassed anolyte to re-enter the interior of the cell from which it came, (iv) flow means for directing gas-lifted anolyte liquor from said next successive cell and each additional successive cell in the series thereafter, to said de-gassing compartment above the anodes, at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte of each cell being directed to the next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, (v) a conduit for removing de-gassed anolyte liquor from the last cell of the bank, and (vi) vents for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartments.

3. The cells of Claims 1 and 2, wherein said means for flowing the catholyte and the anolyte sequentially through the cells are arranged such that the anolyte flow is in a direction countercurrently to the catholyte flow.

4. The cells of Claims 1 and 2, wherein said first cell, with-respect to catholyte series flow, is the last cell with respect to anolyte series flow.

5. The cells of Claims 1 or 2, wherein said electrolytic cells have monopolar electrodes.

6. The cells of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the electrolytic cells have bipolar electrodes.

7. The cells of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the electrolytic cells have flat-plate electrodes;

8. The cells of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the electrolytic sells have pocket electrodes.

9. The cells of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the number of cells in the bank or series is from 3 to 7.