US2153569A - Electrolytic cell - Google Patents

Description

.Aprifi 11, 1939. R. N. JONES ET AL 2,153,569

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R. N. JONES ET AL 2,153,569

ELEQTROLYTIC CELL Filed May 2, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 wsmwm I fig M Q Van i/ll? ti 4 Q l T! HM o v 0 mu m April 11, 1939 April 11, 1939. R. N. JONES ET AL 2,153,569 ELECTROLYTIC 'CELL I Filed May 2, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 as mm g NVENTORS 1711!!! AZ Jbnzs free: 4 60km;

- ATTORN Y Patented Apr. J11, 1939 PATENT; OFFICE 2,153,569 Emc'moLmo cm Russell N. Jones and Greci G. Gomez, Johnsonburg, Pa., assignors to Castanea Paper Company, a corporation of Delaware Application May c.1935, sci-n1 No. 19,342

supporting structure with the elimination of coinplications found in present commercial cells.

Another object is to provide optimum electrode spacing and topermit reversal of the anode plates at various times during the lite oi the cell. still another object is to provide for more complete utilization and consumption of the anode, thus reducing waste anode losses, and contributing to a reduction in one of the principal expenses of cell operation, viz. anode cost.

Another object is to provide a sediment collecting zone in the bottom oi the cell for collecting an appreciable amount of sediment without interiering with the operation oi! the cell and adapted for flushing out such sediment without dis- ,1 nantling the cell.

Many electrolytic cells in commercial use today have a plurality of concrete posts, through which posts extend copper cores soshaped or formed to receive graphite spindles which extend through the concrete postsand have tapered terminals. Graphite plates drilled to the same taper are fitted on the graphite spindles so that two plates are located on opposite sides of the concrete posts. The concrete posts usually rest upon a tile bottom of the cell chamber with acopper core extending out through the roof of the cell to a bus bar, which roof is commonly referred to as an arch. A porous diaphragm and a cathode are positioned around the anode plates.

Such a construction requires a large number 01 current carrying joints, and such joints result in greater electrical losses and consequently lower efliciency than if such' joints were not present. Furthermore the construction of the anode does 5 not permit suitable strengthening or reinforcing,

especiailywhere the copper core extends through the arch of the cell, and the danger of chlorine leakageis increased.

According to our invention the anode is composed of a plurality of conducting slabs such as graphite, which extend the working height of the cell and. a short distance above the arch. The slabs are suitably attached to a. bus bar'by any desired means. The diaphragm and cathode are as relatively closely spaced from the anode, and the (or. zoo-5s) cell is provided with a sediment collecting zone at the bottom thereof, and of such porportion as to provide accumulation of an appreciable amount oi.

.sediment without interfering with the operation of the cell. The construction of the sediment col- 5 lecting zone is such that the sediment can be easily removed and the zone flushed without dismantling the cell. This is superiorto other constructions which necessitate dismantling the cell to remove the sediment, resulting in the destruc- 1 tion of the diaphragm with each such dismantling.

Also cells in common use have brine inlets and chlorine outlets built into the walls 01 the cells. The repair of such inlets and outlets is diflicult because of their inaccessibility. The inlets and outlets of our improved cell are substantially external to the cell, and such'accesslbility permits easy repair or change in the same.

The cell according to this invention is providedwith acontinuous, arch throughwhich the slabs extend, and the' arch assists in maintaining such slabs in their proper position and reinforces and strengthens the same. Our cell is compact and less massive than other cells, and can be easily assembled or dismantled. Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an electrolytic cell according to. our invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with a portion removed;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the cell; v Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5; s

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the cell; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 2. i

'In the drawings, the anode is composed 0! a plurality of conducting slabs I, such as graphite, which rest on supports I of insulating and brine resistant material, for example tile. A continuous arch I of insulating material extends substantially the length of the cell and may be of any suitable shape, such as arched. square, rectangular, etc., and the expression arc .in the specification and claims denotes thejroot or the cell, according to well-known usage. The arch 3 has a longitudinal rib l which is secured to the a gh in any suitable manner. For example the rib 4 may be welded to a member I, which may be blocks or a continuous strip, and member 5 may be screwed to the arch 3. The arch I 8 rs short distance. Any desired number of slabs has openings 3 in theform of recesses, notches, or holes, through which the slabs I extend for may be used, and in practical operation we have found that two rows, each containing nine slabs give good results. Copper angles 'I are screwed I to slabs I and the copper angles and slabs are electrically connected to a common bus bar Ii by means of fork leads 3.

Diaphragms H, such as mats of asbestos, on the outersides of the anode rows extend substantially the length and height of the cell and are'separated from graphite slabs I by means of shims I2. The shims, graphite plates, arch and diaphragms at their points of contact are packed with suitable material to prevent loss of chlorine.

Cathodes I3 having openings 'I3a are in contact with the outer side of diaphragms I2, and the diaphragm and cathodeon each side of the cell are closely spaced from the graphite slabs. For

. example, the diaphragm and cathode may be spaced two inches from the slabs, or even one inch or less. The cathodes I3 are connected to a common bus bar I4 by means of brackets I5 and I6. On the outer sides of the cathodes I3 are cathode chambers I I formed by" concrete strips or walls I8 provided with serrated baiiies 59. Side metal walls 2 I, preferably integral with concrete strips I 8, are suitably clamped in position,

, as will be hereinafter described. Side walls 2! may be provided with reinforcing angle irons 22.

' I beam end wall member 31, which may An internally threaded The ends oi the cell are closed by means of a tile strip 23 which extends substantially the working height of. the cell, and on the outer side of tile strip 23 is a concrete strip 24. The tile and concrete strips are held in position by a metal which extends substantially the height of the cell. The side and end walls may be clamped or otherwise" held in position. For example 'top'clamps 26 at their lower ends .press against side walls 2I and flanges 21 of said A side walls, and at their upper ends against longitudinal rib 4. Threaded bolts 28 and nuts 29 hold the clamp in proper position. Side clamps 3 and at their outer ends against I beams 25, and are held in position by means of threaded bolts 3|, which pass through openings in I beams 25, and nuts 32. The end portions of longitudinal rib 4 are flanged at I. and are screwed at 23 to side walls 2 The bottom of the cell is provided with a sediment collecting zone 33 of suil'icient depth to permit accumulation of a substantial amount of sediment without interfering with the proper" operation of the cell. Sediment 33 extends substantialy the the cell shown collecting zone working length of in'the drawings it is formed by a tile member 34, having curved upper face, and the tile member rests on a U-shaped concerete member 35. The concrete member 35 rests on metal I beam 38. The sediment collecting zone may be provided [at one or both ends with a removable be an ordinary plug as or other suitable means. bracket 33 is mounted on I beam and threaded bolt 33 passes through the threaded opening of bracket "and presses against the plug 37. V

The bottoms" of the cathode chambers I! are shown, a hinged cover,

provided with U-shaped members H which extend substantially the working length of the cell, and are provided with openings 42 to permit discharge of liquor into collecting zones 43. Zones a. current is passed through the. cell.

bonate, and the solution through openings 42 in the bottom of cathode 4o through a common outlet pipe 54.

at their inner ends press against side walls 2| and may be oi any desired shape.- As

43 are formed by troughs 44 which extend substantially the working length of the cell, and are welded to-I beam 33. Vent pipes 45 permit vapcrs to escape from troughs. Troughs 44 are provided at their'upper outer external ends with 5 angleirons 46, and bottom clamps 41 at their upper ends press against side walls 2| above the flanges 43, and at their lower ends against the bottom parts or: beam 36. Threaded bolts 43,

which pass through openings in I beam 36, and 10 nuts 49 maintain the clamps in proper position. The cell is provided with a charge inlet pipe 5| and with a gas outlet pipe 52, both of which extend through the walls of the cell and into the anode chamber. Pipes 5| and 52 are substantially external'to the cell, that is they are external to the cell except for the shortdistance that they extend through the walls of thecell, in contradistinction to other inlet and outlet pipes, a. substantial portion into the walls of the cell.

The operation of the cell will be described with respect to the electrolysis of a brine solution followed by carbonation, but it is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular 25 type of electrolysis, and electrolysis of solutions other than brine may be carried out with good results in our cell. The brine is introduced through inlet pipe 5| into the anode chamber and rine formed is removed-through outlet pipe 52, and if desired asuction pump may be used to facilitate withdrawal. Sodium hydroxide is formed in the cathode chamber, and carbon dioxide and steam are introduced into this chamber through pipes 53. As the sodium hydroxide trickles down the serrated baflles I9, it reacts with the carbon dioxide to form sodium carof the same passes chambers I'I into troughs 44 and is removed During operation of the cell sediment will collect in the sediment collecting zone 33, and to remove such sediment it is only necessary, when the cell is not in use, to remove the plug 31 and introduce water 45 through inlet pipe 5|. Or the cell may be provided with a plug on each end of the zone 33 in which case both plugs are removed and. water is forced in one end of the cone and passes out 01' 60 the other.

During the operation of the cell the sides of the graphite slabsv a jacent the diaphragm and cathode will be reduced in size, resulting in de-' creased effl'ciency of the cell. When one side of 55 the slab has been so attacked, the arch of the cell is -removed and the graphite plates are reversed, presenting an unattacked face to the cathode. After one or both sides of the graphite slabs have been worn away, for example to one-half of their original thickness, the upper unattacked portions of the slabs which are external to the cell may be planed to a thickness uniform with the attacked portions, and two oi these slabs can be joined to form a composite slab of approximately the original dimensions, as shown at 55.

This anode reclamation permits more complete utilization and consumption of the anode thus reducing waste anode losses and anode cost, which operation. Such 7 is the principal expense-of cell reclamation also permits operation at substantially the original optimum anode. spacing and high efllciency. I I

The cell according to our invention is substantially free of all-internal current (1 7 118 Joints :5

of which are built 20 The chlo- 30 aisasoo' permitting a greater emciency of operation. The initial operating voltages are lower than in other and continue lower during the life of the cell. The power savings of such cells may amount 5 to as high as 35-kilowatt hours per day over an initial period of operation of approximately a year, with respect to other cells now in commer--' cial operation. There is no sagging of the arch, and it assists in supporting and-maintaining the slabs in their proper position. Moreover, it is not necessary to dismantle the cell, with the attendant loss of the diaphragm, to remove the sediment, and the external inlets and outlets provide easy access to the same in case-of damage or replace-.

ment.

We are not to be limited to any particular charging materials, to any size of cell, anode,

cathode, or diaphragm, nor to any number of graphite slabs forming the anode, nor to any other limitations, except as expressly provided in the claims. I

When we speak in the specification and claims of a cell being substantially free of internal current carrying joints, or use words of similar import we means an electrolytic cell in which the anode or a'plurality of anodes extends substantially the working height of the cell and through a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell andin which the 'anode or anodes are substantially free from any seams or interior of the cell.

We claim:

1.v An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plu- T rality of graphite slabs extending substantially the working height of the cell and through said openings, supports for said slabs, a cathode, and

a diaphragm between said cathode and said a graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom or said cell extending longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cellm 2; An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a substantially the workingheight of the cell and through said. openings, supports for said slabs, a cathode, and a diaphragm between said cathode and said graphite slabs, a sediment col- 55 lecting trough irrthe bottom of said cell extend-- in: longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dis- 60 mantling the-cell. V 3. An electrolytic cell comprising acontinuous arch extending substantially the, length or the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plurality oi! graphite slabs extending substantially 5 the working height of thelcell and through said openings, at least one of said slabs being a composite of two previously used and worn slabs, supports for said slabs, a cathode and a diaphragm .between said cathode and said graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extending longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed 1| without a diaphragm between said cathode and said may be removed without dismantling the cell.

plurality of reversible graphite slabs extending cathode and said first series of graphite slabs, a

' tween said first series and said second series of 4. Anelectrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length oi the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plurality of reversible graphite slabs extending substantially theworking height of the cell and through said openings, supports for said slabs, a

cathode, and a diaphragm between said cathode and said graphite slabs, said slabs being capable of substantially optimum spacing from said diaphfagm during the life of the cell, asediment collecting troughin the bottom of said cell extend= ing longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dis- 4 mantling the cell.

.5. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous. arch extending substantially the length of the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a p1urality of graphite slabs extending substantially the working height of the cell and through said openings, at least one of said slabs being a composite of two previously used and worn s1abs,sup-

, ports for said slabs, a cathode and a diaphragm between said. cathode and said, graphite slabs. 35 said slabs being capable of substantially optimum spacing from said diaphragm during the lite of/ the cell, a sediment collecting trough inthe bottom of said cell extendingllongitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough 6. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plurality of graphite slabs extending substantially the working height of the cell and through said openings, supports for said slabs, a cathode, and

graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in. the bottom of said cell extending longitudinally of the same below saidgr'aphite salbs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough 7. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the may be removed without dismantling the cell,

cell and having openings, a first series of graphite slabs on one side of said cell extending substantially the working height of said cell and through said openings, supports for said first series of graphite slabs in the bottom of said cell, a first cathode, a first diaphragm between-said first second-series of graphite slabs adjacent the other ,side of said cell, said slabs extending substantially the working height of said cell and through openings in said arch, supports for said second series 01' slabs in the bottom of said cell, a second cathode, a second diaphragm between said second cathode and said second series of graphite slabs, and a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extending longitudinally of the same begraphite slabs. H

8. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell and having openings, a .first series of graphite slabs'on one side of said cell extending substantially the working height of said cell and through said openings, supports graphite slabsin the'bottomof said cell, a first cathode, a first diaphragm between said/first cathode and said first series oi graphite slabs.

for said first series of a second series of graphite slabs adjacent the other side of said cell, said slabs extending subbottom of said cell extending longitudinally of trough defining an outlet in graphite slabs in the of the same between said first series and said the same between said first series and said second series of graphite slabs, and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell.

9. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell and having openings, a first series of graphite slabs on one side of said cell extending substantially the working height of said cell and through said openings, supports for said first series of graphite slabs in the bottom of said cell, a first cathode, a first diaphragm between said first cathode and said first series of graphite slabs, a second series of graphite slabs adjacent the other,

side of said cell, said slabs extending substantially the working height of said cell and through openings in said arch, supports for said second series of slabs in the bottom of said cell, a second cathode, a second diaphragm betweensaid second cathode and said second series of graphite slabs, an inlet pipe, and a gas outlet pipe, said pipes being substantially external to said cell, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extending longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell.

10. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell and having openings, a first series of graphite slabs on one side of said cell extending substantially the working height of said cell and through said openings, supports for said first series of bottom of said .cell, a first cathode, afirst diaphragm between said first cathode and said first series of graphite'slabs,'a

second series of graphite slabs adjacent the other sideoi' said cell, said slabs extending substantially the working height of said cell and through openings in said'arch, supports for said second es of slabs in the bottom of said cell, a second cat ode, a second diaphragm between said second cathode and said second series of graphite slabs, cathode chambers adjacent said first and second cathode, means for introducing into said cathode chambers a gas reactable with the product of electrolysis, and a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extending longitudinally second series of graphite slabs.

11. An electrolytic cellcomprlsing a continuous arch extending substantially the length of the cell and havingopenings. a first series of graphite slabs on one side of said cell extending substan- 70; second series or graphite slabs adjacent the other A 01 slabs in the bottom of said tially the working height of said cell and through said openings, supports for said first series of graphite slabs cathode, a first diaphragm between said first cathode and said first series of graphite slabs,-a

side-of said cell, said slabs extending substantially the'worklng height of said cell and through openings in said arch, supports for said second series cell, a second caththe working height in the bottom of said cell, a first.

ode, a second diaphragm between said second cathode and said second series of graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extending longitudinally of the same between said first series and said second series of graphite slabs, means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated .in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell, an inlet pipe, a gas outlet pipe, said pipes being substantially external to said cell, cathode chambers adjacent said first and second cathodes, means for introducing into said cathode chambers a gas reactable with the prodnot of electrolysis, removable walls for said cell, and clamps for holding said walls in position on the cell.

12. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending substantially the length oi the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plurality of graphite slabs extending substantially of the cell and through said openings, supports for said slabs, a cathode, and a diaphragm between said cathode and said graphite slabs, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom, of said cell extending longitudinally of the same below said graphite slabs and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell, removable walls iorsaid cell and clamp means substantially external to said cell for holding said walls in position on the cell. l

13. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extendingsubstantiaily the length of the cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plurality of graphite slabs extending substantially the working height of the cell and through said of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell, removable walls for said cell. and clamp means substantially external to said cell for holding said walls in position on the cell.

, 14. An electrolytic cell comprising a continuous arch extending cell and having openings, an anode comprising a plurality of reversible graphite slabsextending substantially the working height of the cell and through said openings, at least one of said slabs being a worn sla supports for said slabs, a cathode and a diaphragm between said cathode and said graphite slabs, said slabs being capable of substantially optimum spacing from said diaphragm during the life of the .cell, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extending longitudinally oi the same below said graphite slabs 'and means adiacent one end of said trough de-' composite of two previously used and.

substantially the length of the of aid cell and through said openings, supports for said first series of graphite slabs in the bottom of said cell, a first cathode, a first diaphragm between said first cathode and said first series of graphite slabs, a

second series of graphite slabs adjacent the other side of said cell, said slabs extending substantially the working height of said cell and through openings in said arch, supports for said second series of slabs in the bottom of said cell, a second cathode, a second diaphragm between said second cathode and said second series of graphite slabs, removable walls for said cell, and clamp means substantially external to said cell for holding said walls in position on the cell, a sediment collecting trough in the bottom of said cell extending longi tudinally of the same between said first series and said second series of graphite slabs, and means adjacent one end of said trough defining an outlet in which sediment accumulated in said trough may be removed without dismantling the cell.

RUSSELL N. JONES. GRECI G. GOMEZ.

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