Novel electrolysis cell
First Claim
1. An electrolytic cell which comprises a flexible ion permeable diaphragm having at least one complaint electrode layer bonded to or otherwise incorporated on one side thereof, a current distributor bearing against the layer, said distributor having an electroconductive surface adapted to impart polarity to the layer, and a cooperating counter electrode disposed at the other side of the diaphragm, said current distributor or said counter electrode comprising a resiliently compressible mat coextensive with said electrode layer dimensions, said mat being capable of being compressed in the direction of the diaphragm and to exert an elastic reaction force towards the diaphragm at a multiplicity of pressure points and capable to transfer excess resilient force acting on one or more pressure points to other neighbouring pressure points in a lateral direction along a major dimension of the mat whereby compressing pressure can be effectively distributed over the entire surface of the layer, said mat being open to permit flow of electrolyte through it means slideable with respect to the mat to compress the mat toward the diaphragm and a rigid support on the other side of the flexible diaphragm to restrain diaphragm displacement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cell is provided having an anode and cathode separated by an ion permeable membrane or diaphragm wherein an electrode layer is bonded to or otherwise embedded in on at least one and usually to both sides of the membrane. Polarity is imparted to a bonded or embedded electrode by pressing a crinkled resiliently compressible fabric against the membrane carrying the electrode layer. This fabric is substantially coextensive with the electrode layer and is constructed so that when compressed it exerts a substantially uniform elastic reaction pressure against the membrane carrying the electrode layer or a pliable foraminous sheet, i.e. screen, interposed between the membrane carrying the electrode layer and the resiliently compressible fabric. The resiliently compressible fabric has the ability of also transmitting pressure laterally so that pressure applied may distribute across the entire area of the layer and tendency to have local areas of too low or too high pressure is minimized or reduced.
Chlorine or other halogen is produced by feeding an aqueous alkali metal halide or aqueous hydrogen halide to the anode chamber. Alkali is produced in the cathode chamber and withdrawn.
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Citations
47 Claims
- 1. An electrolytic cell which comprises a flexible ion permeable diaphragm having at least one complaint electrode layer bonded to or otherwise incorporated on one side thereof, a current distributor bearing against the layer, said distributor having an electroconductive surface adapted to impart polarity to the layer, and a cooperating counter electrode disposed at the other side of the diaphragm, said current distributor or said counter electrode comprising a resiliently compressible mat coextensive with said electrode layer dimensions, said mat being capable of being compressed in the direction of the diaphragm and to exert an elastic reaction force towards the diaphragm at a multiplicity of pressure points and capable to transfer excess resilient force acting on one or more pressure points to other neighbouring pressure points in a lateral direction along a major dimension of the mat whereby compressing pressure can be effectively distributed over the entire surface of the layer, said mat being open to permit flow of electrolyte through it means slideable with respect to the mat to compress the mat toward the diaphragm and a rigid support on the other side of the flexible diaphragm to restrain diaphragm displacement.
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11. An electrolytic cell which comprises an enclosure having a flexible ion permeable diaphragm sheet aligned in an upright direction;
- said diaphragm sheet having electroconductive electrode layers compliant thereto bonded to the sheet on opposite sides thereof with a substantially rigidly mounted foraminous electroconductive current distributor bearing against one of said layers and a resiliently compressible current distributor bearing against the other layer;
said current distributor being compressed against the layer against which it bears and also capable of transmitting excess compressive force from one area, in a lateral direction, toward adjacent lower pressure areas and means slideable with respect to said distributor to compress the distributor against the layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- said diaphragm sheet having electroconductive electrode layers compliant thereto bonded to the sheet on opposite sides thereof with a substantially rigidly mounted foraminous electroconductive current distributor bearing against one of said layers and a resiliently compressible current distributor bearing against the other layer;
- 19. An electrolyte cell which comprises a flexible ion permeable membrane having opposed gas and liquid permeable electrodes in contact with opposite sides thereof and means to impart polarity to at least one of said electrodes comprising a resilient mat comprising a resiliently compressible undulating metal wire mat open to gas and electrolyte flow, means slideable with respect to the mat to compress said mat against the electrode and a rigid support on the opposite side of the flexible diaphragm to restrain diaphragm displacement.
- 31. An electrolytic cell comprising a vertical flexible ion permeable diaphragm having opposed electrodes on opposite sides thereof, at least one of said electrodes comprising a compressible resilient, electrolyte-permeable mat open to gas and electrolyte flow and having a conductive polarized electrode surface associated therewith in contact with the diaphragm and means slideable with respect to the mat for compressing the mat against the diaphragm and more rigid means on the opposite side of the diaphragm to support the diaphragm.
- 40. An electrolytic cell which comprises a flexible ion permeable diaphragm having opposed gas and liquid permeable electrodes in contact with opposite sides thereof, at least one of said electrodes comprising a compressible resilient electrolyte permeable mat open to gas and electrolyte flow and having a conductive polarized electroconductive surface associated therewith and in contact with the diaphragm and a less compressible electroconductive screen interposed between the mat and the diaphragm.
- 45. An electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode separated by a flexible ion permeable diaphragm, one of said electrodes comprising a planar backwall and a compressible resilient electroconductive electrolyte permeable mat having an electrodic surface associated therewith and between the backwall and the diaphragm, means to compress the mat and the backwall against the diaphragm and a more rigid support for the diaphragm on the opposite side thereof.
Specification