GB1210389A - Electrolysis cells - Google Patents

Abstract

1,210,389. Electrolysis; controlling interelectrode distances. FARBENFABRIKEN BAYER A.G. Nov.17, 1967 [Feb.23, 1967], No.52441/67. Heading C7B. A circuit arrangement for reporting and automatically eliminating short circuits in electrolysis cells, e.g. for electrolysis of alkali metal chlorides, for instance, using a mercury cathode and graphite or metal anodes, comprises an electronic monostable or bi-stable circuit, means for separating the electronic circuit from the cell voltage of each electrolysis cell, and a control circuit connected to said electronic circuit, the electronic circuit in use acting to detect a change in cell voltage due to a developing or developing and disappearing short circuit and to actuate the control means to adjust the electrode spacing of one or more of the cells. In the form shown a plurality of electrolysis cells 1 are arranged in series and the potential difference existing across each cell is applied to a D. C. voltage transformer 3 which enables subsequent circuitry to be separated from the potential at which the electrolysis cells are operated. Each transformer 3 is associated with a monostable or bi-stable electronic circuit stage, 6, the positive terminal of the transformer being connected via condenser 5 to one terminal of the stage 6 circuit, the other of which is provided with a reference voltage formed by connecting the negative terminals of all transformers 3 to connector rail 4 and connecting the positive terminals to the connector 13 via resistances 12 so that the rail 13 is at an average potential, and connecting the connector rails 4 and 13 to the terminal of the electronic circuit 6 via an impedance converter 15. The circuit 6 is connected to and controls an alarm 7 and a control circuit 8 which, when a short circuit occurs, causes the anode 9 concerned to be withdrawn a given distance by means of a servomotor 9.