GB668465A - Improved process and apparatus for the production of fluorine - Google Patents

Abstract

668,465. Electrolytic production of fluorine. PENNSYLVANIA SALT MANUFACTURING CO. June 24, 1948 [June 28, 1947; Sept. 13, 1947; Sept. 13, 1947], Nos. 17058/48, 17059/48 and 17060/48. Class 41. In an electrolytic cell structure suitable for the production of fluorine, comprising a vessel for containing an electrolyte, an anode of non- graphitic electrode carbon extending downwardly into the electrolyte, a downwardlyextending cathode spaced from the anode and being either solid or containing louvres slanting upwardly away from the anode, and a barrier impervious to gases extending downwardly between the anode and cathode but to a lesser depth, the minimum horizontal anode and cathode spacings, as measured between the electrode in question and a vertical line extending down from that portion of the lower edge of the gas barrier which serves to separate gases ascending through the electrode, are related to the depth of the electrodes below the lower level of the gas barrier, substantially as indicated on the graph shown in Fig. 3, the abscissµ representing spacing in inches and the ordinates representing electrode length below the barrier level. The curve A-1 shows the minimum anode spacing and A-2 the preferred minimum anode spacing. Curves C-1 and C-2 correspond to the anode curves A-1, A-2, respectively but relate to a louvred cathode, and curves C-3, C-4 relate to a solid cathode. As shown in Fig. 1, a tank 11 surrounded by a jacket space 13 for a heating or cooling medium, is filled with potassium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride up to a level 12. Into the electrolyte depend a non-graphitic electrode carbon anode 24, gas barriers 19, and louvred cathodes 16. The connecter 21 for joining the anode to a source of current is screwed into a metal plate 27 which is provided with bolts 28 screwed into the anode. The connecter 21 and plate 27 are preferably made of copper or beryllium copper alloy. A compound such as a water-based graphite paste may be used between all abutting surfaces of metal and carbon. The temperature during electrolysis is maintained within a range of about 95‹ to about 105‹ C.