US2204506A - Electrolytic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 11, 1940. A, 1 MacDOUGALL 2,204,506

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1937 :E 1 ynvevffpr J. MacDoUja-n ATTY v electrolyte.

Patented June 1.1, )1940 PATENT "ori-lcs 2,204,506 ELECTROLY'IIC APPARATUS Archibald J. MacDougall,

Toronto Ontario,

`Canada, assignor to MacDougall Chemical Company, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a. lirm composed oi' said MacDougall, David Rossand John v. Guibert .Applieauon neeemberiv, 1937, serial No. 180,265

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electrolytic cells adapted for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions in which process Aat least one` of the products o! decomposition is a gas, such,` for example, as`

in the electrolysis of sodium chloride vfr the production of sodium hypochlorite where hydrogen is given olf, and my object is to devsesa simplecheap and durable cell in which thedesired reaction can be rapidly and `cheaply carried out without the occurrence of undesirable sec-v ondary reactions.

I attain my objects by meansof a construction which may be briefiydescrlbed as follows:

A tubular upwardlyoextending cell wall is provided of non-conducting material such as glass'.

Positioned within the cell wall and substantially closely fitting the interior of the wall are a pluralityof blocks of some conducting material, such as carbon, which is substantially inert in the 2O presence of the electrolyte' and the electrolytic products.

These blocks are held in spaced relationship rby suitable insulating means and each has an axial opening ltherethrough so that electrolyte 2l may flow seriatlm therethrough. A source of direct electric current is connected to the end blocks of theseries so that the current passes .through the series of blocks and through 'the spaces between the blocks which (are filled with Decomposition takes place and the composition of the electrolyte must be such that at least one ofthe products formed is 'a gas. The gas is formed in small bubbles which coalesce to form] Il larger bubbles which vrise through the conduit formed -by .the openings in the blocks and lift the electrolyte and the liquid products of decomposition to circulate them to and from a crock or container in which the' cell will usually be placed.

The gas electrolyte butalso interrupt, more or less, the continuity of the column of electrolyte and thus prevent current flowing directly throughy said column from end block to end block without passing through the intermediate blocks.4

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and is.iliustrated in the accompanying drawinginwhich i so Fig. 1 is a vertical section'vof .a single cell constructed in accordance with my invention; and A Fig. 2 a cross section on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1. In the drawing like numerals of reference indicate corresponding P5118 inthe different .figuresl Referring to the drawing; I is a crock or conf'- bubbles not only serve to circulate the the container, as,v for example,l by resting on the 5 ledges` 2 formed adjacent to the bottom of the container. The base is preferably formed of carbon or other conducting material not affected by the electrolyte and is formed with one or more openings 3a.` On this base thererests or is connected a glass tube 5 which is of some considerable length. Fitted within the tube are a series of blocks 6, 6a and 6b.. These blocks closely fit the interior of the glass tube. The blocks are preferably made of carbon, though other conductive materials inert in the presence of thel electrolyte might be employed'. The lower block l 6 is threaded or otherwise secured in the base 3.4 These blocks 6, E, Ib are held in spaced relationship so that the electrolyzing current will pass from block to block through the electrolyte. I show as spacers either glass pins I tted in holes inthe adjacent faces of adjacent blocks or else a glass ringl separator as shown at la. Other non-conducting materials inert in the presence of the electrolyte might, of course, 'be

employed.`

The carbon blocks are preferably about 3A" in length and l in diameter while the preferred spacing between the nearest portions of adjacent .blocks is substantially l", though these proportions may be varied within reasonable limits.l

The number of blocks employed will depend on the voltage of the current used. With 110 v. current about sixteen gives good results.

Through each block is formed an opening `or passageway I0, preferably about 1A in diameter. These openings or passageways form a continuous conduit through which an `electrolyte mayllow [from the bottom of the container I to the passageway I0 in the upper block 6b, which passageway I 0 is preferably turned laterally as shown at 9.

,The glasstube 5 is formed with a laterally extending spout Swhich receives the outow from the passageway I0 of the block 6". The dis- The underside of each block 6, it will be noted,

is formed with a conical concavity intended to rite, hydrogen gas is directfbubbles of gas and upflowing -liquid into' the openings extending up through the blocks,

'I'he blocks and the openings therein are so arranged and proportioned that the volume of the bubbles formed and travelling upthrough the openings produces an insulation inthe electrolyte between the cells formed by adjacent blocks and prevents direct passage of current throughout the length of the electrolyte in the conduit formed by the openings. g

It is found that in order to prevent heat reactions, which reduce efciency, it' is desirable to cool the tube which is provided with the `jacket Il i'or that purpose. A coolingliquid may be circulated through the jacket by means of the pipes l2 and I3 preferably to keep the temperature within the tube at or below 100 F.

The mode of operation of the cell. will be evident from theabove description.. A direct current of electricity passes through the series of Vblocks 6 and through the spaces between said blocks, which, of course, are filled with electrolyte and, when a solution of sodium chloride is 'being electrolyzed to produce sodium hypochloreleased.- Small bubbles of gas formed on the surfaces of the electrode blocks or in the electrolyte are collected by the concave bottoms off the lblocks and directed upwardly through the openings ID. The gas thus acts as a lift and causes a rapid circulation of the electrolyteup Ithrough the conduit formed v by the openings Ill'and out through the passageway I0 of the uppermostbloci: 6b and out through the spout 9 to fall into the Jiquid in the container.

The process is continued until the sodium chloride is substantially converted into sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen.

Itis found in practice that the speed of the series of electrolyte spaces,

electrolytic action .is such that there is insumcient time for the setting up of undesired reversed reactions. From the speed of travel of the electrolyte it follows also that cell heating is minimized and undesired secondary heat reactions are thereby prevented or minimized.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In an electrolytic cell the combination o f an upwardly extending tube of non-conducting material; a serieslof blocks' of conductingI material inert to theieiectrolyte and iitting closely within the tube arid held in spaced and nonconductive relationship to one another to form a each block having a central opening therethrough forming the sole connection between the adjacent spaces, all of the openings being substantially concentric with one another-so'that all the electrolyte ows through each of the spaces consecutively.'4

v2. An electrolytic cell according to claim 1 in which the lower end of each block is formed with a conical concavity forming oa aring mouth to the opening in the bloc 3. In an electrolytic cell the combination of a carbon base; a carbon rod secured to and e'xterminal; a tube dinan-conducting material extending up from'the base; conducting material inert tothe 'electrolyte and fitting closely within the tube and heldin spaced ving as an electrical terminal.

v ARCHIBALD J. MA'cDoUGALL.

tending up from the base forming an electric a series of blocks of and non-conductive relationship to one another z hat all the electrolyte iiows

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