Patent GB-282688-A (GB)
Title: Electrolytic apparatus
IPC: C25B9/17
Filed: 1927-12-21
Abstract: 282,688. Noeggerath, J. E. Dec. 21, 1926, [Convention date]. Cells; electrodes; diaphragms; electrolytes, circulating; oxygen and hydrogen, obtaining; electrolysis under pressure.-A cell for the decomposition of water comprises conical electrodes 6, 9, Fig. 1, of the same polarity, a middle electrode 20 of opposite polarity, and a series of intermediate bipolar electrodes 81 of less substantial construction, separated by diaphragms 83. The electrodes and diaphragms are provided with end-flanges which are separated by insulating rings 10 and blocks 12, secured together by tie-rods 7, 8 and the electrode system in surrounded by an insulating jacket 38 spaced from the outer casing, The blocks 12 may be wider than the rings 1. The electrodes, diaphragms and separating members are provided with apertures 13, Fig. 3, forming a conduit for the withdrawal of hydrogen, connected by passages 15 to the cathode chambers, and smaller apertures 14, forming a conduit for the withdrawal of oxygen, connected by passages 16 to the anode chambers. The conduits 13, 14 may taper downwardly. The casing comprises a long steel tube 1 provided with a conical cover 2 having a central sleeve 4, provided with a check valve 5, in connection with the oxygen conduit 14, and passages 32 provided with check valves 33 connected to an annular space 31 connected with the hydrogen conduit 13. Anolyte carried upwards by the gas returns by a pipe 35<a> to a conduit 17 formed by coacting apertures in the outer edges of the electrodes, diaphragms and insulators and re-enters the anode compartments through passages 19. The catholyte returns by a pipe 36 to the cell 1 whence it passes into the space between the electrode-structure and the insulating jacket 38; from this space it returns by passages in the insulators to the cathode chambers. The catholyte in the vessel 1 is further connected to the conduit 13 through apertures in the electrode 9. The middle electrode 20 is mounted on a conductor 21 formed at its lower end as a coil spring 22 provided with a slotted conical extension 23 secured to a conductor 25 by a conical nut 24. The conductor 21 is surrounded by an insulating sleeve 26 inset in a cylindrical insulator 27. A cap 46 across which is stretched an elastic membrane 43 is loosely mounted in the top of the cell, forming a chamber the interior of which is in communication with the anolyte through a bye-pass 47 to the pipe 35<a>, and the outside in communication with the catholyte; pressure differences are thereby equalized. A similar equalizing membrane or a piston may be placed elsewhere in the gas or electrolyte conduits. The gases may be obtained at 100 atmospheres pressure or above. The electrodes or diaphragms or both may be corrugated. In a modification the wider ends of the conical electrodes are uppermost. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) also describes further modifications, in which plane electrodes arranged vertically or obliquely are employed. In one form, the cell comprises two obliquely mounted cylinders meeting in a gas-collecting vessel, the electrodes being vertical and elliptical so as to conform to the section of the cylinders. In another modification the end and middle electrodes are of the same polarity, and additional unipolar electrodes of opposite polarity are arranged between them. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.