Patent GB-1235570-A (GB)
Title: Electrolytic cells
IPC: C25B11/04
Filed: 1968-12-12
Abstract: 1,235,570. Electrodes for mercury cathode and diaphragm cells. ELECTRONER CORP. Dec. 12, 1968 [Dec. 14, 1967; Nov. 25, 1968], No.59185/68. Heading C7B. An electrolytic cell has an anode comprising a thin valve metal base in the form of an openwork structure coated over at least part of its surface with a ceramic semi-conducting material containing a catalyst for the reaction of the cell and over the remainder, if any, of the surface an oxide which has a higher electrical resistance than the ceramic semi-conducting material, the cell being arranged so that in use, the electrolysing current flows through the electrolyte to the cathode from the surface of the anode which has the ceramic semi-conducting coating. The base may be coated over the whole of its surface with a ceramic semiconducting material which may be of titanium dioxide having defects in its crystal lattice structure. The catalyst may be an oxide of a platinum group metal or of gold or silver and the base may be of titanium, tantalum, columbium, zirconium, molybdenum, or tungsten. In the Figure is shown a mercury electrolytic cell having a continually flowing mercury cathode which flows over the cell base 15 behind the stationary anodes 36 immersed in a brine solution. The brine level is indicated by the line E-E. The cell 10 is mounted between a pair of I-beams 11 and is inclined to cause the mercury to flow. The cell comprises a wall 12 and a pair of upstanding side walls 13 of concrete or other suitable material and lined with a corrosive-resistant material 14, such as natural stone or a coating of rubber or resin. The electrically conductive base 15 of steel or the like defines the inner bottom face of the cell. A conductor arrangement 16 secured to the end of the surface of the bottom wall 12 includes spaced, upwardly projecting conductors which connect with the metal base 15, a conventional bus bar is connected to the conductor 16 to permit completion of the circuit. Conductors 16 form the negative connection to the circuit. A plurality of spaced, transversely disposed pillars 17 span the cell above the I-beams 11 and are mounted on adjustable posts 17a which rest on and are easily secured to the beams. The pillars 17 supports a pair of longitudinally extending beams 18 mounted in an overlaying elongated plate 19 and along which are spaced suitable hook members 20. A plurality of anode support valves 21 extend transversely of the I-beams 11 and are secured to the bottom face of the I-beams 18. Downwardly projecting lead-ins 22, of copper or other conductive metal are spaced along support valves 21 and releasably secured thereto. Bus-bar connections 23 and 24 secured to a positive electrical power source convey current to the bars 25 which extend transversely of the cell and are secured to the lead-ins 22. A flexible cover member 26 overlies the cell. The anode assembly comprises anode 36 having conducting faces 38 comprising titanium or tantalum mesh base 1/ 50th to 1/60th inch thick covered with a ceramic semiconductor electrocatalytic coatings. The cell may be used for the electrolysis of brine solutions.