Improved Method of and Means for Supplying Electricity to the Carbon Electrodes employed in the Electrolysis of Fused Electrolytes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1893-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Means for Supplying Electricity to the
Carbon Electrodes employed in the Electrolysis of Fused
Electrolytes.
1, HANS HEINRICH FREI, of Hirzel, Bezirk Horgen, Kanton Zurich, Switzer-
land, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In the electrolysis of fused electrolytes, the anodes in the form of carbon rods,
plates, tubes, blocks, and the like are usually introduced vertically, and from
above, into the bath, the electric current being supplied to said carbon electrodes
by means of a conductor that is connected to the upper end thereof in order
that the connection may be a permanent one and not liable to become melted
or destroyed either by the action of the current or by chemical action, such as
would ordinarily be the case if the connection were located directly above the
glowing bath.
By this arrangement however the electric current is compelled to traverse the
whole or at least the greater part of the carbon electrode before arriving at its
proper point of action in the bath, with the result that owing to the high specific
resistance of the carbon a considerable loss of electro-motive force and consequently
of electric energy takes place.
Now this invention has for object to obviate this disadvantage by supplying
the current to the carbon electrode at a point near to or even below the level of
the bath.
To enable this to be done the current is transmitted to the carbon electrode
through large masses of metal that are connected to the carbon electrode or
between which the carbon electrode is clamped and which are kept cool or com-
paratively cool either by the aid of a cooling medium such as a current of cold
water or air, or by making them of such large size and shape that they will be
kept comparatively cool by the cooling action of the air within the workshop or
place in which the electrolytic apparatus is located. Such a setting may even
extend into the bath without being destroyed, as in such a case a portion of the
material of which the bath is composed will form a solid crust around the metal
and protect it against the electrical and chemical action of the bath, because
such material when in the solid state will not conduct electricity.
A setting of this kind composed of large masses of metal also prevents the
carbon from burning and disintegrating outside, that is to say above, the bath.
The masses of metal which when in use are electrically connected with a suitable
source of electricity such as a dynamo, may at the same time serve as carriers
or supports for the clectrode for which purpose they may be mounted upon but
insulated from the edges of the electrolytic vessel. As the carbon electrode is
gradually consumed, it must be capable of being fed into the bath from time to
time. To enable this to be done without at the same time placing the setting
any deeper, the electrode is or may be suspended from a suitable raising and
lowering device as for example pulley blocks, that will allow of the electrode
being placed lower or higher as required, at which time the setting proper is
disengaged therefrom and remains in its place directly above the bath.
The accompanying drawing illustrates an example of the manner of supplying
current to a carbon electrode by means of a setting of the kind referred to. A is a
carbon block forming a positive electrode; B is the fused mass to be electrolized;
CC are cast iron plates the ends of which rest in an insulated manner on the edges
of the electrolytic vessel D. The iron plates are forced by screws E laterally

page_text: against the carbon block, and at their upper edge are held at the required distance
apart by means of struts F. The upper portion of the carbon is formed with a
hole through which is passed a rod H by means of which the carbon is suspended
from a pulley block above. G G are electric conductors fixed to the iron plates C
in any suitable manner, it may be for example by means of screws as shown.
As the carbon electrode consumes away, and is moved down into the bath the
original rod will become a short block, and ultimately will become a horizontal
plate electrode entirely or almost entirely immersed in the bath.
Thus it will be seen that my invention is applicable not only to carbon
electrodes of considerable length but also to those of short length and even to
electrodes in the form of plates arranged horizontally in the bath.
Dated this 19th day of September 1892
H. H. FREI,
By L. W., per F. B.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Means for Supplying Electricity to the
Carbon Electrodes employed in the Electrolysis of Fused
Electrolytes..
1, HANS HEINRICH FREI, of Hirzel, Bezirk Horgen, Kanton Zurich,
Switzerland, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In the electrolysis of fused electrolytes, the anodes in the form of carbon rods, plates,
tubes, blocks, and the like, are usually introduced vertically, and from above, into
the bath, the electric current being supplied to the said carbon electrodes by means
of a conductor that is connected to the upper end thereof in order that the con-
nection may be a permanent one and not liable to become melted or destroyed,
either by the action of the current or by chemical action such as would ordinarily.
be the case if the connection were located directly above the glowing bath.
By this arrangement however, the electric current is compelled to traverse the
whole, or at least the greater part of the carbon electrode before arriving at its
proper point of action in the bath, with the result that owing to the high specific
resistance of the carbon, a considerable loss of electro motive force and consequently
of electric energy takes place.
Now my invention has for object to obviate this disadvantage by supplying the
current to the carbon electrode at a point near to, or even below the level of the
bath. To enable this to be done, the current is supplied to the carbon electrode
through large masses of metal that are connected to the carbon electrode, or
hetween which the carbon electrode is clamped, and which are kept cool or
comparatively cool either by the aid of a cooling medium such as a current of cold
water or air directed through or upon them, or by making them of such large size
and shape that they will be kept comparatively cool by the cooling action of the
atmosphere within the workshop or place in which the electrolytic apparatus is
located. Such a metal setting may even extend into the bath without being
destroyed, as in such a case a portion of the material of which the bath is composed
will form a solid crust around the metal and protect it against the electrical and
chemical action of the bath, because such material when in the solid state will not
conduct electricity.
A setting of this kind composed of large masses of metal also prevents the carbon
from burning and disintegrating outside, that is to say above the bath.
The masses of metal, which when in use are electrically connected with a
suitable source of electricity such as a dynamo, may at the same time serve as
carriers or supports for the electrode for which purpose they may be mounted upon
but insulated from the edges of the electrolytic vessel. As the carbon electrode is

page_text: gradually consumed, it must be capable of being fed into the bath from time to
time. To enable this to be done without at the same time placing the setting any
deeper, the electrode is or may be suspended from a suitable raising and lowering
device as for example pulley blocks that will allow of the electrode being placed
lower or higher as required at which time the setting proper is disengaged therefrom
and remains in its place directly above the bath.
Figs. 1 & 2 of the accompanying drawings are vertical sections, in planes at
right angles to each other, illustrating an example of the manner of supplying
current to a carbon electrode by means of a setting of the kind referred to.
A is a
carbon block forming a positive electrode; B is the fused mass to be electrolized;
CC are thick rods or masses of cast iron the ends of which rest upon but are
insulated from the edges of the electrolytic vessel D. These iron rods or masses are
forced by screws E laterally against the carbon block, and at their upper edge are
held at the required distance apart by means of struts F.
In this, the most simplest case, each mass of metal C is made of such dimensions
that its surface will be sufficiently large (even without a special cooling arrangement)
to become cooled by the air that flows past it.
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2 showing an arrangement in which the masses C
of metal are formed with perforations L, through which water or air can be caused
to flow in any desired manner so as to keep them cool.
Fig. 4 shows in plan an arrangement of bars or plates C constructed with a
number of cooling ribs Cat the outer sides so as to present a large surface to the
cooling action of the atmosphere.
The upper portion of the carbon A is formed with a hole through which is
passed a rod H by means of which the carbon is suspended from a pulley block
above. G G are electric conductors fixed to the masses C of iron in any suitable
manner, it may be for example, by means of screws as shown.
As the carbon electrode consumes away and is moved down into the bath the
original rod will become a short block, and ultimately will become a horizontal plate
electrode entirely or almost entirely immersed in the bath.
Thus it will be seen that my invention is applicable not only to carbon
electrodes of considerable length but also to those of short length and even to
electrodes in the form of plates arranged horizontally in the bath.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The herein described method of supplying electricity to the carbon electrode
used in the electrolysis of a fused electrolyte by connecting the electrode to an
electric generator through masses of metal that are connected to the lower portion
of the electrode and are kept cool or comparatively cool by a cooling agent such as
a current of cold water or air directed through or upon them, or by the cooling
action of the surrounding atmosphere as set forth.
2. The combination with a carbon electrode for use in the electrolysis of a fused
electrolyte, of a setting consisting of masses of metal that are secured only to the
lower portion of the electrode and are of such size as not to be appreciably heated
by the passage through them of the electric current employed, or to be melted by
the heat of the fused electrolyte substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 29th day of Mor 1802
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.