Improvements in Apparatus for Electrolytic Purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Electrolytic Purposes.
1, HERBERT GUTHRIE, of Albert Road, Levenshulme, near Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
This invention has for its principal object improvements in apparatus to facilitate
the decomposition of brine by electrolysis in order to produce chlorine and a
solution of caustic soda on a commercial scale, but the invention may also be
applied to the electrolysis of other substances.
Apparatus according to this invention is constructed mainly of sheet or Bat
material cut or stamped out or otherwise shaped and laid together so as to form the
anodes and cathodes, the chambers for the electrolyte and collection of gas, the feed
and exit ducts for brine and solution of caustic soda respectively, the chlorine and
hydrogen ducts, the electrical connections and insulators and the diaphragm
dividing the cathode chamber from the anode chamber.
The electrodes are made of plain sheets or pieces in any convenient number of
parts, ranged in line if in more than one, and electrically connected by a conductor,
preferably of strip or ribbon form, merely laid along them and pressed tightly
against them as will hereinafter be more particularly described; or the electrodes
may be allowed to protrude to the outside of the chamber and electrical connection
be made on the exposed edges or on special projections provided for the purpose.
I form out of any convenient dielectric or insulating material, a frame of similar
or slightly thicker substance than the electrode so as to complete the outside walls
of the chamber, cutting away sufficient of the said frame to form inlet passages for
the electrolyte and outlet passages for the decomposed liquor and gases. The
mode of forming these passages will be hereinafter more particularly described. If
the walls of the chambers are made of a substance of sufficient elasticity to form a
liquor and gas tight joint when the said walls are pressed one towards the other,
the said material may suffice in itself to complete the outside walls. If, however
the substance be hard and unyielding, a thin sheet of suitable elastic substance may
be placed on the face and secured or cemented or pressed thereto, the said elastic
facing also covering the conducting strip and insulating it electrically as well as
isolating it from any injurious effects of the electrolyte. The diaphragm I make
of some cheap flexible porous substance, such as blotting paper, thin felt, a fabric,
or spun glass the fibres of which may be arranged parallel with each other, or be
woven matted or otherwise arranged together, the said diaphragm being simply
stretched over the chambers and pressed between then, first being perforated where
necessary for the several ducts hereinbefore mentioned. For the purpose of
temporarily holding the diaphragms in position, the before named frames may have
a series of small points upon which to hang them, with, of course, corresponding
depressions or holes on the opposite face. The said diaphragms may also be made
smaller than the outside of the frames so as possibly to simplify their form and
avoid perforating them for the several ducts as above described.
According to a modified construction the diaphragms each consist of a grating
having horizontal bars formed with flat or grooved top surfaces and V-shaped on
the underside, so that the faces presented to the ascending gases on each side of the
diaphragm will act to prevent such gases passing through to the opposite side.
The cathodes and anodes may have a number of small projections of dielectric
material so arranged on their faces as to form a means of steadying and supporting
the diaphragms. These projections are made preferably of elastic material pushed

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into holes or sockets in the said electrodes. If the holes be plain then the distance
pieces may have collars to ensure correct position, but if the holes be blind or
sockets, then the distance pieces may be of plain form the bottoms of the sockets
being sufficient to ensure correct position. A thinner portion of the chamber walls,
or parts carried thereby, may be brought down to below the surface of the
electrolyte so as to separate the gas chambers and support the diaphragms.
Other portions may also be brought down to the floor of the chamber to serve as
further supports to the diaphragm as well as a means of holding the roof and floor
of the apparatus together and making the whole apparatus more stable.
The plates forming the walls of the chambers, together with the elastic facings,
are so much thicker than the electrodes as to give just sufficient space for the
electrolyte with as little superfluous liquor as possible. This arrangement also
diminishes the electrical resistance to the minimum, as well as economises space.
To combine the several parts viz. the anode and chamber, the cathode and
chamber, and the diaphragm, I place them one against another in proper rotation
in a laminated form and repeat the series to any extent in batches of convenient
size. The several sets of chambers can be electrically connected either inde-
pendently or in series. The connections may be made by the conductors before
mentioned having projections bent U-shape or by separate U-shaped pieces, the
ends of the U's being placed against the conductors and pressed thereon in the
'general squeezing up, as hereafter described.
The feed duct throughout each batch may be formed by perforations in the
several plates so that when all are placed together, a continuous passage is
produced, and the connections with each chamber may be made hy grooves thinning
away the plates at that point so as to form a small connecting passage between
each chamber and the feed duct. Or instead of a separate perforation, the large
area cut away to form the main chamber may be utilised by not allowing the
diaphragm or electrodes to cover the lower portion of the feed end. The gas
ducts may be made in a similar manner to the feed duct with the exception
that only alternate chambers will be severally connected, that is to say all the
cathode chambers will be connected with one duct and all the anode chambers
with another.
The caustic soda duct may also be formed in a similar manner to the brine duct
but separated from direct communication with the chambers. This duct may be a
closed one, but preferably it is an open gutter, and connection to it is made by
a capillary syphon of suitable capacity laid over a wall into the cathode chamber,
this end of the chamber being trapped against the escape of gas by a midfeather or
wall dipping into the electrolyte, or, in the case of large apparatus and a quick
flow, the trap and midfeather may be dispensed with and a small duct or small
ducts made direct to the chamber and the flow regulated by taper plugs or taps.
In either the case of syphoning, or direct connecting ducts regulated by plug or
tap, the main collecting duct may be a simple independent open gutter. In any
case the regulation is conducted from the exit end of each cathode chamber so as
to ensure a proper proportion of the electrolyte passing each pair of electrodes.
The same arrangement is applicable to the anode side but preferably there is no
open exit from the anode chamber for the electrolyte, it being preferred to retain
the same liquor and renew its strength by the supply of solid salt as fast as it is
weakened by dissociation, provision being preferably made in the anode chamber
for a supply or store of solid salt for that purpose.
This store of solid salt may be retained in place by two walls arranged
immediately above the anode and almost but not quite touching so as to form a
hopper through which the solid granular matter will not run down until the mouth
is cleared, in this instance, by the dissolving of the salt by the solution, the mouth
of the said hopper being necessarily in the liquor. The walls of these hoppers
may conveniently be carried by the diaphragm supports and be fastened thereto
with just sufficient clearance to allow of the free escape of the gas generated in the
liquor below. Immediately above these hoppers there may be openings in the roof

page_text: of the chamber for the purpose of charging and recharging the said hoppers these
openings being normally closed.
The before described several parts are formed into complete sets by pressing
them together in a compression apparatus, the said apparatus having suitable
longitudinal guides in the form of recesses or projections, and the before named
parts suitable projections or recesses detachable or otherwise, to ensure a proper
adjustment of the positions of the parts. It is desirable to have a dove-tailed piece
between the parts and the compression apparatus to ensure against the accidental
misplacement or loss of any part during cleaning or renewing of the diaphragms.
Or a suitable perforation or perforations may be made so as to enable a thin rod,
chain or cord to be passed through the whole series of plates with the same object.
In connection with this compression apparatus, or entirely separate from it, a tray
is formed underneath the whole set so as to collect the washings during cleaning
and renewing operation. This tray may also serve for preventing leakage by
placing the set in the tray, the said tray being filled with liquor to about the same
level as the electrolyte liquor within. The said tray may therefore answer the
triple purpose of a squeezing apparatus, a washing basin, and a leak preventer. In
this case a fourth use may follow, namely, the electrolysis apparatus may take its
feed from the tray thus ensuring a uniform level of liquor within and without, with
the object hereinbefore named, and of admitting of a permanent connection of the
tray with the main duct feeding the several sets of cells. The modus operandi
aimed at is therefore a supply of brine at a fixed level automatically regulated, it
may be by an electric float causing a valve to open or close by the action of an
electro-magnet. As the brine travels along the main duct, portions are diverted
into the cathode chambers, the connections with the anode chambers mainly serving
the purpose of the first filling and the securing of a similar level of the electrolyte
on both sides of the slender diaphragms, so as to avoid risk of strain, rupture or
damage thereto. The chambers being all charged, the anode side of each is
renewed by the supply of solid salt as hereinbefore mentioned. The brine, under
the electrolyte action parts with its chlorine, which ascends and is conducted away
through its proper duct. The cathode side has its liquid renewed by the brine
duct. The brine here parts with hydrogen gas which is conducted away by its
proper duct. The liberated oxygen combines with the sodium and forms caustic
soda in the solution.
Each cell or chamber is not necessarily continuous or in one straight line, but
may be constructed U-shape in plan and this shape may be repeated to any extent
by making proper communications at the ends of each straight portion or they
might be made curved.
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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Electrolytic Purposes.
I, HERBERT GUTHRIE, of Albert Road, Levenshulme, near Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Civil 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 :-
This invention has for its principal object, improvements in apparatus to
facilitate the decon position of brine by electrolysis, in order to produce chlorine,
and a solution of caustic soda, on a commercial scale, but the invention may
also be applied to the electrolysis of other substances.
17

page_text: Apparatus according to this invention is constructed mainly of sheet or flat
material, cut or stamped out, or otherwise shaped, and laid together, so as to
form the anodes and cathodes, the chambers for the electrolyte and collection
of gas, the feed and exit ducts for brine and solution of caustic soda respectively,
the chlorine and hydrogen ducts, the electrical connections and insulators, and
the diaphragm dividing the cathode chamber from the anode chamber.
The electrodes are made of plain sheets or pieces of conducting material, in
any convenient number of parts, ranged in line if in more than one, and
electrically connected by a conductor, preferably of strip or ribbon form, merely
laid along them and pressed tightly against them, as will hereinafter be more
particularly described. Or the electrodes may be allowed to protrude to the
outside of the chamber, and electrical connection be made on the exposed edges,
or on special projections provided for the purpose.
I form out of any convenient dielectric or insulating material, a frame of
similar or slightly thicker substance than the electrode, so as to complete the
outside walls of the chamber, cutting away sufficient of the said frame to form
inlet passages for the electrolyte, and outlet passages for the decomposed liquor
and gases. The mode of forming these passages will be hereinafter more
particularly described. If the walls of the chambers are made of a substance
of sufficient elasticity to form a liquid and gas tight joint, when the said walls
are pressed one towards the other, the said material may suffice, in itself, to
complete the outside walls. If, however the substance be hard and unyielding,
a thin sheet of suitable elastic substance may be placed on the face and secured
or cemented or pressed thereto, the said elastic facing also covering the con-
ducting strip and insulating it electrically, as well as isolating it from any
injurious effects of the electrolyte. The diaphragın may be made of some cheap,
flexible, porous or permeable substance of any suitable construction, as will be
readily understood, the said diaphragm being perforated where necessary for the
several ducts hereinbefore mentioned.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show respectively, in longitudinal section, cross section, and plan,
so much of an electrolytic apparatus as is necessary to enable my invention to be
readily understood.
1 are the anodes; 2 the cathodes; 3 the diaphragms between the anodes and
cathodes; and 4 the frames arranged between the anodes, cathodes and diaphragmns
and serving to form the walls of the electrode chambers, these parts being each of
flat material with parallel surfaces so that they will bear evenly one against the
other when pressed together. 5 are thin ribbon or strip conductors, each placed
between the upper part of an electrode and the opposite face of the adjacent frame,
so as to make good electrical connection with the electrode when the several parts
are pressed together. 6 are pieces of sheet material, such as india rubber, that are
both elastic and insulating, placed between the frames 4 and the adjacent electrodes
and strip conductors, so as to form elastic facings that will serve to ensure a tight
joint between the several parts when they are pressed together, the said facings
lapping over the thin edges of the electrodes and conductors so as to protect them
from contact with the electrolyte and with the evolved gases. These elastic facings
may be of U shape in cross section, as shown, so that each will enclose the outer
edge of an electrode.
The frames or plates 4 forming the walls of the electrolytic chambers 7, together
with the elastic facings when used, are so much thicker than the electrodes, as to
give just sufficient space for the electrolyte with as little superfluous liquor as
possible. This arrangement also diminishes the electrical resistance to the minimum,
as well as economises space.
To combine the several parts, viz. an anode 1, cathode 2, diaphragm 3 and
frames 4 to form ancde and cathode chambers, I place such parts one against
another in proper rotation in a laminated form as shown, and repeat the series to
any extent to form batches of chambers of convenient size. The several sets of

page_text: cells thus formed, can be electrically connected either independently or in series.
The connections may be made by providing the strip conductors 5 with external
projecting pieces 5*, or by separate U-shaped pieces 5, the ends of which are
placed against the conductors 5, and pressed thereon in the general squeezing up,
as hereinafter described. In either case, the external pieces 5ª, or 5º, can be readily
connected up in any desired manner.
The feed duct throughout each batch may be formed by perforations in the
several plates, as shown in dotted lines at 8 in Fig. 2, so that when all the plates
are placed together, a continuous passage is produced, the connections between
which and each chamber may be made by thinning away the plates 4 at the
required places so as to form a small connecting groove or passage 8* between each
chamber and the feed duct. The gas ducts 9, 9 may be made in a similar manner
to the feed duct 8, with the exception that only alternate chambers will be severally
connected, that is to say, all the cathode chambers will be connected with one duct,
say 9, and all the anode chambers with the other duct, say 9. Should the elec-
trodes be so thick as not to admit of the edges of the holes in the elastic facings
meeting around the edges of the holes in the electrodes, in the manner shown in
Fig. 14, when the several plates are squeezed together, then the holes in the elec-
trodes may be bushed with protecting linings 9*, as shown in Fig. 1", whenever it
is found necessary to protect the electrodes from the substance passing through the
ducts, as for example from the effect of chlorine.
Or instead of forming a separate perforation 8 in the several plates of which the
chambers, electrodes and diaphragms are made, the said plates may, as shown at
the right hand side of Fig. 2, be each formed with a lateral extension 4* in which
is a recess 4, so that when the several plates are pressed together, they will form a
trough which is closed at the ends by separate plain walls. The plates 4 are also
each cut away at 4° so as to form an inlet passage between the trough formed by
the recesses 4, and the corresponding electrode chamber 7.
The caustic soda duct 10 may be formed in a similar manner to the brine duct 4*
but separated from direct communication with the chambers 7. This duct may be
a closed one, but preferably it is an open gutter, as shown, and connection is made
between it and an exit passage 11 from each cathode chamber by a capillary
syphon 12 laid over an intermediate wall or division 4ª. The syphon may be
formed of any suitable alkali proof material, such as threads of india rubber,
gutta-percha, vulcanite or glass, having sufficient capacity to conduct the caustic
soda at the required rate. Each exit passage 11 may be formed by grooving or
cutting away the frame 4 at the part marked, the part 4 of the frame left between
the said exit passage and the cathode chamber serving as a mid-feather or wall,
which, since it is immersed in the electrolyte, serves to trap this end of the
chamber, and prevent escape of gas therefrom by way of the exit passage 11. The
interior of the brine duct 8 or 4b, and exit duct 10, may be lined with insulating
material to prevent a short circuit being made between the electrodes, by the brine
and caustic soda respectively within these ducts. Or in the case of the ducts 4b
and 10, the electrodes may be cut away near the ends of ducts 4° and 11 and
layers of non-conducting material, of the equivalent shape as the cut-away parts,
substituted.
In the case of large apparatus and a quick flow, the trap and midfeather may be
replaced by a small duct or small ducts 10 in direct communication with
the cathode chambers, as shown in Fig. 4, the flow being regulated by taper plugs
or taps 12.
In either the case of syphoning (Fig. 2), or direct connecting ducts regulated by
plugs or taps (Fig. 4), the main collecting duct may be a simple independent open
gutter, as shown for example at 10* in the latter figure. In any case the regulation
is conducted from the exit end of each cathode chamber so as to ensure a proper
proportion of the electrolyte passing between each pair of electrodes. The same
arrangement Figs. 2 or 4 is applicable to the anode chambers, but preferably there
is no exit from such chambers for the electrolyte, it being preferred to retain the

page_text: same liquor therein and renew its strength by the supply of solid salt as fast as it is
weakened by decomposition, provision being made in any suitable way to enable
this to be done.
The diaphragms 3 of porous or permeable sheet or plate material, instead of
being placed between two adjacent frames 4, as in the example shown in
Figs. 1, and 3, may for convenience be each fixed in one of the said frames, as
shown in Fig. 5.
The before described several parts are formed into complete sets by pressing
them together in a compression apparatus, the said apparatus having suitable
longitudinal guides in the form of recesses or projections, and the before named parts
suitable projections or recesses, detachable or otherwise, to ensure a proper
adjustment of the positions of the parts. It is desirable to have a dove-tailed piece
between the parts and the compression apparatus, to ensure against the accidental
misplacement or loss of any part during cleaning or renewing of the diaphragms.
Or a suitable perforation or perforations may be made so as to enable a thin rod,
chain or cord to be passed through the whole series of plates with the same object.
In connection with this compression apparatus, or entirely separate from it, a tray
is formed underneath the whole set so as to collect the washings during cleaning
and renewing operation. This tray may also serve for preventing leakage by
placing the set in the tray, which in this case is made much deeper, so as to form a
tank, and is filled with liquor to about the same level as the electrolyte liquor
within the set of cells. The said tank, may therefore then answer the triple purpose
of a squeezing apparatus, a washing basin, and a leak preventer. In this case a
fourth use may follow, namely, the electrolysis apparatus may take its feed from the
tank, thus ensuring a uniformn level of liquor within and without, and admitting of
a permanent connection of the tank with the main duct feeding the several
sets of cells, or with the inlet passages 4 of such cells direct.
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a cross section and part plan showing combined
electrolytic apparatus, compressing apparatus and tank such as just referred to.
13 is the tank in which the several Hat plates, of which the electrolytic apparatus
is built up, are forced tightly against one another and against one end wall of the
tank, by a movable end plate 14 that is set up by a screw 15 working through the
other end wall of the tank. On the inner side of the tank are longitudinal
guides 16, 16" for engagement respectively with projections 17 on one side of the
various plates composing the electrolytic apparatus, and with the top of the outer
wall of the caustic soda duct 10, so as to ensure proper adjustment of the positions
of the various parts. With this construction, the lateral extension 4* of the plates
forming the brine conduit 4b shown in Figs. 2 and 3, may be dispensed with, the
brine being admitted to the electrode chambers by the inlet passages 4° direct from
the tank, in which a supply of brine is maintained by any suitable means, such as
a float valve, at the required working height of the electrolyte in the said
chambers.
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. Electrolytic apparatus constructed mainly of suitable sheet or flat material
suitably shaped and pressed together so as to form the anodes and cathodes, the
chambers for the electrolyte and collection of gas, the feed and exit ducts or
passages for the liquors treated and produced, the gas ducts and other parts,
substantially as herein before described.
2. Electrolytic apparatus constructed as referred to in the preceding claim,
combined with a tank provided with means for forcing the several parts of the
electrolytical apparatus against each other and serving as a squeezing apparatus, a
washing vessel, a leak preventer, and a supply tank for maintaining a constant
height of electrolyte in the electrolytic apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore
described.

page_text: 3. Electrolytic apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference respectively to and shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and in
Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings annexed, or according to Fig. 4 or according to Fig. 5
for the purposes specified.
Dated this 17th day of September 1894.
3. Electrolytic apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as herein before
described with reference respectively to and shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and in
Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings annexed, or according to Fig. 4 or according to Fig. 5
for the purposes specified.
Dated this 17th day of September 1894.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields. London. W.C.. Chartered Patent Agent.