Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda, Potash, and Chlorine.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 13th June, 1889-4ccepted, 20th July, 1889
A
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda, Potash, and Chlorine.
communication from abroad by WILHELM SPILKER and CHARLES LOEWE, of
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Engineers.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention has for its object the production of carbonates and bicarbonates
of the alkalies by the electric current by gaining at the same time gaseous formed
chlorine.
The procedure is based upon the fact, unknown hitherto, that at the electrolysis of
watery chlorides by employing a diaphragm of porous clay, or similar material, the
electric current has the endeavour to conduct the basis from the anode compartment
to the cathode compartment, and that this will be executed constantly, when the
basis there is neutralized. This neutralization is effected in this proceeding by
carbonic acid.
Another fact, unknown hitherto, is also made use of. It is a fact, that by electrolysis
the contents of the anode compartment continuously diminish, whilst the contents of
the cathode compartiment proportionally augment. Arrangements have been further
made by employing the outer vessel of the electrolytic bath directly as electrode, which
may be considered for wet proceedings, also as an improvement.
On the accompanying drawing, a single bath as well as a combination of four baths
is represented.
The baths K K are. wrought iron vessels in which other vessels D D of clay or
similar material are placed as diaphragms in an isolated manner. The latter contain
charcoal cylinders A A as anodes. The inner surface of K K are the cathodes. K is
filled at the beginning with a weak solution of chlorides or carbonates. D is filled
with a concentrated solution of chlorides in such a manner that by a regulating
apparatus the level in D remains constantly at the same height (a little lower than
in R) so that the chlorine gas may escape automatically through the pipe Cl. The
pipe CO, serves to introduce carbonic acid into the cathode compartment. As the
current passes, a finished solution of carbonates flows from K through B to the
channel S. The cock a serves to let off the not soluble bicarbonate if it is formed.
The regulation of the afflux to D is made in such a manner that between the
reservoir Z (for the solution of chloride) and the vessel D a regulating basin R is
placed with a regulating cock h. The level of the liquid in this basin will not rise
above an aperture made in the side wall of the basin. D and R are joined by a
U-shaped syphon Z the ends of which are turned upwards. The liquor in the
vessels therefore will not sink below the highest aperture of the syphon. Ordinarily
the level is a little higher at R because the gas has high pressure at D. The upward
turned ends of the siphon Z are longer in the vessel D, so that the function of the
syphon is not disturbed,, even if there is a high over-pressure in D.
The above described manipulation furnishes, therefore, in a continuous manner
solutions of soda or potash with solid bicarbonates, which in a well known manner

page_text: may be changed into solid carbonate. The chlorine, which is formed beside it may
be changed into chloride of line or employed for other purposes.
It is evident that the introduction of carbonic acid may be made also out of the
electrolytic baths instead of being introduced directly into the latter. For it is well
known that the neutral carbonates of the alkali metals are capable of absorbing a
certain quantity of carbonic acid, which may be used again to neutralize the equivalent
quantity of free alkali formed in the electrolytic baths, if these solutions are
introduced again into the cathode compartiment of the electrolytic baths, which for
this purpose communicate with each other.
Dated this 13th day of September 1888.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda, Potash, and Chlorine.
A communication from abroad by WILHELM SPILKER and CHARLES LOEWE, of
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Engineers.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool & 6, Bank Street, Manchester both
in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
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:-
The invention has for its object the. production of carbonates of the alkalies by the
electric current, and obtaining at the same time gaseous chlorine.
The process is based upon the fact unknown hitherto that in the electrolysis of wet
or aqueous solutions of chlorides, by employing a diaphragm of porous clay or
similar material the electric current endeavours to conduct the base from the anode
compartment to the cathode compartment, and that this will go on continuously so
long as the base there is neutralized. This neutralization is effected in this process by
means of carbonic acid.
Another fact also unknown hitherto is utilized in this invention. It is that by the
electrolysis the contents of the anode compartment continuously diminish, whilst the
contents of the cathode compartment proportionally augment.
Another improvement consists in employing the outer vessel of the electrolytic bath
directly as an electrode, a plan not hitherto used in this wet process.
In the drawings accompanying the provisional specification, a single bath as well as
a combination of four baths is represented.
The baths K K are wrought iron vessels in which other vessels D D of clay or
similar material are placed as diaphragmns in an isolated manner.
The latter contain carbon cylinders A A as anodes. The inner surface of K K
are the cathodes. K is filled at the beginning with a weak solution of chloride or
carbonate. D is filled with a concentrated solution of chloride in such a manner
that by a regulating apparatus the level in D remains constantly at the same height
(a little lower than in R) so that the chlorine gas inay escape automatically through
the pipe Cl. The pipe CO, serves to introduce carbonic acid into the cathode com-
partment. As soon as the current passes, a finished solution of carbonates flows
from K through a to the channel S. The regulation of the afflux to D is made in
such manner that between the reservoir % (for the solution of chloride) and the
vessel D a regulating basin R is placed with a regulating cock h. The level of the
liquid in this vessel will not nount over an aperture made in the side wall of the
basin the overflow passing into U. D and R are joined by a pipe Z, the ends
of which are turned upwards. The liquor in the vessels therefore only falls to the
highest aperture of the syphon Z. Ordinarily the level is a little higher at R
because the gas has high pressure at D. The upward turned ends of the syphon Z

page_text: are longer in the vessel D, so that the function of the syphon is not disturbed even if
there is a high pressure in D.
The above described manipulation furnishes therefore in a continuous manner
solutions of carbonates of soda or potash which in a well known manner may be
changed into solid carbonate. The chlorine which is also formed may be changed into
chloride of lime or employed for other purposes.
It is evident, that the introduction of carbonic acid may be made also out of the
electrolytic baths instead of being introduced directly into the latter. It is well
known that the neutral carbonates of the alkali metals are capable of absorbing a
certain quantity of carbonic acid, which may be used again to neutralize the
equivalent quantity of free alkali formed in the electrolytic baths, if these solutions
are introduced again into the cathode compartment of the electrolytic baths, which for
this purpose communicate with each other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The manufacture of soda or potash and of gaseous chlorine by the electrolysis
of aqueous solutions of chlorides of the alkali metals, executed in such manner
that, by employing closed diaphragms of porous clay or similar material, a continual
passage of the base (Na OH, or KOH) contained in the solution of the anode com-
partment in the form of the corresponding chloride to the cathode compartment is
obtained, by continuously neutralizing these bases (Na OH or KOH) (without
precipitation) in the cathode compartment for example by means of passing in
carbonic acid or by employing the corresponding bicarbonates substantially as
described.
2. In the process described under claim 1 :-
The arrangement by which a fresh solution of chloride is continually conducted
to the anode compartment, while at the same time the cathode compartment
contains a solution of bicarbonate more or less neutralized, whereby the solution
of carbonate is continually flowing off from the cathode compartiment without
fresh chloride being introduced to this compartment.
Dated this 10th day of Lun 1000

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 13th June, 1889-Accepted, 20th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda, Potash, and Chlorine.
A communication from abroad by WILHELM SPILKER and CHARLES LOEWE, of
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Engineers.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention has for its object the production of carbonates and bicarbonates
of the alkalies by the electric current by gaining at the same time gaseous formed
chlorine.
The procedure is based upon the fact, unknown hitherto, that at the electrolysis of
watery chlorides by employing a diaphragm of porous clay, or similar material, the
electric current has the endeavour to conduct the basis from the anode compartment
to the cathode compartment, and that this will be executed constantly, when the
basis there is neutralized. This neutralization is effected in this proceeding by
carbonic acid.
Another fact, unknown hitherto, is also made use of. It is a fact, that by electrolysis
the contents of the anode compartiment continuously diminish, whilst the contents of
the cathode compartment proportionally augment. Arrangements have been further
made by employing the outer vessel of the electrolytic bath directly as electrode, which
may be considered for wet proceedings, also as an improvement.
On the accompanying drawing, a single bath as well as a combination of four baths
is represented.
The baths K K are wrought iron vessels in which other vessels D D of clay or
The latter contain
similar material are placed as diaphragms in an isolated manner.
charcoal cylinders A A as anodes. The inner surface of K K are the cathodes. K is
filled at the beginning with a weak solution of chlorides or carbonates. D is filled
with a concentrated solution of chlorides in such a manner that by a regulating
apparatus the level in D remains constantly at the saine height (a little lower than
The
in R) so that the chlorine gas may escape autoinatically through the pipe Cl.
pipe CO, serves to introduce carbonic acid into the cathode compartment. As the
current passes, a finished sölution of carbonates flows from K through B to the
channel S. The cock a serves to let off the not soluble bicarbonate if it is formed.
The regulation of the afflux to D) is made in such a manner that between the
reservoir Z (for the solution of chloride) and the vessel D a regulating basin R is
placed with a regulating cock h. The level of the liquid in this basin will not rise
above an aperture made in the side wall of the basin. D and R are joined by a
U-shaped syphon Z the ends of which are turned upwards. The liquor in the
vessels therefore will not sink below the highest aperture of the syphon. Ordinarily
the level is a little higher at R because the gas has high pressure at D. The upward
turned ends of the siphon Z are longer in the vessel D, so that the function of the
syphon is not disturbed, even if there is a high over-pressure in D.
The above described manipulation furnishes, therefore, in a continuous manner,
solutions of soda or potash with solid bicarbonates, which in a well known manner
may be changed into solid carbonate. The chlorine, which is formed beside it may
be changed into chloride of lime or employed for other purposes.
It is evident that the introduction of carbonic acid may be made also out of the
electrolytic baths instead of being introduced directly into the latter. For it is well
known that the neutral carbonates of the alkali inėtals are capable of absorbing a
certain quantity of carbonic acid, which may be used again to neutralize the equivalent

page_text: quantity of free alkali formed in the electrolytic baths, if these solutions are
introduced again into the cathode compartment of the electrolytic baths, which for
this purpose communicate with each other.
Dusted this 12th dure of Santana 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda, Potash, and Chlorine.
A communication from abroad by WILHELM SPILKER and CHARLES LOLWE, of
Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Engineers.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool & 6, Bank Street, Manchester both
in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
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:-
.
The invention has for its object the production of carbonates of the alkalies by the
electric current, and obtaining at the same time gaseous chlorine.
The process is based upon the fact unknown hitherto that in the electrolysis of wet
or aqueous solutions of chlorides, by employing a diaphragm of porous clay or
similar material the electric current endeavours to conduct the base from the anode
compartment to the cathode compartment, and that this will go on continuously so
long as the base there is neutralized. This neutralization is effected in this process by
means of carbonic acid.
Another fact also unknown hitherto is utilized in this invention. It is that by the
electrolysis the contents of the anode compartment continuously diminish, whilst the
contents of the cathode compartment proportionally augment.
Another improvement consists in employing the outer vessel of the electrolytic bath
directly as an electrode, a plan not hitherto used in this wet process.
In the drawings accompanying the provisional specification, a single bath as well as
a combination of four baths is represented.
The baths K K are wrought iron vessels in which other vessels D D of clay or
similar material are placed as diaphragms in an isolated manner.
The latter contain carbon cylinders A A as anodes. The inner surface of K K
are the cathodes. K is filled at the beginning with a weak solution of chloride or
carbonate. D is filled with a concentrated solution of chloride in such a manner
that by a regulating apparatus the level in D remains constantly at the same height
(a little lower than in R) so that the chlorine gas may escape automatically through
the pipe Cl. The pipe CO, serves to introduce carbonic acid into the cathode com-
partment. As soon as the current passes, a finished solution of carbonates flows
from K through a to the channel S. The regulation of the afflux to D is made in
such manner that between the reservoir Z (for the solution of chloride) and the
vessel Da regulating basin R is placed with a regulating cock h. The level of the
liquid in this vessel will not mount over an aperture made in the side wall of the
basin the overflow passing into U. D and R are joined by a pipe Z, the ends
of which are turned upwards. The liquor in the vessels therefore only falls to the
highest aperture of the syphon Z. Ordinarily the level is a little higher at R
because the gas has high pressure at D. The upward turned ends of the syphon Z
are longer in the vessel D, so that the function of the syphon is not disturbed, even if
there is a high pressure in D.
The above described manipulation furnishes therefore in a continuous manner
solutions of carbonates of soda or potash which in a well known manner may be
changed into solid carbonate. The chlorine which is also formed may be changed into
chloride of lime or employed for other purposes.

page_text: It is evident, that the introduction of carbonic acid may be made also out of the
electrolytic baths instead of being introduced directly into the latter. It is well
known that the neutral carbonates of the alkali metals are capable of absorbing a
certain quantity of carbonic acid, which may be used again to neutralize the
equivalent quantity of free alkali formed in the electrolytic baths, if these solutions
are introduced again into the cathode compartment of the electrolytic baths, which for
this purpose communicate with each other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The manufacture of soda or potash and of gaseous chlorine by the electrolysis
of aqueous solutions of chlorides of the alkali metals, executed in such manner
that, by employing closed diaphragmns of porous clay or similar material, a continual
passage of the base (Na OH, or KOH) contained in the solution of the anode com-
partment in the form of the corresponding chloride to the cathode compartment is
obtained, by continuously neutralizing these bases (Na OH or KOH) in the cathode
compartiment for example by means of passing in carbonic acid or by employing
the corresponding bicarbonates.
2. In the process described under claim 1 :-
(a) The arrangement by which the inner surface of the outer vessel is caused to
act directly as a cathode.
(b) The arrangement by which a fresh solution of chloride is continually conducted
to the anode compartment, while at the same time the cathode compartment
contains a solution of bicarbonate more or less neutralized, whereby the solution
of carbonate is continually flowing off from the cathode compartment without
fresh chloride being introduced to this compartment.
Dated this 12th day of June 1889
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.