Improved Electrolytic Processes and Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1896
Improved Electrolytic Processes and Apparatus.
I, ANTOINE EDOUARD PEYRUSSON of 7, Chemin du Petit Tour, Limoges
(Haute Vienne), France, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improvement in electrolysis which consists essentially
in the employment of helical electrodes or divisions whereby a prolonged circuit is
imparted to the electrolyte in circulation through the coils of the helix whilst
undergoing electrolysis.
The accompanying drawings illustrate several examples of the apparatus;
Figure 1 shewing in elevation the inner spiral electrode and Figure 2 the outer
spiral electrode, Figure 3 being a vertical section of the complete cell and Figure 4
a similar view of a modification. Figures 5 6 7 and 8 represent vertical sections
of various modified forms of cells.
In Figures 1 to 4 the inner electrode is a helix a whose coils should be so close
together that the electrolyte supplied at top will be completely and progressively
subjected to the action of the current. The electrode which surrounds a central
conductive stem b is placed within a porous pot c of corresponding internal diameter
so that the electrode exactly fits in it, the porous pot being provided with a draw-
off cock d at bottom. The outer electrode is a helix e hollow at the centre to
receive the porous pot e the coils of helix e being connected externally by rods f
one of which carries the terminal g. Or the coils may be supported by a continuous
outer wall. The electrodes and porous pot are placed in an outer jar of stoneware,
porcelain, glass, wood, or metal, lined with asbestos cloth and having a cock i at
bottom for regulating the outflow of the electrolyte subjected to the action of the
outer electrode e.
Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that the action is as follows:-The
solutions to be electrolyzed are supplied from feed reservoirs through cocks k I
and flow down the spiral electrodes and are drawn off at the cocks d and i.
The helical form presents the advantage that the electrolytes must follow the
spiral course which according to the pitch of the helix may be very many times
greater than the height of the cell. Moreover during this prolonged circulation
the electrolyte is acted on by the current in thin layers enclosed between the blades
of the helix and therefore in the best condition for being thereby acted on in a
rational and progressive manner which result is further favoured by the movement
of the liquid and by the fact that each portion of the electrolyte subjected to the
action of the current during its passage along the helix is isolated from the rest of
the liquid and is discharged immediately the desired effect is obtained, the outflow
being suitably regulated by the cocks d and i. Only one of the electrodes may be
helical the other being of any of the usual forms. Various conducting materials
may be used for the electrodes according to the composition of the electrolyte.
With this apparatus the actions produced at both electrodes may be utilized and
even operate simultaneously upon different electrolytes, for example persulphate
may be formed at the anode and a bi-sulphite be reduced at the cathode in order to
convert it into a hydrosulphide.
I have found that the products of electrolysis may often be obtained in a much
purer condition by separating the electrodes by two porous diaphragms c c

page_text: (Figure 4) with an intervening space y where the mixing of the anions and cathions
takes place. To obtain for example a very defined pure action at the cathode the
space between the two porous vessels would be filled with the same liquid as that
of the cathode and it is here that the cathions become diffused of which the
mixture may be removed as produced while the cathode remains free from secondary
actions. This intervening space might be filled with a conducting liquid of a nature
suitable for neutralizing the anions or cathions which might be prejudicial. Owing
to the helical form of the electrodes and the conditions under which the electrolyte
circulates between their convolutions the various known electrolytical effects may
be produced under the most favourable conditions. Thus by electrolytic
decomposition oxygen, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and all electro-negative elements
will go to the anode where they may be collected in the isolated state or where
their combination with an electrolyte placed at the anode may be brought about
for oxidizing, chloridizing, etc. chemical compounds. For example waste or sewage
waters may be disinfected, paper-pulp bleached, etc. etc. by being caused to
circulate past the anode with a small quantity of sea-salt or even with sea-salt at
the cathode. On the other hand at the cathode hydrogen, alkalies, or other
electro-positive elements may be obtained and various reactions produced. All
these effects are well known as obtainable by electrolysis and it would not be
possible to here enumerate all the results obtainable by the process. The same
remark also applies to the different arrangements and mode of operation. It is
evident for example that a similar effect might be obtained with a helix of non-
conducting material the spaces being filled with wires or powders for conducting
the current and giving passage to the electrolyte. Or the helix may be made of
non-conducting material faced with metal plates aud of which the part in contact
with the porous pot would be perforated for the passage of the current. The
terminal of one electrode may be at the bottom and at top of the other. The
porous diaphragm may also be dispensed with and the electrolyte allowed to
circulate from one electrode to the other. Alternating currents from any source
may be employed.
Figures 5 to 8 illustrate several modifications in which one helical electrode is
used.
In Figure 5 the helix a which acts as an anode is placed between two porous
pots c d the electrolyte circulating through it whilst the inner pot 6 or the outer
pot e contains the cathode.
This spiral form of electrode is especially suited for carrying out the method
designated by Professor E. Semmola secondary electrolysis.
Thus if a conductive helix a be placed between two porous pots c d (Figure 6)
and the current be passed through the electrodes bande the helix a being
unconnected with either acts as a parasite electrode that portion nearest the anode
being electrified negatively and that nearest the cathode positively and the
electrolyte flowing down the helix will thus be subjected on the same coil or blade
to the different actions produced at the two poles.
In this manner for example the constituents of wine may be caused to enter into
the combinations which produce the effect of ageing the salts being decomposed
and the acids carried to the anode and the bases to the cathode e by the principal
electrolysis. In this case also the helix may with advantage be made of non-
conducting material so as to form what may be termed an inert electrode. In this
case there would be no secondary electrolysis but merely decomposition of the salts
of the electrolyte traversing the helix a this action being greatly facilitated by the
circulation of the electrolyte through the helix and being well suited to the
purification of saccharine juices.
Figure 7 represents a combination of the two last described arrangements the
belix being inert or of non-conducting material between porous pots of which
the inner one is encased and the outer one lined with wire-gauze as at p the
gauzes forming no impediment to the passage of the principal current and if
connected acting as a parasitic electrode producing secondary electrolysis.

page_text: Figure 8 shews an arrangement producing what may be termed double
electrolysis the construction being the same as in Figure 7 except that the gauzes
are not connected together at bottom as in Figure 7. The anode b is connected to
the wire gauze p and the cathode e to the wire gauze n a resistance being
introduced between these connections so as to counterbalance the resistance of
the porous pots and prevent the concentration of the current in the space
containing the wire gauze. Loss of energy no doubt ensues but this arrangement
is sometimes advantageous and diminishes electric osmose. It answers well for the
treatment of wine.
When the anode is attackable it is well to face the edges of the spirals next the
cathode with an insulating material such as gutta-percha, celluloid, etc. to prevent
its consumption. The pots or diaphragms may be made of perforated, non-p›rous,
materials such as ebonite or celluloid covered with parchment paper, asbestos
cloth, etc.
Dated this 12th day of March 1896.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, Loudon, Chartered Patent Agents.
I, ANTOINE EDOUARD PEYRUSSON of 7, Chemin du Petit Tour, Limoges
(Haute Vienne) France, Chemist, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improvement in electrolysis which consists essentially
in the employment of helical electrodes or divisions whereby a prolonged circuit is
imparted to the electrolyte in circulation through the coils of the helix whilst
undergoing electrolysis.
Reference is to be had to the drawings left with my Provisional Specification
and also to the accompanying drawing which illustrate several examples of the
apparatus.
Figure 1 shews in elevation the inner spiral electrode and Figure 2 the outer
spiral electrode.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the complete cell and Figure 4 a similar view of
a modification.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 represent vertical sections. of various modified forms
of cells.
In Figures 1 to 4 the inner electrode is a helix a whose coils should be so close
together that the electrolyte supplied at top will be completely and progressively
subjected to the action of the current. The electrode which surrounds a central
conductive stem b is placed within a porous pot cof corresponding interual diameter
so that the electrode exactly fits in it, the porous pot being provided with a
draw-off cock d at bottom. The outer electrode is a helix e surrounding the
porous pot e the coils of this helix being connected externally by rods f one of
which carries the terminal g. Or the coils may be supported by a continuous
outer wall. The electrodes and porous pot are placed in an outer jar / of stone-
ware, porcelain, glass, wood, or metal, lined with asbestos cloth and having a cock i
at bottom for regulating the outflow of the electrolyte subjected to the action of the
outer electrode e.
Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that the action is as follows:-Tae solutions
to be electrolyzed supplied from feed reservoirs through cocks kl traverse the cell

page_text: wowing between the spirals of the electrodes and are drawn on at the Cocks a
and i.
The helical form of electrode presents the advantage that the electrolytes must
follow the spiral course which according to the pitch of the helix may be very
many times greater than the height of the cell. Moreover during this prolonged
circulation the electrolyte is in thin layers enclosed between the blades of the
helix and is therefore in the best condition for being acted on by the current in a
rational and progressive manner, this result being favoured by the movement of
the liquid and by the fact that each portion of the electrolyte subjected to the
action of the current during its passage along the helix is isolated from the rest of
the liquid and is discharged immediately the desired effect is obtained, the outflow
being suitably regulated by the cocks d and i. Only one of the electrodes may be
helical, the other being of any of the usual forms. The nature of the conducting
material used for the electrodes may be varied according to the composition of the
electrolyte. With this apparatus the actions produced at both electrodes may be
easily utilized and different electrolytes may be simultaneously treated. For
example persulphate may be formed at the anode and a bisulphite be reduced at
the cathode in order to convert it into hydrosulphite.
I have found that the products of electrolysis may often be obtained in a much
purer condition by separating the electrodes by two porous diaphragms ce
(Figure 4) with an intervening space y where the mixing of the anions an
cathions takes place. To obtain for example a very defined pure result at the
cathode the space y would be filled with the same liquid as that used at the cathode
so that the cathions become diffused in the space y whence the mixture may be
removed as fast as produced while the cathode remains free from secondary
actions. This intervening space might be filled with a conducting liquid of a
nature capable of neutralizing the anions or the cathions. The helical form of the
electrodes and the conditions under which the electrolyte circulates between their
convolutions enable the various known electrolytical effects to be produced under
the most favourable conditions. Thus by electrolytic decomposition oxygen,
chlorine, bromine, iodine, and all electro-negative elements will go to the anode
where they may be collected in the isolated state or where their combination with
an electrolyte may be brought about for oxidizing, chloridizing, etc. chemical
compounds. For example, waste or sewage waters may be disinfected, paper-pulp
bleached, etc. etc. by being caused to circulate past the anode with a small quantity
of sea-salt or even by placing the sea-salt at the cathode so as to use less. On the
other hand at the cathode hydrogen, alkalies, or other electro-positive elements
may be obtained and various reactions produced. All these effects are well known
as obtainable by electrolysis and it would not be pessible to here enumerate all the
results obtainable by the process. The same remark also applies to the different
arrangements and mode of operation. It is evident for example that a similar
effect might be obtained by making the helix of non-conducting material, the
spaces being filled with wires or powders for conducting the current and giving
passage to the electrolyte. Or the helix may be made of non-conducting material
enclosed between metal plates and of which the part in contact with the porous
pot would be perforated for the passage of the current. The terminal of one
electrode may be at the bottom and that of the other at the top of the electrode.
The porous diaphragm may be dispensed with and the electrolyte allowed to
circulate from one electrode to the other. Alternating currents from any source
may be employed.
Figures 5 to 8 illustrate several modifications in which one helical electrode
is used.
In Figure 5 the belix a which acts as an anode is placed between two porous
pots cd, the electrolyte circulating through it, whilst the inner pot or the outer
pot contains the cathode 6 or e.
This spiral form of electrode is especially suited for carrying out the method
designated by Professor E. Semola, secondary electrolysis.

page_text: Thus if a conductive helix a be placed between two porous pots c d (Figure 6)
and the current be passed through the electrodes b and e, the helix a being uncon-
nected with either acts as a parasite electrode, that portion nearest the anode being
electrified negatively and that nearest the cathode positively and the electrolyte
flowing down the helix will thus be subjected on the same coil or blade to the-
different actions produced at the two poles.
In this manner for example the constituents of wine may be caused to enter into
the combinations which produce the effect of ageing, the salts being decomposed
and their elements carried the acids to the anode band the bases to the cathode e
by the principal electrolysis. In this case also, the helix may with advantage be
made of non-conducting material so as to form what may be termed an inert
electrode. In this case there would be no secondary electrolysis but merely
decomposition of the salts of the electrolyte traversing the helix a, this action.
being greatly facilitated by the circulation of the electrolyte through the helix
and being well suited to the purification of saccharine juices.
The two last described methods of operating may be combined, as in Figure 7,
by placing the helix of inert or non-conducting material between porous pots of
which the inner one is encased and the outer one lined with wire-gauze as at p the
ganzes forming no impediment to the passage of the principal current and being
connected at bottom so as to act as a parasitic electrode producing secondary
electrolysis.
Figure 8 shews an arrangement producing what may be termed double electrolysis,.
the construction being the same as in Figure 7 except that instead of the gauzes.
being connected the terminal of anode 6 is connected to the terminal of wire
gauze p and the terminal of cathode e to the terminal of wire gauze n, a resistance.
being introduced between these connections so as to counterbalance the resistance
of the porous pots and prevent the coacentration of the current in the space con-
taining the wire gauzes. Loss of energy no doubt ensues, but this arrangement is
sometimes advantageous and diminishes electric osmosis. It answers well for the
treatment of wine.
When the anode is attackable it is well to face the edges of the spirals next the
cathode with an insulating material such as gutta-percha, celluloid, etc. to prevent
its consumption. The porous diaphragms may be made of perforated non-porous
materials such as ebonite or celluloid covered with parchment paper or asbestos.
cloth or of the two last mentioned substances superposed and placed the former
next the cathode and the latter next the anode.
It has been mentioned that the porous diaphragms separating the electrodes may
be dispensed with, and in this case it is advantageous to alternate the spirals of the
electrodes, as in Figure 9 which shews two helices A a, a, a, allt, a, a, and
Bb, b,,, IV, coiled about a central cylinder C of insulating material which
may be either solid or hollow and of any diameter. In this case the electrolyte is
subjected to the action of two electrodes without separation of the products of the
electrolysis and this form of apparatus is well adapted for the treatment of liquids.
such as saccharine juices, wines, beers, etc. by alternating currents.
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 :-
1st. The employment in electrolysis of a helical electrode for prolonging the
circulation of the electrolyte and causing it to be subjected to the action of the
current in a continuous, uniform, and progressive manner substantially as described
with reference to Figures 1 to 4.
2nd. The employment in electrolytic apparatus generally of electrodes of helical
form either as primary electrodes or as parasitic electrodes for effecting secondary
electrolysis, or as an inert electrode or mere division for causing the circulation
of an electrolyte between two porous diaphragms separating primary electrodes as.
specified.

page_text: 3rd. The several combinations and arrangements of apparatus comprising helical
electrodes for producing the effects herein specified substantially as described with
reference to Figures 5 to 9 of the drawings.
Dated this 12th day of December 1896.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.