Improvements in Apparatus for the Electrolytical Decomposition of Brine and other Liquids.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th May, 1894-Accepted, 23rd June, 1894
PROVIDIUNAL DIUITIVATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Electrolytical Decomposition of
Brine and other Liquids.
We, FRANCIS GIBSON BAILY, of University College, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Electrician, and MALCOLM GUTHRIE of 76 Prince's Road,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in apparatus for the electrolytical
decomposition of brine or solutions of other chemical compounds, hereinafter
called the electrolyte, and is designed to prevent the mingling of the substances
formed at the two electrodes of the cell in which the decomposition takes place,
while avoiding, as far as possible, obstruction to the passage of the electric current
at the same time preventing disturbance of the electrolyte and assisting in the
evolution of the gases formed at the electrodes by rapidly removing the gases, as
soon as formed to a point outside the zone of the electric current.
To this end the electrolyte is fed into the cell continuously at points lying
between the two electrodes, and overflows are arranged near to or behind the two
electrodes so that the flow of the electrolyte shall be in opposite directions from
the central portion of the cell towards and beyond the two electrodes, the rate of
flow at the centre and at the overflows being regulated as required. The direction
of the flow of the electrolyte may be horizontal, slanting or vertical.
To assist in preventing the admixture of the products formed at the two
electrodes, the electrolyte may be fed into the centre of the cell by means of a
series of pipes which may themselves form an obstruction to the passage of counter
currents of liquid or which may form part of a perforated central screen the
interstices of which allow a sufficient passage for the electric current. Or
according to another arrangement there may be placed between the central feed
and the electrodes one or more porous or perforated screens through which the
electrolyte can flow. In the case of large cells two or more such arrangements
may be combined. Thus in the case of a large cell in which the electric current
flows horizontally, the prevention of eddy currents and the regulation of the flow
of the electrolyte from the central feed inlets to the overflows, near or behind the
electrodes, may be effected by dividing the central space between the two ends of
the cell into horizontal compartments by means of plates or divisions of non-
conducting material and arranging within each compartment, so as to extend from
side to side thereof, a perforated pipe for the supply of the electrolyte. The
electrodes may advantageously be composed of several plates electrically connected
together the surfaces thereof where gases are evolved being formed with
corrugated grooves or otherwise roughened surfaces. These electrodes are placed
opposite the respective ends of each compartment and are preferably fixed in a
slanting position, the lower edge of each abutting against the lower horizontal
division plate so that the outward flow of the electrolyte shall be upwards
over its surface, so that the escape of the evolved gases shall be in the same
direction.
In cases where no gases are evolved, the lower horizontal division plate may be
carried, if desired beyond the lower edges of the electrode plates. If the electrode
plates are very thick the number of division plates may be greater than the number
of the electrode plates.
With a vertical or slanting flow of electrolyte, a similar relative arrangement of

page_text: division plates and electrodes may be made, the electrolyte being fed into the
middle of the cell and flowing out at the top and bottom.
Dated this 17th day of August 1893.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Electrolytical Decomposition of
Brine and other Liquids.
We, FRANCIS GIBSON BAILY, of University College, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Electrician, and MALCOLM GUTHRIE, of 76 Prince's Road,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman, 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 reference to improvements in apparatus for the electrolytic
decomposition of brine or solutions of other chemical compounds, hereinafter called
the electrolyte, and is designed to prevent the mingling of the substances formed at
the two electrodes at which the decomposition takes place, by the supply of fresh
electrolyte and the removal of the decomposed or modified liquid.
To this end the electrolyte is fed into the cell continuously at points lying between
the electrodes, and overflows are arranged near to or behind the electrodes, which
latter may consist of perforated plates, or of a series of plates arranged
louvre-wise, so that the flow of the electrolyte shall be in opposite directions from
the central portion of the cell towards and, if required, beyond the two electrodes,
the rate of flow at the centre and at the two overflows being regulated as required
according to the character of the electrolyte and the strength of the electric
current. The direction of the flow of the electrolyte may be horizontal, inclined
or vertical.
To assist in preventing the admixture of the products formed at the two
electrodes, the electrolyte round each electrode is confined by a porous or perforated
screen, through which the electrolyte flows from the centre towards the electrodes,
the rate of flow being such as to prevent the diffusion of the decomposed or modified
electrolyte from around the electrodes into the central portion of the cell.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section showing, diagrammatically, electrolytical
apparatus constructed according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a slightly modified arrangement.
1 is a vessel provided with two transverse vertical screens or diaphragins 2, 2ª of
suitable porous or finely perforated material as for example unglazed earthenware,
so as to form a central compartment 3 into which the electrolyte is fed, and two
outer compartments 3ª, 3° in which the electrodes 4, 4ª are arranged and from which
lead two perforated outlet pipes 5, 5ª. The electrolyte may advantageously be
fed into the central compartment through a series of pipes 6 which may be arranged
vertically as in Fig. 1 or horizontally as in Fig. 2, and are connected with a main
feed pipe 6, the said pipes being preferably perforated at intervals along their
length so as to ensure a more uniform distribution of the fresh electrolyte.
The rate of flow of the electrolyte through the two outer compartments 3*, 3b
from the central one 3 can be varied to suit requirement by suitably regulating the
rate of feed, whilst the relative rate of flow through the said outer compartments
can be regulated by varying the porosity, or thickness, or both, of the said screens
or diaphragms so that the flow may be more rapid through the one screen than
through the other in cases where the rates of diffusion from the two outer com-
partments into the central compartment of the products of electrolysis dissolved in
the electrolyte are different. Thus when decomposing a solution of sodic chloride,

page_text: the porosity of the screen or diaphragm 2* between the inlet pipes and negative
electrode 4, may be say four times as great as that of the other (2) between the
inlet and the positive electrode 4, the rate of diffusion of sodic hydrate formed at
the negative electrode being much greater than that of chlorine in solution formed
at the positive electrode.
The uniform movement of the electrolyte may be further maintained by the use
of plates or divisions of non-conducting material arranged in the space between
the electrodes and parallel to the direction of flow of the electrolyte, thus dividing
the cell into compartments into which the electrolyte is fed, and along which it
flows through the porous screens to the electrodes.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 4 a plan, showing diagrammatically
an arrangement of this kind in which the two screens or diaphragms are for example
formed of a series of hollow rectangular pieces 2* (Fig. 4) of porous material
arranged one above the other with a flat sheet 7 of suitable non-conducting material
such as glass or ebonite, placed between each adjacent pair, one end of each piece 2*
being formed if desired with a slot to admit of the passage therethrough of the
corresponding perforated feed pipe 6.
Fig. 5 is a similar view to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, showing a modified construction in
which the porous screens or diaphragms 2, 2ª, electrodes 4, and perforated outlet
pipes 5, 5ª are arranged horizontally instead of vertically, so as to form superimposed
compartments 3, 3ª, 3b and the series of feed or inlet pipes 6 are arranged in a
horizontal plane instead of in a vertical one, as in the herein previously described
arrangements. This modified construction can be used for the decomposition of
liquid, for example a solution of a copper salt, when the ion formed at the lower
negative electrode 4" is not liberated in the form of free gas.
The two porous screens or diaphragms 2 2ª and feed pipes 6, may be placed close
together as shown in the detail sectional view Fig. 6. Or the feed pipes or conduits
may be formed in one with the said screens or diaphragms by moulding so as to
constitute one structure.
The electrodes may in each case be advantageously composed of strips or plates
of conducting substance arranged louvre-wise as shown, in a frame of suitable
material such as ebonite and electrically connected together, the electrodes being
formed of carbon, lead or other suitable material according to the nature of the
electrolyte to be treated. They may however be constructed and arranged as
shown in Fig. 5 and in various other ways as well understood, & be each surmounted
by an inverted shaped pipe or channel 8 for leading away evolved gas.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for the electrolytical decomposition of brine and other liquids,
feeding the said liquid or electrolyte into the electrolizing vessel at points between
the electrodes, separating the latter from the inlet or inlets by screens or
diaphragms of porous or perforated material through which the fresh liquid or
electrolyte is caused to flow in opposite directions from the central portion of the
said vessel towards the electrodes, and drawing off electrolyte or modified liquid
from points near to or behind the electrodes substantially as herein described.
2. Apparatus for the electrolytical decomposition of brine and other liquids
constructed arranged and operating substantially as herein before described with
reference to the several examples illustrated in the drawings annexed.
Dated this 17th dow of alow 1004
Dated this 17th do
7th day of May 1904
For the Applicants,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.