Improvements in Means for use in Electrolysis.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Feb.. 189:-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for use in Electrolysis.
I, JULIUS MARX, of 10, Gutzkowstrasse Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt-on-Maine,
in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
is
The object of this invention is to enable electrolysing to be effected without a
diaphragm even in cases where the substances acted upon develope when electrolysed
liquid or soluble products whereby great economy and saving of electrical power
obtained as even the best descriptions of diaphragms introduce some unnecessary
resistance into the bath and make the apparatus and process correspondingly
expensive.
The construction of the apparatus according to this invention is such that
advantage is taken of either the effects of the different specific gravities of the two.
liquors around the anode and cathode or of the effects of the gaseous products or of
both these effects.
For this purpose the respective electrodes (cathodes and anodes) are placed above
cach other but not as has been sometimes done in the same vertical plane but the
one above or below the other and in a different vertical plane. The cathodes may
be above and the anodes below or an inverse arrangement may be used as may suit
particular circumstances.
Apparatus for carrying out my invention may be arranged in many ways and 1
do not limit myself to particular forms but I will explain arrangements suitable for
the purpose as examples.
For the electrolysis of alkaline salts for instance 1 provide a series of carbon
electrodes constituting the cathode connected together by a conductor with a space
between each. Above the space between these electrodes is placed an electrode
constituting the anode and consisting of a kind of grating preferably of carbon
sticks or pencils which may be of any suitable section but are preferably triangular
with one of the angles presented downwards.
If now the circuit is closed, the cathode developes caustic alkali and hydrogen
which latter freely developes owing to the anode above not being in the same
vertical plane or directly above the cathode. The anode developes chlorine
which as the anode does not dip into the liquid deeper than is necessary to
make a good electric contact can develope at once out of the liquid and the
anode being in effect a grating gives an easy passage for the gas between its
component parts.
By arranging a proper hood with passages for the gases developed the hydrogen
and chlorine may be conducted off separately or they may be drawn off by suction
which is especially suitable for drawing off the chlorine as then it is drawn off before
it can mix largely with the alkali.
The cathodes are situated at a low level for the purpose of preventing any
unnecessary accumulation of alkaline liquid but allow it to run quickly enough
through the apparatus to permit a good electric action upon it but to prevent as far
as possible recombination of chlorine and alkali.
It is important to efficient working that the liquid to be acted upon be kept of as
shallow a depth as possible and it is advisable that they be so to speak merely as
far as possible shallow sheets" of liquid.
Instead of making the electrodes of rods connected by a conductor they can be
replaced by a carbon plate having projections or the rods can be soldered or other-
wise attached to an iron or copper plate or other conductor. In this case the
conductor of the cathode must be covered between the rods or projections by

page_text: insulating material so that no action can take place on those parts of the cathode
which are just beneath the anode or a sheet or pieces of insulating material such as
glass is or are placed in any suitable position so as to direct the hydrogen off from
the anode above.
It is obvious that the carbon for the cathode may be replaced by any other
suitable conductor for instance iron, and similarly the material of the anode may be
varied for instance it may be made of silver.
In any case it is desirable as aforesaid to have as shallow depths of liquid as
possible below the anodes and these may be made by filling all parts of the
apparatus not necessary to convey the electricity with non conductors that is to say
the space left between the members of the cathode electrode is filled in with glass
(or some other non conductor) so that only a groove or long narrow sideway space
is left on the side of the cathodes the liquid covering the non-conducting material
only so far as to allow the members of the anode electrode to dip freely into the
liquid.
Dated this 24th day of Anvil 1800
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for use in Electrolysis.
I, JULIUS MARX, late of 10, Gutzkowstrasse, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt-on-
Maine, but at present of Bad Nauheim, in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturing
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 :-
The object of this invention is to enable electrolysing to be effected without a
diaphragm even in cases where the substances acted upon, when electrolysed,
develope liquid or soluble products. By dispensing with diaphragms great economy
and saving of electrical power is obtained, as even the best descriptions of diaphragms
introduce some unnecessary resistance into the bath, and make the apparatus and
process correspondingly expensive.
The construction of the apparatus according to this invention is such, that
advantage is taken of either the effects of the different specific gravities of the two
liquors around the anode and cathode, or of the effects of the gascous products.
or of both these effects. The effect of difference of specific gravity may be
made use of by keeping the lighter liquid above, and the gascous products
should be kept separated, and caused to traverse but little liquid and pass
it quickly.
For this purpose the most simple way is to place the respective electrodes
(cathodes and anodes) above each other, but not, as has been sometimes done, in
the same vertical plane, but the one above or below the other and in a different
vertical plane. The cathodes may be above and the anodes below, or an inverse
arrangement may be used as may best suit particular circumstances.
Apparatus for carrying out my invention may be arranged in many ways, and I
do not limit myself to particular forms, but I will explain arrangements suitable for
the purpose as examples.
An apparatus or plant fit for the electrolysis of alkaline salts is for instance
constructed as follows: (referring to the vertical section Figure 1) I provide a
series of electrodes a (which I prefer to make of carbon) constituting the cathode,
connected together by a conductor a', and preferably with a space between each.
In the drawing the conductor and the electrodes are shown as being formed of a
single plate, of which it is desirable that the portions between the projections a are
made inactive, so that only the projections à remain active. It is obvious that
instead of the solid conducting portions a¹, wires or the like can be used. Above

page_text: each space between these electrodes is placed an electrode c, constituting the anode,
and which, to give a ready passage for the gases developed, consists of a kind of
grating e, preferably of carbon sticks or pencils, which may be of any suitable
section but are preferably triangular at their lower parts, with one of the angles
presented downwards as shewn in the drawing, or the anode may be in one and be
perforated for the passage of the gases. The anode or the rods or the like constitut-
ing it, are supported at both ends in any suitable way, and if they be long they
may have intermediate supports.
If now the circuit be closed the cathode develops caustic alkali and hydrogen,
which latter freely develops owing to the anode above, not being in the same vertical
plane or directly above the cathode.
The anode develops chlorine, which, as the anode does not dip into the liquid
deeper than is necessary to make a good electric contact, can develop at once
out of the liquid, and the anode being made as before mentioned gives an easy
passage for the gras.
i
and i
By arranging a proper hood or the like (as at f and h) with passages
therefrom for the gases developed, the hydrogen and chlorine may be conducted
off separately, (by the passages and g respectively) or they may be drawn off by
suction, which is especially suitable for drawing off the chlorine, as then it is drawn
off before it can mix largely with the alkali. To prevent the gases re-mixing, after
or during developement, on the upper electrode, the portions between the hoods f
and dip into the liquid, (the level of which is shewn by the dotted line g)
and so form a hydraulic seal. These portions should be inactive or insulated as far
as they are in contact with the liquid.
The cathodes are preferably arranged so as allow but a liquid of small depth,
for the purpose of preventing any unnecessary accumulation of alkaline liquid, but
allow it to run quickly enough through the apparatus to permit a good electric
action upon it, but to prevent as far as possible re-combination of chlorine and
alkali.
The ready escape of the gases is a further reason for its being important, to
efficient working, that the liquid to be acted upon be kept at as shallow a depth as
is practicable so that they be so to speak, merely shallow sheets
of liquid
above b.
"
Instead of making the electrodes of rods connected by a conducting wire, or of a
carbon plate having projections, the rods can be soldered or otherwise attached to
an iron or copper plate or other conductor.
In this case the conductor of the cathode should, like the carbon plate a', he
covered, between the rods or projections, by insulating material so that no action
can take place on those parts of the cathodes which are immediately beneath the
anode, or a sheet or piece, or sheets or pieces, of insulating material (such as for
instance glass) is or are placed in any suitable position so as to direct the hydrogen
off from the anode above.
It will be understood, that for this purpose the insulating material may be
porous, as its object is only to direct the gas developing below, off from the electrode
above. If for instance a plate of porous earthenware be used, it does not act
like the usual diaphragms, as it does not interfere with the communication of the
liquid.
It is obvious that the carbon for the cathode may be replaced by any other
suitable conductor, for instance iron, and similarly the material of the anode may
be varied, for instance it may be made of silver or peroxide of lead or the like. It
is desirable, as aforesaid, to have as shallow depths of liquid as practicable below
the anodes and these may be made by filling (as shewn in the drawings) all parts
of the apparatus, not necessary to convey the electricity, with non-conductors or
insulating material, (b and h) that is to say, the space left between the members
of the cathode electrode is filled in or lined with glass, resin, or other non-
conductor, so that only a groove, or long narrow sideway space, is left in the side
of the cathodes as shewn, the liquid covering the non-conducting material,

page_text: only so far as to allow the members of the anode electrode to dip freely into
the liquid.
Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus Figure 1 with the upper part removed.
Figure 1 shews the apparatis jacketed by a wooden frame k, but this can be of
other material, for instance of conductive material such as metal if desired. The
frame has a circumferential groove, into which the outer ends of the upper
electrode dip, so that by putting a liquid into the said groove, a hydraulic seal is
obtained. The insulators, as herein before explained, are formed so as to make
grooves close to the projections a, so that the electrodes can be fully utilised, and
room is obtained to make a hydraulic seal by the depending parts of the upper
insulators, which I prefer to construct of an archlike form to collect the hydrogen
developing, which is conducted off by the passages i. The upper electrodes care
comblike, or like a grate or perforated, and form the real active electrodes. By the
interstices between, or perforations in these electrodes c, the gas developed can pass
into the hoods or chambers f, wherefrom it may be conducted away by the pipes g.
The screws allow the upper electrodes to be casily, and at will, raised and
lowered.
The plan Figure 2 is intended only to show the course of the liquid, as indicated
by the arrows.
The filling with the insulator, has the object also of preventing all free spaces
which are not needed, so as to reduce as much as possible the quantity of liquid.
Therefore the filling is carried so far that only a thin layer of liquid remains above
the insulator, just sufficient to make good contact, and to allow proper flowing of
the liquid as hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In electrolysing the halogen salts, and more especially the chlorides of the
alkalies, placing inactive surfaces near or between the active surfaces in such a way,
that the gases cannot be developed so as to interfere with each other, substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
2. For electrolysing the halogen salts, and more especially the chlorides of
alkalies, an electrolysing chamber or vessel, without the usual diaphragm, and
having electrodes (cathodes and anodes) arranged in the same, or different horizontal
planes, or one above the other, and not in the same vertical plane, (that is not
directly over each other) but so that the anodes are situated in the same vertical
planes as the spaces between the cathodes, (and vice versa) substantially as herein-
before described.
3. For electrolysing the halogen salts, and more especially the chlorides of
alkalies, an electrolysing chamber or vessel without the usual diaphragm, and
having electrodes (cathodes and anodes) arranged in the same, or different
horizontal planes, or one above the other, and not in the same vertical plane (that
is not directly over each other) but so that the anodes are situated in the same
vertical planes as the spaces between the cathodes (and ice versa) and filling in
part of the spaces, or covering over parts of the active surfaces, of the said spaces,
so as to make the said parts inactive, substantially as and for the respective purposes
herein before described.
4. The electrolysing apparatus arranged as shewn in the accompanying drawings,
and as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated this 24th don af hol 1901
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.