An Improved Electrolytic Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1893-Accepted, 10th June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electrolytic Apparatus.
I, THOMAS CRANEY, of 624 Harrison Street, Bay City, County of Bay,
State of Michigan, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 relates to the improved construction of an electrolytic apparatus
for electrolizing salts in solution, and the invention consists in the peculiar con-
struction of the anode, all as more fully hereinafter set forth and shown in the
accompanying drawings, wherein I show a vertical central section of an electrolytic
cell embodying my invention.
A represents the cell formed of stoneware or glass ware or other suitable material
applicable for the purpose, preferably of the form shown which shows it to
consist of two vessels BB communicating at or near the bottom through a hollow
trunk C.
D represents the body of the solution of the salt contained in each compartment.
E represents a porous substance covering the bottom of the compartment above
the height of the communicating trunk between the vessels, and F and G represent
the anode and cathode contained in the compartments and to which the respective
circuit of the terminals are connected.
The cathode and anode is supported in suitable apertures in the covers H with
which the compartments are hermetically closed with the additional use of some
suitable cement.
known
The cathode preferably consists of a sheet of metal loosely rolled so as to
expose a large surface to the solution in the compartment, but be of
may
construction.
any
My invention consists in the construction of the anode which is composed of an
open ended tubular outer casing I of suitable indestructive material such as stone-
ware, porcelain or glass, and adapted to form a protecting outer casing and support
for a body of carbon J contained therein, and which may be either in the form of
a solid body of carbon or preferably of a powdered carbon, of a suitable degree of
compactness to form a good electric conductor at the lower end.
This carbon-filled tube projects into a body of carbon supported upon the porous
substance which forms the electrolytic diaphragm on the bottom of the cell.
This
body of carbon is in direct electrical contact with the carbon contained in the
tube, and is exposed on the surface to the body of the solution contained in the
compartment.
Above the height of the solution in the compartment within the same, the tube
is provided with perforations. The usual inlet and outlet opens into and from the
compartments are provided for the introduction of the solution to be electrolized
and for the escape and the removal of the products of decomposition.
The peculiar advantages of my construction of anode are; first, the carbon
being contained and supported in an outer casing is permanently protected against
destructive action incidental to the electrolytic process and which permanency is
otherwise very difficult to maintain while an ample contact between the liquid and
the contacting carbon is provided by the mass of carbon at the bottom as the
tubular portion of the anode projects to a certain distance within said body, the
wearing away or disintegration of such body cannot effect the permanency of
the anode, while at the same time it will not interfere with the action of the
electrolytic diaphragm providing such body of carbon is suitably porous.
Second, by means of the perforations in the outer casing I have overcome the
aunoyance of having the electric conductivity of the anode destroyed by any

page_text: accumulation of gas generated within the tubular portion of the anode and which
would be the hydrostatic pressure force up through the carbon interrupting or
destroying by its chemical action, the electric connection between the carbon and
the terminal.
The perforations in the casing will now allow any gases generated to find a free
exit into the upper part of the compartment from which they escape in the usual
manner through the apertures provided.
My anode is especially adapted and devised for use in apparatus for the com-
mercial manufacture of alkaline solutions from metallic salts, such as chloride of
ammonia, for instance, in which the chemical action of the products is especially
destructive, and in which it is held to maintain any degree of permanency of the
cathode.
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 an electrolytic apparatus containing an anode in a separate compartment
communicating with the cathode compartment through an electrolytic diaphragm,
an anode consisting of a body of carbon in a protective casing, and a body of
carbon in the bottom portion of the anode compartment and inclosing the lower end
of said casing.
2. In an electrolytic cell, a carbon anode comprising a body of carbon contained
in an outer protective casing, said casing being provided with perforations in its
upper portion in such position as to be above the height of the liquid in the cell.
Dated this 15th day of Ma
BASTI
1000
TUFJA
BAGAI UNDE
THOMAS CRANEY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.