Improvements in or relating to the Application of Electrodes in Electrolytic Processes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
Improvements in or relating to the Application of Electrodes in
Electrolytic Processes.
We, Dr. OTTO CARL STRECKER, 26/28, Christoph Strasse, and Dr. HANS HERMANN
STRECKER, 9, Limburger Strasse, both of Cologne, in the German Empire, Chemists,
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 present invention relates to an improvement in the application of electrodes
for electrolytic processes, in which the anode metal is to enter into a combination to
be brought about. This improvement has the object of reducing as much as possible
the tension requisite for the electrolysis by a suitable selection of different metals for
the electrodes, which is possible in a very marked degree by means of the present
invention.
Hitherto there have always been employed in the electrolytic processes in question
electrodes of practically the same metal. For the electrolytic production of bodies in
which the anode metal enters into the combination to be produced, it is however of
importance especially in industrial working, to choose electrodes of different materials,
as set forth in the clearest manner in the following experimental results, the figures
of which are sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. With an interval
between the electrodes of from 1-5 to 2 cm., the following volt tensions resulted
between the electrodes, with an outside source of current.
A. With the application of 15 per cent. sodium chlorate solution as electrolyte.

page_text: 19. Cobalt to Lead
Iron
"
"
"
"9"
Nickel
-
"
"
Copper
Gold
"
وو
Zinc
"
"
Tin
دو
دو
"
"
Cobalt
وو
"
Antimony
"
دو
Silver
Bismuth
"
"
"
"
,,
99
Cadmium
Aluminium
ANODE. CATHODE.
-
0.6
1.0
11
-
1.1
-
1-2
-
1.2
-
1.2
-
1.2
-
1.3
1.35
1.4
1.4
1.7
From the foregoing tables the nature and the importance of the present invention
will be obvious without further explanation. There would be for instance in the
production of a compound of aluminium from the anode according to Table 1
aluminium being used for both electrodes a tension of 2.2 volts. And with aluminium
and lead on the other hand, there would be necessary only one volt, so that a saving
in work of about 55 per cent. could be effected.
According to Table 3, 1.1 volt would be necessary for zinc to zinc, but for zine
to iron only 0.1 volt, consequently a saving of about 91 per cent.
According to Table 12 there would be necessary for zinc to zinc 0-2 volt but for
zine to iron only 0.1 volt, consequently a saving of 50 per cent.
According to Table 16 there would be necessary for bismuth to bismuth 1.1 volt
but for bismuth to lead only 0.05 volt. Consequently a saving of about 95 per cent.
It is therefore obvious that the substantially different electrodes give quite
extraordinarily favourable differences of tension, which in the technical production of
oxides and salts in which the anode metal enters into the compound to be formed
admit of being utilised in the electrolytic way of production with quite special
advantage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
The application of electrodes different one from another in their metal for the
electrolytic production of those oxides or salts, in which the anode metal enters into
the combination to be formed.
Dated this 17th day of November 1897.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High-Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.