Improvements relating to the Electrolysis of Soluble Salts, especially applicable for the Production of Chlorine.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 3rd Apr., 1897
Improvements relating to the Electrolysis of Soluble Salts, especially
applicable for the Production of Chlorine.
I, ANTOINE JOSEPH OUTHENIN-CHALANDRE, of 95 Boulevard, Beaumarchais, Paris,
in the Republic of France, Paper Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements relating to the electrolysis of soluble
salts for the purpose of avoiding secondary reactions and especially for obtaining
chlorine by the electrolysis of chloride of sodium or sea-salt.
It is known, if the latter is taken as an example, that the electric current acting on
an electrolyte consisting of a solution of NaCl in water forms.
1. At the cathode
a. A solution of caustic soda formed from the sodium of the salt, which sodium
combines with the oxygen of the water of the electrolyte producing a
corresponding evolution of hydrogen.
b) The evolution of hydrogen produced by the decomposition of a part of the
water of the electrolyte.
2) At the anode
Evolution of chlorine produced by the decomposition of the salt.
d) Evolution of oxygen corresponding to the hydrogen produced by the
decomposition of water as at (b).
The two gases, chlorine and oxygen, in the nascent state at the anode form a
certain quantity of oxygen compounds of chlorine. In order to obtain pure
chlorine Cl, it is sufficient according to the present invention, to supply to the oxygen
at the anode a continuous supply of hydrogen, sufficient. to absorb the former.
I may employ any suitable means for effecting this continuous supply of hydrogen
as, for instance, by adding in a continuous manner hydrochloric acid HCl, in
suitable proportion, in the anode compartment. The reaction which results from
the addition of hydrochloric acid, is as follows,
Improvements relating to the Electrolysis of Soluble Salts, especially
applicable for the Production of Chlorine.
I, ANTOINE JOSEPH OUTHENIN-CHALANDRE of 95 Boulevard, Beaumarchais, Paris,
in the Republic of France, Paper 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:-
The present invention relates to improvements relating to the electrolysis of soluble
Price 8d1

page_text: salts for the purpose of avoiding secondary reactions and especially for obtaining
chlorine by the electrolysis of chloride of sodium or sea-salt.
It is known, if the latter is taken as an example, that the electric current acting on
an electrolyte consisting of a solution of NaCl in water forms :-
1) At the cathodo
a) A solution of caustic soda formed from the sodium of the salt, which sodium
combines with the oxygen of the water of the electrolyte producing a
corresponding evolution of hydrogen.
b) The evolution of hydrogen produced by the decomposition of a part of the
water of the electrolyte.
2). At the anode
c) Evolution of chlorine produced by the decomposition of the salt.
d) Evolution of oxygen corresponding to the hydrogen produced by the
decomposition of water as at (b).
The two gases, chlorine and oxygen, in the nascent state at the anode form a
certain quantity of oxygen compounds of chlorine. In order to obtain pure
chlorine, Cl, it is sufficient, according to the present invention, to supply to the oxygen
.at the anode a continuous supply of hydrogen sufficient to absorb the oxygen.
I may employ any suitable means for effecting this continuous supply of hydrogen,
as, for instance, by adding in a continuous manner hydrochloric acid, HCI, in
suitable proportion, in the anode compartment. The reaction which results from
the addition of hydrochloric acid, is as follows:-
and produces pure chlorine nd water.
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 :-
1. In the electrolysis of soluble salts such as chloride of sodium or sea salt in
order to prevent secondary reactions and to obtain chlorine in a pure state; adding
to the electrolyte in a continuous manner hydrogen for the purpose of combining
with the oxygen evolved at the anode whereby the chlorine is given off in a pure
state; substantially as described.
2. In a process such as described, the addition of a continuous supply of hydrochloric
.acid at the anode, in order to combine with the oxygen of the oxygen compound of
chlorine and cause pure chlorine to be given off, substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of February 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.