Year: 1893

page_text: апа агтанцевой
consists more specifically in the peculiar construction
electrolytic vessel, whereby the same is provided in a simple and economical manner
with an efficient diaphragm, effecting in connection with the peculiar shape of the
vessel a complete separation of the products of electrolysis and at the same time
facilitating their ultimate separation and collection.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a vertical, central section through a single vessel embodying my
improvement.
Fig. 2 shows an elevation of several united in series for joint operation.
Fig. 3 is a section of a modified form of construction.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 2.
In describing my apparatus I will refer to it as applied and constructed for the
purpose of decomposing chloride of sodium in the form of salt brine, for the
manufacture of sodium hydrate on a commercial scale.
the most available.
*The material of which I construct my vessel is preferably stone or glass-ware of
any of the various kinds manufactured, the so-called vitrified stone ware being
As a suitable form and one which embodies the principle of
my construction, I choose the one shown at A in the drawing and which is substan-
tially U-shaped in cross-section, forming two separate compartments communicating
with each other at or near the bottom only; each compartment is provided with a
cover C suitably constructed to form a tight joint. One of the compartments B
forms the anode chamber and the other compartment B' forms the cathode chamber
and the other compartment B' forms the cathode chamber and one or more suitable
anodes and cathodes G and H are provided for the two chambers respectively, and
sealed in the cover.
The anode chamber B is provided with an overflow D and the cathode chamber
with an inlet opening E through which the solution to be decomposed is introduced,
an exit opening F, through which the contents may be drawn off, and a pipe O
for the escape of gaseous products.
This vessel I fill at the bottom with a powdered or comminuted substance P,
such as a solid body of the salt to be decomposed, powdered slate, glass, asbestos
fibre or other indestructible material, which is adapted to form a porous medium
between the compartment.
Upon this porous bottom at one side the anode may be supported, as shown
in Fig. 1, and which may consist of a body of carbon a contained in the tube b
and cup c.
In practice it will be seen that if the two compartments are filled with the
solution of chloride of sodium up to the height of the overflow and the current
5 applied, electrolytic action is free to take place between the two compartments and
chlorine will be liberated on the side at the anode and pass out through the over-
How D, while sodic hydrate is formed in the chamber B' and may be removed
A continuous feed may be provided and the liquid
therefrom from time to time.
circulated by means of a feed pipe leading into the first cathode compartment and
0 a feed pipe provided with separate connections into each anode compartment and

page_text: by connecting the compartments containing the cathodes in the manner shown in
Fig. 2, by means of pipes K and by a pipe L from the last cathode compartment
into a receiver M.
My invention overcomes certain difficulties heretofore encountered in the con
struction of electrolytical apparatus. In the employment of so-called electrolytic
diaphragms forming vertical partitions it was always impossible to maintain their
integrity for any length of time as disintegration ensued rapidly and caused
them to crumble and break down. This I have entirely overcome by using the
porous bottom through which the two compartments electrolytically communicate.
This arrangement not only ensures an indestructible partition between the two
compartments, but it effectually separates the products of decomposition of
electrolysis, as it will be seen that the chlorine gas formed in the anode compart-
ment is compelled by its specific gravity to travel in a direction entirely opposite
to what it would have to go, to reunite with the sodic hydrate. The hydrogen
which forms on the cathode side, by the same laws of gravity is forced to collect
in the compartment B¹ from which it may be conducted off through a pipe H leading
into a common discharge pipe H¹.
In Fig. 3, I show a simple modification of my invention which consists in forming
the vessel of rectangular shape divided by a partition strip R into two compartments.
This construction may be of wood covered with a suitable protecting substance
where necessary.
While I desire to avail myself of different materials for the porous medium, I
want to distinctly claim the use of crystals of the salt to be decomposed as available
for the purpose, and I am not aware that an electrolytic diaphragm has ever been
used heretofore which was wholly or partly composed of the solid body of the
substance to be electrolized.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
".
1. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination of a series of electrolytic cells
containing the liquid to be electrolized, and each divided into two compartments
communicating with each other through a porous medium, an anode and cathode
enclosed in said compartments respectively, and feed and discharge connections into
and from the cathode compartments of the cells, containing them in series to
provide for a flow of the liquid through the compartments, substantially as
described.
2. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination with an anode and cathode
contained in separate compartments, of a porous medium forming an electrolytic
diaphragm between said compartments and composed wholly or partly of the solid
body of the salt to be electrolized in the solution contained in the compartments,
substantially as described.
Signed, at Detroit, Michigan Jonnonm 914
1000
THOMAS CRANEY.
In the presence of
N. L. LINDOP.
M. B. O'DOGHERTY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.