Method of Oxidation and Bleaching by Means of Electrolysis.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL DIVIFICATION.
A Method of Oxidation and Bleaching by Means of Electrolysis.
I, JOHN GUSTAF ADOLF RHODIN, of 47, Victoria Buildings, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Analytical Chemist and Electrical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a method for the oxidation and bleaching of textile
and other materials by means of an apparatus such as that described in the
Specification to my Letters Patent 21509 of 1896, or any other suitable form of
electrolytical apparatus in which a mercury cathode is employed.
In carrying my invention into effect I replace the carbon anodes described in
my said specification by anodes of iron, nickel or other suitable metal, and alter
the shape and construction of the inner vessel to suit the particular purpose to
which the apparatus is to be adapted. I fill the inner compartment with a
solution of caustic soda, caustic potash or similar alkaline substance, the outer
compartment being filled with water, and a mercury cathode being employed as
before. I subject the alkaline solution to electrolysis with the result that the
alkaline metal is by means of the mercury transferred to and absorbed by the
water in the outer vessel while in the inner vessel oxygen is being formed partly
absorbed by the alkali and partly liberated in the form of gas whereby I obtain
a strong oxidising agent in the inner vessel the raw material of which is being
continuously reformed in a pure state in the outer compartment.
I utilise the oxidising liquid-which contains absorbed and nascent available
oxygen-directly for bleaching as for example, I pass fibres, yarns, fabrics
or other materials to be bleached through it. I can further utilize this oxidis-
ing agent to carry out certain chemical reactions as for instance by mixing
ethylalcohol with the original caustic solution I form derivatives of formic and
acetic acids in the shape of salts in solution from which I can subsequently
obtain valuable products.
To summarise I utilise this new process for all kinds of oxidation in alkaline
solution known and used for technical purposes.

page_text: declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to a method for the oxidation and bleaching of textile
and other materials by means of an apparatus such as that described in the
Specification to my Letters Patent 21509 of 1896, or any other suitable form of
electrolytical apparatus in which a mercury cathode is employed.
In carrying my invention into effect I replace the carbon anodes described in
my said specification by anodes of iron, nickel or other suitable metal, and alter
the shape and construction of the inner vessel to suit the particular purpose to
which the apparatus is to be adapted. I fill the inner compartment with a
solution of caustic soda, caustic potash or similar alkaline substance, such for
example as resinate of soda, the outer compartment being filled with water, and
a mercury cathode being employed as before. I subject the alkaline solution
to electrolysis with the result that the alkaline metal is by means of the mercury
transferred to and absorbed by the water in the outer vessel while in the inner
vessel oxygen is being formed partly absorbed by the alkali and partly liberated
in the form of gas whereby I obtain in the inner vessel a strong oxidising agent
the raw material of which is being continuously reformed in a pure state in the
outer compartment.
I utilise the oxidising liquid-which contains absorbed and nascent available
oxygen-directly for bleaching as for example, I pass fibres, yarns, fabrics
or other materials to be bleached through it. I can further utilise this oxidis-
ing agent to carry out certain chemical reactions as for instance by mixing
ethylalcohol with the original caustic solution I form derivatives of formic and
acetic acids in the shape of salts in solution from which I can subsequently
obtain valuable products.
To summarise I utilise this new process for all kinds of oxidation in alkaline.
solution known and used for technical purposes.
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 electrolytical apparatus in which a mercury cathode is employed I
claim electrolysing an alkaline solution such as caustic soda, caustic potash or
resinate of soda whereby I obtain a strong oxidising agent in the inner vessel
the raw material of which is being continuously reformed in a pure state in the
outer compartment.
2. Utilising the oxidising agent obtained by electrolysing an alkaline solution
in the inner vessel as set forth in the preceding claim directly for bleaching
purposes.
Dated this 14th day of October 1898.
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
Agents for Applicant, 17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.