Improvements in connection with Electrolytic Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 10th Mor.,
1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Electrolytic Apparatus.
I HAMILTON YOUNG CASTNER Managing Director of the Aluminium Company
Limited of 13 Abchurch Lane in the City of London do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of electrolytic apparatus in which it is
necessary that a certain portion of the substance or material contained therein
should be moved from cell to cell; the invention being particularly applicable for
carrying out the process described in Specification filed with an application
No. 16,046 dated 7 Sept. 1892. In said Specification is described a process of
forming an amalgam or alloy particularly between mercury and sodium, the latter
being formed by deposition from a solution of chloride of sodium which after being
deposited in the mercury is moved with said mercury to a second compartment where
it is separated forming caustic soda. The object of the present invention is to
produce simple mechanical means for securing the circulation of mercury or
amalgam, as depending upon this is the success of the process. To this end the
invention consists in so mounting the electrolytic cells that they shall be capable
of being rocked or tilted by mechanical means at regular intervals, the result being
that the mercury or other material at the bottom of one compartment will be
caused to flow to the compartment next in order from whence it will be returned
after being subjected to suitable electric action therein.
It will be evident that the desired end may be accomplished by pivoting or
supporting the bath in a variety of ways and that the requisite rocking or tilting
motion may be imparted thereto by a variety of devices. By experiment it is
judged, however, that a convenient method of carrying out the invention will be as
follows, reference being made to the drawings which form part of the Specification
and in which
Figure 1 represents the side sectional elevation and Figure 2 a front end view
of same.
In said drawings A represents an electrolytic apparatus having three
compartments, the rear end of same being supported on adjustable pivot points or
knife edges B, by means of which the level of the cell may be adjusted. Such
pivot points or knife edges rest on metal plates C, which in turn rest on the usual
supporting walls or frame D. The front of the apparatus is supported on
eccentrics F secured to shaft E, said eccentrics bearing against the metal plate I
or upon the bottom of the cell as the case may be. As however the cells are
frequently made of slate or like material, it will be evident that a metallic bearing
surface will frequently be desirable. Shaft E is supported and driven by any
suitable means, such as by bearings N N, belt L and pulley K. The speed of
rotation of said shaft and the shape of the eccentrics will necessarily vary depending
upon the tilt which it is desired to give to the cell and the rapidity with which such
tilting action is to be repeated. When carrying out the process described in the
said former Specification it is judged that with a depth of mercury or amalgam of
about an eighth of an inch it will only be necessary to raise and lower the front
of the cell about an eighth of an inch above and below the horizontal plane and
this result may be attained with an eccentric having a pitch of a fourth of an inch;

page_text: the speed of the revolving shaft being adjusted to allow time during which the
mercury or amalgam may flow and come to a level between each tilting action.
Dated the 29th day of May 1893.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Electrolytic Apparatus.
I HAMILTON YOUNG CASTNER Managing Director of the Aluminium Company
Limited of 13 Abchurch Lane in the City of London 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 that class of electrolytic apparatus in which it is
necessary that a certain portion of the substance or material contained therein
should be moved from cell to cell; the invention being particularly applicable for
carrying out the process described in Specification No. 16,046 of the year 1892.
In said Specification is described a process of forming an amalgam or alloy
particularly between mercury and sodium, the latter being formed by deposition
from a solution of chloride of sodium which after being deposited in the mercury
is moved with said mercury to a second compartment where it is separated forming
caustic soda. The object of the present invention is to produce simple mechanical
means for securing the circulation of mercury or amalgam, as depending upon thi
is the success of the process. To this end the invention consists in so mounting
the electrolytic cells that they shall be capable of being rocked or tilted by
mechanical means at regular intervals, the result being that the mercury or other
material at the bottom of one compartment will be caused to flow to the compartiment
next in order from whence it will be returned after being subjected to suitable
electric action therein.
It will be evident that the desired end may be accomplished by pivoting or
supporting the bath in a variety of ways and that the requisite rocking or tilting
motion may be imparted thereto by a variety of devices. By experiment it is
judged, however, that a convenient method of carrying out the invention will be as
follows, reference being made to the drawings which form part of the Provisional
Specification and in which
Figure 1 represents the side sectional elevation and Figure 2 a front end view
of same.
Insaid drawings A represents an electrolytic apparatus having three compartments,
the rear end of same being supported on adjustable pivot points or knife edges B,
by means of which the level of the cell may be adjusted. Such pivot points or
knife edges rest on metal plates C, which in turn rest on the usual supporting walls
or frame D. The front of the apparatus is supported on eccentrics F secured to
shaft E, said eccentrics bearing against the metal plate H or upon the bottom of
the cell as the case may be. As however the cells are frequently made of slate
or like material, it will be evident that a metallic bearing surface will frequently be
desirable. Shaft E is supported and driven by any suitable means, such as
by bearings N N, belt L and pulley K. The speed of rotation of said shaft and
the shape of the eccentrics will necessarily vary depending upon the tilt which it
is desired to give to the cell and the rapi lity with which such tilting action is to be
repeated. When carrying out the process described in the said former Specification
it is judged that with a depth of niercury or amalgam of about an eighth of an
inch it will only be necessary to raise and lower the front of the cell about an
eighth of an inch above and below the horizontal plane and this result may be

page_text: attained with an eccentric having a pitch of a fourth of an inch; the speed of the
revolving shaft being adjusted to allow time during which the mercury or amalgan
may flow and come to a level between each tilting action.
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. The combination with an electrolytic cell provided with compartments having
means of communication, of means for causing the contained mercury or other
substance to circulate between said compartments by the action of gravity, substan-
tially as described.
2. The combination with an electrolytic cell provided with compartments having
communicating passages at the bottoms, of means for rocking said cell so as to
cause the contained mercury or other substance to circulate or flow between the
compartments, substantially as described.
3. An electrolytic cell composed of a number of compartments divided by
partitions having spaces beneath the same, electrodes and suitable connections, a
layer of mercury and means for imparting to said cell a rocking movement to cause
the mercury to flow from one compartment to the other and back again, substantially
as shown and for the purpose described.
Dated the 5th day of February 1894.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.