Patent ID: 7618527

Claim:
A method for improving the operation of an electrolytic cell comprising an anolyte compartment, a catholyte compartment and a synthetic diaphragm substantially free of asbestos separating the anolyte and catholyte compartments wherein liquid anolyte is introduced into the anolyte compartment and flows through the diaphragm into the catholyte compartment, which method comprises introducing synthetic ceramic fiber chosen from fibers coin rising the oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides and silicates of metals or semimetals chosen from zirconium, silicon, aluminum, boron, magnesium and in mixtures of such metal or semimetal oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides and silicates into the anolyte compartment in amounts sufficient to lower the flow of liquid anolyte through the diaphragm into the catholyte compartment.