Process for coordinated operation of diaphragm and mercury cathode electrolytic cells

Claim 1

IN THE PROCESS FOR THE COORDINATED OPERATION OF DIAPHRAGM AND MERCURY CATHODE ELECTROLYTIC CELLS FOR THE ELECTROLYSIS OF ALKALI METAL HALIDE BRINES, WHEREIN SOLID SALT RECOVERED FROM THE EVAPORATION OF THE DIAPHRAGM CELL CATHOLYTE IS USED TO RESATURATE THE DEPLETED BRINE FROM THE MERCURY CATHODE CELLS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES EVAPORATING THE DIAPHRAM CELL CATHOLYTE TO AN ALKALI METAL HYROXIDE CONCENTRATION O ABOUT 35% RECOVERING THE PRECIPITATED SOLID ALKALI METAL HALIDE RESULTING FROM SUCH EVAPORATION, ADDING THE THUS-RECOVERED SOLID ALKALI METAL HALIDE SO THE DEPELETED BRINE FROM THE MERCURY CELL SO AS TO RESATURATED SAID BRINE TO THE ALKALI METAL HALIDE CONCENTRATION REQUIRED FOR MERCURY CATHODE CELL OPERATION AND SENDING A PORTION OF THE RESATURATED MERCURY CATHODE CELL BRINE BACK TO THE DIAPHRAGM CELL BRINE FEED, THE AMOUNT OF SAID PORTION BEING SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN THE IMPURITIES IN THE MERCURY CAHTODE CELL BRINE FEED AT A LEVEL BELOW THAT WHICH IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE MERCURY CELL.