US3855091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of separating chlorine from chlorine-anolyte liquor froth of an electrolytic cell
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-02
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An electrolytic cell and method of operating the cell for the high current density electrolysis of brines is disclosed. The chlorine gas liberated at the anodes is caused to go to a chlorine disengaging tank where the gas is separated from the entrained anolyte, and the anolyte is returned to the cell. Separation of the chlorine gas from the chlorine-anolyte liquor froth is increased by changing the momentum of the froth prior to discharging the froth into the dieengaging tank. Additionally, by taking advantage of the gas uplift in one portion of the cell and the simultaneous return of anolyte to another portion of the cell, a rotary motion of the electrolyte is maintained in the cell. In this way a high concentration of chloride ion and a low concentration of gas are maintained in the anolyte under conditions of high current density electrolysis.
Inventors
- 👤 L Piester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:43
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/34; C25B15/00; C25B15/08; C25B9/00; C25B9/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
IN THE PROCESS OF ELECTROLYZING A BRINE IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL AT A CURRENT ABOVE 2,500 AMPERES PER SQUARE FOOT OF CELL HORIZONTAL AREA WHEREBY A FORTH OF CHLORINE AND ELECTROLYTE IS GENERATED, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISES: REMOVING THE FORTH FROM THE ELECTROLYTIC CELL THROUGH FROTH REMOVAL MEANS HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF LESS THAN 0.10 SQUARE FEET PER THOUSAND AMPERES TO A DISENGAGING TANK; CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF FLOW OF THE FROTH PRIOR TO DISCHARGING THE FROTH INTO THE DISENGAGING TANK; THEREAFTER DISCHARGING THE FROTH INTO THE DISENGAGING THE ABOVE THE LEVEL OF LIQUID THEREIN, THEREBY SEPARATING THE FROTH INTO LIQUID AND GAS FRACTIONS; AND RETURNING THE LIQUID SO SEPARATED TO THE ELECTROLYTIC CELL BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTROLYTE THEREIN.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
IN THE PROCESS OF ELECTROLYZING A BRINE IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL AT A CURRENT ABOVE 2,500 AMPERES PER SQUARE FOOT OF CELL HORIZONTAL AREA WHEREBY A FORTH OF CHLORINE AND ELECTROLYTE IS GENERATED, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISES: REMOVING THE FORTH FROM THE ELECTROLYTIC CELL THROUGH FROTH REMOVAL MEANS HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF LESS THAN 0.10 SQUARE FEET PER THOUSAND AMPERES TO A DISENGAGING TANK; CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF FLOW OF THE FROTH PRIOR TO DISCHARGING THE FROTH INTO THE DISENGAGING TANK; THEREAFTER DISCHARGING THE FROTH INTO THE DISENGAGING THE ABOVE THE LEVEL OF LIQUID THEREIN, THEREBY SEPARATING THE FROTH INTO LIQUID AND GAS FRACTIONS; AND RETURNING THE LIQUID SO SEPARATED TO THE ELECTROLYTIC CELL BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTROLYTE THEREIN.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said disengaging tank has a horizontal cross-sectional area in excess of 0.10 square feet per thousand amperes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
In the process of electrolyzing a brine in an electrolytic cell at a current above 2,500 amperes per square foot of cell horizontal area whereby a froth of chlorine and electrolyte is generated, the improvement comprising: removing the froth through froth removal means having a cross-sectional area of less than 0.10 square feet per thousand amperes from the electrolytic cell to a disengaging tank; changing the momentum of the froth prior to discharging the froth into the disengaging tank; thereafter discharging the froth into the disengaging tank above the level of electrolyte therein, thereby separating the froth into liquid and gas fractions; and returning the liquid so separated to the electrolytic cell below the surface of the electrolyte therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
In the process of electrolyzing a brine in an electrolytic cell at a current above 2,500 amperes per square foot of cell horizontal area whereby a froth of chlorine and electrolyte is generated, the improvement comprising: removing the froth through froth removal means having a cross-sectional area of less than 0.10 square feet per thousand amperes from the electrolytic cell to a disengaging tank; changing the momentum of the froth prior to discharging the froth into the disengaging tank; thereafter discharging the froth into the disengaging tank above the level of electrolyte therein, thereby separating the froth into liquid and gas fractions; and returning the liquid so separated to the electrolytic cell below the surface of the electrolyte therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said disengaging tank has a horizontal cross-sectional area in excess of 0.10 square feet per thousand amperes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |