Electrolytic cell suitable for producing alkali metal chlorates

Claim 1

An electrolytic cell, without a diaghragm, wherein products resulting from the anode and cathode reactions react together inside the cell, suitable for use in obtaining alkali chlorates from alkali chlorides, said electrolytic cell comprising an anode block and a cathode block, each block including a set of parallel electrodes arranged so that the anodes of said anode block are accommodated in the space defined between two cathode surfaces of the cathodes of said cathode block, the interpolar space being kept constant, wherein said anodes and cathodes are mounted on substantially vertical anode and cathode ends so as to provide an open space above the anode and cathode units; the cathodes including perforated elements; at least one surface of the cathode elements facing an anode surface with said surface of said cathode elements being perforated and the proportion of cavities of said perforations being at least about 10% of said cathode surface; thereby permitting exit of the gases contained in the interpolar space; the other surface of said cathode elements facing another cathode surface, so as to define a cathode space in which the products of the anode and cathode reactions can react; and the said cathodes also containing openings at least at the top, so as to permit the cathode space to communicate with the open space provided above said anodes and cathode units, and so as to permit exit of the gaseous substances contained in the cathode space; said interpolar distance being from about 2 to 4 millimeters, and the width of said cathode space being from about 4 to 12 centimeters.