US4256551A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic process
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1979-10-23
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Granted: 1981-03-17
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Expires: 1999-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A process for electrolysing at least a proportion of a liquid comprising an electrolyte which process comprises passing the liquid between electrodes, at least one of which is an anode and at least one of which is a cathode, the liquid being in a state of laminar flow substantially parallel to the electrodes, the electrodes being disposed substantially horizontally above each other and each electrode being permeable to the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent the electrode and, where a density difference is generated on production of the products, the relative disposition of the electrodes is such that the density difference reduces the possibility of the product(s) produced at or adjacent the anode mixing with the product(s) produced at or adjacent the cathode. The process is especially applicable to the electrolysis of brine.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Cliff
- 👤 William T. Cross
- 👤 Colin Ramshaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:28
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B9/00; C25B9/17; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/34; C25C; C25C1/00; C25C3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A process for electrolysing at least a proportion of a liquid comprising an electrolyte which process comprises passing the liquid between electrodes, at least one of which is an anode and at least one of which is a cathode, the liquid being in a state of laminar flow substantially parallel to the electrodes, the electrodes being disposed substantially horizontally above each other and each electrode being permeable to the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent the electrode and, where a density difference is generated on production of the products, the relative disposition of the electrodes is such that the density difference in combination with laminar flow of the liquid reduces the possibility of the product(s) produced at or adjacent the anode mixing with the product(s) produced at or adjacent the cathode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A process for electrolysing at least a proportion of a liquid comprising an electrolyte which process comprises passing the liquid between electrodes, at least one of which is an anode and at least one of which is a cathode, the liquid being in a state of laminar flow substantially parallel to the electrodes, the electrodes being disposed substantially horizontally above each other and each electrode being permeable to the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent the electrode and, where a density difference is generated on production of the products, the relative disposition of the electrodes is such that the density difference in combination with laminar flow of the liquid reduces the possibility of the product(s) produced at or adjacent the anode mixing with the product(s) produced at or adjacent the cathode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anode/cathode gap is between 0.1 mm and 2.0 cm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the anode/cathode gas is between 0.5 mm and 4 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each electrode comprises a woven mesh or a plurality of parallel fibres or an expanded metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pores of the electrode or, where parallel fibres are employed, the distance between fibres, are smaller than the anode/cathode gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrodes are disposed so that the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent to the lower electrode having a density which is greater than that of the liquid or other liquid product(s) and so that the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent to the upper electrode have a density which is lower than that of the liquid or other liquid product(s).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a temperature gradient is imposed between the electrodes to reduce the possibility of the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent to the anode mixing with the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent to the cathode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pressure and temperature are such that at least one of the products produced at the lower electrode, which is a gas at ambient temperature and pressure, is produced as a liquid having a density greater than that of the liquid or other liquid product(s).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein the electrolysis is carried out at a temperature in the range 10° C. to 100° C. and at a pressure within the range 50 psi to 750 psi.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the electrolysis is carried out at a temperature in the range 30° C. to 50° C. and at a pressure within the range 130 psi to 500 psi.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the depth of liquor below the lower electrode increases through the cell in the direction of liquid electrolyte flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the products produced at the upper electrode is a gas and wherein the depth of liquid above the upper electrode is kept to a minimum to allow ready disengagement of gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 12 wherein the depth of liquid above the upper electrode is between 0.2 mm and 3 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the liquid is an alkali metal halide brine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 14 wherein the alkali metal halide is sodium chloride.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1100290A
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GB1348785A
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US3976550A
Cited
GB1451399A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-16 | 1984-09-15 | 1985-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-16 | 1988-09-15 | 1989-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-16 | 1992-09-15 | 1993-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |