US4391693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Chlorine cell design for electrolyte series flow
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1981-10-29
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Granted: 1983-07-05
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Expires: 2001-10-29
Abstract
Abstract Chlor-alkali electrolytic membrane cells are provided with means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, and means for flowing anolyte from cell-to-cell sequentially.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Pimlott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:08
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B15/00; C25B15/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a bank or series of chlor-alkali electrolytic cells, wherein each cell comprises at least one electrode pair separated by a cation permselective, substantially hydraulically impermeable membrane, with means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, the embodiment in which the means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell comprises, in operable combination, entry means for adding water or dilute caustic to the catholyte portion of a first cell of the bank or series, flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte liquor from said first cell to a de-gassing compartment above said cathodes, flow means for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to a point below the surface of the catholyte liquor in the next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte liquor from said next successive cell and each additional successive cell in the series thereafter, to a degassing compartment above the cathodes, at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte of each cell being directed to a next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing de-gassed catholyte liquor from the last cell of the bank or series, and flows means for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a bank or series of chlor-alkali electrolytic cells, wherein each cell comprises at least one electrode pair separated by a cation permselective, substantially hydraulically impermeable membrane, with means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, the embodiment in which the means for flowing catholyte from cell-to-cell comprises, in operable combination, entry means for adding water or dilute caustic to the catholyte portion of a first cell of the bank or series, flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte liquor from said first cell to a de-gassing compartment above said cathodes, flow means for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to a point below the surface of the catholyte liquor in the next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte liquor from said next successive cell and each additional successive cell in the series thereafter, to a degassing compartment above the cathodes, at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte of each cell being directed to a next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed catholyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing de-gassed catholyte liquor from the last cell of the bank or series, and flows means for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a bank or series of chlor-alkali electrolytic cells, wherein each cell comprises at least one electrode pair separated by a cation permselective, substantially hydraulically impermeable membrane, with means for flowing anolyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, the embodiment in which the means for flowing anolyte from cell-to-cell comprises, in operable combination, entry means for adding alkali metal chloride solution to the anolyte portion of a first cell of the bank or series, flow means for directing gas-lifted anolyte liquor from said first cell to a de-gassing compartment above said anodes, flow means for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to a point below the surface of the anolyte liquor in the next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing gas-lifted anolyte liquor from said next successive cell and each additional successive cell in the series thereafter, to a de-gassing compartment above the anodes, at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte of each cell being directed to a next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing de-gassed anolyte liquor from the last cell of the bank or series, and flow means for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a bank or series of chlor-alkali electrolytic cells, wherein each cell comprises at least one electrode pair separated by a cation permselective, substantially hydraulically impermeable membrane, with means for flowing anolyte from cell-to-cell sequentially, the embodiment in which the means for flowing anolyte from cell-to-cell comprises, in operable combination, entry means for adding alkali metal chloride solution to the anolyte portion of a first cell of the bank or series, flow means for directing gas-lifted anolyte liquor from said first cell to a de-gassing compartment above said anodes, flow means for directing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to a point below the surface of the anolyte liquor in the next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing gas-lifted anolyte liquor from said next successive cell and each additional successive cell in the series thereafter, to a de-gassing compartment above the anodes, at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte of each cell being directed to a next successive cell while allowing at least a portion of the de-gassed anolyte to re-enter the cell from which it came, flow means for directing de-gassed anolyte liquor from the last cell of the bank or series, and flow means for removing cell gasses from the de-gassing compartments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The embodiment of claim 1 when employed simultaneously with the embodiment of claim 2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The embodiments of claim 1 when employed simultaneously with the embodiments of claim 2 and in which the first cell, with respect to catholyte series flow, is the last cell with respect to anolyte series flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The embodiment of claim 2 wherein the said alkali metal chloride is NaCl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The embodiments of claims 1 or 2 wherein the flow means for directing gas-lifted catholyte and anolyte, respectively, have dimensions which provide greater than about 0.004 in 2 of cross-sectional flow of froth per ampere of current capacity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The embodiments of claims 1 or 2 wherein the flow means for allowing re-entry of de-gassed catholyte and anolyte, respectively, to the cells from which they came, have dimensions which provide greater than about 0.002 in. 2 of cross-sectional flow of de-gassed liquor per ampere of current capacity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The embodiments of claims 1 or 2 wherein the electrolytic cells have monopolar electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The embodiments of claims 1 or 2 wherein the electrolytic cells have bipolar electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The embodiments of claims 1 or 2 wherein the electrolytic cells have flat-plate electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The embodiments of claims 1 or 2 wherein the electrolytic cells have pocket electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The embodiments of claims 1 or 2 wherein the number of cells in the bank or series is from 3 to 7.
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) | 1986-07-04 | 1987-01-03 | 1987-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-04 | 1991-01-03 | 1991-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-04 | 1995-01-03 | 1995-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |