Dynamic gas disengaging apparatus and method for gas separation from electrolyte fluid

Claim 2

In a filter press membrane cell for the production of chlorine and hydrogen gas and a caustic having a plurality of electrodes connected to an electrical power source and contained within frame means, external electrolyte disengager means in fluid flow communication with each electrode via electrode risers and electrolyte return conduit means, electrolyte feed replenisher means connected to the conduit means through which electrolyte fluid flows, the improvement comprising in combination: (a) improved disengager means connected to the cell and positioned generally horizontally having an internal periphery that is at least partially arcuate with an inlet through which to receive the electrolyte fluid such that the inlet is positioned with respect to the at least partially arcuate internal periphery so that the flow of electrolyte fluid as it enters the disengager means is along a predetermined path which is generally tangential to the at least partially arcuate internal periphery; and (b) discharge means positioned generally horizontally and at least partially within the disengager means for conveying product gas from the disengager means.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the discharge means is positioned generally horizontally within the disengager means extending from a first end transversely to a second end.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the discharge means further has at least a first opening extending transversely at least partially between the first end and the second end to permit separated gas product to enter and be conveyed out of the disengager means.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the discharge means further has at least a second opening extending at least partially transversely between the first end and the second end below the first opening to permit electrolyte liquid that may have entered the discharge means to flow back into the disengager means.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the internal periphery of the disengager means further includes an angled lower portion that extends from a first location adjacent the first end to a second lower location adjacent to the second end, the second lower location having an opening therethrough to permit electrolyte fluid to flow from the first location to the second lower location and into the electrolyte return conduit means.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the angled lower portion of the internal periphery of the disengager means further comprises a sloped portion that extends from a level adjacent the electrode risers downwardly toward the second lower location's opening.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the disengager means is an anolyte disengager.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the disengager means is a catholyte disengager.

Claim 10

In a filter press membrane electrolytic cell for the production of at least a product gas, the cell containing electrolyte fluids which move along a predetermined path of flow, comprising in combination; (a) frame means to support the cell; (b) a plurality of adjacently positioned electrodes supported by the frame means, each electrode having two opposing surfaces; (c) a plurality of hydraulically impermeable ion-selective membranes positioned between each two adjacently positioned electrodes to control the flow of ions and fluid thereacross; (d) an electrode riser connected to each electrode adapted to convey electrolyte fluids out of the electrode along the predetermined path of flow; (e) horizontally positioned disengager means external to each electrode and in fluid flow communication therewith for the separation of gas from the electrolyte fluid contained therein, the disengager means further having an internal periphery that is at least partially arcuate with an inlet through which to receive the electrolyte fluid, the inlet being positioned with respect to the arcuate internal periphery such that the predetermined path of flow of the electrolyte fluid as the fluid enters the disengaging means is generally tangential to the arcuate internal periphery to effect the separation of the liquid phase from the gas of the electrolyte fluid by the centrifugal force of the electrolyte fluid as the fluid follows the at least partially arcuate internal periphery; (f) horizontally positioned discharge means connected to the disengager means and located at least partially therewithin for conveying product gas from the disengager means; and (g) electrolyte return conduit means in fluid flow communication with the disengager means and the individual electrodes to recirculate electrolyte fluid from the disengager means to the electrode.

Claim 11

In a filter press membrane electrolytic cell for the production of at least a product gas, the cell containing electrolyte fluids which move along a predetermined path of flow, comprising in combination; (a) frame means to support the cell; (b) a plurality of adjacently positioned electrodes supported by the frame means, each electrode having two opposing surfaces; (c) a plurality of hydraulically impermeable ion-selective membranes positioned between each two adjacently positioned electrodes to control the flow of ions and fluid thereacross; (d) an electrode riser connected to each electrode adapted to convey electrolyte fluids out of the electrode along the predetermined path of flow; (e) horizontally positioned disengager means external to each electrode and in fluid flow communication therewith for the separation of gas from the electrolyte fluid contained therein, the disengager means further having an internal periphery that is at least partially arcuate with an inlet through which to receive the electrolyte fluid, the inlet being positioned with respect to the arcuate internal periphery such that the predetermined path of flow of the electrolyte fluid as the fluid enters the disengaging means is generally tangential to the arcuate internal periphery to effect the separation of the liquid phase from the gas of the electrolyte fluid by the centrifugal force of the electrolyte fluid as the fluid follows the at least partially arcuate internal periphery; (f) horizontally positioned discharge means connected to the disengager means and located at least partially therewithin for conveying product gas from the disengager means; and (g) electrolyte return conduit means in fluid flow communication with the disengager means and the individual electrodes to recirculate electrolyte fluid from the disengager means to the electrode.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the discharge means is positioned generally horizontally within the disengager means extending from a first end transversely to a second end.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the discharge means further has at least a first opening extending transversely at least partially between the first end and the second end to permit separated gas product to enter and be conveyed out of the disengager means.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the discharge means further has at least a second opening extending at least partially transversely between the first end and the second end below the first opening to permit electrolyte liquid that may have entered the discharge means to flow back into the disengager means.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the internal periphery of the disengager means further includes an angled lower portion that extends from a first location adjacent the first end to a second lower location adjacent to the second end, the second lower location having an opening therethrough to permit electrolyte fluid to flow from the first location to the second lower location and into the electrolyte return conduit means.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the angled lower portion of the internal periphery of the disengager means further comprises a sloped portion that extends from a level adjacent the electrode risers downwardly toward the second lower location's opening.