Monopolar, bipolar and/or hybrid membrane cell

Claim 1

A filter press electrolyzer comprising bulkheads, at least one electrolytic cell having an anode electrode assembly and a cathode electrode assembly and an ion-exchange membrane resiliently engaged therebetween, said electrode assemblies having electrode active areas and back plates of electrically conductive material forming at least a portion of an electrolyte compartment, said cell including sealing means and means for introducing and removing fluids and electrical energy, wherein (a) said back plates of the electrode assemblies are formed integrally with pans of electrically conductive material, each of said pans also incorporating peripheral sealing means and, as said means for introducing and removing fluids, integral electrically conductive manifolds, (b) said electrical energy is passed between two adjacent back plates of the pans of adjacent cells and between the back plate of an end cell and a bulkhead via current distributor member through mechanical contact joints involving only low pressure connection, said contact joints being at least substantially as large as the dimensions of the electrode active areas, and being separated from cell electrolyte by the back plates of the pans and being located outside the adjacent cells, and (c) at least some of said electrode assemblies including spring compression members extending between said back plates and the active electrode areas.