Abstract: An electrolytic cell having an improved hydrogen evolution cathode, said cathode being characterized by a conductive metal core and an integral Raney-type catalytic surface predominantly derived from an adherent ternary aluminide Beta structured intermetallic crystalline precursory outer portion of the metal core is disclosed. The precursory outer portion preferably has molybdenum and titanium added to give a precursor alloy having the formula Ni.sub.x Mo.sub.y Ti.sub.z Al.sub.3 where x is within the range of from about 75 to about 94 weight percent, y is within the range of from about 5 to about 20 weight percent and z is within the range of from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of the Ni-Mo-Ti portion of the alloy. Also disclosed is a method of producing a low overvoltage cathode.

Abstract: Chlorine-containing gases which may be formed in containers of solid chloroisocyanurates such as trichloroisocyanuric acid are adsorbed and decomposed by a gas scavenging agent consisting essentially of silica gel, an alkali metal bicarbonate, and carbon. The gas scavenger is preferably enclosed in a gas permeable spun-bonded polyolefin envelope. The scavenging agent adsorbs moisture, absorbs and decomposes nitrogen trichloride, removes chlorine, and neutralizes hydrogen chloride formed. The gas scavenging mixture is physically compatible and readily blended while minimizing dusting during packaging operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolytic cell which is comprised of a first frame member housing an electrode and a second frame member housing an electrode. A separator is positioned between the first frame member and the second frame member. A first sealing means contacts a side of the first frame member and one side of the separator. Contacting the second frame member is a second sealing means having a raised portion which also contacts a side of the separator. Pressing means are provided which press the frames together against the sealing means and the separator to form a substantially fluid-tight seal. The novel electrolytic cells provide the advantages of simultaneously:a. controlling gasket compression pressures,b. controlling gasket frame surface structural forces,c. efficiently forming a seal, andd. preventing gasket slippage.

Abstract: A monopolar membrane electrolytic cell is comprised of a plurality of anodes wherein each anode is comprised of a first foraminous surface and a second foraminous surface positioned in parallel and spaced apart, and a frame enclosing the first and the second foraminous surfaces. The frame has two side members, a top member, and a bottom member attached to the foraminous surfaces. A chamber is formed between the foraminous surfaces and bounded by the frame. Conductor rods pass through one of the side members of the frame into the chamber, the conductor rods being spaced apart from the foraminous surfaces. Foraminous conductive connectors are positioned in the chamber and attached to the conductor rods and to the foraminous surfaces; a plurality of cathodes wherein each cathode is comprised of at least one foraminous surface, and a frame which encloses the foraminous surface.

Abstract: An electrode for use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable compounds is produced by a method which comprises affixing filaments to a support fabric to form a network of filaments. An electroconductive metal is deposited on the filaments to form metal coated filaments. During the metal deposition, interfilament bonding takes place at contact sites between adjacent filaments. Removing the support fabric from the metal coated filament network produces a reticulate electrode having a porosity of at least about 80 percent. The three dimensional electrodes are highly conductive, have high internal surface area, and are mechanically strong.

Abstract: A process for producing a concentrated aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorate and an alkali metal chloride comprises feeding an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution to a first electrolysis zone at an initial feed rate. The aqueous alkali metal chloride is electrolyzed to produce a concentrated chlorate solution comprised of an alkali metal chlorate and the alkali metal chloride. A portion of the concentrated solution is fed to an analysis zone and analyzed to measure the ratio of the concentration of the chlorate ion to the concentration of the chloride ion. The measured ratio is compared in a processing zone with a predetermined value range for the ratio and, where the measured ratio falls outside of the predetermined value range, altering the initial feed rate of alkali metal chloride to the first electrolysis zone. The concentrated alkali metal is removed from the first electrolysis zone to a product solution collection zone.

Abstract: A current distributor for an electrode for an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionic compounds is provided which comprises an electrically conductive material having a front surface comprised of a plurality of electrode-engaging means projecting from it for attachment to a foraminous electrode. The rear surface of the current collector is suitable for attachment to an electrical conductor. The novel current distributors are particularly suitable for use with reticulate electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolytic cell which is comprised of a first frame member housing an electrode and a second frame member housing an electrode. A separator is positioned between the first frame member and the second frame member. A first sealing means contacts a side of the first frame member and one side of the separator. Contacting the second frame member and the opposite side of the separator is a second sealing means. The first sealing means and the second sealing means are elastomeric solids having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area where the first sealing means is from about 1.1 to about 3 times the width of the second sealing means. Pressing means are provided which press the frames together against the sealing means and the separator to form a substantially fluid-tight seal. The novel electrolytic cells provide the advantages of simultaneously:a. controlling gasket compression pressures,b. controlling gasket frame surface structural forces,c.

Abstract: Granular particles of an available chlorine-containing compound such as sodium dichloroisocyanurate are prepared by conveying a flowing stream of an aqueous slurry of the compound through a tubular chamber under pressure, injecting jets of an atomizing medium such as air into the flowing stream of said slurry to agitate and aerate said slurry, conveying the aerated slurry to an exit port in said tubular chamber, discharging the aerated slurry through said exit port into a zone of reduced pressure and enlarged area, impinging additional jets of an atomizing medium into said slurry as it passes through said exit port, whereby free expansion of said slurry into a cone of aerated droplets of said slurry is effected. The resulting droplets are contacted with a heated gas in said zone to effect evaporation of water from the aerated droplets and thereby produce dry granules of the available chlorine-containing compound.

Abstract: Layered glass batch pellets are produced in a continuous process which comprises the steps of:(a) maintaining in the pelletizing zone of a rotary apparatus a moving bed of recycle pellets,(b) feeding sand and particles of a calcium carbonate source into the pelletizing zone,(c) feeding a Na.sub.2 O source comprised of a solution of sodium hydroxide into the pelletizing zone, the recycle pellets being coated with a layer comprised of the solution of sodium hydroxide, the sand and the calcium carbonate source and forming layered pellets,(d) passing the layered pellets into a heated drying zone to form dried layered pellets, the dried layered pellets having a residual moisture content of from about 4 to about 12 percent by weight,(e) passing the dried layered pellets from the drying zone to a cycle zone,(f) recycling a portion of the dried layered pellets to the pelletizing zone as the recycle pellets, and(g) recovering a portion of the dried layered pellets from the recycle zone.

Abstract: A novel electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal chlorides which comprises a cell housing containing a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity. A hydraulically impermeable ion exchange membrane is positioned between and separates the pair of electrodes. At least one of the electrodes comprises a reticulate electrode where the reticulate electrode is in contact with the membrane. Means are provided for applying an electric potential to the electrodes.The reticulate electrode in contact with the hydraulically impermeable membrane forms a composite structure which substantially eliminates the gap between the electrode and the membrane.Employing the novel electrolytic cells for the electrolysis of alkali metal halide solutions results in reduced cell voltages and electrical power consumption. The reticulate electrodes used allow significant reductions in material costs and have increased surface area.

Abstract: A process for producing calcium hypochlorite from lime containing insoluble impurities comprises reacting the lime with an aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid to form a reaction mixture comprised of coarse dibasic calcium hypochlorite crystals and fine insolubles comprised of fine dibasic calcium hypochlorite crystals, insoluble impurities, and unreacted lime. Coarse dibasic calcium hypochlorite crystals are separated from the reaction mixture, leaving a slurry comprised of an aqueous calcium hypochlorite solution containing fine insolubles. The slurry of fine insolubles is separated and the resulting clarified aqueous calcium hypochlorite solution is used to wash occluded fine insolubles from the coarse dibasic crystals. The resulting wash solution is combined with fine insolubles and the resulting slurry is reacted with hypochlorous acid and filtered to remove insoluble lime impurities.

Abstract: An electrolyte permeable diaphragm for use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable compounds in electrolytic cells is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer coated with a fluorochemical resin water repellent.The diaphragms are physically and chemically stable and possess suitable ion and liquid transfer properties.

Abstract: An electrolytic diaphragm cell for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride is comprised of a cell body having a porous diaphragm separating the cell body into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. The anode compartment contains at least one anode and the cathode compartment contains at least one cathode. The cathode is comprised of a formaminous metal conductor and a reticulate cathode, with the reticulate cathode being positioned between and in contact with the porous diaphragm and the foraminous metal conductor. The cell has means adapted to supply electric current to the anodes and the cathodes, nd inlets and outlets in the cell body adapted to supply and remove fluids. The electrolytic diaphragm cell of the present invention operates at reduced electrical power consumption by employing three dimensional cathodes having increased internal surface area and increased porosity.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the concentration of oxyhalogen impurities in an alkali metal halide brine recovered from an electrolytic cell which comprises circulating the alkali metal halide brine to a treatment zone outside of the electrolytic cell. Within the treatment zone, the alkali metal halide brine is reacted with oxalic acid while maintaining the alkali metal halide brine at a pH of less than about 4.5. A purified brine having a substantially reduced concentration of oxyhalogen impurities is recovered from the treatment zone. The process may be employed in treating brines recovered from mercury cells and membrane cells for the production of chlorine and alkali metal hydroxides and its employment results in a substantial reduction in the amount of concentrated acid required in brine treatment and a reduction in energy costs for brine purification.

Abstract: A diaphragm for electrolytic cells for the electrolysis of aqueous salt solutions is comprised of an electrochemically active porous portion attached to an electrochemically inactive substantially fluid impervious portion. The electrochemically inactive portion is comprised of a fabric layer attached to a fluid impervious film layer. The electrochemically active porous portion is comprised of asbestos fibers, preferably deposited on a porous, lightweight thermoplastic fabric.

Abstract: An improved reticulate electrode is produced by coating only one surface with a hydrophobic coating agent. Suitable hydrophobic coating agents include thermoplastic polymers such as polyolefins, polyhaloolefins, polyarylene sulfides and sulfone polymers. A preferred embodiment of the reticulate electrode is produced in a method which comprises:(a) affixing filaments to a support fabric to form a network of filaments, the filaments being comprised of a metal or metal sensitized plastic,(b) depositing an electroconductive metal on the filaments to form metal coated filaments, the deposition providing interfilament bonding at contact sites between adjacent filaments,(c) removing the support fabric from the metal coated filament network to produce a reticulate electrode having a porosity of at least 80 percent, and(d) depositing on only one surface of the reticulate electrode a coating of a hydrophobic coating agent.

Abstract: A process for producing neutral calcium hypochlorite comprises admixing lime, an alkali metal hypochlorite and dibasic calcium hypochlorite crystals in a mixing zone slurry. The mixing zone slurry is reacted with chlorine to form a paste of neutral calcium hypochlorite. The paste is then separated into a cake of neutral calcium hypochlorite and a paste liquor. A slurry of lime is fed to a crystallizer to react with the paste liquor to form a slurry of dibasic calcium hypochlorite crystals in a mother liquor. Crystals of dibasic calcium hypochlorite are then separated from the dibasic mother liquor and recycled to the mixing zone. The process of the present invention provides an efficient method of recovering calcium hypochlorite values from process liquors while reducing energy costs expended in the recovery. The process further provides rapid recovery of dibasic calcium hypochlorite for reuse in a neutral calcium hypochlorite process by optimizing separation rates.

Abstract: A composition suitable for sanitizing water bodies consists of a mixture in compressed form of trichloroisocyanuric acid and an alkali metal bicarbonate. The mixture has a molar ratio of alkali metal bicarbonate to trichloroisocyanuric acid of from about 3:1 to about 1:1 and a moisture content of less than 0.2 percent by weight of the mixture.The novel compositions, for example in tablet form, rapidly dissolve in water bodies such as swimming pools, spas and hot tubs to provide high concentrations of available chlorine for sanitizing the water. The compositions effervesce during dissolution and are resistant to thermal decomposition.

Abstract: Chlorine-containing gases which may be formed in containers of solid chloroisocyanurates such as trichloroisocyanuric are adsorbed and decomposed by a gas scavenging agent consisting essentially of an alkaline earth metal sulfate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, and carbon. The gas scavenging agent is preferably contained in a gas permeable package which is enclosed in the container. The scavenging agent adsorbs mositure, adsorbs and decomposes nitrogen trichloride, removes chlorine, and neutralizes hydrogen chloride gases formed. Harmful build-up of noxious gases and the reduction of gas pressures within containers for solid chloroisocyanurates is achieved.