Abstract: A novel electrolytic system, especially suitable for chlorate manufacture, is provided constituted by a novel electrolyzer and a novel reactor. The electrolyzer is designed for multicell assembly employing sheet metal electrodes and includes construction specially designed to hold the electrodes in place and to minimize internal liquor overflow within the cells. Electrolyte flow from cell to adjacent cell is in one direction only, and electrolyte product flow from cell to adjacent cell is in the opposite direction only. The flooded reactor provides suitable electrolyte retention time, temperature and product composition control, respectively, as well as gas separation with liquor level controlled for flooded electrolyzer system. A pipe riser is employed with liquor interconnection means to cause flow between the electrolyzer and the reactor.

Abstract: A novel cathode is provided which comprises a porous titanium sheet having a cathodic exposed surface of hydrided titanium, preferably where the core of the sheet is of less porosity or higher density than the surface. The hydrided surface of the cathode may include a coating of silver thereon and therein within the pores, or the hydrided surface of the cathode, either as such or one provided with the silver coating may further include a coating of MoS.sub.2 thereon and therein within the pores. Such cathode can be either a monopolar or a bipolar electrode. The core of the cathode is of low porosity to provide improved current transfer and has a surface area of large pore size to enable low cathodic overvoltage.

Abstract: A novel electrode is provided which comprises a porous titanium sheet having a cathode exposed surface which may be untreated titanium or hydrided titanium, and a core of a dense (e.g. expanded) titanium material (e.g. sheet) which is of less porosity or higher density than the surface, the core extending beyond the cathodic surface to provide an anodic member, or a means for connection for current transfer. The cathodic element may include a coating of silver thereon and therein within the pores, or the hydrided surface of the cathode, either as such or one provided with the silver coating may further include a coating of MoS.sub.2 thereon and therein within the pores. The exposed cathodic surface of the electrode is of large pore size to enable low cathodic overvoltage. The extending anodic element is coated (e.g. with platinum) to provide the anodic function.

Abstract: A novel anode unit is provided for a diaphragm cell. The anode unit comprises a generally rectangular parallelepiped framework including a pair of spaced-apart grid-like structurally rigid peripheral outer side walls; an ionically conductive gas impermeable membrane secured against the inner face of each such outer peripheral walls; an anode sealingly disposed between the membranes to provide a pair of fluid-tight anode compartments; means for feeding anolyte to the anode compartments; and means for withdrawing spent anolyte and entrained and/or occluded gaseous products of electrolysis therein from the anode unit. Novel diaphragm electrolytic cells including such anode units are also provided.

Abstract: A novel electrolytic system, especially suitable for chlorate manufacture, is provided constituted by a novel electrolyzer and a novel reactor. The novel separate electrolyzer is designed for multicell assembly employing sheet metal electrodes and includes novel internal construction specially designed to hold the electrodes in place and to minimize internal liquor overflow between adjacent cells. The novel reactor provides suitable electrolyte retention time, temperature and product composition control respectively as well as gas separation with liquor level controlled for flooded electrolyzer system. The electrolyzer and the reactor are connected by liquor interconnection means.