Abstract: In the preparation of a graphite body suitable for use as a cathode in an electrolytic process, comprising the steps ofa) contacting a graphite body with a solution in at least one polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms of at least one of an iridium salt and rhodium salt for a time sufficient for the solution to penetrate through the surface of the graphite body to a depth of at least about 1 mm, andb) heating and then cooling the graphite body,the improvement which comprises effecting the heating by contacting the surface of the graphite body into which the solution has penetrated with a naked gas flame positioned above such surface, the graphite body being heated to about 200.degree. to 450.degree. C. for about 2 to 10 minutes.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkali metal dichromates and/or chromic acid by electrolysis of alkali metal monochromate and/or alkali metal dichromate solution in electrolysis cells, the anode and cathode compartments of which are separated by cation exchange membranes, wherein the cation exchange membranes are single-layer membranes based on perfluorinated polymers having sulfonic acid groups as cation exchange groups, and an aqueous solution having a pH of 4 to 14 is produced in the cathode compartment of the cells.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkali metal dichromates and chromic acid by the electrolysis of monochromate and/or dichromate solutions in an electrolytic cell in which the anode and cathode chamber are separated by a cation exchanger membrane anolyte fluid containing dichromate and/or chromic acid being formed in the anode chamber and alkaline catholyte fluid containing alkali metal ions being formed in the cathode chamber, the improvement wherein the catholyte fluids are periodically replaced by a solution which is at a pH below 6.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of chromic acid by the electrolysis of dichromate and/or monochromate solutions in electrolytic cells in which the anode chamber and the cathode chamber are separated by a cation exchanger membrane, the improvement wherein the chromic acid content of the solution in the anode chamber is periodically increased above that of a continuous operating state.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkali metal dichromates and chromic acid by the electrolysis of monochromate and/or dichromate solutions in an electrolytic cell in which the anode and cathode chambers are separated by cation exchange member, the improvement wherein the formation of deposits on the membrane is prevented comprising continuously introducing a solution containing chromate at a pH of about 3 to 10 into the cathode chamber during the electrolysis.

Abstract: The sodium concentration in the amalgam of an electrolysis cell is automatically monitored by periodically removing an amalgam sample of predetermined quantity from the end compartment of the electrolysis cell, introducing the sample into a reference cell containing a reference electrolyte, thereby to form a galvanic element in said reference cell, discharging the galvanic element, and measuring the charge flowing out when the galvanic element is discharged, the charge being an index of the sodium concentration. Advantageously the reference electrolyte is a dilute solution of at least one of sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride. The apparatusincludes many cells and a common distant monitoring station.