Abstract: An electrolytic cell for production of alkali metal chlorates has pairs of spaced flat parallel perforate cathodes and has flat imperforate anodes resident within each pair of cathodes, with each cathode having a plurality of horizontal slots therethrough, within an electrically conductive tank. Electrically insulative chemically resistive bumpers on either side of each anode maintain the anode spaced from the pair of cathodes within which the anode resides. The cell bottom and two sides are formed of a single member; the cell top is electrically insulated from the remainder of the cell.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture containing up to 20% of hydrogen fluoride and other gases inert to alkaline earth metal fluorides is passed in contact with particulate anhydrous alkaline earth metal fluoride prepared by the fluorination of anhydrous alkaline earth metal chloride in the absence of water. After the anhydrous alkaline earth metal fluoride has taken up the desired amount of hydrogen fluoride, up to its absorption capacity, the hydrogen fluoride is removed therefrom, e.g. by heat regeneration, and the alkaline earth metal fluoride is reused to absorb additional hydrogen fluoride from said gaseous mixtures.