Abstract: An apparatus for effecting direct contact between a gas and a liquid which has at least one substantially vertical channel, formed for example by a pair of parallel plates, a port for introducing gas at a lower part of the channel, a port for introducing liquid to the channel, and a port for removing gas and liquid at an upper part of the channel, the height of the channel being substantially greater than the distance between the walls which define the channel such that gas at elevated pressure, when introduced into the channel, can cause liquid to move upwardly in the channel and to be removed from the channel. The apparatus may be associated with an electrolytic cell in which a gas is produced by electrolysis. Also, a process for effecting direct contact between a gas and a liquid is disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially planar plate, suitable for use in a structure in which direct contact may be effected between a gas and a liquid, the plate comprising a frame part and at least one bridging part between opposite sides of the frame part, the bridging part dividing the plate into upper and lower cavities bounded by the frame part and the bridging part, and one or more apertures through the bridging part leading from the lower cavity to the upper cavity. The structure comprises one or more such plates and in use of the structure gas will pass upwardly through the structure and liquid downwardly through the structure. The structure has many uses, e.g. in the cooling of electrolytically produced chlorine gas.

Abstract: A sieve plate for use in a structure in which direct contact may be effected between a gas and a liquid, the sieve plate having a plurality of channels within the plate leading from one surface of the plate to an opposite surface of the plate, in which the channels are so shaped as to provide in the channel within the plate a weir over which liquid must pass if it is to flow downwardly through the channel. Also, a structure comprising one or more such sieve plates.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell of the type to which electrolyte is continuously charged and from which a product or products of electrolysis is or are continuously removed, the electrolytic cell being associated in close proximity with an item or items of apparatus in which electrolyte may be treated prior to charging to the electrolytic cell and/or in which a product or products of electrolysis may be treated after removal from the electrolytic cell. Also, a plurality of such electrolytic cells and items of apparatus. Electrolyte may be purified in the items of apparatus associated in close proximity with the electrolytic cells prior to charging to the cells, and the product streams from the cells may be treated in the items of apparatus prior to combining the product streams.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell which comprises at least one anode and at least one cathode, an inlet channel through which liquor may be charged to the electrolytic cell, and an outlet channel through which liquor may be removed from the electrolytic cell, in which the outlet channel is operatively connected to the inlet channel, and in which the inlet channel comprises an ejector. The inlet and outlet channels may be formed in a unit made up of a plurality of shaped sheets, e.g. of electrically non-conducting plastics material, which together form the inlet and outlet channels.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell which comprises at least one anode and at least one cathode, an inlet channel through which liquor may be charged to the electrolytic cell, and an outlet channel through which liquor may be removed from the electrolytic cell, in which the outlet channel is operatively connected to the inlet channel, and in which the inlet channel comprises an ejector. The inlet and outlet channels may be formed in a unit made up of a plurality of shaped sheets, e.g. of electrically non-conducting plastics material, which together form the inlet and outlet channels.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell which is preferably of the filter press type and which comprises at least one anode and at least one cathode, an inlet through which liquor may be charged to the electrolytic cell and an outlet through which liquor may be removed from the electrolytic cell, and means for recirculating liquor to the electrolytic cell, in which said recirculating means comprises a unit formed of a plurality of shaped sheets whch are preferably planar and together form at least one channel inside of said unit, said channel connecting the inlet and outlet of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell of the filter press type comprising a plurality of anodes, cathodes and gaskets, and ion-exchange membranes positioned between each adjacent anode and cathode to form in the cell a plurality of anode compartments and cathode compartments, the cell having two inlet headers from which electrolyte may be charged to the anode compartments of the cell and from which liquors may be charged to the cathode compartments of the cell, and two outlet headers from which products of electrolysis may be removed from the anode compartments and cathode compartments of the cell, the cell being provided with a common chamber in communication with each of the anode compartments and/or a common chamber in communication with each of the cathode compartments, said chamber(s) being provided with means for recirculating liquors to the anode compartments and/or to the cathode compartments, and said chamber(s) being in communication with the outlet headers from the anode compartments and/or the outlet headers from