Abstract: An electrolytic cell is provided with electrodes which are inserted within electrode frames with internal flow conduits and which are formed by metallurgical bonding, and the use of adhesives and an electrical resistance lowering conductive compound between contact surfaces.

Abstract: A filter press membrane electrolytic cell having at least one cathode and one anode sandwiched about a permselective ion exchange membrane which employs a cathode having a first layer and a second layer cooperative with the membrane such that the voltage coefficient during operation at current densities greater than 4.0 kiloamperes per square meter is less than about 0.20 volts per kiloampere per square meter.

Abstract: A filter press membrane electrolytic cell having at least one cathode and one anode sandwiched about a permselective ion exchange membrane which employs a cathode having a first layer and a second layer cooperative with the membrane such that the voltage cofficient during operation at current densities greater than 4.0 kiloamperes per square meter is less than about 0.20 volts per kiloampere per square meter.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, wherein the electrode comprises a conductor and an element of a second metal, at least a portion of each having contact surfaces being held in intimate contact with the other, said conductor and said element each having a conductive coating applied to the contact surface, said conductive coating comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride brine is comprised of an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a cation exchange membrane. The anode is comprised of an unflattened expanded structure of a valve metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof. At least one side of the anode has as the electrochemically active surface an electrodeposited layer of a valve metal oxide. A plurality of cracks traverse the electrodeposited layer and a coating of a platinum metal group oxide covers the electrodeposited layer and substantially fills the cracks. The cationic exchange membrane is comprised of a laminated structure having a first surface adapted to contact an anolyte in which the ion exchange groups are predominately sulfonic acid groups. The first surface is also in contact with the electrochemically active surface of the anode.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, and a method for producing same, wherein said electrode comprises an internal copper conductor and an external element of a second metal, at least a portion of each having contact surfaces being held in intimate contact with the other, said conductor and said element each having a conductive coating applied to the contact surface, said conductive coating comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced.

Abstract: A composite fiber reinforced plastic frame is provided wherein a core material at least partially formed from the continuous wrapping of roved layers of glass fiber impregnated with a catalyzed thermosetting resin within a corrosion resistant liner and the frame is reinforced at the corners.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of replacing a structurally damaged membrane after determining which membrane in a multiple unit filter press membrane electrolytic cell is damaged in response to cell operating conditions and monitorings indicating a problem exists.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, and a method for producing same, wherein said electrode comprises an internal copper conductor and an external element of a second metal, at least a portion of each having contact surfaces being held in intimate contact with the other, said conductor and said element each having a conductive coating applied to the contact surface, said conductive coating comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced.

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: A composite fiber reinforced plastic frame is provided wherein a core material at least partially formed from the continuous wrapping of roved layers of glass fiber impregnated with a catalyzed thermosetting resin within a corrosion resistant liner and the frame is reinforced at the corners.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining which membrane in a multiple unit filter press membrane electrolytic cell is structurally damaged after cell operating conditions and monitorings indicate the problem exists.

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: 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: An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions to produce gaseous products is comprised of a housing, a separator traversing said housing to form an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, an anode in the anode compartment, a cathode in the cathode compartment, means for introducing an electrolyte into and removing said electrolyte from said anode compartment, an outlet for gaseous products in the anode compartment, means for introducing a liquid into and removing a liquid from the cathode compartment, and an outlet for gaseous products in the cathode compartment. The electrolytic cell has at least one of the anode and the cathode comprising a porous electrode having a porosity in the range of from about 30 to about 98 percent, the porous electrode having a first portion in direct contact with the separator and a second portion spaced apart from the separator, the second portion being closer to said outlets for gaseous products than said first portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ reduction of cathode overvoltage in electrolytic cells. The method involves introducing low overvoltage or noble metal ions into the catholyte solution and plating those ions on the cathode in situ. The apparatus includes a low overvoltage or noble metal ion generating device for introducing low overvoltage or noble metal ions into the cathode solution so as to plate them in situ on the cathode during or prior to cell operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for sealing portions of cation exchange membranes of carboxylic acid type fluorinated polymers. The portions of the membranes to be sealed are in the ester form of the membrane and are ultrasonically sealed at sealing times of from about 0.1 to about 5 seconds while employing power in the range of from about 50 to about 600 watts.The novel method of the present invention can be used to repair membranes of carboxylic acid type fluorinated polymers which have been torn, slit, or cut. Sections of membrane materials may be sealed together to form an enlarged or reinforced membrane. The sealed portions are substantially free of wrinkles and are not mechanically damaged or weakened.

Abstract: Sections of synthetic materials, such as thermoplastic materials, suitable for use in electrolytic cells for the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide, are joined together in a reinforced liquid-tight seam by a method which comprises positioning sections of material to be joined adjacent to but spaced apart from each other, to form a gap between the sections, placing a thermoplastic sealing composition in the gap, sewing the sections of synthetic material and the thermoplastic sealing composition together to form a seam, heating the seam to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermoplastic sealing composition without melting the synthetic material or the thread thereby allowing the melted thermoplastic sealing composition to flow to and fill perforations in the synthetic material adjacent to the thread. The seam is then cooled to solidify the thermoplastic sealing composition and to form a reinforced liquid-tight seam between the sections of synthetic material.

Abstract: A gas separation assembly for an electrolytic cell having a gas-evolving electrode and a total cell current density above 2500 amperes per square feet of internal horizontal cell area is disclosed. The assembly includes a gas collector within the gas-evolving electrode and a disengager with less than 0.13 square feet of internal, horizontal, cross-sectional disengaging area per kiloampere of total cell current.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, and a method for producing same, wherein said electrode comprises an internal copper conductor and an external element of a second metal, at least a portion of each having contact surfaces being held in intimate contact with the other, said conductor and said element each having a conductive coating applied to the contact surface, said conductive coating comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced.