Abstract: A novel commercial chlor-alkali electrolytic cell which has a pack of less than about 50 interleaved parallel planar electrode frames and substantially horizontal conductor rods. The pack is at least half and preferably twice as tall as it is thick.

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 and method of making such a frame are provided wherein a thin corrosion resistant liner material having a highly reinforced structural core is at least partially formed by wrapped roving layers of glass fiber impregnated with a catalyzed thermosetting resin that possesses high strength and a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: In an electrode designed for use in a filter press membrane cell there is provided a frame of predetermined thickness that on opposing sides has generally planar foraminous electrode surfaces reinforcingly attached thereto, the electrode surfaces each having a predetermined surface area. The ratio of the predetermined surface area to the frame thickness for each electrode can vary in the range of about 12.05.times.10.sup.4 linear units to about 0.08.times.10.sup.4 linear units.

Abstract: In a filter press membrane electrolytic cell there is provided a reinforced electrode frame channel that is backed by a reinforcing strip which also serves as a gasket restraint when the adjacent electrodes are compressed to form the assembled cell.

Abstract: In a filter press membrane chloralkali electrolytic cell there is provided an improved external electrolyte recirculation system wherein the salt brine and deionized water replenisher feed lines are inserted individually within the electrolyte return conduits from each external gas-liquid disengager to thereby introduce feed electrolyte into a reservoir of electrolyte fluid which is in low resistance contact with the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electrolytic membrane cell is disclosed. The method includes the steps of conditioning the membranes with a conditioning fluid, assembling a vertical stack of horizontal electrode frames with a horizontal membrane sheet between each pair of frames, applying pressure to vertically compress the vertical stack, rotating the compressed vertical stack from a vertical orientation through approximately 90.degree. in which orientation of the stack is called a "pack", connecting the pack into an electrical circuit and to raw material supply lines and product withdrawal lines and then electrically operating the pack while maintaining the pack in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: In an electrolytic filter press cell having an electrolyte fluid circulated through anode and cathode frames, a cell frame at least partially supporting an anolyte disengager and a catholyte disengager, the disengagers having at least a first flow conduit and a second flow conduit in fluid flow communication with each electrode, there is provided a variable flow restrictor in the first flow conduit from the disengagers to each electrode frame to selectively vary the flow rate of electrolyte through the disengagers to thereby control the level of foaming of the electrolyte within the disengagers to optimize the amount of gas separated out therein.

Abstract: In a filter press membrane electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being of predetermined thickness and separated from the adjacent electrode by an ion-selective permeable membrane all supported by a frame and in fluid flow communication with a gas-liquid disengager there is provided an improved electrolyte return line having a first portion external to each electrode and a second portion internal to each electrode, wherein the second portion fits within the predetermined thickness in a structurally reinforcing manner so that the structural rigidity of the electrode is increased while the electrode surface area available for fluid contact is maximized.

Abstract: In a filter press membrane chloralkali electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes with an external anolyte gas-liquid disengager in fluid flow communication with each anode via conduit means having a first predetermined cross-sectional area utilized to recirculate electrolyte from the disengager to each anode and electrolyte replenisher means connected to the disengager and each anode, there is provided an improved electrolyte recirculation system wherein the electrolyte replenisher means includes a plurality of feed pipes which are inserted individually within the conduit means thereby causing each feed pipe to be in fluid flow communication with each anode, each feed pipe further extending a predetermined distance into the conduit means from within the disengager and having a second predetermined cross-sectional area such that the outlet of flow of replenishing electrolyte is into the flow of recirculated electrolyte within the conduit means to effect maximum mixing of the fluids prior to entering e

Abstract: A process for electrically by-passing one of a series of electrolytic cells without interrupting current flow through the remaining cells is disclosed. The process includes inserting two conductors between the cells, remotely moving the conductors into pressurized contact with the cell preceding and the cell following the cell being disconnected and closing a switch to electrically connect the two conductors thereby by-passing the cell being disconnected.

Abstract: A method of varying the flow in a flow conduit from both the anolyte disengager and the catholyte disengager to each appropriately corresponding electrode is provided to selectively vary the flow rate of electrolyte fluids through the disengagers to the appropriate electrodes to thereby control the level of foaming of the electrolyte fluids within the disengagers to prevent the blowover of foam during the separation of entrained gas from the electrolyte fluids therein.

Abstract: A remote controlled intercell connector bar jack is disclosed. The jack can have a first contactor and a second contactor spaced apart by a piston and cylinder assembly. The assembly can be remotely expanded or contracted to move the contactors away from each other or towards each other, respectively. The first contactor contacts a movable intercell connector while the second contactor contacts a fixed object such as the wall of one of two adjacent cells connected by the intercell connector. The second contactor can be a plate adapted to rest against a wall of a cell to which the intercell connector is attached and the first contactor adapted to rest against the intercell connector so that the intercell connector is jacked away from the cell wall when the assembly is remotely expanded.

Abstract: An improved frame component for a frame of an electrode useful in a filter press cell having a channel or U-shaped configuration comprising an outer planar wall attached orthogonally to first and second planar side walls with a multiplicity of spaced rigid reinforcing members attached to first and second side walls.

Abstract: A novel electrode for a monopolar filter press cell is disclosed which comprises a first foraminous surface and a second foraminous surface positioned in parallel and spaced apart, which are secured to conductor rods positioned in a cell frame. The frame has two side members, a top member and a bottom member attached to the first and second foraminous surfaces. A chamber is formed between the first and second foraminous surfaces and bounded by the frame. At least one pair of conductor rods pass through one of the side members of the frame into the chamber. One of the conductor rods in each pair is attached only to the first foraminous surface; the other conductor rod in the pair is attached only to the second foraminous surface. The frame has inlets and outlets for introducing fluids into and removing electrolysis products from the chamber.

Abstract: A novel electrode is disclosed for a filter press cell operating at medum pressure. This novel electrode comprises two vertical planar foraminous surfaces positioned in parallel and spaced apart, having at least one pair of conductor rods and a frame. The frame has two side members, a top member, and a bottom member, and is attached to the planar surfaces whereby a chamber is formed between the planar surfaces bounded by the frame. The foraminous surface has a tensile strength in the range from about 50 to about 300 pounds per lineal inch measured in the weakest direction of the foraminous surface. One conductor rod of each pair is attached to the frame along with one of the foraminous surfaces. At least one process connection for conveying process material into and out of the chamber is also provided in the frame.

Abstract: An electrode for a monopolar filter press cell comprises two vertical foraminous surfaces positioned in parallel and spaced apart. A frame having two side members, a top member, and a bottom member is 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 into the chamber; the conductor rods being spaced apart from the foraminous surfaces. The frame has inlets and outlets for introducing fluids into and removing electrolysis products from the chamber. The novel electrodes provide improved gas flow patterns by creating limited restrictions within the chamber so as to generate a Venturi or low pressure effect which pulls gases from the interelectrode gap through the electrode surfaces and into the chamber.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electrolytic membrane cell is disclosed. The method includes the steps of assembling a vertical stack of horizontal electrode frames with a horizontal membrane sheet between each pair of frames, then applying pressure to vertically compress the vertical stack, then rotating the compressed vertical stack from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation in which orientation of the stack is called a "pack" and then connecting the pack into an electrical circuit and to raw material supply lines and product withdrawal lines and then electrically operating the pack while maintaining the pack in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A remotely-controlled tightener for selectively tightening and loosening electrical connectors between electrolytic cells.

Abstract: An intercell connector system is disclosed. The system includes two adjacent terminals attached to two adjacent cells and intercell connector selectively overlapping the adjacent ends of the terminals. The intercell connector includes a conductive first member and a second member which are held together by a fastening device which can be selectively loosened and tightened. When the fastening device is loosened, the two members are adapted to be moved out of engagement with one of the terminals thereby disconnecting the electrical circuit between the terminals.