Abstract: A pressure electrolyzer having a pressure reservoir, an electrolytic cell block containing a number of electrolytic cells and positioned in the pressure reservoir, the electrolytic cells each containing anodes and cathodes, and an electrolyte circulatory system for supplying electrolyte to the anodes and cathodes. The circulatory system includes an oxygen separator operative to separate gaseous oxygen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyzer and a hydrogen separator operative to separate gaseous hydrogen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyzer, and a store of an inert gas, to inert the pressure electrolyzer when it is switched off. The store of inert gas is supplied to the oxygen separator. The electrolyte circulatory system further includes a connecting line arranged so that a part of the electrolyte can be pushed out of the hydrogen separator when the inert gas is applied to the oxygen separator so as to displace the gaseous hydrogen.

Abstract: A cell structure for electrolyzer units and fuel cells, comprising an electrolyte-permeable diaphragm, one metallic, electrolyte-permeable electrode respectively on either side of the diaphragm, an electrically conductive bipolar cell partition respectively which bounds the cell, one electrically conductive structure respectively between the electrode and the cell partition which acts as an elastic spacer and current supply, and a frame construction which encloses the cell on the circumference side. The diaphragm is constructed as a flat plate, with layer-type electrodes resting directly on it and integrally connected with it. The cell partitions are constructed of sheet metal, if necessary, with spacers. The spaces between the electrodes and the cell partitions are at least partially filled with lamellar structures which are axially and perpendicularly fluid-permeable and rest against the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of separating certain components of a gas mixture in which the gas mixture is cooled and certain components are separated in a liquid or solid state characterized by introducing the gas mixture into a separator tank, adding a cooling agent such as a liquid or cold inert gas so as to cool the gas mixture and separating component in a solid state and subsequently fusing the separated solid into a liquid in a collecting tank. The concentrated gas mixture to be separated is directly removed from its place of use and directly supplied to the separator tank without allowing any further admixture of secondary air. The device for carrying out the method comprises an insulated tank to which air having entrained sulfer dioxide is introduced. The air flow is controlled so that it is oriented in a particular direction and it is passed beyond nozzles for injecting an inert gas such as liquid nitrogen into the interior of the insulated tank.