Abstract: Metals and metalloids are produced by cathodically dissolving compounds thereof in electrolytic cells. These cells have one or more heterogenous bipolar electrodes in series, with a terminal electrode as cathode and another terminal electrode as a soluble or inert anode. A common electrolyte is in contact with all electrodes.The compounds of the metals or metalloids are introduced into the cells and are brought into contact with the cathodic sides of the heterogenous electrodes. A cathodic half reaction takes place on the heterogenous bipolar electrode which permits the reduction and dissolution of the metal and metalloid compounds into the common electrolyte. The terminal negative electrodes are the site of the electrolytic deposition of the metals.The cells may also include an electrowinning system of anodes and cathodes, connected by way of the common electrolyte, for depositing the dissolved metals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new a method for simultaneous recovering vanadium, molybdenum and gallium from alumina factory aluminate liquors. The recovering is carried out in one step by electrolyzing an alumina factory aluminate liquor a temperature exceeding 70.degree. C. with a current density of from 400 to 1200 A/m.sup.2 using a low-melting liquid alloy as a cathode and agitating said alloy mechanically.By using the new process the three precious metals can be recovered simultaneously in one step with good efficiencies without any preliminary treating of the aluminate liquor and without using any auxiliary chemical.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cleaning the bottom of mercury cathode electrolytic cells or the like, usable in closed cells which are cut off from the power supply and maintained under suction, characterized in that said apparatus consists essentially of a plate or strap that is displaceable along the bottom of the cell, and having an overall length substantially corresponding to the width of the cell-bottom to be cleaned, said strap normally resting on or near the bottom of the cell, and means for moving said strap along the bottom of the cell to scrape or dislodge mercury sludge and other residues that have accumulated during the operation of the cell. The means for moving the strap along the bottom of the cell may be manually actuated from outside the cell or they may be actuated by motor means situated outside the cell.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chloride solution is provided with a closure for its open side which is resistant to degradation by chlorine and ozone. The cover has an external elastomeric layer which is stable when exposed to ozone and a polytetrafluoroethylene layer facing the aqueous solution which resists attack by chlorine, and intermediate polyamide, polyester or fiberglass mesh on synthetic rubber layers. The synthetic rubber layer is chloroprene vulcanized with lead oxide.

Abstract: Equipment for controlling, monitoring, determining the most effective operating conditions and operating, and for displaying data in, alkali metal chloride electrolysis plants which are operated by the amalgam process, wherein the equipment has, for each electrolytic cell or for each group of electrolytic cells, a data collecting and processing device for controlling, monitoring and determining the most effective operating conditions the electrolytic cell or group, and all the data collecting and processing devices are connected to a central data collecting and processing device for central operation and for displaying data.

Abstract: A process for making alkali hydroxide and chlorine in a plurality of electrolytic cells of the amalgam type, wherein a decomposer is provided for each cell and wherein alkali metal amalgam formed in the cell is reacted with water in a companion decomposer to form alkali hydroxide, the improvement comprising utilizing for each cell and corresponding decomposer a condenser and a separator component between the condenser and decomposer in the hydrogen outlet line of the decomposer to separate mercury vapor and water vapor initially liquefied in the condenser and divert the condensed mercury back into the decomposer.

Abstract: An improved cathode element for use in a metal, e.g., aluminum reduction cell, said cathode element comprising an elongated hollow body, the lower end of which is affixed to or imbedded in the floor of the cell, the upper end of which terminates proximate the anode said upper end provided with a cap element formed of an electrically conductive material said cap element being in electrically conductive communication with a body of molten metal confined within the hollow body.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for adjusting the space between an adjustable anode and a cathode in an electrolytic cell wherein current measurements and voltage measurements are obtained for conductors to the anode sets and compared with predetermined standards for the same conductors and anode sets. Measurement of deviation from the predetermined standards are used to determine the direction of anode adjustment. A digital computer operably connected to motor drive means adapted to raise or lower anode sets upon appropriate electric signals from the computer is a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Abstract: The sodium concentration in the amalgam of an electrolysis cell is automatically monitored by periodically removing an amalgam sample of predetermined quantity from the end compartment of the electrolysis cell, introducing the sample into a reference cell containing a reference electrolyte, thereby to form a galvanic element in said reference cell, discharging the galvanic element, and measuring the charge flowing out when the galvanic element is discharged, the charge being an index of the sodium concentration. Advantageously the reference electrolyte is a dilute solution of at least one of sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride. The apparatusincludes many cells and a common distant monitoring station.

Abstract: A deflected flow inlet system for use in mercury-type electrolytic cells to help prevent inlet flow from jumping the inlet channel and splattering the mercury cathode onto the anodes.

Abstract: An improved flexible sheet elastomer cover for sealing the electrolyte tank of a De Nora type chlorine generating cell. Elastomer materials of different compositions are used for the opposite surfaces of the cover with the inside surface composed of a chlorinated polyethylene compound and the outside surface composed of an ethylene-propylene terpolymer compound.

Abstract: A flexible elastomeric cover particularly for an electrolytic cell of the mercury type. The cover has at least one layer comprised of a corrosion resistant elastomeric composition including a vulcanized rubbery polymer to resist deleterious fluids and a multiplicity of small, non-porous, inert particles of a plate-like structure dispersed throughout the polymer to further resist the permeation and penetration of such fluids into the cover with the preponderance of the particles having an aspect ratio of at least 20:1 and being oriented in a direction generally parallel to a surface of the cover to provide a barrier to the migration of such deleterious fluids. The rubbery polymer is preferably polyisoprene and the plate-like or platy particles are preferably graphite or glass flakes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining signals from the anode buses of a mercury cell to provide automatic protection against short circuits, visual readouts, and computer information. A multiplexer is associated with each cell which scans the signals from the various bus bars. The scanned signals from each bus bar are sequential with one another and are converted to proportional voltage and anode bus current signals, which are transmitted to a console for decoding and processing to provide a visual readout and to a computer for processing and anode adjustment. In addition, each cell has an overcurrent and short circuit protection circuit based upon anode bus current. The instantaneous anode bus current for a given bus of a cell is compared with an average anode bus current for that cell and the anodes raised when the current exceeds the average bus current by a certain percentage.

Abstract: An improvement for use in conjunction with the preventing of short circuits in one of a plurality of electrolytic cells and one of a plurality of horizontal mercury cells electrically connected in series with each cell having means for raising a plurality of anodes relative to the cathode and a plurality of anode buses. Switch means are associated with at least two of each plurality of anode buses for closing an electric circuit upon sensing a short circuit condition. The closing of the electric circuit results in the lighting of the lamp indicating which one of the plurality of anode buses the switch that has closed is associated with, a lamp for indicating which one of the plurality of cells the switch that has closed is associated with, and causes the raising of the plurality of anodes with which the switch that has closed is associated.

Abstract: An annular rigid disc and elastomeric annular ring sealing assembly for electrolytic cells with adjustable anode posts. The seal assembly has extended life, less costly construction and easier replacement due to the reduced cross-sectional area of flexible sealing material exposed to the hostile environment of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: Copper is extracted from sulfide ores or concentrates by electrolysis in a cell having separate anode and cathode sections, and having an intermediate liquid copper-mercury alloy electrode between the anode and cathode sections.

Abstract: A vertical liquid electrode is employed in an electrolytic cell used to manufacture chemical products by the electrolytic decomposition of an electrolyte. The cell incorporates the advantages of high current density, high current efficiency, low space requirement, low liquid electrode requirement, and convenience of optional diaphragm employment.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for carrying out processes during which gas is evolved is disclosed. The cell includes at least one hoodlike cover positioned above one or more electrodes and having an outlet opening below the electrolyte surface for the gas-electrolyte suspension and an elecrolyte-recycling space positioned outside the projection of the cover. The recycling space is free from gas-producing electrodes and is spaced a sufficient distance from the outlet opening that the backflow of gas is precluded.

Abstract: An improved metal anode assembly formed as in integral titanium casting which is comprised of a spider-like distributor having an anodic surface secured to the bottom thereof. At least one anode post receiver is formed in the top of the distributor. The active face of the anodic surface is coated with at least one oxide of a platinum group metal. Utilizing cast titanium to form the distributor, the anode post receiver and the anodic surface of the metal anode assembly of this invention simplifies fabrication of the metal anode assembly and improves the durability and stability of the metal anode assembly.

Abstract: An improved metal anode assembly formed as an integral titanium casting which is comprised of a spider-like distributor having an anodic surface secured to the bottom thereof. At least one anode post receiver is formed in the top of the distributor. The active face of the anodic surface is coated with at least one oxide of a platinum group metal. Utilizing cast titanium to form the distributor, the anode post receiver and the anodic surface of the metal anode assembly of this invention simplifies fabrication of the metal anode assembly and improves the durability and stability of the metal anode assembly.

Abstract: Alkali metal chlorides, e.g. brine, are electrolized in the presence of substantially horizontal anodes provided on the underside with channel- or groove-like recesses. The anodes and/or the course of the channel- or groove-like recesses in the anodes are positioned to define spaced apart regions between the anodes so as to provide for an outflow of chlorine from the space between the electrodes and for an inflow of brine into this space.

Abstract: Describes chlorine resistant metal electrodes, preferably of valve metals such as titanium and tantalum, having coatings of mixed metal oxides, preferably valve metal oxides, which have been doped to provide semi-conducting surfaces on the electrodes, which coatings also have the capacity to catalyze chlorine discharge from the electrodes and to resist corrosive conditions in a chlorine cell.