ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE BIPOLAR ELECTROLYZER

摘要

The present invention discloses a new design of elements for ion exchange membrane electrolyzers. Making reference to the figure the structure of one side of the element (1) is shown. The two sides are made of two sheets cold-pressed in order to obtain the projections (2) and the peripheral flange (3) which ensures sealing thanks to a suitable gasket. In the case of chlor-alkali electrolysis, hereinafter referred to as an example, the two sheets are made of titanium and nickel. The projections are preferably in the form of a truncated cone and are preferably arranged according to a centered hexagonal configuration. This geometry favours the transversal mixing of the electrolytes thanks to the deviation and local flow crossing. The electrolyte is fed to the element through a distributor provided with holes, which shows a detail of the lower part of element 1. The distributor is housed in the lower part of element (1) along the internal edge of flange (3). The electrolyte and produced gas mixture is forced to flow to the upper part of the elements by an inclined baffle (7) which provides for collapsing the gas bubbles. Fresh electrolyte is efficiently mixed with the liquid coming from the downcomers (9).