ELECTROLYTIC PROCESS FOR POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

摘要

C-7734 IMPROVED ELECTROLYTIC PROCESS FOR POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE Improved current efficiency is obtained in an electrolytic membrane cell for the production of potassium hydroxide by employing in combination: a) a membrane comprised of a carboxylic acid substituted polymer prepared by reacting a fluorinated olefin with a comonomer having a functional group selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid and a functional group which can be converted to carboxylic acid; b) a potassium chloride brine feed through the anolyte chamber of the cell having a concentration in the range from about 250 to about 300 grams of potassium chloride per liter; c) a cell operating temperature in the range from about 90 to about 100.degree.C; d) producing a depleted brine in the anolyte chamber after electrolysis in which the potassium chloride consumed by electrolysis ranges from about 5 to about 15 percent by weight of the potassium chloride originally present in the brine feed, and e) maintaining a catholyte potassium hydroxide concentration in the range from about 500 to about 600 grams potassium hydroxide per liter.