ELECTROLYTIC DENUDER FOR DECOMPOSING AMALGAM AND REMOVING IMPURITIES FROM MERCURY

摘要

An improved process for the production of halogens and alkali metal hydroxide by electrolysis of aqueous solution of alkali metal halides in a flowing mercury electrolysis cell wherein the salt solutions do not have to be purified. This divisional application is particularly directed to the electrolytic amalgam denuder having a housing provided with a vertical series of horizontal porous plates made of an electrically conductive material. The porous plates are electrically insulated with respect to adjacent plates. The denuder has means for impressing a voltage of about 0.2 to 0.4 volts between adjacent plates. The denuder also has means for introducing water in the lower portion of the housing, means for introducing amalgam at the upper portion of the housing, means for removing hydrogen and means for removing alkali metal hydroxide solution at the top of the housing, and means for removing mercury from the bottom of the housing. The upper most and lower most plates do not have an electric current impressed therein.