ELECTROLYSIS METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A novel process and apparatus for the preparation of an alkali metal halate by electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution. An alkali metal halide solution is passed upwardly through a plurality of bipolar electrolysis unit while passing an electrolysis current therethrough at a temperature of 90 to 110.degree.C and at a current density to volume ratio of 15 to 30 A/liter to convert at least a portion of the alkali metal halide to alkali metal hypohalite. The resulting electrolyte is passed, while venting the hydrogen formed, to a reaction zone whose volume is sufficient to provide a residence time to substantially complete the conversion of the alkali metal hypohalite to alkali metal halate and recovering the said halate from the electrolyte and an apparatus for performing the said process. The bipolar electrolysis units are contained in a vertical electrolysis vessel and the reaction zone is provided by a vertical reaction vessel, the vessels being connected at the tops through a liquid passage with a passage being provided for recycling electrolyte from the reaction vessel bottom to the electrolysis vessel bottom.