METHOD OF OPERATING ELECTROLYTIC DIAPHRAGM CELLS HAVING HORIZONTAL ELECTRODES

摘要

Disclosed is a method of operating an electrolytic cell divided into an anolyte chamber and a catholyte chamber by a substantially horizontal, permeable barrier. The anolyte chamber is above the permeable barrier while the catholyte chamber is below the permeable barrier. Electrolyte passes from the anolyte chamber through the permeable barrier to the catholyte chamber. An electrical current passes through the cell, thereby evolving chlorine gas on the anode and hydrogen gas on the cathode. The electrical current is in excess of the unaided flow of electrolyte through the permeable barrier resulting in diminished cathode current efficiency and necessitating augmentation of the flow of electrolyte to restore the current efficiency to acceptable values. According to the disclosed method, chloride gas is collected at super-atmospheric pressure in the anolyte chamber, and withdrawn from the anolyte chamber while maintaining the chlorine gas at such elevated pressure. The elevated pressure of chloride augments the flow of electrolyte through the permeable barrier to the catholyte chamber.