Eliminating explosion danger in alkali-chloride cell - by flushing cell with inert gas during maintenance pauses to remove hydrogen

摘要

Danger of explosion in alkali-chloride electrolysis cell of the amalgam type, when short-circuited for maintenance, is eliminated by flushing the gas space of the cell with an inert gas, pref. Cl2. During pauses, H2 is evolved in an alkali-chloride cell of the amalgam type on the graphite anode or esp. on an activated valve metal anode. When the H2 content in the chlorine filling the gas space of the cell exceeds 4% there arises danger of an explosion. This can be eliminated by flushing the cell with Cl2 (pref.), N2 or even air. The flushing can be started automatically by the cell's short-circuiter. It should last until the amalgam in the cell is exhausted or replaced by fresh mercury.