Improvement in the process for eletrolise aqueous solution containing ions of sodium and / or potassium, improvement in cell eletrolitica for his conduct, and.The apparatus eletrolitico aperfeicoado comprising a series of such cells

摘要

A method and apparatus for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution containing alkali metal ions, for example, the electrolysis of brine to produce chlorine and caustic. In one embodiment, a composite membrane comprising at least an ionconductive polymer and a metal permeable to alkali metal is used in an electrolytic cell. An illustration of such a polymer is a perfluorocarbon polymer containing sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups, in intimate contact with a layer of mercury. Another aspect is the use of elevated pressures or other techniques substantially to eliminate the presence of normally gaseous products from the electrolyte. For example, high pressures may be employed to dissolve chlorine in a brine electrolyte and/or liquefy it. In another aspect, sodium sulfate is electrolyzed in a cell comprising a composite membrane, a foraminous anode, and a diaphragm between the composite membrane and anode; the oxygen produced is withdrawn through the anode.