Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Patent
1992-09-11
1994-06-28
Valentine, Donald R.
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
204284, 204286, 204288, C25B 904, C25B 1100
Patent
active
053244095
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for an electrolysis cell with an anode and with at least two plate-shaped cathodes, which are electrically insulated from one another and disposed on one side of the anode at a distance from each other, where each cathode has at least two openings for flow-through of electrolyte and whre the cathodes are at electrically higher potential with increasing distance from the anode.
BACKGROUND
An electrolysis cell for the electrolytic separation of metals out of a liquid containing metal ions is known from German Patent DE-PS 36 40 020, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,384, GERHARD et al., which has, in a trough, at least one anode and a plurality of flat cathodes disposed parallel level to each other and at a distance from each other, which are each connected by means of their own connectors with the power supply via connecting resistances of various sizes.
The electrode plates used as cathodes are individually arranged in the trough and have sufficient stability; they can also be swapped out individually. Due to the wall thicknesses required for the stability of the individual cathodes, there is a comparatively high loss of material in the course of each change or swap of the cathodes when it occurs.
An electrolysis cell is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,965, HOLISINGER where an anode plate with a plurality of cathode plates disposed at a distance from each other, but where only the cathode plate which is farthest away from the anode is connected with the negative potential of the power supply. The cathode plates have openings for a zig-zag-shaped ion flow, in the course of which copper from the solutions containing copper ions is deposited on the plates themselves. Following deposition of copper, the cathode plates are swapped out and replaced by non-plated cathode plates.
According to the U.S. Patent, a certain mimimum wall strength of the electrode plates, used as cathode plates, is also required because they must be individually swapped out, which also results in high material losses upon every swap-out.
Further, German patent disclosure 2 213 401 (A), JACCAUD, discloses an electrolysis apparatus for silver recovery from an upstream photographic fixing bath, in which the cathode plates are fastened on a common carrier, parallel to each other with interposed spacer rings, and are suspended as a cathode packet on a housing wall of the apparatus. The anodes, which are rod-shaped with circular cross-section, are arranged along the housing wall in a plane which runs perpendicular to the plane of the individual cathode plates.
Problematical, in this connection, is the relatively great requirement for anode material, since the service life of the anodes is limited and, due to the multiplicity of anodes, extensive/expensive swapping out is necessary.
Proceeding from German Letters Patent DE-PS 36 40 020, GERHARDT et al., it is the object of the invention to provide material-saving cathode systems with large cathode surfaces, with which it is possible to achieve high current efficiency in spite of low material and production costs. In addition, it is also intended to obtain easy handling during operation.
In a preferred embodiment, the support device consists of four rods guided through recesses in the electrode plates, where spacer elements are disposed between the electrode plates, and the respectively outside electrode plates are pressed together by means of arresting devices acting on the bolt ends. The spacer elements are either tubularly formed, where they each envelop a bolt, or they are formed in the shape of pockets, which envelop the electrode plates; the pocket-shaped spacer elements are provided with recesses for putting the bolts through and for the admittance of liquid to the electrode plates.
In a further preferred embodiment, the support device is comb-shaped, in which case the spacer elements, as integral parts of the support device, form the teeth of the comb; in this case several such comb-like support devices are connected via a bar.
The electrode
REFERENCES:
patent: 3788965 (1974-01-01), Holsinger
patent: 3952313 (1976-04-01), Levenson et al.
patent: 4075077 (1978-02-01), Hodges
patent: 4194961 (1980-03-01), Williams
patent: 4772369 (1988-09-01), Mercier
patent: 4786384 (1988-11-01), Gerhardt et al.
patent: 4786384 (1988-11-01), Gerhardt et al.
patent: 5049252 (1991-09-01), Murrell
Blatt Wolfgang
Heinke Harri
Mayr Max
Heraeus Electrochemie GmbH
Valentine Donald R.
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