Spiral feed and discharge manifold for electrolytic cells

Details Spiral feed and discharge manifold for electrolytic cells Spiral feed and discharge manifold for electrolytic cells

1999-08-03

2001-12-11

Phasge, Arun S. (Department: 1741)

Chemistry: electrical and wave energy

Apparatus

Electrolytic

C204S255000, C204S256000, C204S279000, C210S321750, C210S456000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06328863

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus for the feed and discharge of brine, caustic or other liquid and gas to and from an electrolytic cell. The apparatus design allows for minimal loss of electrical current during the electrolytic process and reduces or eliminates the loss of metal or gases produced from structures adjoining the electrolytic cell.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrolytic cells are generally placed in commercial use for the production of chlorine, chlorates, chlorites, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen and other related chemicals, such as caustic solutions. Over the years, electrolytic membrane cells have undergone continuous development, e.g., improved operating efficiencies and improved lifetimes for cell components. This is often accomplished by continual design improvements.
Generally, such electrolytic cells will contain an external manifold. This manifold is provided with long feed and discharge tubes to reduce the amount of current leakage. For example, there has been shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,763 external manifolds which are positioned on opposite ends of an anode or cathode pan. Flexible external tubing with screwed or flanged connections provide a path of travel for liquids and gas.
It would, nevertheless, be desirable to provide a manifold structure for a bipolar electrolyzer without the necessity for external feed and discharge tubes. It would also be desirable to provide a manifold structure capable of reducing or eliminating the loss of gas from adjoining structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There has now been developed a spiral feed and discharge manifold for bipolar electrolytic cells which is capable of minimizing the amount of electrical current lost in the electrolysis process and reducing or eliminating the loss of gas from adjoining structures. Additionally, the manifold minimizes the effects of reverse currents produced during electrolyzer shutdowns or power outages and reduces internal pressure fluctuations of the cell. The manifold can also be assembled together with a special pan manifold, and this manifold may utilize innovative retaining means, all of which are disclosed herein. Moreover, the invention provides readily available means that may be used for distinguishing between anolyte and catholyte manifolds.
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a spiral manifold assembly for a bipolar electrolyzer comprising:
a first outer assembly member having inner and outer ring members positioned at least substantially concentric one to the other and providing a central aperture within the inner ring member, a circumferential band member extending between and connecting to the ring members and having a front, at least substantially flat circumferential surface, a back circumferential surface having a recessed circumferential channel therein, a radial barrier member across the channel and a channel aperture adjacent the barrier member that penetrates through the band member;
a second outer assembly member spaced apart from the first outer assembly member and having inner and outer ring members positioned at least substantially concentric one to the other and providing a central aperture within the inner ring member, a circumferential band member extending between and connecting to the ring members and having a front, at least substantially flat circumferential surface, a back circumferential surface which has a recessed circumferential channel therein, a radial barrier member across the channel and an inwardly extending channel passageway adjacent the barrier member, which passageway extends from the recessed channel inwardly to the central aperture that is within the inner ring member; and
a center assembly member, between the first and second outer assembly members, and comprising inner and outer ring members positioned at least substantially concentric one to the other and providing a central aperture within the inner ring member, a circumferential band member extending between and connecting to the ring members and having front and back circumferential surfaces, with each surface having a recessed circumferential channel therein, with a radial barrier member across each channel, with one recessed channel having an aperture through the band member and adjacent a barrier member, and one recessed channel having, adjacent a barrier member an inwardly extending channel passageway extending from the recessed channel inwardly to the central aperture that is within the inner ring member, the center assembly member being in releasible interengagement with the first and second outer assembly members.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a pan manifold for an electrolytic cell, the pan and manifold assembly having front and back major faces with the front major face being substantially flat and having a flange extending along a perimeter of the front major face, an at least substantially circular top portion, an elongate bottom portion, and a central circular aperture extending through the front and back major faces at the top of the manifold, wherein the top portion terminates at a segment of its perimeter into an elongate bottom projecting from the top and providing parallel sides, which sides extend to form rounded corners.
In a still further aspect, the invention is directed to a bipolar electrolyzer assembly including a feed manifold and a discharge manifold, the improvement in the assembly comprising:
an anolyte discharge manifold of a first color; and
a catholyte discharge manifold of a second color.
In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a circular assembly member adapted for use in a spiral manifold assembly the assembly member having inner and outer, at least substantially concentric, ring members that provide a central aperture at the center of the inner ring member, and a connecting circumferential band member connecting the ring members, the circumferential band member having a front, at least substantially flat circumferential surface and a back circumferential surface, which back surface has a recessed, circular channel therein, plus a radial barrier member across the channel and a channel aperture adjacent the barrier member, which barrier member extends between, and connects to, the inner and outer ring members, and which channel aperture penetrates through the ring member.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a circular assembly member adapted for use in a spiral manifold assembly, the assembly member having inner and outer, at least substantially concentric ring members that provide a central aperture at the center of the inner ring member, and a connecting circumferential band member connecting the ring members, the circumferential band member having a front, at least substantially flat circumferential surface and a back circumferential surface, which back surface has a recessed, circular channel therein plus a radial barrier member across said channel and a channel passageway adjacent the barrier member, which barrier member extends between and connects to the inner and outer ring members, and which passageway extends from the circular channel to the central aperture within the inner ring member.
In still a further aspect, the invention is directed to a circular, center assembly member adapted for use in a spiral manifold assembly, between first and second outer assembly members which center assembly member comprises inner and outer ring members positioned at least substantially concentric one to the other, with the inner ring member having a central aperture therethrough, a connecting circumferential band member connecting said ring members, and having front and back circumferential surfaces, with each surface having a recessed channel therein, with a radial barrier member across each channel, one barrier member having an adjacent aperture through the circumferential band member, and one barrier member having an adjacent passageway extending from the circular channel to the central aperture within the inner ring member, the center

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