Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Processes and products
Patent
1981-01-12
1982-03-30
Williams, Howard S.
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Processes and products
204 4, C25C 302
Patent
active
043222706
ABSTRACT:
An electrolyzable impurity, having a lower decomposition voltage than the electrolyte in which it is formed and dissolved, is depleted by operating an electrolysis cell between the decomposition voltages of the impurity and electrolyte. Such electrolytic decomposition of the impurity at a lower voltage does not decompose the electrolyte and enables a high degree of depletion with efficient use of electrical energy. In a preferred system, the impurity is depleted in an electrolysis cell separate from the apparatus in which it is formed and decomposition products of the impurity are recombined in a fuel cell for energy recovery.
This process of depleting an impurity is applied to production of sodium metal by electrolysis of molten sodium hydroxide wherein water forms as a decomposition product to function as an impurity which diminishes sodium yield in a secondary reaction. The sodium hydroxide electrolyte with its dissolved water impurity is withdrawn from a first electrolysis cell operating above the decomposition voltage of the sodium hydroxide, flows through a second electrolysis cell operating between the decomposition voltages of the sodium hydroxide and water whereby the water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen which are transported to a fuel cell, and is returned as depleted electrolyte to the first electrolysis cell for further electrolysis at an improved current efficiency.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1191799 (1916-07-01), Labhardt
patent: 1524268 (1925-01-01), McNitt
patent: 2414831 (1947-01-01), McNitt
patent: 3975913 (1976-08-01), Erickson
Skala Stephen F.
Williams Howard S.
LandOfFree
Process for depleting an impurity by electrolysis and recovering does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process for depleting an impurity by electrolysis and recovering, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process for depleting an impurity by electrolysis and recovering will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-381276