초록 ▼

An electrochemical cell having a hydraulically impermeable permselective membrane located between electrodes comprising at least one gas diffusion, laminar electrode having hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers and attendant current collector means is operated with greater efficiency by forcing the lam

An electrochemical cell having a hydraulically impermeable permselective membrane located between electrodes comprising at least one gas diffusion, laminar electrode having hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers and attendant current collector means is operated with greater efficiency by forcing the laminar, gas diffusion electrode against the current collector means so as to make and maintain electrical contact therebetween by means of gas pressure exerted against the hydrophobic side of the laminar, gas diffusion electrode opposite to that which faces the permselective membrane.

대표청구항 ▼

In a process for the electrolysis of an alkali metal halide brine wherein an aqueous brine is introduced into an anode compartment of an electrolytic cell containing a gas compartment; water or aqueous alkali metal hydroxide is introduced into a cathode compartment of the cell; said cathode and anod

In a process for the electrolysis of an alkali metal halide brine wherein an aqueous brine is introduced into an anode compartment of an electrolytic cell containing a gas compartment; water or aqueous alkali metal hydroxide is introduced into a cathode compartment of the cell; said cathode and anode compartments are separated by a semi-permeable membrane; halogen and depleted brine are withdrawn through a common first conduit from the anode compartment to a brine collection point; and alkali metal hydroxide solution is withdrawn through a second conduit from the cathode compartment to an alkali metal hydroxide solution collection point; the improvement comprising providing as the cathode of said electrolytic cell, a laminar, gas diffusion cathode comprising an electrically conductive, porous hydrophilic layer and a porous hydrophobic layer adjacent to said gas compartment wherein gas pressure applied to said hydrophilic layer at a pressure is solely sufficient to force said cathode against a current collector means so as to make and maintain electrical contact in order to minimize the electrical potential required for electrolysis.