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Describes a method of electreochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., amine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2)

Describes a method of electreochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., amine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating the catholyte and anode compartments and separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane. The following are introduced into the cell: a first aqueous conductive electrolyte solution into the catholyte compartment; hydrogen gas into the anode compartment; an aqueous solution of amine hydrohalide into the first compartment of the pair of intermediate compartments; and a second aqueous conductive electrolyte solution into the second compartment of the pair of intermediate compartments. Direct current is passed through the electrolytic cell, and an aqueous solution comprising free amine is removed from the first compartment.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method of converting amine hydrohalide into free amine comprising:(a) providing an electrolytic cell having a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly; an anode compartment containing an anode assembly; and at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating said

[ We claim:] [1.] A method of converting amine hydrohalide into free amine comprising:(a) providing an electrolytic cell having a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly; an anode compartment containing an anode assembly; and at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating said catholyte and anode compartments, said pair of intermediate compartments having a first compartment and a second compartment;(b) introducing a first aqueous conductive electrolyte solution into said catholyte compartment;(c) introducing hydrogen gas into said anode compartment;(d) introducing an aqueous solution of amine hydrohalide into said first compartment of said pair of intermediate compartments;(e) introducing a second aqueous conductive electrolyte solution into said second compartment of said pair of intermediate compartments;(f) passing direct current through said electrolytic cell; and(g) removing an aqueous solution comprising free amine from said first compartment of said intermediate compartments; said cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, said bipolar ion exchange membrane having a cation exchange side and an anion exchange side; said anode assembly comprising a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode; said first compartment and said second compartment of said pair of intermediate compartments being separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane, said first compartment being defined by said anion exchange side of said bipolar ion exchange membrane and said anion exchange membrane, said second compartment being defined by said anion exchange membrane and said hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode; provided that when said electrolytic cell has more than one pair of intermediate compartments, each pair of intermediate compartments is separated from its adjacent pair of intermediate compartments by an intermediate bipolar ion exchange membrane having a cation exchange side located on the side of said intermediate bipolar ion exchange membrane that is closer to said catholyte compartment and an anion exchange side located on the side of said intermediate bipolar ion exchange membrane that is closer to said anode compartment. [22.] An electrolytic cell comprising: a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly; an anode compartment containing an anode assembly; and at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating said catholyte and anode compartments, said pair of intermediate compartments having a first compartment and a second compartment; said cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, said bipolar ion exchange membrane having a cation exchange side and an anion exchange side; said anode assembly comprising a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode; said first compartment and said second compartment of said pair of intermediate compartments are separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane, said first compartment being defined by said anion exchange side of said bipolar ion exchange membrane and said anion exchange membrane, said second compartment being defined by said anion exchange membrane and said hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode; provided that when said electrolytic cell has more than one pair of intermediate compartments, each pair of intermediate compartments is separated from its adjacent pair of intermediate compartments by an intermediate bipolar ion exchange membrane having a cation exchange side located on the side of said intermediate bipolar ion exchange membrane that is closer to said catholyte compartment and an anion exchange side located on the side of said intermediate bipolar ion exchange membrane that is closer to said anode compartment.