Arrangement of Electrodes in the Electrolytic Cell

With few exceptions the electrodes in electrolytic cells are arranged either vertically of horizontally. There is no exact rule as to which particular arrangement should be used as the position of the electrodes depends on the specific nature of the electrolytic process involved. Nevertheless, certain general rules may be laid down. 

When in the electrorafination of metals (e. g. copper) the impurities accumulate in the anode slime at the bottom of the tank, a vertical arrangement of electrodes is more suitable than a horizontal one, particularly when the process is not accompanied by an appreciable evolution of gases. 

The same arrangement is applied for electrometallurgical processes where insoluble anodes are used and the liberated gas is allowed to esoape freely into the atmosphere. 

Sometimes the refined metal is not deposited in a compact form but as loose crystals (e. g. silver). In this oase both vertical and horizontal electrodes can be used with equal success. 

Both types of electrodes are successfully used in the large-scale manufacture of inorganic compounds. The choice of arrangement also depends on various 

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