Diaphragm cells anodes

Separation of the anode and cathode products in diaphragm cells is achieved by using asbestos [1332-21 -4] or polymer-modified asbestos composite, or Polyramix deposited on a foraminous cathode. In membrane cells, on the other hand, an ion-exchange membrane is used as a separator. Anolyte—catholyte separation is realized in the diaphragm and membrane cells using separators and ion-exchange membranes, respectively. The mercury cells contain no diaphragm the mercury [7439-97-6] itself acts as a separator. 

Fig. 8. Anode for monopolar diaphragm cells a, activated (coated) expanded metal b, expanding spring c, titanium-clad copper bar d, copper thread to fix...

Fig. 9. Dow diaphragm cell, section view a, perforated steel back plate b, cathode pocket c, asbestos diaphragm d, DSA anode e, copper back plate f,...

Nickel. Most nickel is also refined by electrolysis. Both copper and nickel dissolve at the potential required for anodic dissolution. To prevent plating of the dissolved copper at the cathode, a diaphragm cell is used, and the anolyte is circulated through a purification circuit before entering the cathodic compartment (see Nickel and nickel alloys). 

Diaphrag m Cell Technology. Diaphragm cells feature a porous diaphragm that separates anode and cathode compartments of the cell. Diaphragms should provide resistance to Hquid flow, requite minimum space between anode and cathode, produce minimum electrical resistance, and be durable. At the anode, which is generally a DSA, chloride ions are oxidized to chlorine (see eq. 1) and at the cathode, which is usually a woven steel wine mesh, water is reduced to hydrogen. 

FIGURE 14.17 A diaphragm cell tor the electrolytic production of sodium hydroxide from brine (aqueous sodium chloride solution), represented by the blue color. The diaphragm (gold color) prevents the chlorine produced at the titanium anodes from mixing with the hydrogen and the sodium hydroxide formed at the steel cathodes. The liquid (cell liquor) is drawn off and the water is partly evaporated. The unconverted sodium chloride crystallizes, leaving the sodium hydroxide dissolved in the cell liquor. 

This type of electrochemical reactor is composed of two bodies by mechanical manufacturing [66, 67]. It contains a two-compartment cell with an anodic and cathodic chamber separated by a membrane as diaphragm. The anodic chamber is equipped with a carbon felt anode made of carbon fibers a platinum wire is inserted in the cathodic chamber (Figure 4.30). 

In order to provide for purification of the electrolyte, diaphragm cells are used to form separate anode and cathode compartments, and the anodes are encased in loose-fitting, open-weave bags to facilitate the removal of slime with the anodes. The anolyte is continuously taken out, purified and fed into the cathode compartments where nickel electrodeposits on the cathodes. A small hydrostatic head of purified electrolyte in the cathode compartment is maintained in order to prevent the diffusion of anolyte with its impurities into the cathode compartments. 

The diaphragm cell consists of multiple electrolytic cells having the anode plates and cathodes mounted vertically and parallel to each other. The cathodes, often flat hollow perforated steel structures that are covered with asbestos fibers, serve as the diaphragm that prevents the mixing of hydrogen and chlorine and back diffusion of hydroxide (OH) ions from the cathode to the anode. Brine fed into the cell is decomposed to approximately half of its original concentration to produce chlorine gas at the anode and hydrogen and sodium hydroxide at the cathode. 

Diaphragm cells undergo major refurbishment programmes, based around anode re-coating, since anode coating lives can typically last for 15 years or more. At this time of re-coating it is prudent to review whether to invest in new anode substrates,... 

If the choice is to utilise the full capacity of the existing rectifiers and install more membrane electrolysers then adequate space is available. In the 200 000 tonnes per year example, utilising the voltage saved and adding 16 extra monopolar electrolysers would take less space than the original diaphragm cells. In the case of bipolar electrolysers, the length of the electrolyser could be increased as more anodes and cathodes are added to each electrolyser. The number of electrolysers, however, would stay the same. 

Replacement of diaphragm cells with bipolar membrane electrolysers requires a different electrical layout (Fig. 15.17) since each bipolar membrane electrolyser can only take about 17 kA of the 150 kA available (for a selected current density). This means that all nine electrolysers need to be installed together. The number of anodes in each bipolar electrolyser can be set depending on the number of diaphragm cells left on load, up to the maximum voltage of the rectifiers. 

A simple diaphragm cell and the reactions occurring at the anode and cathode are summarized in Fig. 6.2. 

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