Electrolysis device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrolysis device, comprising at least one horizontal electrolytic cell with a housing ( 6 ) and an anode ( 8 ) that has a membrane or a diaphragm ( 18 ), and a cathode ( 9 ) that has a gas diffusion electrode ( 17 ). The device further comprises supply ( 21 ) and discharge ( 23 ) means for gas ( 3 ) which lead to or away from the gas chamber ( 22 ) of the cathode ( 9 ), and supply ( 16; 19 ) and discharge ( 16; 20 ) means for electrolytes ( 1 ) which lead to or away from the first electrolytic chamber ( 4 ) and to or away from the second electrolytic chamber ( 5 ). The anode ( 8 ) and the membrane or the diaphragm ( 18 ) have at least one respective opening for the supply ( 19 ) of electrolytes ( 1 ) to the second electrolytic chamber ( 5 ), and at least one one further opening for the discharge ( 20 ) of electrolytes from the second electrolytic chamber.

1 . Electrolysis device with at least one horizontal electrolysis cell, with a housing ( 6 ), the anode of which has a membrane or diaphragm ( 18 ) and the cathode of which has a gas-diffusion electrode ( 17 ), with means to supply ( 21 ) and discharge ( 23 ) gas ( 3 ) into or out of the gas chamber ( 22 ) of the cathode ( 9 ), respectively, as well as means to supply ( 16 ,  19 ) and discharge ( 16 ,  20 ) electrolytes ( 1 ) into or out of a first electrolyte chamber ( 4 ), and into or out of a second electrolyte chamber ( 5 ), characterized in that the anode ( 8 ) as well as the membrane or diaphragm ( 18 ) each have at least one opening for supplying electrolyte ( 1 ) to the second electrolyte chamber ( 6 ) and at least one additional opening for discharging ( 20 ) electrolytes ( 1 ) from the second electrolyte chamber ( 5 ).  
     
     
         2 . Electrolysis device as defined in  claim 1 , characterized in that in the area of an electrolyte supply opening ( 19 ) and of an electrolyte discharge opening ( 20 ), the membrane or diaphragm ( 18 ) is clamped by a sealing frame ( 15 ), the thickness of which does not exceed the thickness of the anode ( 8 ), as well as at the seals ( 14 ) that are close to the frame ( 15 ) and the seals, so as to be gas and liquid tight.  
     
     
         3 . Electrolysis device as defined in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , characterized in that the housing ( 6 ) of the electrolysis cell is formed from two plastic panels ( 6 ,  6 ′,  6 ″) between which the electrolyte chambers ( 4 ,  5 ) are restricted by the use of frame-like seals ( 11  to  13 )  
     
     
         4 . Electrolysis device as defined in  claim 3 , characterized in that the plastic panels ( 6 ′,  6 ″) consist of materials that differ from each other.  
     
     
         5 . Electrolysis device as defined in  claim 3  or  claim 4 , characterized that a plastic panel ( 6 ″) consists of two different materials.  
     
     
         6 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that when a plurality of electrolyte cells are arranged one above the other, the middle plastic panel (s) ( 6 ′,  6 ″) form(s) the bottom of the upper electrolyte cell and the cover of the electrolyte cell that is located below.  
     
     
         7 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that electrolyte supply ( 19 ′) and) discharge channels ( 20 ′) of the second electrolyte chamber ( 5 ) are incorporated, in particular milled, into the plastic panels ( 6 ′,  6 ″).  
     
     
         8 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the  claims 1  to  7 , characterized in that electrolyte supply and discharge channels ( 16 ′) of the first electrolyte chamber ( 4 ) are incorporated, in particular milled, into the plastic panels ( 6 ′,  6 ″).  
     
     
         9 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the  claims 1  to  8 , characterized in that when a plurality of electrolysis cells are arranged one above the other, electrolyte discharge channels ( 16 ′,  20 ′) of the upper electrolysis cell are in a flow connection with the electrolyte supply channels ( 16 ′,  19 ′) of the electrolysis cell located below, by way of external connection lines ( 10 ).  
     
     
         10 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the  claims 1  to  9 , characterized in that the anode ( 8 ) and the cathode ( 9 ) are routed to the exterior through the frame-like seals ( 11  to  14 ) that define the electrolyte chambers ( 4 ,  5 ) and the gas chamber ( 2 ) to the outside, and outside the chambers ( 4 ,  5 ;  22 ) are provided with electrical connectors ( 7 ) or connections ( 7 ′) to each other.  
     
     
         11 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connectors ( 7 ) are connected to upper and lower contact rails ( 2 ) that are, for example, of copper.  
     
     
         12 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connectors ( 7 ) and/or the connections ( 7 ′) are accommodated in edge cutouts'( 24 ) of the plastic panels ( 6 ′,  6 ″).  
     
     
         13 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the  claims 1  to  12 , characterized in that the connectors ( 7 ) and/or the connections ( 7 ′) are pressed tightly against the anode ( 8 ) and the cathode ( 9 ) by way of clamping elements.  
     
     
         14 . Electrolysis device as defined in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas supply channel ( 21 ) and a gas discharge channel ( 23 ) pass through the plastic panels ( 6 ′,  6 ″) and optionally the anode ( 8 ) and the cathode ( 9 ) whilst being sealed off against the electrolyte chambers ( 4 ,  5 ), in a flow connection with the particular gas chamber ( 22 ), downwards from above.