Method for Producing a Uniform Cross-Flow of an Electrolyte Chamber of an Electrolysis Cell

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a uniform flow through an electrolyte space of an electrolysis cell, in which a maximum deviation of less than 1% to 25% from the average flow rate is achieved by suitable design measures. The invention also relates to an electrolysis cell with at least two electrolyte spaces, in each of which at least one electrode is arranged and each of which has an inlet region and an outlet region, the flow cross section being reduced in the inlet and/or outlet region so as to produce an additional pressure reduction

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 : A method for producing a uniform flow through an electrolyte space of an electrolysis cell, in which a maximum deviation of less than 1% to 25% from the average flow rate is achieved by suitable design measures, wherein the maximum deviation from the average flow rate is achieved by setting up an additional pressure reduction, wherein the additional pressure reduction is from 1 to 10 times the pressure difference in the inlet region of the electrolyte space, calculated according to one of the following equations:  
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Δ 
                       ⁢ 
                       
                           
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       
                         p 
                         DV 
                       
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         
                            
                           
                             
                               p 
                               dyn 
                             
                             + 
                             
                               Δ 
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                   
                               
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                 p 
                                 V 
                               
                             
                           
                            
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 A 
                                 + 
                                 1 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                             2 
                           
                           - 
                           1 
                         
                       
                       - 
                       
                         Δ 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         
                           p 
                           E 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   1 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     when the feed into the inlet region of the electrolyte space is such that the incoming volume flow is distributed approximately uniformly into two sub-flows with opposite principal flow directions in the inlet region, or  
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Δ 
                       ⁢ 
                       
                           
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       
                         p 
                         DV 
                       
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         
                            
                           
                             
                               p 
                               dyn 
                             
                             + 
                             
                               Δ 
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                   
                               
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                 p 
                                 V 
                               
                             
                           
                            
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 A 
                                 + 
                                 1 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                             2 
                           
                           - 
                           1 
                         
                       
                       - 
                       
                         Δ 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         
                           p 
                           E 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     when the feed is not distributed uniformly into two sub-flows with opposite principal flow directions in the inlet region, 
 in which  
 p dyn =dynamic pressure in the inlet region,  
 Δp v =frictional pressure reduction in the inlet region,  
 A=maximum deviation from the average flow rate, 0 being no deviation and 1 being 100% deviation,  
 Δp DV =additional pressure reduction, and  
 Δp E =overall pressure reduction in the electrolyte space.  
 
   
   
       16 : The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the additional pressure reduction is produced by pressure reducing elements in the inlet or outlet region or both the inlet and outlet region of the electrolyte space.  
   
   
       17 : The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the additional pressure reduction is produced by reducing the flow cross section.  
   
   
       18 : An electrolysis cell with at least two electrolyte spaces, in each of which at least one electrode is arranged and each of which has an inlet region and an outlet region, with at least one electrolyte space being an anolyte space and one electrolyte space being a catholyte space, with an anolyte space and a catholyte space respectively being adjacent and separated from each other by at least one membrane, wherein the flow cross section is reduced in the inlet or outlet region or both the inlet and outlet region so as to produce an additional pressure reduction.  
   
   
       19 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 18 , wherein the additional pressure reduction is produced by the incorporation of at least one pressure reducing element.  
   
   
       20 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one pressure reducing elements has a porous structure or is a perforated metal sheet or a plate containing channels.  
   
   
       21 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one pressure reducing element is designed as a fabric, foam structure or plate containing capillaries.  
   
   
       22 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 19 , wherein fillers or structured packing are used as the pressure reducing element.  
   
   
       23 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one pressure reducing element is an electrode.  
   
   
       24 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 18 , wherein the electrode has a porous structure.  
   
   
       25 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 18 , wherein the inlet region is aligned parallel with the influx direction of the electrolyte space.  
   
   
       26 : The electrolysis cell according to  claim 18 , wherein the outlet region is aligned parallel with the efflux side of the electrolyte space.