Electrolytic Cell with Gas Driven Pumping

Abstract

An electrolytic cell that draws electrolyte from an electrolyte storage container to the inlet of the cell. The inlet of the cell preferably comprises a back flow prevention device that restricts flow of electrolyte from flowing back through the inlet of the cell. Gasses generated by the electrolysis operation, typically primarily hydrogen that is liberated at the cathode surface, forces electrolytic products such as oxidants out of the discharge port of the electrolytic cell, preferably in a continuous flow process.

1 . A method for increasing an oxidant concentration in a solution, the method comprising the steps of:
 transferring electrolyte from an electrolyte source to an electrolytic cell;   electrolyzing the electrolyte to form one or more oxidants and gas;   the gas transferring the oxidants to a container; and   increasing a concentration of oxidants in the container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the concentration of oxidants in the container is between approximately three grams per liter of free available chlorine and approximately 15 grams per liter of free available chlorine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the container is the electrolyte source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein an outlet of the electrolytic cell is disposed within the container. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the container is configured so that an anode and cathode of the electrolytic cell do not contact the electrolyte or oxidant outside the electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the increasing step comprises recirculating the oxidants in the container back through the electrolytic cell, thereby increasing an amount of oxidants in the container relative to an amount of electrolyte in the container. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of separating the oxidant from the electrolyte in the container. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the separating step comprises flowing the oxidant along a winding path, thereby ejecting most of the electrolyte from the container before it is mixed with the oxidant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of preventing the oxidants and gas from flowing through an inlet of the electrolytic cell back to the electrolyte source. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of controlling a volumetric flow rate and a concentration of oxidant transferred from the electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the controlling step comprises flowing the electrolyte through the electrolytic cell vertically, horizontally, or at an angle therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  performed in a continuous flow mode. 
     
     
         13 . A system for increasing oxidant concentration, the system comprising:
 an electrolyte source;   an electrolytic cell for producing one or more oxidants and gas; the electrolytic cell comprising an inlet and an outlet; and   a connection between the outlet and said electrolyte source for transferring the oxidants from said electrolytic cell to said electrolyte source.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a check valve preventing the oxidants and gas from flowing back through the inlet. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said connection is formed by disposing the outlet within the electrolyte source. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said electrolyte source is configured so that an anode and cathode of said electrolytic cell do not contact electrolyte or oxidant outside said electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said electrolyte source comprises one or more weirs or a floating membrane for separating the oxidant and the electrolyte. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said electrolytic cell is disposed at an angle between horizontal and vertical. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13  operated in a continuous flow mode. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13  wherein a concentration of oxidants in the electrolyte source is between approximately three grams per liter of free available chlorine and approximately 15 grams per liter of free available chlorine.