Mixed Oxidant Electrolytic Cell

Abstract

A non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure for hydrolyzing water from a saline solution into a plurality of mixed oxidant solutions is disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure for hydrolyzing water from a saline solution, said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure comprising an approximately rectilinear, ceramic or other membrane, wherein anolyte and catholyte streams are output from said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell as separate streams. 
     
     
         2 . A non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure for hydrolyzing water from a saline solution, said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure comprising:
 a. a first half of an electrode stack;   b. a second half of an electrode stack; and   c. a common precious metal coated titanium anode plate between said first and second halves.   
     
     
         3 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 2  wherein said first half of an electrode stack comprises, in the following order, an outer plate carrying a plurality of fluid inlets and a plurality of fluid outlets, a gasket plate, a metal cathode plate, a gasket plate, a frame carrying a ceramic or other membrane, a gasket plate, and a precious metal coated metal anode plate. 
     
     
         4 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 3  wherein said metal cathode plate comprises titanium, and wherein said precious metal coated metal plate comprises titanium. 
     
     
         5 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 3  wherein said metal cathode plate preferably comprises a tab and hole for connection to an electrical power source. 
     
     
         6 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 3  wherein said first half of an electrode stack comprises a cathode compartment and an anode compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 6  wherein said structure, when a flow of saline solution is passed therethrough, and when energized by an electrical potential, allows positively charged sodium ions (Na + ) within the saline solution to pass from the saline solution in said cathode compartment, through said ceramic or other membrane, and to said negatively charged cathode plate; while, essentially simultaneously, allowing negatively charged chloride ions (Cl − ) pass from the saline solution in the anode compartment, through said ceramic or other membrane, and to said positively charged anode plate. 
     
     
         8 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 2  wherein said second half of an electrode stack comprises, in mirror image of said first half, and in the following order, a precious metal coated metal anode plate, a gasket plate, a frame carrying a ceramic or other membrane, a gasket plate, a metal cathode plate, a gasket plate, and an outer plate carrying a plurality of fluid inlets and a plurality of fluid outlets. 
     
     
         9 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 8  wherein said metal cathode plate comprises titanium, and wherein said precious metal coated metal plate comprises titanium. 
     
     
         10 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 8  wherein said metal cathode plate preferably comprises a tab and hole for connection to an electrical power source. 
     
     
         11 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 8  wherein said second half of an electrode stack comprises a cathode compartment and an anode compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 11  wherein said structure, when a flow of saline solution is passed therethrough, and when energized by an electrical potential, allows positively charged sodium ions (Na + ) within the saline solution to pass from the saline solution in said cathode compartment, through said ceramic or other membrane, and to said negatively charged cathode plate; while, essentially simultaneously, allowing negatively charged chloride ions (Cl − ) pass from the saline solution in the anode compartment, through said ceramic or other membrane, and to said positively charged anode plate. 
     
     
         13 . In combination with the non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 2 , a system comprising one or more elements selected from the group consisting of power supply means, programmable logic control means, means for conductivity measurement, means to control conductivity, current limiting means, pH control means, water softener means, interconnecting pipe work, pump means, salt storage means, salt control means, and mounting means supporting all or part of said system. 
     
     
         14 . A process for use and operation of the non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure of  claim 2 , comprising the steps of:
 a. passing a saline electrolyte solution into said electrolytic cell structure;   b. applying a DC voltage to said electrolytic cell structure, either prior to or after passing said saline electrolyte solution into said electrolytic cell structure;   c. passing said saline electrolyte solution through said electrolytic cell structure to produce an output anolyte stream and an output catholyte stream;   d. diverting the output anolyte stream to an anolyte storage means;   e. selectively branching said output catholyte stream, whereby a first portion of catholyte may be recirculated through said electrolytic cell structure, and whereby a second portion of catholyte may be diverted to a catholyte storage means.   
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein selective branching of said output catholyte stream is effectuated through use of a tee and a control valve. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein said control valve is used to vary the flow rate of the catholyte product in relation to the flow of the anolyte product as a proportion of total flow through electrolytic cell structure. 
     
     
         17 . A system for hydrolyzing water from a saline solution into an anolyte stream and a catholyte stream, said system comprising:
 a. a non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure, said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure comprising an approximately rectilinear, ceramic or other membrane;   b. a power supply;   c. means for connecting said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure to said power supply;   d. means for supplying a saline solution to said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure; and   e. means for the anolyte stream and the catholyte stream to exit said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said power supply comprises a direct current power supply. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said means for supplying a saline solution to said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure comprises a plurality of fluid inlets. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said means for the anolyte stream and the catholyte stream to exit said non-cylindrical electrolytic cell structure comprises a plurality of fluid outlets.