Electrolytic cell with catholyte recycle

Abstract

An improved electrolytic cell, its method and system is disclosed. The electrolytic cell ( 12 ) is configured, at least in one design, to recycle the catholyte to increase chlorine capture and concentration in the output solution. The cell ( 12 ) includes at least an anode chamber ( 39 ) and a cathode chamber ( 35 ). And in one design, a chamber or reservoir ( 31 ) for that serves as a source of anions and cations for the anode and cathode chambers. The outlet ( 38 ) of the cathode chamber is preferably connected in fluid communication with the inlet ( 44 ) of a degassing chamber ( 14 ) and the outlet ( 46 ) of the degassing chamber is preferably connected in fluid communication with the inlet ( 40 ) of the anode chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrolytic cell configured to increase chlorine capture and concentration in the cell's output solution, comprising:
 an anode chamber and a cathode chamber with inlets and outlets;   an electrolyte feed adapted for providing a source of anions and cations to the anode and cathode chambers;   the outlet of the cathode chamber connected in fluid communication with the inlet of the anode chamber; and   the inlet of the cathode chamber connected in fluid communication with a liquid source.   
     
     
         2 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1  further comprising a degassing chamber having an inlet and outlet, the inlet connected in fluid communication with the cathode chamber and the outlet connected in fluid communication with the anode chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 2  wherein the inlet of the degassing chamber is elevated above the outlet of the degassing chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 2  wherein the inlet of the degassing chamber is elevated above the outlet of the anode chamber to move catholyte through the anode chamber by gravity. 
     
     
         5 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 2  wherein the degassing chamber includes an outlet vent elevated above the outlet of the anode chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 2  wherein the degassing chamber includes a reservoir between the inlet and the outlet, the reservoir having a liquid level maintained generally at the level of the outlet of the anode chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 2  further comprising a manifold that incorporates the degassing chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 7  wherein the manifold includes:
 a. a liquid inlet connected in fluid communication with the liquid source and inlet of the cathode chamber; and 
 b. a solution outlet connected in fluid communication with the outlet of the anode chamber. 
 
     
     
         9 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 7  wherein the manifold further comprises:
 a. a vent outlet connected in communication with the degassing chamber; 
 b. an anolyte drain outlet connected in fluid communication with the anode chamber and the degassing chamber; and 
 c. a catholyte drain outlet connected in fluid communication with the cathode chamber. 
 
     
     
         10 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1  further comprising a chamber connected in fluid communication with the electrolyte feed. 
     
     
         11 . A method for chlorine capture in an electrolytic cell, comprising:
 providing an electrolytic cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber with inlets and outlets;   feeding an electrolyte to the cell for providing a source of anions and cations to the anode and cathode chambers;   recycling catholyte from the cathode chamber through the anode chamber; and   dispensing an output solution from the anode chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising communicating catholyte from the cathode chamber through a degassing chamber before recycling through the anode chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  venting gas from the catholyte in the degassing chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising gravity feeding catholyte from the degassing chamber through the anode chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the electrolytic cell includes a manifold that incorporates the degassing chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising communicating liquid in and out of each chamber through the manifold. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising communicating electrolytes from the electrolyte feed through the cell. 
     
     
         18 . A system for increasing chlorine capture and concentration from an electrolytic cell, comprising:
 an electrolytic cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber having inlets and outlets;   a liquid source connected in fluid communication with the inlet of the cathode chamber; and   an electrolyte feed source adapted for providing a source of anions and cations to the anode and cathode chambers; and   a degassing chamber having an inlet connected in fluid communication with the outlet of the cathode chamber and an outlet connected in fluid communication with the inlet of the anode chamber.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the degassing chamber includes a reservoir between the inlet and the outlet, the reservoir having a liquid level maintained generally at the level of the outlet of the anode chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the inlet of the degassing chamber is elevated above the outlet of the anode chamber to move catholyte through the anode chamber by gravity. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a manifold housing the degassing chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the manifold includes one or more of:
 a. a liquid inlet connected in fluid communication with the liquid source and inlet of the cathode chamber; 
 b. a solution outlet connected in fluid communication with the outlet of the anode chamber; 
 c. a vent outlet connected in communication with the degassing chamber; 
 d. an anolyte drain outlet connected in fluid communication with the anode chamber and the degassing chamber; 
 e. a catholyte drain outlet connected in fluid communication with the cathode chamber.