Acid Mist Control Apparatus

Abstract

Provided is an acid mist control apparatus for the control of acid mist emissions in an electrolytic cell. The apparatus includes an elongate hood having longitudinal edges, an upper surface and a lower surface; and a receiving aperture which is adapted to receive therethrough an anode of an electrolytic cell.

1 . An acid mist control apparatus for the control of acid mist emissions in an electrolytic cell, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate hood having longitudinal edges, an upper surface and a lower surface; and   a receiving aperture provided in the elongate hood,   wherein the receiving aperture is adapted to receive therethrough an anode of an electrolytic cell.   
     
     
         2 . The acid mist control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 elongate flanges that depend from the elongate hood.   
     
     
         3 . The acid mist control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the elongate flanges depend from the longitudinal edge of the elongate hood. 
     
     
         4 . The acid mist control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 one or more exit ports.   
     
     
         5 . The acid mist control apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus comprises two exit ports located at opposing longitudinal ends of the elongate hood. 
     
     
         6 . The acid mist control apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the one or more exit ports are conical in shape. 
     
     
         7 . The acid mist control apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at the exit ports there is provided additional acid mist control means in order to reduce the acid mist generated out the exit ports. 
     
     
         24 . A method for the control of acid mist emissions in an electrolytic cell, the method comprising the steps of:
 securing the acid mist control apparatus of the present invention described hereinabove to an anode of an electrolytic cell; and   operating the electrolytic cell,   wherein gas bubbles that evolve at the anode impact on the hood resulting in the coalescing of the bubbles thereagainst, and/or any generated acidic aerosols also impact on the hood, each thereby substantially preventing the production of acid mist.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the acid mist control apparatus is positioned above the electrolyte solution, when the lower surface of the side projections of the elongate hood is substantially flat. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the acid mist control apparatus is positioned so as to be either partially or fully immersed in the electrolyte solution, when the lower surface of the elongate hood further comprises a number of features. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the acid mist control apparatus is secured over the anode by a fastening means. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the hood is secured over the anode by way of screws. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein additional objects may be added to the electrolytic cell in order to cover the free surface of the electrolyte and reduce the area for bubbles to burst. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein polyurethane balls are added to the surface.