Inventors:
Colonel R. Dilmore - Portland TX
Carl W. Raetzsch - Corpus Christi TX
Thomas C. Jeffery - Lake Charles LA
Dallas D. Dupre - Pittsburgh PA
Assignee:
PPG Industries, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA
International Classification:
C25B 904
C25B 1110
C25B 1308
Abstract:
Disclosed is a bipolar electrolyzer having a plurality of individual electrolytic cells electrically and mechanically in series with a bipolar element between pairs of adjacent individual cells. The bipolar element has an anodic side with anodes of the first electrolytic cell of a pair of electrolytic cells depending therefrom, and a cathodic side with the cathodes of the second electrolytic cell of the pair of electrolytic cells depending therefrom. The anodic side of the bipolar element has an acidified alkali metal chloride resistant valve metal surface, and the cathodic side of the bipolar element has an alkali metal hydroxide resistant transition metal surface. The bipolar electrolyzer is characterized by the bipolar element having a bonded laminate of a valve metal and a transition metal, a first metal plate of a transition metal, intermittently bonded to the transition metal member of the bonded laminate at the first joints, and a second transition metal plate above the first joints, that is, above the joints between the first transition metal plate and the bonded laminate. The second metal plate is bonded to the first metal plate and second joints whereby to protect the first joints from contact with the catholyte liquor.