System for adjusting the anode-cathode spacing in a mercury cathode electrolytic cell, by means of single-line frames

Abstract

A system for adjustment of the anode-cathode spacing in an electrolytic cell for the production of chlorine and soda comprises (FIG. 4 ) a liquid mercury electrode ( 2 ) disposed on the bottom ( 3 ) of the cell ( 100 ) and a plurality of anode electrodes ( 4 ) supported in transverse lines by mobile frames or subframes ( 11 ), adjustable in height, driven by means of respective lever systems ( 13 ) disposed between said groups of anodes ( 4 ) and an upper fixed frame ( 16 ) of the electrolytic cell ( 1 ), the lever system comprising a pair of levers ( 13 ) hinged at the fixed frame ( 16 ), the point of application of resistance thereof being connected to a respective subframe ( 11 ) and the point of application of force being connected to means of application of force ( 19, 20 ) supported by the fixed frame ( 16 ).

1 . A system for adjusting of the anode-cathode spacing in an electrolytic cell for the production of chlorine and soda, comprising a liquid mercury electrode ( 2 ) disposed on the bottom ( 3 ) of the cell ( 100 ) and a plurality of anode electrodes ( 4 ) supported in groups by respective mobile frames or subframes ( 11 ), adjustable in height, characterized in that said mobile frames ( 11 ) are moved by means of lever systems ( 13 ) disposed between said groups of anodes ( 4 ) and an upper fixed frame ( 16 ) of the electrolytic cell ( 1 ).  
     
     
         2 . A system in accordance with    claim 1   , characterized in that said anode groups ( 4 ) supported by said mobile frames ( 11 ) are formed by transverse rows of anodes of the electrolytic cell ( 1 ), respectively connected to current-carrying lines ( 5 ).  
     
     
         3 . A system according to    claim 1    or    2   , characterized in that said lever system ( 13 ) for movement of a respective mobile frame ( 11 ) comprises a pair of levers ( 13 ), each lever ( 13 ) being hinged to said fixed frame ( 16 ), having the point of application of resistance hinged to said mobile frame ( 11 ) and the point of application of force operationally connected to means for application of force ( 19 ,  20 ).  
     
     
         4 . A system according to    claim 3   , characterized in that each lever ( 13 ) is fork-shaped, having a force arm ( 50 ) and two resistance arms ( 51 ).  
     
     
         5 . A system according to    claim 4   , characterized in that the point of application of force is obtained by hinging each end of the force arms ( 50 ) of the two levers ( 13 ) to a slider ( 17 ) sliding vertically on a threaded shaft ( 18 ) that is moved by said means of application of force ( 19 ,  20 ).  
     
     
         6 . A system according to    claim 5   , characterized in that said means for application of force comprise a motor ( 19 ) and a gear unit ( 20 ) controlled by a control logic to drive said threaded shaft ( 18 ).  
     
     
         7 . A system according to any one of    claims 3    to    6   , characterized in that said means for application of force ( 19 ,  20 ) are supported by said fixed frame ( 16 ).  
     
     
         8 . A system according to one of    claims 4    to    7   , characterized in that the fulcrum of each lever ( 13 ) and said point of application of resistance are situated on said resistance arms ( 51 ).  
     
     
         9 . A system according to    claim 8   , characterized in that said mobile frame ( 11 ) is supported, in the vicinity of its four comers, by four tie-rods ( 14 ) hinged at the ends of the four resistance arms ( 51 ) of the pair of levers ( 13 ), so that the fulcrum of each lever is situated between the point of application of force and the point of application of resistance so as to have first class levers.  
     
     
         10 . A system according to    claim 8   , characterized in that in the vicinity of the ends of the two resistance arms ( 51 ) of each lever ( 13 ), are hinged respectively two brackets ( 15 ) integral with the fixed frame ( 16 ), so that the point of application of resistance is situated between the point of application of force and the fulcrum, so as to have second class levers.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fixed frame ( 16 ) is integral with a pre-existing frame ( 25 ) in the supporting structure of the electrolytic cell ( 1 ).  
     
     
         12 . An electrolytic cell for production of chlorine and soda, comprising a system for adjusting the anode-cathode spacing according to any one of the preceding claims.