Electrolysis apparatus

Abstract

An electrolysis apparatus is disclosed as including an electrolysis cell ( 10 ) accommodating therein electrolyte ( 70 ), a heating section ( 20 ) located around the electrolysis cell to heat the electrolysis cell, an electrode section ( 30 ) having an electrode unit ( 30 a ) immersed in the electrolyte and a power-conducting electrode portion ( 30 b ) supporting the electrode unit to apply the electrode unit with electric power, a lid body ( 45 ) defining a space region ( 40 ) in an area above the electrolysis cell, an exhaust section ( 50 ) located in the lid body to allow the space region to communicate with an outside for exhausting by-product gas, resulting from electrolysis of the electrolyte, from the space region to the outside, and an evaporation restraining member ( 60, 80, 80 A, 80 B, 90, 90 A, 90 B) floating on a liquid surface of the electrolyte so as to cover the liquid surface of the electrolyte for permitting by-product gas, resulting from electrolysis of the electrolyte, to escape to the space region while restraining the electrolyte from evaporating.

1 . An electrolysis apparatus comprising:
 an electrolysis cell accommodating therein electrolyte;   a heating section located around the electrolysis cell to heat the electrolysis cell;   an electrode section having an electrode unit immersed in the electrolyte and a power-conducting electrode portion supporting the electrode unit to apply the electrode unit with electric power;   a lid body defining a space region in an area above the electrolysis cell;   an exhaust section located in the lid body to allow the space region to communicate with an outside for exhausting by-product gas, resulting from electrolysis of the electrolyte, from the space region to the outside; and   an evaporation restraining member floating on a liquid surface of the electrolyte so as to cover the liquid surface of the electrolyte for permitting by-product gas, resulting from electrolysis of the electrolyte, to escape to the space region while restraining the electrolyte from evaporating.   
     
     
         2 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the evaporation restraining member has a through-bore through which the electrolyte is exposed to the space region so as to cause the by-product gas, resulting from electrolysis of the electrolyte, to escape to the space region.   
     
     
         3 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the through-bore is formed in the evaporation restraining member at a region involving a projection geometry of the electrode unit projected on the evaporation restraining member.   
     
     
         4 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the through-bore has an opening shape corresponding to the electrode unit.   
     
     
         5 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the through-bore has an opening shape corresponding to a gap portion between electrodes of the electrode unit.   
     
     
         6 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the through-bore has an opening diameter that decreases from a side facing the electrolyte to the other side facing the space region.   
     
     
         7 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the through-bore has an opening diameter that decreases from a side facing the electrolyte to the other side facing the space region via a stepped portion.   
     
     
         8 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the through-bore has an opening diameter that progressively decreases from a side facing the electrolyte to the other side facing the space region.   
     
     
         9 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the evaporation restraining member has a through-bore through which the power-conducting electrode portion extends.   
     
     
         10 . The electrolysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electrolyte is zinc chloride and the evaporation restraining member is made of graphite.