US3256172A - Device for avoiding short circuit damage in electrolytic cells - Google Patents

Device for avoiding short circuit damage in electrolytic cells Download PDF

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Publication number
US3256172A
US3256172A US147325A US14732561A US3256172A US 3256172 A US3256172 A US 3256172A US 147325 A US147325 A US 147325A US 14732561 A US14732561 A US 14732561A US 3256172 A US3256172 A US 3256172A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
plug
anode
source
recess
short circuit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US147325A
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English (en)
Inventor
Dorfel Johannes
Holzinger Franz
Schmidt Heinz
Schmidt Werner
Ziemer Waldemar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hoechst AG
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Hoechst AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hoechst AG filed Critical Hoechst AG
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Publication of US3256172A publication Critical patent/US3256172A/en
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/06—Detection or inhibition of short circuits in the cell
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
    • C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C7/00—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells
    • C25C7/06—Operating or servicing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/14—Electrothermal mechanisms
    • H01H71/20—Electrothermal mechanisms with fusible mass
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/0241—Structural association of a fuse and another component or apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/0241—Structural association of a fuse and another component or apparatus
    • H01H2085/025—Structural association with a binding post of a storage battery
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process and device for avoiding short'circuit damage in electrolytic cells.
  • Mercury cells of a'llthose of horizontal construction, are superior to diaphragm cells.
  • the largest diaphragm cells used in industry are mostly operated at a current intensity of about 30,000 amperes, while mercury cells are frequently operated at 100,000 to 200,000 amperes.
  • thermo-element (bimetal) measuring the temperature, to cut oil? electrically or mechanically the current supply to the anode by a control element, but devices. of this kind would be very complicated and thus uneconomical'and unsuited for industrial use.
  • the process of the invention enables electrolytic cells to be safely operated with very high current intensity in a simple and economical manner.
  • the Ioules heat occurring in the anode bar as a result of a short circuit is used for melting an alloy that is fusible at a temperature in the range from about 80 C. to 180 C., preferably 100 C. to 140 C., and, under normal conditions of electrolysis, holds together two metal parts in the form of a soldered joint. By spring power the two metal parts are then automatically separated and the current supply is instantaneously interrupted.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for carrying out the above process.
  • the current lead to the anode shaft is provided on the other end with a metal part comprising a plug.
  • the plug is soldered into a recess of a second metal part by means of an alloy, said second metal part being attached to the current supply guides of the electrolytic cells.
  • the Joules heat occurring between the anode and the cathode as a result of a short circuit melts the alloy before damage can occur.
  • the current lead is connected with the anode support .by a spring which is insulated to prevent current from blowing through it.
  • FIGURES 1-4 diagrammatically represent by way of example a suitable embodiment of the device of the invention.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates the whole device and the parts of an electrolytic ,cell directly connected therewith, and FIGURES 2-4 show,
  • numeral 1 is a copper rod
  • 2 is the current lead connected therewith
  • 4 is the metal part pro- 12 represents the soldered joint between the copper rod and anode shaft
  • 14 is the cover of theel ectrolytic cell
  • 16 is the soldered joint holding together met-a1 parts 4 and 7 and which is melted by the heat accumulation resulting from a short circuit.
  • FIGURES 3 and 4 show, by way'of example, a suitable form of metal parts 7 and 4, on an enlarged scale.
  • Currentle'ad 2 is suitably made of copper bands in sandwich form.
  • the function of the device of the invention shown in FIGURES 1-4 is very simple.
  • the Joules heat occurring in a high current flow short circuit which may damage the electrolytic cell melts at soldering point 16 the metal alloy connecting metal parts 4 and 7, and the currentinsulated spring 9, fastened between the current lead 2 and the anode support 10, pulls plug 3 of metal part 4 fixed to the current lead out of recess 6 of metal part 7 and thus interrupts at once automatically the current sup- -two metal parts 4 and 7 is enhanced by the fact that the reduced cross section of plug 3 provides a higher current density at the soldering point so that in the case of a high short circuit current a higher Joules heat is produced at this point. With a normal current intensity in the cell the voltage loss at the soldering joint is so low that it can be neglected.
  • metal parts 4 and 7 must be soldered by an alloy which has a lower melting point than the alloy used for soldering joint 16.
  • copper rod 1 is soldered into graphite anode shaft 13 with an alloy'that melts atabout 180 C., an alloy having a.
  • melting point of 80 C. to at most 180 C. and preferably of about 120 C. is advantageously used for soldering joint 16.
  • the alloy connecting metal parts 4 and 7 has a melting point such that the melting time on the occurrence of a short circuit is as short as possible, depending on the local conditions. This is particularly favored by the increase of the current density due to the reduction in size of plug 3 and recess 6.
  • the advantage of the safety fuse of the present invention resides in the fact that the individual parts are very simple and readily available, and that plug 3 can be soldered into recess 6 very quickly and easily. After having eliminated the cause of the short circuit, the individual parts are ready for re-use, and plug 3 of metal part 4 is again soldered with the alloy concerned into recess 6.
  • the shape of parts 7 and 4 shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 provides an especially good soldered joint. Recess 6 of part 7 is filled with solder and plug 3 of part 4 is then introduced into the filled recess. After cooling and solidifying of the solder, and after having fastened current lead 2 to metal part 4, the safety fuse is again ready for use.
  • an electrolytic cell having an anode and a source of electric current for said anode,-a reusable fuse for making a re-formable connection of said source to said anode and automatically disconnecting said source from said anode when there is a short circuit which comprises a flexible current lead conected to the anode at one end and having at its other end aconducting member with a plug portion, a second conducting member connected to the source of electrical energy and having a recess engageable by said plug, said plug being retained in said recess for conducting an electrical current of preselected maximum intensity from said source to said anode by an alloy solder having a preselected melting point,.said alloy solder comprising the sole means physically securing said receiving member to said plug member, at least one of said plug portion andsaid second conducting member having a cross-sectional area adjacent said solder substantially less than the minimum cross-sectional area of said flexible current lead, and spring means for withdrawing the plug from the recess upon melting of the alloy sold
  • a device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current leadto the copper rod is composed of copper bands in sandwich form.
  • reusable fuse means for providing a reformab'le conductive connection between one of said electrodes and said supply means and automatically breaking said connection when a short-circuit is created between said electrodes
  • said fuse means comprising, in combination, a conductor conductively connected to said one electrode and having a plug member at one end, a conductive receiving member conductively connected to said supply means and having a recess adapted to receive said plug member, and a quantity of alloy solder in said recess securing said plug member to said receiving member, said alloy solder comprising the sole means physically securing said receiving member to said plug member, at least one of said plug member and said receiving member having a crosssectional area adjacent said quantity of solder substantially less than the minimum cross-sectional area of said conductor so as to accelerate the heating and melting of said solder and free said members from one another when short-circuit currents flow through said one member, said cross-sectional area of
  • Apparatus as in claim 5 including means biasing said plug member away from said receiving member so as to automatically separate said members when said solder melts.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
  • Fuses (AREA)
US147325A 1960-10-29 1961-10-24 Device for avoiding short circuit damage in electrolytic cells Expired - Lifetime US3256172A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEF32439A DE1173068B (de) 1960-10-29 1960-10-29 Schmelzsicherung zur Verhinderung von Kurzschlussschaeden in Elektrolysezellen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3256172A true US3256172A (en) 1966-06-14

Family

ID=7094639

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US147325A Expired - Lifetime US3256172A (en) 1960-10-29 1961-10-24 Device for avoiding short circuit damage in electrolytic cells

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3256172A (fr)
BE (1) BE609757A (fr)
DE (1) DE1173068B (fr)
GB (1) GB992020A (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3347769A (en) * 1963-05-24 1967-10-17 Basf Ag Means for adjusting anodes in electrolytic cells having horizontal cathodes
US6245209B1 (en) * 1999-01-15 2001-06-12 Jacobs Bill Electro-refining system and method
WO2003000960A1 (fr) * 2001-06-25 2003-01-03 Outokumpu Oyj Procede d'amelioration de l'efficacite de courant en electrolyse

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2640615A1 (en) * 1988-02-18 1990-06-22 Combe Patrice Electrode for the treatment of liquids such as water, especially in swimming pools, and plants comprising at least one such electrode
DE102008020503A1 (de) * 2008-04-23 2009-10-22 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Erdungsanschlusselement

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US699647A (en) * 1902-01-03 1902-05-13 David G Black Safety-fuse for electric circuits.
US734894A (en) * 1902-11-25 1903-07-28 Vulcan Detinning Company Basket for holding tin scraps.
US997924A (en) * 1904-05-28 1911-07-11 Frank B Cook Thermo-electric circuit-breaker.
GB389883A (en) * 1931-10-02 1933-03-30 Allen West & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electric fuses
US2356352A (en) * 1943-07-19 1944-08-22 Ralph R Pittman Fuse construction
US2485076A (en) * 1946-09-03 1949-10-18 Anthony T Timerman Fuse
US2826540A (en) * 1952-09-18 1958-03-11 George F Keeleric Method and apparatus for electrolytic cutting, shaping, and grinding
GB870245A (en) * 1956-01-24 1961-06-14 Electrokemisk As Improvements relating to aluminium electrolysis furnaces

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US699647A (en) * 1902-01-03 1902-05-13 David G Black Safety-fuse for electric circuits.
US734894A (en) * 1902-11-25 1903-07-28 Vulcan Detinning Company Basket for holding tin scraps.
US997924A (en) * 1904-05-28 1911-07-11 Frank B Cook Thermo-electric circuit-breaker.
GB389883A (en) * 1931-10-02 1933-03-30 Allen West & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electric fuses
US2356352A (en) * 1943-07-19 1944-08-22 Ralph R Pittman Fuse construction
US2485076A (en) * 1946-09-03 1949-10-18 Anthony T Timerman Fuse
US2826540A (en) * 1952-09-18 1958-03-11 George F Keeleric Method and apparatus for electrolytic cutting, shaping, and grinding
GB870245A (en) * 1956-01-24 1961-06-14 Electrokemisk As Improvements relating to aluminium electrolysis furnaces

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3347769A (en) * 1963-05-24 1967-10-17 Basf Ag Means for adjusting anodes in electrolytic cells having horizontal cathodes
US6245209B1 (en) * 1999-01-15 2001-06-12 Jacobs Bill Electro-refining system and method
WO2003000960A1 (fr) * 2001-06-25 2003-01-03 Outokumpu Oyj Procede d'amelioration de l'efficacite de courant en electrolyse
US20040232002A1 (en) * 2001-06-25 2004-11-25 Ari Rantala Method for the improvements of current efficiency in electrolysis
US7122109B2 (en) 2001-06-25 2006-10-17 Outokumpu Technology Oy Method for the improvements of current efficiency in electrolysis
KR100840163B1 (ko) 2001-06-25 2008-06-23 오또꿈뿌 오와이제이 전기분해에 있어서의 전류효율의 개선 방법

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1173068B (de) 1964-07-02
GB992020A (en) 1965-05-12
BE609757A (fr) 1962-02-15

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