Process for the electrolysis of sulfur dioxide solutions

US4304643A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Kernforschungsanlage Lulich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung · DE

Inventors

• Jiri Divisek · Jülich, DE
• Heinrich Schmitz · Dinslaken, DE
• Bernd D. Struck · Eschweiler, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 15, 1979
• Grant date: Dec 8, 1981
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 1999

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C25B1/02
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Particles of electrically conducting activated carbon of about 500 to 1,000 m.sup.2 /g specific surface added to an electrolyte provided by a solution of sulfur dioxide in water are found to provide a substantial reduction of the electrical energy requirement in the electrolysis of such an electrolyte for the production of hydrogen and sulfuric acid. A further reduction of energy consumption is obtained by additionally introducing iodine in the electrolyte in an amount not exceeding 1% by weight of the entire solution. Use of an anode in which the surface of a graphite base body is coated with a thin layer of activated carbon bonded to the graphite body by means of a binder, such as rubber, also reduces the electrical energy requirement for the electrolysis. To coat the surface of the electrode, carbon particles are first dispersed in a rubber solution and the suspension is then applied to the surface of the graphite body as a thin layer.