United States Patent 11 Andersen [54] CAUSTIC AND CHLORINE PRODUCTION PROCESS, Inventor: Assignee’ 73) (73) John N. Andersen, Moraga, CA Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, Oakland, Calif. pn 785,122 [a2] (s1] fs2] is8] bs6) Appl. No. Filed: Int. Cl, US. Cl. Field of Si Apr. 7, 1977 : 204/98, 128 References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 8/1975 Coon eta Primary Examiner—R. L. Andrews 3,899,403, 204/98 4,076,603 Feb, 28, 1978 (1) (45) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Paul E. Calrow; Andrew E, Barlay bs ABSTRACT Alkali metal hydroxide and chlorine are produced in a ‘membrane-equipped electrolysis cell system in a staged ‘manner wherein at least one cell of the system is used to generate a dilute caustic solution and wherein the subse- quent cell(s) of the system are used to produce a more concentrated caustic solution by electrolysis of fresh brine and the dilute caustic produced in the first stage which is used in lew of water in the subsequent stage(s). The stage-wise production of caustic of commercially, acceptable concentration results in significant energy savings with corresponding increase in the average life of the membranes employed. 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Chtorine Hydrogen Product product Depleted t ] t Recycle Brine Catholyfe Ek 1 y Tigucr Caustic iT | £ [Product Bel E 6l & Ht a 8 1_ lg gl Depleted Eo 2 ne | Resaturction 1 ! Catholyte Brine mar Liquor FeedU.S. Patent Feb. 28, 1978 Sheet 1 of 2 4,076,603 Chvorine Hydrogen Product Product i Depleted T 1 Brine ol le 1S Ligucr Caustic Ee | £ Product Ios a2 3 588 8 Water Sg 9 ‘Addition 2 a g — H a 8 =| 3 Depicted ze | % rine 8 Rescturation l Lo Catholyte Brine Feed Liquor Feed Fig-! PRIOR ART Single Stage System for Electrolysis of BrineSheet 2 of 2 4,076,603 Feb. 28, 1978 U.S. Patent aug JO Sishjoyoary au Jos wayshig aBayg- IN| g-Btt weysuos, sonby ajfjoyjoo e6nig-s94u} SHSNDD O4N!G pee sonbr, pees aug pee, sonbn peey aug aPFJOUjOS | | - ‘aiRIO4}OD | bi I | Es series, ge | gz g i 3| Sulig fafioutoo| Ig |<8 3 128 pagideq it loo a lgo T i29 13 9 ls ig 1s 8 3 ld 3 $8 ig !38 (8 \@3 £3 3 as | 2 yonbry + 1B g | 4 ule Laffiouico || J§ | 3 : ‘ajofiosa j 1 b pajeided epfosa b 1 b papided | 4yOnpold 4Jonpold 49NPold | 7 4onporg uabouphiy Buoy. uaBouphy = auoyo,