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Abstract

An electrolytic cell is disclosed comprising two or more compartments containing an anode, cathode, and one or more electrically neutral bi-polar electrodes. These cells can be utilized as batch or flowing cells. Increased capacity and lower maintenance is obtained using a diaphragm separating the compartments. This diaphragm is a special, finely woven synthetic non-ionic fabric having a low permeability. The preferred diaphragm is of Kanecaron modacrylic fiber. The bi-polar electrodes may be any of several configurations and act as a charged electrical component in a solution. When bi-polar electrodes are used in an anode compartment of a chlorine electrolytic cell, oxygen species are produced which blend with the chlorine species of a standard anode reaction to produce Cl.sub.2, ClO.sub.2 and oxygen species. When used in a cathode compartment, bi-polar electrode configurations serve to cool the caustic due to the agitation occuring on the bi-polars as well as increase buildup of caustic concentration. The diaphragm material is superior to NAFION in maintaining separation between two electrolytes of different viscosities and less back migration has been observed.

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First Claim