SOLID POLYMER ELECTROLYTE CHLOR-ALKALI CELL

Disclosed is a solid polymer electrolyte electrolytic cell having a fluorocarbon permionic membrane with carboxylic acid groups, interposed between the anolyte and catholyte. The cathode may be a depolarized cathode, e.g., a peroxy compound depolarized cathode, a redox couple depolarized cathode, or an oxidant-complex depolarized cathode. The cathode may be a boride, e.g., titanium, diboride, an intercalation compound of carbon and fluorine, or a transition metal., e.g., iron, cobalt, or nickel. The electrocatalysts, e.g., the anode and cathode, may be adhered to the permionic membrane by chemdeposition. The anode may be particulate with hydrophobic material. The individual anode particles may be silicone extended. The electrolytic process using the cell may be carried out at high pressure to obtain liquid chlorine, which is then separated from the brine. The cell may be horizontal, with internal heat exchange means. In the case of a bipolar cell, the bipolar conductor element may be silicone, or a titanium alloy, and may have heat transfer and reagent feed means incorporated therein.