Electrolysis apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides an electrolysis apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell containing an electrolyte solution on one side, a cathode electrode having one end inserted into the inner side of the electrolytic cell, a rotating spindle connected to the other end of the cathode electrode, an anode basket disposed on the inner side of the electrolytic cell, the anode basket being spaced apart from the cathode electrode, workpieces being housed within the inner side of the anode basket and in contact with the anode basket, and a vibration unit connected to the anode basket. During electrolysis, the rotating spindle drives the cathode electrode to rotate, and the vibration unit vibrates the anode basket, causing the workpieces to rub against each other and remove the viscous layer generated on the surface of the workpieces during electrolysis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrolysis apparatus, particularly an apparatus that utilizes rotating electrodes and vibration to improve refining efficiency. Prior Technology

[0002] Copper is an extremely important metallic material in modern industry, widely used in electronics, semiconductors, optoelectronics, circuit boards, wires and cables, machinery and electroplating. With the continuous rise in copper prices and increasingly stringent global environmental regulations, the industry's demand for the reuse of copper-containing waste and the recycling of copper resources is becoming increasingly urgent.

[0003] In conventional technology, the industry often employs various methods to recycle or reuse copper-containing waste. For example, some semiconductor or copper foil industries use activation and reuse methods, which involve regenerating or activating used copper-containing chemical solutions so that they can be reused in the manufacturing process. However, while this method can temporarily reduce raw material consumption and waste discharge, the purity and reaction stability of the chemical solution gradually decrease after multiple cycles of use, ultimately requiring disposal and resulting in environmental burden and cost losses.

[0004] Another common method is to refine and recycle copper, that is, to convert the copper-containing waste liquid obtained by recycling into crude copper through chemical reduction or electrolysis, and then send it to a large refinery for electrolytic refining to obtain high-purity copper for reuse in the process.

[0005] However, in the conventional electrolytic refining process, the uneven distance between the cathode and anode leads to uneven electric field distribution, resulting in increased local current density. This causes uneven copper deposition thickness, inconsistent grain size, or dendritic structure on the cathode surface, which in turn affects the flatness and purity of the cathode surface and can easily cause short circuits. This leads to more unstable current distribution in the electrolytic cell and may even cause the entire cell to be scrapped. In addition, if the cathode copper is of uneven thickness or has poor adhesion, it is easy to cause difficulties in peeling, cracking, or residue during material removal, resulting in waste of some cathode copper and reduced process efficiency.

[0006] Furthermore, during the electrolytic refining process, a viscous layer often forms on the surface of the anode material (usually crude copper or copper scrap) after prolonged electrolysis. This layer consists of incompletely dissolved metal oxides, sulfates, or other byproducts. The viscous layer has high adhesion and low conductivity, which hinders the electrochemical reaction on the anode surface, significantly reducing the copper metal dissolution efficiency, leading to a decrease in overall current efficiency and prolonging the electrolysis time. At the same time, an excessively thick viscous layer can also affect the fluidity of the electrolyte, further deteriorating the ion transport rate during electrolysis, increasing the frequency of system maintenance and operating costs.

[0007] In conventional technology, in order to reduce the formation and uneven thickness of cathode dendrites, additives such as chloride ions, adhesives, active sulfur copper sulfate electrolytes, and polyoxyethylene surfactants are added to the electrolyte to improve the cathode's adhesion. However, such methods require subsequent removal of the additives, which generates further polluting waste and requires regular cleaning or replacement of the electrodes, increasing maintenance costs and hindering long-term stable operation.

[0008] In summary, conventional electrolytic refining technology mainly faces problems such as cathode dendritic copper formation, uneven thickness, anode viscous layer accumulation, and uneven electric field distribution. These factors not only reduce the efficiency of the electrolysis process and product purity, but also cause short circuits, increased energy consumption, and waste of copper resources, leading to an increase in overall costs. Therefore, how to improve the uniformity of the electric field, suppress dendritic copper formation, and improve anode dissolution efficiency during the electrolysis process are urgent problems that the industry needs to solve.

[0009] In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an electrolysis apparatus that uses a rotating cathode to improve the metal plating on the cathode surface and uses a vibrating anode basket to hold the workpiece to be refined, thereby vibrating the workpiece and improving the dissolution efficiency of the anode workpiece. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One objective of this invention is to provide an electrolysis apparatus that utilizes a rotating cathode to improve the plating on the cathode surface and a vibrating anode basket to hold the workpiece to be refined. The workpiece serving as the anode vibrates, causing multiple workpieces to rub against each other to remove the viscous layer generated on the surface of the workpiece during electrolysis. This improves the uniformity of the electric field of the cathode, suppresses the formation of dendritic metals on the cathode surface, and enhances the dissolution efficiency of the anode workpiece.

[0011] To achieve the aforementioned objectives and effects, the present invention provides an electrolysis apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell, a cathode assembly, and an anode assembly. An electrolyte is disposed on the inner side of one of the electrolytic cells. The cathode assembly includes a cathode electrode, one end of which is inserted into the inner side of the electrolytic cell, and a rotating spindle connected to the other end of the cathode electrode. The anode assembly includes an anode basket disposed on the inner side of the electrolytic cell, with the anode basket spaced apart from the cathode electrode. The anode basket has a plurality of perforations, and workpieces are housed within and in contact with the anode basket. A vibration unit is connected to the anode basket. When the cathode electrode and the anode basket are energized, a viscous layer is generated on the surface of the workpieces during electrolysis. The vibration unit vibrates the anode basket, causing the workpieces to rub against each other and remove the viscous layer. The rotating spindle drives the cathode electrode to rotate, forming a uniform metal layer on the surface of the cathode electrode. This structure provides an electrolysis apparatus that can further improve refining efficiency.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the workpieces are conductors and the surfaces of the workpieces contain copper.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the anode basket system is annular, and the anode basket is annularly disposed around the cathode electrode.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cathode electrode is a cylinder or at least a plate.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotational speed of the rotating spindle is between 400 rpm and 600 rpm.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, a power source is further included, the cathode of which is electrically connected to the cathode electrode, and the anode of which is electrically connected to the anode basket.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, a circulation device is further included, which is connected to the electrolytic cell, and the circulation device is used to inject and filter the electrolyte.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the circulation device further includes a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the electrolyte from 0°C to 50°C.

[0019] When energized, the current density in the electrolytic cell is greater than or equal to 600 A / m2. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0020] Figure 1: It is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2: It is a top view schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3A to 3B: These are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4: It is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 5A to 5B are top views of another embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0021] In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an electrolysis apparatus, wherein one end of a cathode electrode is inserted into the inner side of an electrolytic cell, a rotating spindle is connected to the other end of the cathode electrode, an anode basket is disposed in the inner side of the electrolytic cell, the anode basket and the cathode electrode are spaced apart, the workpieces are housed in the inner side of the anode basket and in contact with the anode basket, and a vibration unit is connected to the anode basket. During electrolysis, the rotating spindle drives the cathode electrode to rotate, and the vibration unit vibrates the anode basket, causing the workpieces to rub against each other and remove the viscous layer generated on the surface of the workpieces during electrolysis. This solves the problems of dendritic copper formation, uneven metal layer thickness, accumulation of viscous layer on the surface of the anode workpieces, and uneven electric field distribution in the prior art.

[0022] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2. Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a top view schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, this embodiment is the first embodiment, which is an electrolysis device 1 used for electrolyzing a plurality of workpieces 2. The electrolysis device 1 includes an electrolysis cell 10, a cathode assembly 20, and an anode assembly 30.

[0023] Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, as shown in the figures, in this embodiment, an electrolyte L1 is disposed on the inner side of one of the electrolytic cells 10. The cathode assembly 20 includes a cathode electrode 22 and a rotating spindle 24. The cathode electrode 22 is inserted into the inner side of the electrolytic cell 10, and the rotating spindle 24 is connected to the cathode electrode 22. At least one end of the cathode electrode 22 is immersed in the electrolyte L1, and the rotating spindle 24 is connected to at least one end of the cathode electrode 22.

[0024] Continuing from the above, the anode assembly 30 includes an anode basket 32 ​​and a vibration unit 34. The anode basket 32 ​​is disposed on the inner side of the electrolytic cell 10, and the anode basket 32 ​​is spaced apart from the cathode electrode 22 to prevent the anode basket 32 ​​from contacting the cathode electrode 22. In some embodiments, the anode basket 32 ​​has a recessed portion that can accommodate the cathode electrode 22. Preferably, in top view, if the anode basket 32 ​​is circular, the recessed portion is located at the center of the circle, so that the distance between the rotating cathode and the anode is uniform. The anode basket 32 ​​is provided with a plurality of perforations (not shown). The workpieces 2 are housed inside one of the anode baskets 32 and in contact with the anode basket 32. The workpieces 2 are conductive to the anode basket 32 ​​and to each other, so that the workpieces 2 are all anodes. The anode basket 32 ​​can prevent the workpieces 2 from contacting the cathode electrode 22. The vibration unit 34 is connected to the anode basket 32 ​​to generate vibration. The anode basket 32 ​​and the workpieces 2 are immersed in the electrolyte L1. The vibration unit 34 is disposed above one of the anode baskets 32 and drives the anode basket 32 ​​to vibrate.

[0025] In one embodiment, the electrolysis device 1 is used to electrolyze and refine copper. Therefore, the workpieces 2 are conductors, and the surfaces of the workpieces 2 contain copper. The electrolyte L1 is a copper sulfate solution. The corresponding cathode electrode 22 and anode basket 32 ​​need to be insoluble electrodes, such as titanium, platinum, gold, and silver, but are not limited thereto.

[0026] In one embodiment, the workpieces 2 are pre-refined into copper balls, copper granules, copper pellets, or copper ingots, and are then further refined by the electrolysis device 1, but this is not a limitation.

[0027] In one embodiment, the anode basket 32 ​​has a mesh structure with perforations to allow the electrolyte L1 to flow through.

[0028] In one embodiment, the anode basket 32 ​​is annular and is arranged around the outside of one of the cathode electrodes 22, thereby increasing space utilization efficiency.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cathode assembly 20 can also be arranged from top to bottom, that is, the bottom end of the cathode electrode 22 is inserted into the inner side of the electrolytic cell 10, and the rotating spindle 24 is suspended and connected to the top end of the cathode electrode 22, rotating the cathode electrode 22. Corresponding to this connection method between the rotating spindle 24 and the cathode electrode 22, the anode basket 32 ​​can have a corresponding configuration design so that the rotating spindle 24 passes through the anode basket 32 ​​and connects to the cathode electrode 22. It is understood that in these embodiments, when the anode basket 32 ​​vibrates, the anode basket 32 ​​does not electrically connect the rotating spindle 24 and the cathode electrode 22.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 3A and 3B, which are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, some components are omitted for simplicity. This embodiment is based on the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, when electrolyzing the workpieces 2, the cathode electrode 22 and the anode basket 32 ​​are energized, causing the workpieces 2, which are also anodes, to electrolyze. Simultaneously, the rotating spindle 24 is energized, driving the cathode electrode 22 to rotate, forming a uniform metal layer (not shown) on the surface of the cathode electrode 22. The vibration unit 34 is energized to vibrate the anode basket 32. The vibration of the anode basket 32 ​​causes the workpieces 2 to rub against each other, removing the sticky layer 3 generated on the surface of the workpieces 2 during electrolysis, thereby improving the electrolytic dissolution efficiency of the workpieces 2. Understandably, to avoid short circuits, when the anode basket 32 ​​vibrates, the anode basket 32 ​​does not contact (is not electrically conductive) the cathode electrode 22.

[0031] Continuing from the above, the rotating cathode electrode 22 can average the distance between the workpieces 2 and the cathode electrode 22, and reduce the dendritic and protruding structures generated in the metal layer of the cathode electrode 22, thereby improving the average thickness of the metal layer.

[0032] Continuing from the above, the sticky layer 3 is composed of incompletely dissolved metal oxides, sulfates or other byproducts. The sticky layer 3 has high adhesion and low conductivity, which will hinder the electrochemical reaction of the workpieces 2, significantly reduce the dissolution efficiency of the workpieces 2 and cause the overall current efficiency to decrease. Therefore, this embodiment uses vibration to make the workpieces 2 collide and rub against each other to remove the sticky layer 3.

[0033] In one embodiment, the rotational speed of the rotating spindle 24 is between 400 rpm and 600 rpm.

[0034] In one embodiment, when the cathode assembly 20 and the anode assembly 30 are energized and started, the current density in the electrolytic cell 10 is greater than or equal to 600 A / m2.

[0035] In one embodiment, the vibration unit 34 may be an eccentric vibrator or an ultrasonic vibrator.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this embodiment is based on the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, a power supply 40 is further included. The cathode of the power supply 40 is electrically connected to the cathode electrode 22, and the anode of the power supply 40 is electrically connected to the anode basket 32. The power supply 40 can be AC ​​mains power, but is not limited thereto.

[0037] Continuing from the above, in one embodiment, the current of the power supply 40 is between 70A and 90A.

[0038] Continuing from the above, as shown in Figure 4, in one embodiment, a circulation device 50 is further included. The circulation device 50 is connected to the electrolytic cell 10. The circulation device 50 is used to inject and filter the electrolyte L1. The circulation device 50 injects clean / filtered electrolyte L1 and recovers one electrolyte L1' after electrolysis for re-filtration to complete a cycle.

[0039] Continuing from the above, in one embodiment, the circulation device 50 further includes a temperature control unit 52, which controls the temperature of the electrolyte L1 to keep the temperature of the electrolyte L1 between 0°C and 50°C, thereby stabilizing the efficiency of the electrolysis device 1.

[0040] Referring again to Figure 2 and Figures 5A to 5B, Figures 5A to 5B are top views of another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, this embodiment is based on the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, the cathode electrode 22 is a cylinder as shown in Figure 2 or a structure composed of at least one plate as shown in Figures 5A to 5B.

[0041] Continuing from the above, the cathode electrode 22 can be a single plate or a structure composed of multiple plates, such as the arched electrode structure shown in Figure 5B. When the cathode electrode 22 rotates, the distance between the arched electrode structure and the anode basket 32 ​​can remain consistent.

[0042] In one embodiment, the arched cathode electrode 22 is preferably as shown in Figure 5A, with its length and width approximately equal in top view, making it approximately square. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to this; provided that the cathode electrode 22 does not produce dendritic copper or protrusions after electrolysis, the top-view cathode electrode 22 can also have other shapes. In other embodiments, the top-view cathode electrode 22 can be a regular polygon with more than 4 sides.

[0043] Continuing from the above, the rotation direction of the cathode electrode 22 and the rotating main shaft 24 is clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0044] In summary, the present invention provides an electrolysis apparatus in which the cathode is placed at the center of the electrolytic cell, and the cathode is rotated to maintain a certain distance between the cathode and the anode workpiece. This improves the cathode's ability to withstand dendritic metal, uneven coating thickness, or granulation. The anode workpiece is vibrated by a vibrating anode basket, causing the workpiece to rub against itself or against the anode basket, thereby avoiding the formation of a sticky layer on the workpiece surface and improving the dissolution efficiency of the workpiece. This invention solves the problems of uneven metal coating thickness, sticky layer accumulation on the workpiece surface, and uneven electric field distribution in conventional cathode refining, which lead to reduced electrolysis process efficiency and product purity, as well as increased energy consumption and resource waste due to short circuits, resulting in higher overall costs.

[0045] 1: Electrolysis apparatus 2: Workpiece 3: Viscous layer 10: Electrolytic cell 20: Cathode assembly 22: Cathode electrode 24: Rotating spindle 30: Anode assembly 32: Anode basket 34: Vibration Unit 40: Power Supply 50: Circulation device 52: Temperature control unit L1: Electrolyte L1': Electrolyte

Claims

1. An electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing a plurality of workpieces, the apparatus comprising: an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte disposed on its inner side; a cathode assembly comprising: a cathode electrode inserted into the inner side of the electrolytic cell; and a rotating spindle connected to the cathode electrode; and an anode assembly comprising: an anode basket disposed on the inner side of the electrolytic cell, the anode basket being spaced apart from the cathode electrode, the anode basket having a plurality of through holes, the workpieces being housed in and in contact with the anode basket; and a vibration unit connected to the anode basket; wherein... When the cathode electrode and the anode basket are energized, a viscous layer is generated on the surface of the workpieces during electrolysis. The vibration unit vibrates the anode basket, causing the workpieces to rub against each other to remove the viscous layer. The rotating spindle drives the cathode electrode to rotate at a speed of 400 rpm to 600 rpm, so that a uniform metal layer is formed on the surface of the cathode electrode.

2. The electrolytic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workpieces are conductors and the surfaces of the workpieces contain copper.

3. The electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anode basket is annular and the anode basket is annularly disposed around the cathode electrode.

4. The electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the anode basket is composed of a plurality of sector-shaped annular baskets.

5. The electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cathode electrode is a cylinder or at least a plate.

6. The electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further includes a power source, the cathode of which is electrically connected to the cathode electrode, and the anode of which is electrically connected to the anode basket.

7. The electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further includes a circulation device connected to the electrolysis cell, the circulation device being used for injecting and filtering the electrolyte.

8. The electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the circulation apparatus further includes a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the electrolyte from 0°C to 50°C.

9. The electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein when energized, the current density in the electrolytic cell is greater than or equal to 600 A / m².

Images