Rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure

Abstract

The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure greatly reduces the reaction temperature of the cathode rod by opening water cooling channels and air cooling channels in the cathode rod, reducing the resistance of the cathode rod and thus reducing the overall cost of the product. The advantages of air cooling and water cooling complement each other. When air cooling is used as the only cooling medium, the cooling efficiency is improved; when water cooling is used as the only cooling medium, water is saved and operating costs are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of rare earth electrolysis, and in particular to a rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure. Background Art

[0002] The production of rare earth metals and their alloys primarily utilizes molten salt electrolysis, using an electrolytic cell consisting of a graphite crucible, a graphite anode, and a tungsten cathode as the production apparatus. Rare earth metals are electrolytically produced using a fluoride-oxide system. Rare earth electrolysis is conducted at high temperatures and high currents. The graphite anode is connected to the positive pole of the power supply, while the tungsten cathode is connected to the negative pole of the power supply. Molten salt forms a conductive path between the graphite anode and the tungsten cathode. Tungsten rods typically operate under conditions of high electrolysis current (typically up to around 4000A) and electrolyte electrolysis temperature (around 1000°C). Tungsten rods exposed above the liquid surface are strongly oxidized by the furnace airflow, causing this portion of the rod to gradually become thinner due to oxidation within just six months, rendering the entire tungsten cathode useless.

[0003] Under such conditions, the cathode temperature rises with the molten salt temperature, and the cathode resistance correspondingly increases gradually, and the electrical efficiency deteriorates. In contrast, the cathode is the metal generation area in the molten salt electrolysis reaction, and its electrical efficiency directly affects the output and quality of the produced metal. At the same time, as the temperature rises, the cathode is more likely to react with the molten salt and the surrounding air, causing the cathode to become thinner and wearing out, which directly affects the service life of the tungsten cathode.

[0004] Jiangsu Jinshi Rare Earth Co., Ltd.'s Chinese patent application number is 202021161727.5 - Cathode Cooling System for Rare Earth Electrolysis: When rare earth electrolysis is carried out, the circulating cooling water in the inner cavity continuously cools the cathode rod to prevent the cathode rod from increasing in temperature due to the current. Since the water inlet is connected through a copper tube and is located above the cathode rod, and the return water hole is located above the water inlet, the cooling water first contacts the cathode rod for cooling. When the temperature rises after cooling, it is discharged through the return water hole above, thus making the cooling effect better.

[0005] The circulating cooling water in this patent flows in the inner cavity of the fixed tube, which can only cool the cold top of the cathode rod, and has limited cooling effect on the lower part of the cathode rod. The temperature of the cathode rod is too high, the resistance increases, and the electrical efficiency is reduced by the resistance, which cannot meet actual needs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure, which solves the following technical problems: when the cathode rod temperature is too high, the resistance increases, the electrical efficiency is affected by the resistance and decreases, which directly affects the overall cost of the product; when the cathode rod temperature is too high, the consumption increases and the service life is shortened. To solve the above technical problems, the technical solutions adopted by the present invention are:

[0007] Rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure, comprising:

[0008] Cathode rod, which has water cooling channel and air cooling channel;

[0009] The head is fixedly arranged on the upper end surface of the cathode rod, and a partition is fixedly arranged inside the head. The partition divides the inner cavity of the head into a left chamber and a right chamber. The air inlet of the air cooling channel is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet of the air cooling channel is connected to the right chamber;

[0010] An end cover is provided on the upper end surface of the cathode rod to close the water cooling channel;

[0011] Water inlet pipe and water outlet pipe, one end of the water inlet pipe is connected to one end of the water cooling channel, one end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the other end of the water cooling channel, and the other ends of the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe extend to the outside of the head;

[0012] The air inlet and the air outlet are both opened on the head, the air inlet is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet is connected to the right chamber.

[0013] Furthermore, the water cooling channel includes a water inlet channel, a connecting water channel and a water return channel, and the water inlet channel is connected to the water return channel via the connecting water channel;

[0014] The air cooling channel includes an air inlet channel, a connecting air channel and a return air channel, and the air inlet channel is connected to the return air channel through the connecting air channel.

[0015] The cross sections of the air inlet channel, the return air channel, the water inlet channel and the return water channel are all fan-shaped structures and are coaxially arranged.

[0016] Furthermore, the cathode rod is a tungsten rod;

[0017] The air inlet channel is located outside the water return channel, and the return air channel is located outside the water inlet channel.

[0018] Furthermore, the side walls of the connecting water channel and the connecting air channel are both spherical structures.

[0019] Furthermore, the air inlet channel, the water inlet channel, the return air channel, and the return water channel are arranged in sequence.

[0020] Furthermore, the cross section of the connecting water channel is a fan-shaped structure.

[0021] Furthermore, the end cover is provided with a through hole, and connecting joints are fixedly provided at the two through holes, and the two connecting joints are respectively connected to the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe.

[0022] Furthermore, the top wall of the right chamber is arranged in a spherical structure, and the air outlet is located at the highest point of the sphere.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: by opening a water-cooling channel and an air-cooling channel in the cathode rod, the reaction temperature of the cathode rod is greatly reduced, the resistance of the cathode rod is reduced, and the overall cost of the product is reduced. The advantages of air cooling and water cooling complement each other. When air cooling is used as the only cooling medium, the cooling efficiency is improved; when water cooling is used as the only cooling medium, water is saved and the operating cost is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-sectional three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the transverse cross-sectional three-dimensional structure of a head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the transverse cross-sectional three-dimensional structure of the cathode rod in embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 1. Cathode rod, 21. Water inlet channel, 22. Connecting water channel, 23. Return water channel, 31. Air inlet channel, 32. Connecting air duct, 33. Return air channel, 4. Head, 5. Partition, 8. End cover, 9. Water inlet pipe, 10. Water outlet pipe, 11. Air inlet, 12. Air outlet, 13. Connecting joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention will now be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following examples so that the public can better understand the implementation method of the present invention. The specific implementation scheme of the present invention is as follows:

[0030] The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure includes: a cathode rod 1, which is a tungsten rod, and a water cooling channel and an air cooling channel are provided in the cathode rod 1. Specifically, the water cooling channel includes a water inlet channel 21, a connecting water channel 22, and a water return channel 23, wherein the water inlet channel 21 is connected to the water return channel 23 via the connecting water channel 22; and the air cooling channel includes an air inlet channel 31, a connecting air channel 32, and a return air channel 33, wherein the air inlet channel 31 is connected to the return air channel 33 via the connecting air channel 32. By providing the water cooling channel and the air cooling channel in the cathode rod, the reaction temperature of the cathode rod is greatly reduced, the resistance of the cathode rod is reduced, and the overall cost of the product is reduced. In addition, the advantages of air cooling and water cooling complement each other. When air cooling is used as the sole cooling medium, the cooling efficiency is improved; when water cooling is used as the sole cooling medium, water is saved and operating costs are reduced.

[0031] The head 4 is fixedly arranged on the upper end face of the cathode rod 1. The head 4 and the cathode rod 1 can be fixed by welding or by threaded connection. The split structure is easy to maintain and has the characteristics of simple manufacturing process. A partition 5 is fixedly arranged inside the head 4. The partition 5 divides the inner cavity of the head 4 into a left chamber and a right chamber. The air inlet 11 of the air-cooling channel is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet 12 of the air-cooling channel is connected to the right chamber. The end cover 8 is arranged in the inner cavity of the head 4 on the upper end face of the cathode rod 1 to close the water-cooling channel and prevent the water-cooling channel from communicating with the air-cooling channel.

[0032] Specifically, the end cover 8 is provided with a through hole, and connecting joints 13 are fixedly provided at the two through holes, adopting a split structure. The two connecting joints 13 are respectively connected to the water inlet pipe 9 and the water outlet pipe 10. During long-term operation, the connecting joint and the inlet and outlet pipes leak, and the leaked liquid will not enter the furnace body, but will be carried out by the wind through the water cooling channel. If there is liquid passing through the return air delivery pipeline, a humidity sensor or a water level alarm sensor can be installed on the return air delivery pipeline to detect it and carry out timely maintenance. The level alarm sensor model is: ad0000 wa600-w water level alarm sensor, and the humidity sensor model is: HM1500LF.

[0033] It should be noted that the top wall of the right chamber is arranged in a spherical structure, and the air outlet 12 is located at the highest point of the sphere, so that the leaked liquid can be blown out quickly.

[0034] The air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are both provided on the head 4 , the air inlet 11 is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet 12 is connected to the right chamber.

[0035] One end of the water inlet pipe 9 is connected to one end of the water cooling channel, and one end of the water outlet pipe 10 is connected to the other end of the water cooling channel. The other ends of the water inlet pipe 9 and the water outlet pipe 10 both extend to the outside of the head 4.

[0036] The cross-sections of the air inlet channel 31, the return air channel 33, the water inlet channel 21, and the return water channel 23 are all fan-shaped and coaxially arranged. This structure increases the water and air flow area and improves the cooling efficiency. The air inlet channel 31 is located outside the return water channel 23, and the return air channel 33 is located outside the water inlet channel 21. When the water cooling and air cooling run to the rear, the temperature increases due to the absorption of heat. The water cooling operation trajectory is designed to be opposite to the air cooling operation trajectory, so that the overall cooling of the cathode rod is more balanced. The air cooling channel surrounds the water cooling channel, which can well protect the water cooling channel and prevent the tungsten rod from being continuously consumed and thinned due to the oxidation reaction surface, and the coolant leaks into the furnace to cause an explosion, which greatly improves safety. An air volume and air pressure tester can also be added to the air cooling system. If there is air leakage in the cathode rod, it can be timely detected through the air volume and air pressure tester. Air volume and air pressure tester model: DP2000-8

[0037] It should be noted that the side walls of the connecting water channel 22 and the connecting air channel 32 are both spherical structures, which reduces wind resistance and water resistance and improves work efficiency.

[0038] The working principle and working process of the present invention are as follows: the cathode rod is placed in the electrolytic cell using a copper bar structure to perform electrolysis, the water pump is started, and the cooling medium is injected into the water inlet channel 21 through the water inlet pipe 9. The cooling medium passes through the water inlet channel 21, the connecting water channel 22 and the return channel 23 in sequence, and returns to the cooling tower through the water outlet pipe 10. The cooling medium is cooled by the cooling tower and continues to circulate;

[0039] At the same time, the fan is started, and the cooling air enters the air inlet 11 through the air inlet conveying pipe, and then enters the left chamber, the air inlet channel 31, the connecting air duct 32, the return air channel 33, and the right chamber in sequence, enters the return air conveying pipe through the air outlet, enters the air-cooled radiator for cooling, and then continues to enter the air inlet conveying pipe for circulation.

[0040] If the tungsten rod exposed above the liquid surface becomes thinner due to reaction, the air inlet channel 31 or the return air channel 33 will be penetrated, and air leakage will occur, which can be detected in time by the air volume and pressure tester.

[0041] If there is liquid in the return air delivery pipeline, it can be detected through the humidity sensor or water level alarm sensor installed on the return air delivery pipeline, and timely maintenance can be carried out. The model is ad0000 wa600-w water level alarm sensor.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "lower left", "upper right", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operate in a specific direction. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Although the present invention has been described according to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, with the benefit of the above description, should understand that other embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure, characterized in that: include: A cathode rod (1), wherein a water cooling channel and an air cooling channel are provided in the cathode rod (1); A sealing head (4) is fixedly arranged on the upper end surface of the cathode rod (1), a partition (5) is fixedly arranged in the sealing head (4), and the partition (5) divides the inner cavity of the sealing head (4) into a left chamber and a right chamber, an air cooling channel air inlet (11) is connected to the left chamber, and an air cooling channel air outlet (12) is connected to the right chamber; An end cover (8), the end cover (8) being arranged on the upper end surface of the cathode rod (1) to close the water cooling channel; A water inlet pipe (9) and a water outlet pipe (10), wherein one end of the water inlet pipe (9) is connected to one end of the water cooling channel, and one end of the water outlet pipe (10) is connected to the other end of the water cooling channel, and the other ends of the water inlet pipe (9) and the water outlet pipe (10) both extend to the outside of the head (4); The air inlet (11) and the air outlet (12) are both provided on the head (4), the air inlet (11) is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet (12) is connected to the right chamber.

2. The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode rod (1) is a tungsten rod; The water cooling channel includes a water inlet channel (21), a connecting water channel (22) and a water return channel (23), wherein the water inlet channel (21) is connected to the water return channel (23) via the connecting water channel (22); The air cooling channel comprises an air inlet channel (31), a connecting air channel (32) and a return air channel (33), and the air inlet channel (31) is connected to the return air channel (33) via the connecting air channel (32).

3. The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross-sections of the air inlet channel (31), the return air channel (33), the water inlet channel (21), and the return water channel (23) are all fan-shaped and coaxially arranged. The air inlet channel (31) is located outside the return water channel (23), and the return air channel (33) is located outside the water inlet channel (21).

4. The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The side walls of the connecting water channel (22) and the connecting air channel (32) are both spherical structures.

5. The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end cover (8) is provided with a through hole, and connecting joints (13) are fixedly provided at the two through holes. The two connecting joints (13) are respectively connected to the water inlet pipe (9) and the water outlet pipe (10).

6. The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top wall of the right chamber is arranged in a spherical structure, and the air outlet (12) is located at the highest point of the sphere.

Images