An electrolytic cell

Abstract

This invention discloses an electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body (1) and a diaphragm assembly (2) disposed within the cell body (1). The diaphragm assembly (2) divides the inner cavity of the cell body (1) into at least two electrode chambers (11). The diaphragm assembly (2) has an opening (20) for connecting two adjacent electrode chambers (11). A valve core (4) is installed at the opening (20). The valve core (4) is rotatably connected to the cell body (1), and the side of the valve core (4) has an arc-shaped convex surface (41). The center of the convex surface (41) is located on the rotation axis of the valve core (4). When the convex surface (41) rotates with the valve core (4) to the side edge of the opening (20), it abuts against the side edge to seal the opening (20). Compared with the prior art, the electrolytic cell of this invention can achieve dynamic turbulence to suppress scale deposition, accelerate venting, and accelerate ion transfer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrolysis equipment technology, specifically to an electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] An electrolytic cell consists of a cell body, an anode, and a cathode. Most electrolytic cells use an ion-exchange membrane (also called a diaphragm) to separate the anode and cathode chambers. Based on the type of electrolyte, they are classified into three categories: aqueous solution electrolytic cells, molten salt electrolytic cells, and non-aqueous solution electrolytic cells. When direct current passes through the electrolytic cell, an oxidation reaction occurs at the anode-solution interface, and a reduction reaction occurs at the cathode-solution interface, thus producing electrolyzed water.

[0003] For example, the Chinese invention patent with patent application number CN201810264395.4 (publication number CN108609693A) entitled "A Method for Preparing Acidic Water and Alkaline Water" uses the electrolysis of brine to form cations and anions, which move towards the two electrodes of the electrolysis. Hydrogen ions and highly reactive chlorine gas are generated from the anode. The chlorine gas dissolves in water to form hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid solutions as acidic water. Hydroxide ions and hydrogen gas are generated from the cathode to form sodium hydroxide solution as alkaline water.

[0004] Scale buildup has always been a challenge for electrolyzers, reducing their efficiency, lifespan, and increasing costs. Generally, electrolyzers that produce alkaline components (such as NaOH) are more prone to scale buildup. Traditional descaling methods include using purified or distilled water, pre-filters (softening resin), electrode reversal, or manual or complex mechanical scraping. These methods are costly and complex.

[0005] In addition, for the electrolysis process, improving electrolysis efficiency requires promoting ion migration and reducing bubble adhesion. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that can achieve dynamic turbulence to suppress scale deposition, accelerate exhaust, and accelerate ion transfer, in view of the current state of the prior art.

[0007] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that facilitates descaling.

[0008] The third technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that can switch between diaphragm-equipped mode and diaphragm-free mode.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is as follows: an electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body and a diaphragm assembly disposed within the cell body, wherein the diaphragm assembly divides the inner cavity of the cell body into at least two electrode chambers, each electrode chamber being provided with an electrode plate, characterized in that: the diaphragm assembly has an opening for connecting two adjacent electrode chambers, a valve core is installed at the opening, the valve core is rotatably connected to the cell body, and the side of the valve core has an arc-shaped convex surface, the center of which is located on the rotation axis of the valve core, and when the convex surface rotates with the valve core to the side edge of the opening, it abuts against the side edge to block the opening.

[0010] To further address the second and third technical problems mentioned above, the side of the valve core also has a concave surface. When the concave surface rotates with the valve core to the side edge of the opening, it forms a gap with the side edge to release the blockage of the opening.

[0011] To ensure uniform turbulence between the valve core and adjacent electrode chambers, two convex surfaces are symmetrically arranged on the peripheral wall of the valve core.

[0012] To ensure uniform liquid exchange between adjacent electrode chambers in diaphragm-free mode, two concave surfaces are symmetrically arranged on the peripheral wall of the valve core, with both sides of each concave surface connected to the adjacent side edge of the adjacent convex surface.

[0013] To ensure that the valve core has a large range of rotation in both diaphragm-equipped and diaphragm-less modes, the central angle of each convex surface is 60 to 120°.

[0014] In order to achieve automatic rotation of the valve core, the end of the valve core is rotatably connected to the groove body via a rotating shaft. A driving component is installed outside the groove body, and the power output end of the driving component is connected to the rotating shaft to drive the rotating shaft to rotate around its own axis.

[0015] In order to support the diaphragm body and prevent the diaphragm body from contacting the electrode plates and causing dry burning, the diaphragm assembly includes two side-by-side support grids and a diaphragm body sandwiched between the two support grids. The support grids and the diaphragm body have corresponding notches to form the opening.

[0016] To facilitate the installation of the support grille, slots are provided on the inner wall of the groove for the edge of the support grille to be inserted.

[0017] To prevent fluid from flowing through the gap between the support grid and the inner wall of the slot in the two connected electrode chambers, an annular sealing gasket is sandwiched between the edge of each support grid and the opposite side of the inner wall of the slot.

[0018] To achieve the formation of a single-diaphragm electrolytic cell, the number of diaphragm components is one set, and the inner cavity of the cell is divided into two electrode chambers, which are respectively referred to as the cathode chamber and the anode chamber. The number of electrode plates is one pair, which are respectively referred to as the cathode plate and the anode plate. The cathode plate is located in the cathode chamber, and the anode plate is located in the anode chamber.

[0019] To facilitate the supply of raw materials and the discharge of electrolyzed water, each electrode chamber is provided with an inlet and an outlet that communicate with the electrode chamber in the corresponding tank section.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0021] (1) By setting an opening on the diaphragm assembly to connect two adjacent electrode chambers, and installing a valve core at the opening, since the side of the valve core has a convex surface in the shape of an arc, the center of the convex surface is located on the rotation axis of the valve core. In this way, when the convex surface rotates with the valve core to the side edge of the opening, it can abut against the side edge to block the opening. The valve core can reciprocate within a certain range, and achieve dynamic turbulence in the diaphragm mode, which can suppress scale deposition, accelerate exhaust, and accelerate ion transfer.

[0022] (2) By setting a concave surface on the side of the valve core, when the concave surface rotates with the valve core to the side edge of the opening, a gap can be formed between the concave surface and the side edge to release the blockage of the opening. On the one hand, the acidic components generated during the electrolysis process can be dispersed into the two electrode chambers to dissolve and remove scale on the tank, diaphragm assembly and electrode plates. On the other hand, it can realize the switching between diaphragm mode and diaphragmless mode, which is convenient for diaphragmless electrolysis. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention (with the opening closed);

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 3D exploded view of the electrolytic cell;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Longitudinal sectional view of the electrolytic cell;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A horizontal sectional view after the central opening is switched to the open state. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 5 The diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention. The electrolytic cell includes a cell body 1, a diaphragm assembly 2, electrode plates 3, a valve core 4, and a drive component 5. The electrolytic cell in this embodiment is a single-diaphragm electrolytic cell, but it can also be designed as a double-diaphragm electrolytic cell as needed.

[0030] The interior of the tank 1 is hollow, and a slot 10 is provided on the inner wall of the tank 1, which communicates with the inner cavity of the tank 1.

[0031] The number of diaphragm assemblies 2 is one set, which are vertically arranged in the inner cavity of the tank 1 and divide the inner cavity of the tank 1 into two electrode chambers 11. The electrode chamber 11 located on the left side of the diaphragm assembly 2 is referred to as the cathode chamber 11a, and the electrode chamber 11 located on the right side of the diaphragm assembly 2 is referred to as the anode chamber 11b. Each electrode chamber 11 has an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 that communicate with the electrode chamber 11 at the lower and upper parts of the tank 1, respectively. Therefore, the water in each electrode chamber 11 flows from bottom to top.

[0032] In this embodiment, the diaphragm assembly 2 includes a support grid 21, a diaphragm body 22, and an annular sealing gasket 23. Specifically, there are two support grids 21 arranged side by side, with the edges of the support grids 21 inserted into the slot 10. The diaphragm body 22 is a cation exchange membrane sandwiched between the two support grids 21. The support grids 21 and the diaphragm body 22 have corresponding notches to form openings 20 for connecting the cathode chamber 11a and the anode chamber 11b. There are two annular sealing gaskets 23, corresponding one-to-one with the support grids 21. Each annular sealing gasket 23 is sandwiched between the edge of the corresponding support grid 21 and the opposite side of the inner wall of the slot 10.

[0033] The aforementioned support grid 21 has the following functions: first, to support the diaphragm body 22; second, the support grid 21 is separated between the diaphragm body 22 and the adjacent electrode sheet 3, which can effectively prevent the diaphragm body 22 from contacting the electrode sheet 3 and causing dry burning.

[0034] There is a pair of electrode plates 3, designated as cathode plate 3a and anode plate 3b. Cathode plate 3a is arranged substantially vertically on the left side of cathode chamber 11a, and anode plate 3b is arranged substantially vertically on the right side of anode chamber 11b. Each electrode plate 3 has a conductive post 31 at its top, which extends upward through the tank 1 and protrudes from the top wall of the tank 1. The conductive posts 31 on cathode plate 3a and anode plate 3b are used for electrical connection to the negative and positive terminals of an external power supply, respectively.

[0035] The valve core 4 is located at the opening 20 of the diaphragm assembly 2. The top of the valve core 4 has a vertically arranged rotating shaft 40, which is rotatably connected to the groove 1. Specifically, the peripheral wall of the valve core 4 has two symmetrically arranged convex surfaces 41 and two symmetrically arranged concave surfaces 42. The two side edges of each concave surface 42 are connected to the adjacent side edges of the adjacent convex surface 41. The convex surface 41 is arc-shaped, and its center is located on the rotation axis of the valve core 4. In this embodiment, the central angle of each convex surface 41 is 60°–120°.

[0036] The drive component 5 is a motor, which is installed on the top of the tank 1. The power output shaft of the drive component 5 is coaxially connected to the top of the rotating shaft 40 to drive the rotating shaft 40 to rotate around its own axis, thereby driving the valve core 4 to rotate to open or close the opening 20.

[0037] With opening 20 closed, such as Figure 4 As shown, the convex surface 41 of the valve core 4 rotates with the valve core 4 to the side edge of the opening 20 and abuts against the side edge to block the opening 20, and the valve core 4 can rotate back and forth within a certain range.

[0038] With opening 20 open, such as Figure 5 As shown, the concave surface 42 of the valve core 4 rotates with the valve core 4 to the side edge of the opening 20, and a gap is formed between it and the side edge to release the blockage of the opening 20, and the valve core 4 can rotate back and forth within a certain range.

[0039] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0040] (1) Diaphragm electrolyzer mode:

[0041] ① When it is necessary to prepare electrolyzed water, such as Figure 4 As shown, the valve core 4 is driven by the drive component 5 to close the opening 20. During operation, the electrolyte enters the electrode chamber 11 through the inlet 111. A reduction reaction occurs at the interface between the cathode plate 3a and the solution, and an oxidation reaction occurs at the interface between the anode plate 3b and the solution. Under the action of the electric field, the cations enter the cathode chamber 11a through the diaphragm body 22 and the hydroxide ions left after the solution in the cathode chamber 11a is discharged to form an alkali to produce electrolyzed water.

[0042] During the electrolysis process, the valve core 4 can be driven to reciprocate within a certain range by the drive component 5, ensuring that the convex surface 41 of the valve core 4 always faces the corresponding side edge of the opening 20. The movement of the valve core 4 forms dynamic turbulence, which can suppress scale deposition, accelerate exhaust, and accelerate ion transfer.

[0043] ② When descaling is required, such as Figure 5As shown, the valve core 4 is driven by the drive component 5 to open the opening 20, and the anode chamber 11a and the cathode chamber 11b are connected. The acidic components (such as HCl / HClO) generated during the electrolysis process are dispersed into the two electrode chambers 11, thereby dissolving and removing the scale on the tank body 1, the diaphragm assembly 2, and the electrode plate 3.

[0044] During the descaling process, the valve core 4 can be driven to reciprocate within a certain range by the drive component 5, ensuring that the concave surface 42 of the valve core 4 always faces the corresponding side edge of the opening 20. The movement of the valve core 4 forms dynamic turbulence, which improves the descaling efficiency.

[0045] (2) Diaphragmless electrolyzer mode:

[0046] When it is necessary to prepare electrolyzed water, such as Figure 5 As shown, the valve core 4 is driven by the drive component 5 to open the opening 20. During operation, the electrolyte enters the electrode chamber 11 through the inlet 111. A reduction reaction occurs at the interface between the cathode plate 3a and the solution, and an oxidation reaction occurs at the interface between the anode plate 3b and the solution to produce electrolyzed water.

[0047] During the electrolysis process, the valve core 4 can be driven to reciprocate within a certain range by the drive component 5, ensuring that the concave surface 42 of the valve core 4 always faces the corresponding side edge of the opening 20. The movement of the valve core 4 forms dynamic turbulence, which can suppress scale deposition, accelerate exhaust, and accelerate ion transfer.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body (1) and a diaphragm assembly (2) disposed within the cell body (1), wherein the diaphragm assembly (2) divides the inner cavity of the cell body (1) into at least two electrode chambers (11), each electrode chamber (11) being provided with an electrode sheet (3), characterized in that: The diaphragm assembly (2) has an opening (20) for connecting two adjacent electrode chambers (11). A valve core (4) is installed at the opening (20). The valve core (4) is rotatably connected to the groove (1). The side of the valve core (4) has an arc-shaped convex surface (41). The center of the convex surface (41) is located on the rotation axis of the valve core (4). When the convex surface (41) rotates with the valve core (4) to the side edge of the opening (20), it can abut against the side edge to block the opening (20). The diaphragm assembly (2) includes two side-by-side support grids (21) and a diaphragm body (22) sandwiched between the two support grids (21). The support grids (21) and the diaphragm body (22) have corresponding notches to form the opening (20).

2. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core (4) also has a concave surface (42) on its side. When the concave surface (42) rotates with the valve core (4) to the side edge of the opening (20), a gap is formed between the concave surface (42) and the side edge to release the blockage of the opening (20).

3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the convex surfaces (41) is two, which are symmetrically arranged on the peripheral wall of the valve core (4).

4. The electrolytic cell according to claim 3, characterized in that: There are two concave surfaces (42), which are symmetrically arranged on the peripheral wall of the valve core (4). Both sides of each concave surface (42) are connected to the adjacent side edge of the adjacent convex surface (41).

5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: The central angle of each of the convex surfaces (41) is 60~120°.

6. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The end of the valve core (4) is rotatably connected to the groove (1) via a rotating shaft (40). A drive component (5) is installed outside the groove (1). The power output end of the drive component (5) is connected to the rotating shaft (40) to drive the rotating shaft (40) to rotate around its own axis.

7. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The inner wall of the groove (1) is provided with a slot (10) for inserting the edge of the support grid (21).

8. The electrolytic cell according to claim 7, characterized in that: An annular sealing gasket (23) is sandwiched between the edge of each of the support grids (21) and the opposite side of the inner wall of the slot (10).

9. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The number of the diaphragm assembly (2) is one set, and the inner cavity of the tank (1) is divided into two electrode chambers (11), which are respectively referred to as the cathode chamber (11a) and the anode chamber (11b). The number of the electrode plates (3) is one pair, which are respectively referred to as the cathode plate (3a) and the anode plate (3b). The cathode plate (3a) is located in the cathode chamber (11a), and the anode plate (3b) is located in the anode chamber (11b).

10. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Each electrode chamber (11) has a liquid inlet (111) and a liquid outlet (112) that communicate with the electrode chamber (11).

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