An electrolytic cell

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrolytic cell, which comprises a cell body (1) having an electrode chamber (110). A pair of electrode plates (3) arranged at intervals are provided in the electrode chamber (110). It is characterized in that: an insulating partition net (4) is provided between the two electrode plates (3) in the electrode chamber (110), and the electrolytic cell further comprises a driving mechanism (5) for driving the insulating partition net (4) to move or deform. Compared with the prior art, the electrolytic cell of the present invention can improve the turbulence effect, thereby accelerating exhaust gas, inhibiting scale deposition, and accelerating ion transfer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrolysis equipment, and specifically refers to an electrolytic cell. Background Art

[0002] An electrolytic cell consists of a cell body, an anode, and a cathode. Most use an ion exchange membrane (also known as a diaphragm) to separate the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. It is divided into three categories: aqueous solution electrolytic cell, molten salt electrolytic cell, and non-aqueous solution electrolytic cell according to different electrolytes. When direct current passes through the electrolytic cell, an oxidation reaction occurs at the interface between the anode and the solution, and a reduction reaction occurs at the interface between the cathode and the solution to produce electrolyzed water.

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

[0004] The following problems exist in the existing electrolyzed water preparation process:

[0005] First, an ion exchange membrane is a unique polymer membrane containing ionic groups and having the ability to selectively permeate cations or anions in a solution. It has a certain flexibility. Over time, affected by air pressure and water pressure, it will deform, and even contact the electrode plate to cause dry burning, affecting the water output effect and the service life of the electrolytic cell. These problems are more serious in small electrolytic cells.

[0006] Second, during the electrolysis process, a large number of bubbles will be generated on the cathode and anode plates. The bubbles accumulate on the electrode plates, the ion exchange membrane, and the water channels in the electrolytic cell, resulting in a high voltage required for the electrolysis system, high energy consumption, reduced effective electrolysis area, lower electrolysis reaction efficiency, low pH value of the water output, and obstruction of the water channels, making the pH value and voltage extremely unstable. The air pressure will also exacerbate the deformation of the intermediate ion exchange membrane. These problems are more serious in small electrolytic cells.

[0007] Third, during the electrolysis process, the OH - generated at the cathode (negative electrode) will react with Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ in the water to form scale, which deposits on the cathode and the ion exchange membrane, affecting the electrolysis effect and the service life of the electrolytic cell.

[0008] Fourth, during the electrolysis process, ions need to first enter the cathode chamber from the anode chamber through the ion exchange membrane before the entire electrolysis reaction can proceed. However, during the electrolysis reaction process, ions and products are prone to accumulate around the electrode plates, which is not conducive to the diffusion and transfer of ions and the uniformity of products, thereby affecting the electrolysis efficiency and the stability of pH.

[0009] In addition, the Chinese invention patent "Electrolyte Manufacturing Device and Electrolyte Manufacturing Method" with the patent application number CN202080012097.1 (publication number CN113474492A) discloses separating the diaphragm and the electrode plate by arranging a spacer mesh between the diaphragm and the electrode plate to prevent the diaphragm from contacting the electrode plate and causing dry burning. Although local micro-turbulent flow can be formed during the process of water flow passing through the mesh holes, its turbulent flow effect is limited and it cannot well accelerate gas exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, and accelerate ion transfer. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that can improve the turbulent flow effect and thus accelerate gas exhaust in view of the current situation of the prior art.

[0011] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that can improve the turbulent flow effect and thus inhibit scale deposition.

[0012] The third technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that can improve the turbulent flow effect and thus accelerate ion transfer.

[0013] The technical solutions adopted by the present invention to solve the above first, second, and third technical problems are as follows: An electrolytic cell includes a cell body having an electrode chamber, and a pair of electrode plates arranged at intervals are provided in the electrode chamber. It is characterized in that: an insulating spacer mesh is provided between the two electrode plates in the electrode chamber, and the electrolytic cell further includes a driving mechanism for driving the insulating spacer mesh to move or deform.

[0014] In order to increase the movement amplitude within a limited space and ensure the turbulent flow effect, the insulating spacer mesh is an elastic member that can expand and contract along its length direction. The first end of the insulating spacer mesh is fixed relative to the cell body, and the power output end of the driving mechanism is connected to the second end of the insulating spacer mesh so that the second end of the insulating spacer mesh moves along the expansion and contraction direction of the insulating spacer mesh to adjust the expansion and contraction degree of the insulating spacer mesh. Since the insulating spacer mesh has a free movement characteristic similar to a spring, the bubbles will be accelerated to burst and discharged and the turbulent flow will be promoted during its expansion and contraction process, improving the electrolysis efficiency and stability, and inhibiting scale deposition to a certain extent.

[0015] In order to realize the expansion and contraction of the insulating spacer mesh along its length direction, the insulating spacer mesh has a foldable corrugated structure.

[0016] For the convenience of processing the insulating partition net, the insulating partition net includes at least two unit strips arranged in sequence along its length direction. A plurality of mesh holes for fluid passage are formed in the unit strip. The odd-numbered unit strip in the arrangement direction is denoted as the first unit strip, and the even-numbered unit strip in the arrangement direction is denoted as the second unit strip. The first side of the previous first unit strip is connected to the first side of the next second unit strip, and the second side of the previous second unit strip is connected to the second side of the next first unit strip. An included angle exists between adjacent two unit strips and they can be relatively opened and closed. Additionally, by setting the insulating partition net into a triangular waveform, the directions of the mesh holes are diverse, so as to facilitate the passage of water flow, ions, bubbles, etc. from all directions through the mesh holes, which can accelerate ion transfer and increase the turbulence effect.

[0017] To drive the insulating partition net, a first fixing rod is provided in the electrode chamber, and the unit strip at the head of the insulating partition net is limited on the first fixing rod.

[0018] The driving mechanism includes

[0019] a pull rod, with a second fixing rod at the first end, and the unit strip at the tail of the insulating partition net is limited on the second fixing rod; and

[0020] a driving member, having a telescopic rod that can telescopically move along the telescopic direction of the insulating partition net, and the telescopic rod is connected to the second end of the pull rod.

[0021] To facilitate the installation of the driving mechanism and prevent the electrolyte from affecting the service life of the driving member, the driving member is installed outside the tank body, and the pull rod passes through the tank body from the first end to the second end and is exposed outside the outer wall of the tank body.

[0022] To achieve the partition and protection effect on the diaphragm, a diaphragm is provided in the tank body. The diaphragm divides the inner cavity of the tank body into at least two electrode chambers. Two electrode plates are respectively arranged in the two electrode chambers, and the insulating partition net is separated between the adjacent diaphragm and the electrode plate.

[0023] To simplify the driving mechanism, the number of the insulating partition nets is at least two, corresponding to the electrode chambers one by one. The driving mechanism corresponds to the insulating partition net one by one, and all the driving mechanisms share the same driving member.

[0024] Of course, all the driving mechanisms can also be set into an independent structure.

[0025] To facilitate the supply of raw materials and the discharge of electrolyzed water, an inlet and an outlet communicating with the electrode chamber are provided at the part of the tank body corresponding to each electrode chamber.

[0026] To ensure that the insulating partition net fully disturbs the water flow flowing from bottom to top and improves the turbulence effect, the telescopic direction of the insulating partition net is basically perpendicular to the flowing direction of the water flow in the electrode chamber.

[0027] To make the best use of the water flow to provide the driving force for the telescopic movement of the insulating partition net, the telescopic direction of the insulating partition net is basically consistent with the flowing direction of the water flow in the electrode chamber.

[0028] To ensure the partition protection effect on the diaphragm, the maximum length and the minimum length of the insulating partition net during the telescopic process are respectively denoted as Lmax and Lmin, and the ratio of Lmax to Lmin is 2 - 3.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0030] (1) By separating the adjacent diaphragm and electrode plate with the insulating partition net having mesh holes and driving the insulating partition net to move through the driving mechanism, dynamic turbulence is realized. On the one hand, the insulating partition net is separated between the diaphragm and the electrode plate, which can effectively prevent the diaphragm from contacting the electrode plate and causing dry burning. On the other hand, local micro - turbulence can be formed when the water flow passes through the mesh holes, and the movement of the insulating partition net forms dynamic turbulence, accelerating exhaust, inhibiting scale deposition, and accelerating ion transfer.

[0031] (2) Since the insulating partition net has the free - movement characteristic similar to a spring, the bubble rupture and discharge will be accelerated during its telescopic process, promoting turbulence, improving the electrolysis efficiency and stability, and inhibiting scale deposition to a certain extent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a three - dimensional structure schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the electrolytic cell of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is Figure 1 the three - dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell in;

[0034] Figure 3 is Figure 2 the partial enlarged view of the insulating partition net in;

[0035] Figure 4 is Figure 2 the three - dimensional structure schematic diagram of the driving mechanism in;

[0036] Figure 5 is Figure 1 the longitudinal sectional view of the electrolytic cell in;

[0037] Figure 6 is Figure 5 the enlarged view of Part Ⅰ in;

[0038] Figure 7This is a transverse cross-sectional view of Embodiment 2 of the electrolytic cell of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0039] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0040] Embodiment 1:

[0041] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, this is the first preferred embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention. The electrolytic cell includes a cell body 1, a diaphragm 2, electrode plates 3, an insulating partition net 4, and a driving mechanism 5. The electrolytic cell in this embodiment is a single diaphragm electrolytic cell, and of course, it can also be designed as a double diaphragm electrolytic cell or a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell according to needs.

[0042] Among them, the cell body 1 is formed by assembling two cover bodies 11 front and back through fasteners, and a closed inner cavity is formed between the two cover bodies 11; two annular gaskets 12 are clamped between the two opposite end faces of the two cover bodies 11; a first fixing rod 13 extending in the left-right direction is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the cover body 11.

[0043] The diaphragm 2 is a cation exchange membrane, which is vertically arranged in the inner cavity of the above-mentioned cell body 1, and the periphery of the diaphragm 2 is clamped between the two annular gaskets 12. The number of the above-mentioned diaphragms 2 is one, and the inner cavity of the cell body 1 is divided into two electrode chambers 110. The electrode chamber 110 between the front cover body 11 and the diaphragm 2 is denoted as the cathode chamber 110a, and the electrode chamber 110 between the rear cover body 11 and the diaphragm 2 is denoted as the anode chamber 110b. Liquid inlets 111 and liquid outlets 112 communicating with the corresponding electrode chambers 110 are respectively provided at the lower and upper parts of each cover body 11. Therefore, the water flow in each electrode chamber 110 flows from bottom to top.

[0044] The number of the electrode plates 3 is a pair, which are respectively denoted as the cathode plate 3a and the anode plate 3b. The above-mentioned cathode plate 3a is basically vertically arranged at the front of the cathode chamber 110a, and the above-mentioned anode plate 3b is basically vertically arranged at the rear of the anode chamber 110b. Each electrode plate 3 has a conductive column 31 at the top, and the conductive column 31 passes upward through the corresponding cover body 11 and is exposed on the top wall of the cover body 11. The conductive columns 31 on the cathode plate 3a and the anode plate 3b are respectively used for electrically connecting to the negative and positive electrodes of an external power source.

[0045] The number of the insulating partition nets 4 is two, corresponding to the above two electrode chambers 110 respectively, and are respectively located in the corresponding electrode chambers 110 for separating the adjacent diaphragm 2 and electrode plates 3.

[0046] In this embodiment, the insulating partition net 4 has a foldable triangular wave structure along its length direction. Specifically, the insulating partition net 4 is composed of at least two unit strips 41 arranged in sequence along the length direction. A plurality of mesh holes 411 for fluid passage are formed in each unit strip 41 in a matrix arrangement, and the porosity of the insulating partition net 4 is 50%. The odd-numbered unit strips 41 in the arrangement direction are denoted as the first unit strips 41a, and the even-numbered unit strips 41 in the arrangement direction are denoted as the second unit strips 41b. The first side of the previous first unit strip 41a is connected to the first side of the next second unit strip 41b, and the second side of the previous second unit strip 41b is connected to the second side of the next first unit strip 41a.

[0047] The above-mentioned insulating partition net 4 has the following functions: First, the insulating partition net 4 is separated between the diaphragm 2 and the electrode sheet 3, which can effectively prevent the diaphragm 2 from contacting the electrode sheet 3 and causing dry burning; Second, local micro-turbulent flow can be formed during the process of water flow passing through the mesh holes 411, accelerating exhaust, inhibiting scale deposition, and accelerating ion transfer; Third, for the insulating partition net 4 with a triangular wave structure, the directions of the mesh holes 411 are different, so that water flow, ions, bubbles, etc. can pass through the mesh holes 411 from all directions, which can accelerate ion transfer and increase the turbulent flow effect; Fourth, a scraping portion 410 that can be in frictional contact with the adjacent diaphragm 2 or electrode sheet 3 is formed at the folded edge between two adjacent unit strips 41, so as to realize scale scraping and removal.

[0048] In this embodiment, the insulating partition net 4 is made of a material (food grade) with high and low temperature resistance, strong acid and strong alkali resistance, and good insulation performance, preferably food grade Teflon. There is an included angle between two adjacent unit strips 41 and they can be relatively opened and closed. Therefore, the insulating partition net 4 as a whole presents an elastic member that can expand and contract along the length direction. Denote the thickness of the insulating partition net 4 as H, and during the expansion and contraction process of the insulating partition net 4, H changes accordingly. Due to the fact that the insulating partition net 4 has the free movement characteristics similar to a spring, the bubbles will be accelerated to burst and discharged and the turbulent flow will be promoted during its expansion and contraction process, improving the electrolysis efficiency and stability, and inhibiting scale deposition to a certain extent.

[0049] In this embodiment, the length direction of the insulating partition net 4 is the vertical direction, which is basically consistent with the flowing direction of the water flow in the electrode chamber 110. When there is no external driving source, the water flow flowing from bottom to top can conveniently provide the acting force for the expansion and contraction movement of the insulating partition net 4 with a triangular wave structure along the vertical direction.

[0050] The number of the driving mechanisms 5 is one pair, corresponding to the above-mentioned electrode chambers 110 one by one. Each driving mechanism 5 includes a pull rod 51 and a driving member 52.

[0051] Specifically, the bottom end of the pull rod 51 has a second fixed rod 511 extending in the left-right direction. The unit strip 41 at the head in the insulating partition net 4 is hooked on the first fixed rod 13 through the mounting portion 412, and the unit strip 41 at the tail in the insulating partition net 4 is hooked on the second fixed rod 511 through the mounting portion 412. The pull rod 51 passes through the corresponding cover body 11 from bottom to top and is exposed on the top wall of the cover body 11, and is hermetically fitted with the corresponding cover body 11 through a sealing ring 512;

[0052] The driving member 52 is an electric push rod, which is installed on the outside of the corresponding cover body 11 and has a telescopic rod 521 that can be telescoped in the vertical direction. The telescopic rod 521 is connected to the top end of the pull rod 51; in this embodiment, all the driving mechanisms 5 share the same driving member 52.

[0053] In this way, by starting the driving member 52 to drive the telescopic rod 521 to expand and contract, the top ends of the insulating partition nets 4 can be driven by the pull rod 51 to move along the telescopic direction of the insulating partition nets 4, so as to adjust the telescopic degree of the insulating partition nets 4.

[0054] In addition, in order to ensure the partition protection effect on the diaphragm 2, the maximum length and the minimum length of the insulating partition net 4 during the telescopic process are respectively denoted as Lmax and Lmin, the ratio of Lmax to Lmin is 2 to 3, and the maximum length of the insulating partition net 4 during the telescopic process is consistent with the length of the diaphragm 2.

[0055] Embodiment 2:

[0056] As Figure 7 shown, this is the second preferred embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention. Compared with Embodiment 1, the difference in this embodiment is that:

[0057] In this embodiment, the length direction of the insulating partition net 4 is the left-right direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the flowing direction of the water flow in the electrode chamber 110. That is to say, the insulating partition net 4 has a triangular wave structure along the left-right direction. Similarly, the first fixed rod 13 is installed on the right side of the inner cavity of the cover body 11, and the driving mechanism 5 is installed on the left side of the cover body 11 for driving the insulating partition net 4 to expand and contract along the left-right direction.

[0058] In this way, the insulating partition net 4 that expands and contracts along the left-right direction can fully disturb the water flow flowing from bottom to top, improving the flow disturbance effect.

[0059] Taking Embodiment 2 as an example, its working principle is as follows: During operation, the electrolyte enters the electrode chamber 110 through the liquid inlet 111. A reduction reaction occurs at the interface between the cathode sheet 3a and the solution, and an oxidation reaction occurs at the interface between the anode sheet 3b and the solution to produce electrolyzed water. During the electrolysis process, the insulating partition net 4 can be driven to expand and contract by the driving mechanism 5. First, the insulating partition net 4 is separated between the diaphragm 2 and the electrode sheet 3, which can effectively prevent the diaphragm 2 from contacting the electrode sheet 3 and causing dry burning. Second, the mesh holes 411 of the insulating partition net 4 form local micro-perturbed flows, and the movement of the insulating partition net 4 forms dynamic perturbed flows, which can accelerate gas exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, and accelerate ion transfer. Third, the thickness of the insulating partition net 4 will increase in the compressed state, so that its scraping part 410 is in frictional contact with the adjacent diaphragm 2 or electrode sheet 3, realizing the function of scraping and removing scale on the surfaces of the electrode sheet 3 and the diaphragm 2.

[0060] The advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0061] (1) By adding the insulating partition net 4 between the diaphragm 2 and the electrode sheet 3, it plays a role in supporting and separating and protecting the diaphragm 2, and the insulating partition net 4 is designed as a dynamic insulating partition net with a triangular wave structure. Utilizing the dynamic perturbed flow formed by the movement of the insulating partition net 4, the local perturbed flow formed by the mesh holes of the insulating partition net 4, and the scraping action formed when contacting the wall surface during movement, the gas bubbles in the electrode sheet 3, the diaphragm 2, and the water path of the electrolytic cell are greatly accelerated in discharge. And compared with the currently commonly used method of designing exhaust ports on the electrolytic cell, which requires additional sealing design and other auxiliary exhaust designs, the exhaust effect is better, the structure is simpler, and the cost is controllable, which is very suitable for small electrolytic cells;

[0062] (2) Utilizing the dynamic perturbed flow formed by the movement of the insulating partition net 4 and the local perturbed flow formed by the mesh holes of the insulating partition net 4 to prevent scale deposition, and further playing a role in removing scale through the scraping action formed when contacting the wall surface. Compared with the currently commonly used scale removal method of switching the positive and negative electrodes, it does not require catalytic coatings that can participate in the positive electrode reaction on both the positive and negative electrodes and frequent switching of the positive and negative electrodes, has a lower cost, a simpler structure, lower requirements for electronic control, and ensures the electrode life;

[0063] (3) Utilizing the dynamic perturbed flow formed by the movement of the insulating partition net 4 and the local perturbed flow formed by the mesh holes of the insulating partition net 4 to accelerate ion diffusion and transfer, and improve the pH value and stability of the effluent.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body (1) having an electrode chamber (110), wherein a pair of electrode plates (3) arranged at intervals are provided in the electrode chamber (110), and characterized in that: An insulating partition net (4) is provided between two electrode plates (3) in the electrode chamber (110). The electrolytic cell further includes a driving mechanism (5) for driving the insulating partition net (4) to move or deform; The insulating partition net (4) is an elastic member that can expand and contract along its length direction and has mesh holes (411). The first end of the insulating partition net (4) is fixed relative to the tank body (1), and the power output end of the driving mechanism (5) is connected to the second end of the insulating partition net (4) so that the second end of the insulating partition net (4) moves along the expansion and contraction direction of the insulating partition net (4) to adjust the expansion and contraction degree of the insulating partition net (4); A diaphragm (2) is provided in the tank body (1). The diaphragm (2) divides the inner cavity of the tank body (1) into at least two electrode chambers (110). Two electrode plates (3) are respectively arranged in the two electrode chambers (110), and the insulating partition net (4) is separated between the adjacent diaphragm (2) and the electrode plate (3).

2. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating partition net (4) has a foldable corrugated structure.

3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The insulating partition net (4) includes at least two unit strips (41) arranged in sequence along its length direction. A plurality of mesh holes (411) for fluid passage are provided on the unit strip (41). The odd-numbered unit strip (41) in the arrangement direction is denoted as the first unit strip (41a), and the even-numbered unit strip (41) in the arrangement direction is denoted as the second unit strip (41b). The first side of the previous first unit strip (41a) is connected to the first side of the next second unit strip (41b), and the second side of the previous second unit strip (41b) is connected to the second side of the next first unit strip (41a). An included angle exists between two adjacent unit strips (41) and they can be opened and closed relative to each other.

4. The electrolytic cell according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first fixing rod (13) is provided in the electrode chamber (110), and the unit strip (41) at the head of the insulating partition net (4) is limited on the first fixing rod (13); The driving mechanism (5) includes a pull rod (51) with a second fixing rod (511) at the first end, and the unit strip (41) at the tail of the insulating partition net (4) is limited on the second fixing rod (511); and a driving member (52) having a telescopic rod (521) that can expand and contract along the expansion and contraction direction of the insulating partition net (4), and the telescopic rod (521) is connected to the second end of the pull rod (51).

5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving member (52) is installed outside the tank body (1), and the pull rod (51) passes through the tank body (1) from the first end to the second end and is exposed outside the outer wall of the tank body (1).

6. The electrolytic cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of the insulating partition nets (4) is at least two, corresponding to the electrode chambers (110) one by one. The driving mechanisms (5) correspond to the insulating partition nets (4) one by one, and all the driving mechanisms (5) share the same driving member (52).

7. The electrolytic cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of the insulating partition nets (4) is at least two, corresponding to the electrode chambers (110) one by one. The driving mechanisms (5) correspond to the insulating partition nets (4) one by one, and all the driving mechanisms (5) are independent of each other.

8. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: At the position of the tank body (1) corresponding to each electrode chamber (110), there are a liquid inlet (111) and a liquid outlet (112) that communicate with the electrode chamber (110).

9. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The telescopic direction of the insulating partition net (4) is substantially perpendicular to the flowing direction of the water flow in the electrode chamber (110).

10. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The telescopic direction of the insulating partition net (4) is substantially the same as the flowing direction of the water flow in the electrode chamber (110).

11. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: Let the maximum length and the minimum length of the insulating partition net (4) during the telescopic process be denoted as Lmax and Lmin respectively, and the ratio of Lmax to Lmin is 2 to 3.

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