An electrolytic cell

Abstract

The application discloses an electrolytic cell, which comprises a cell body (1) with an electrode chamber (110), and a pair of electrode sheets (3) are arranged in the electrode chamber (110) at intervals. The electrode chamber (110) is provided with a corresponding screen assembly (4) corresponding to the electrode sheets (3). The screen assembly (4) comprises a driving wheel (41) rotatably connected to the cell body (1), a driven wheel (42) arranged at intervals from the driving wheel (41) and rotatably connected to the cell body (1), and an insulating screen (43) surrounding the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet (3), which is arranged around the peripheral wall of the driving wheel (41) and the driven wheel (42) and is in transmission connection with the driving wheel (41) and the driven wheel (42). Compared with the prior art, the electrolytic cell can improve the turbulence effect, accelerate exhaust, inhibit scale deposition and accelerate ion transmission.

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] The existing water electrolysis process has the following problems:

[0005] First, ion exchange membranes are unique polymer membranes containing ionic groups that selectively allow cations or anions in a solution to pass through. They have a certain degree of flexibility and, over time, can deform under the influence of air and water pressure, or even come into contact with the electrode plates and cause dry burning, affecting the water output and the lifespan of the electrolyzer. These problems are even more serious in small electrolyzers.

[0006] Secondly, during the electrolysis process, a large number of bubbles are generated on the anode and cathode plates. These bubbles accumulate on the electrode plates, ion exchange membranes, and water channels in the electrolytic cell, resulting in high voltage requirements and high energy consumption for the electrolysis system. They also reduce the effective electrolysis area, decrease the electrolysis reaction efficiency, lead to low pH of the effluent, and obstruct the smooth flow of water channels, making the pH value and voltage extremely unstable. The gas pressure will also exacerbate the deformation of the intermediate ion exchange membrane, especially in small electrolytic cells where the above problems are more serious.

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

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

[0009] In addition, the Chinese invention patent "Electrolyte Manufacturing Apparatus and Electrolyte Manufacturing Method" with patent application number CN202080012097.1 (publication number CN113474492A) discloses that a mesh is set between the diaphragm and the electrode plate to separate the diaphragm and the electrode plate, so as to avoid the diaphragm contacting the electrode plate and causing dry burning. Although the water flow can form local micro-turbulence in the process of passing through the mesh, its turbulence effect is limited and cannot effectively accelerate the exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, or 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 turbulence effect and thus accelerate the exhaust, in view of the current state 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 turbulence effect and thus suppress scale deposition.

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

[0013] The fourth technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that can achieve the function of scraping and descaling.

[0014] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first, second, and third technical problems mentioned above is as follows: an electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body having an electrode chamber, wherein a pair of spaced-apart electrode plates are disposed in the electrode chamber, characterized in that: a mesh assembly corresponding to the electrode plates is disposed in the electrode chamber, the mesh assembly comprising...

[0015] The drive wheel is rotatably connected to the groove.

[0016] Driven wheels, spaced apart from the driving wheels, are rotatably connected to the groove; and

[0017] An insulating mesh surrounds the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet, is wound around the peripheral walls of the driving wheel and the driven wheel, and is connected to the driving wheel and the driven wheel in a driving connection.

[0018] To facilitate the processing of the insulating mesh, the insulating mesh includes:

[0019] A transmission belt, surrounding the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet, is wound around the peripheral walls of the driving and driven pulleys and is drivingly connected to them; and

[0020] The flexible mesh body extends along the forward direction of the transmission belt and is connected to the transmission belt. The mesh body is connected end to end to form a closed loop structure, thereby surrounding the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet. The surface of the mesh body is provided with multiple mesh holes for fluid to pass through.

[0021] To enhance the turbulence effect, the cross-section of the mesh body has a wave-like structure. This allows water, ions, and bubbles to pass through from all directions, accelerating ion transfer and increasing the turbulence effect.

[0022] To further address the fourth technical problem mentioned above, a first scraping portion is formed at the trough of the mesh body, which can make frictional contact with the corresponding electrode sheet.

[0023] To improve the scraping and descaling efficiency, the plane passing through the axis of the driving wheel and the axis of the driven wheel is designated as the axial surface of the mesh assembly. This axial surface is on the same plane as the corresponding electrode sheet, so that each of the first scraping parts can sequentially make frictional contact with the surfaces on both sides of the electrode sheet during the cyclic movement of the insulating mesh.

[0024] In order to achieve the function of isolating and protecting the diaphragm, the tank is provided with a diaphragm, which divides the inner cavity of the tank into at least two electrode chambers. Two electrode plates are respectively disposed in the two electrode chambers, and two sets of mesh assemblies are respectively disposed in the two electrode chambers.

[0025] To further address the fourth technical problem mentioned above, a second scraping portion is formed at the crest of the mesh body, which can rub against the diaphragm.

[0026] To facilitate the stable installation of the diaphragm, the trough is formed by assembling two covers, with the inner cavity of the trough surrounded by the two covers, and the periphery of the diaphragm is sandwiched between the two opposite end faces of the two covers.

[0027] 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.

[0028] Preferably, the waveform structure is a triangular wave or a sine wave.

[0029] In order to drive the insulating mesh, a driving component is provided on the outside of the trough. The power output shaft of the driving component is connected to the drive wheel to drive the drive wheel to rotate around its own axis and drive the mesh body to move along its closed loop through the transmission belt.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0031] (1) A mesh assembly is formed by a driving wheel, a driven wheel and an insulating mesh, and the insulating mesh is surrounded on the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode plate. On the one hand, the insulating mesh surrounding the outer periphery of the electrode plate can effectively prevent the diaphragm from contacting the electrode plate and causing dry burning; on the other hand, the water flow can form local micro-turbulence in the process of passing through the mesh, and the movement of the insulating mesh forms dynamic turbulence, which accelerates the exhaust, inhibits scale deposition and accelerates ion transfer.

[0032] (2) By designing the mesh body into a waveform structure, the peaks and troughs of the mesh body are respectively formed with scraping parts that can rub against the diaphragm and the corresponding electrode plates, which can clean and scrape the scale on the surface of the electrode plates and the diaphragm. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 for Figure 1 3D exploded view of the electrolytic cell;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the central partition mesh component and the driving component;

[0036] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Longitudinal sectional view of the electrolytic cell;

[0037] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of Part I. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0039] The specification and claims of this invention use terms indicating direction, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom," to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the invention. However, these terms are used herein merely for ease of explanation and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this invention can be arranged in different orientations, these terms indicating direction are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 5The diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention. The electrolytic cell includes a cell body 1, a diaphragm 2, electrode plates 3, a mesh assembly 4, and a driving component 5. The electrolytic cell in this embodiment is a single-diaphragm electrolytic cell; however, it can also be designed as a double-diaphragm electrolytic cell or a diaphragmless electrolytic cell as needed.

[0041] The groove 1 is formed by assembling two covers 11 together with fasteners, and a closed inner cavity is formed between the two covers 11; two annular sealing gaskets 12 are arranged sequentially between the two opposite end faces of the two covers 11.

[0042] The diaphragm 2 is a cation exchange membrane, vertically arranged in the inner cavity of the tank 1, with its periphery sandwiched between the two annular sealing gaskets 12. There is one diaphragm 2, which divides the inner cavity of the tank 1 into two electrode chambers 110. The electrode chamber 110 located between the front cover 11 and the diaphragm 2 is designated as cathode chamber 110a, and the electrode chamber 110 located between the rear cover 11 and the diaphragm 2 is designated as anode chamber 110b. Each cover 11 has an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 communicating with the corresponding electrode chamber 110, respectively. Therefore, the water in each electrode chamber 110 flows from bottom to top.

[0043] There is a pair of electrode plates 3, designated as cathode plate 3a and anode plate 3b. Cathode plate 3a is arranged substantially vertically in the middle of cathode chamber 110a, and anode plate 3b is arranged substantially vertically in the middle of anode chamber 110b. Each electrode plate 3 has a conductive post 31 on its side, which passes through the corresponding cover 11 and is exposed on the side wall of the cover 11. 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.

[0044] There are two sets of mesh components 4, which correspond one-to-one with the two electrode chambers 110 mentioned above, and are located in the corresponding electrode chambers 110 respectively.

[0045] Each set of mesh assembly 4 includes a driving wheel 41, a driven wheel 42, and an insulating mesh 43. Specifically, the two ends of the driving wheel 41 are rotatably connected to the corresponding cover 11 via a rotating shaft and are located directly below the corresponding electrode plate 3; the two ends of the driven wheel 42 are rotatably connected to the corresponding cover 11 via a rotating shaft and are located directly above the corresponding electrode plate 3; the insulating mesh 43 includes a transmission belt 431 and a mesh body 432. The transmission belt 431 surrounds the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode plate 3, is wound around the peripheral walls of the driving wheel 41 and the driven wheel 42, and is connected to the driving wheel 41 and the driven wheel 42 in a transmission connection; the mesh body 432 is flexible, extends along the forward direction of the transmission belt 431 and is connected to the transmission belt 431. The mesh body 432 is connected end to end to form a closed loop structure, thereby surrounding the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode plate 3.

[0046] In this embodiment, the surface of the mesh body 432 is provided with a plurality of mesh holes 4321 for fluid to pass through; the cross-section of the mesh body 432 is a triangular wave structure, and a first scraping part 4322 that can rub against the corresponding electrode sheet 3 is formed at the trough of the mesh body 432, and a second scraping part 4323 that can rub against the diaphragm 2 is formed at the peak of the mesh body 432.

[0047] The aforementioned mesh assembly 4 has the following functions: First, the mesh body 432 surrounds the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode plate 3, which can effectively prevent the diaphragm 2 from contacting the electrode plate 3 and causing dry burning; Second, the water flow can form local micro-turbulence during the process of passing through the mesh 4321, which can accelerate the exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, and accelerate ion transfer; Third, for the triangular wave structure mesh body 432, the mesh 4321 has different directions, so that water flow, ions, bubbles, etc. can pass through the mesh 4321 from all directions, which can accelerate ion transfer and increase the turbulence effect; Fourth, the crests and troughs of the mesh body 432 are respectively formed with scraping parts that can rub against the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode plate 3, thereby achieving scraping and descaling.

[0048] In this embodiment, the insulating mesh 43 is made of a food-grade material that is resistant to high and low temperatures, strong acids and alkalis, and has good insulation properties; preferably, it is food-grade Teflon. The width of the transmission belt 431 is 2 mm. The bend angle of the mesh body 432 is 0 to 180°, preferably 135°. The porosity of the mesh body 432 is >1%, preferably 50%, and the thickness of the mesh body 432 is >0.1 mm, preferably 0.4 mm. The shape of the mesh 4321 of the mesh body 432 is preferably square, and the side length of the square hole is preferably 1 mm, so as to maximize the micro-turbulence formed when the water flows through the mesh 4321.

[0049] In this embodiment, the plane passing through the axis of the driving wheel 41 and the axis of the driven wheel 42 is referred to as the axial surface of the mesh assembly 4. This axial surface is on the same plane as the corresponding electrode sheet 3, so that each first scraping part 4322 can sequentially make frictional contact with the surfaces on both sides of the electrode sheet 3 during the cyclic movement of the insulating mesh 43.

[0050] There are two drive components 5, corresponding one-to-one with the aforementioned mesh assembly 4. Each drive component 5 is a motor, installed on the outside of the corresponding cover 11. Its power output shaft passes through the cover 11 and extends into the corresponding electrode chamber 110, connecting with the corresponding drive wheel 41 to drive the drive wheel 41 to rotate around its own axis and drive the mesh body 432 to move along its closed loop through the transmission belt 431.

[0051] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: Electrolyte and soft water are introduced into the cathode chamber 110a and the anode chamber 110b, respectively. 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. The produced alkaline electrolyzed water is discharged from the anode chamber 110b. During the electrolysis process, the mesh body 432 can be driven by the drive component 5 to move along its closed loop. First, the mesh body 432 surrounds the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode plate 3, which can effectively prevent the diaphragm 2 from contacting the electrode plate 3 and causing dry burning. Second, the mesh holes 4321 of the mesh body 432 form local micro-turbulence, and the movement of the mesh body 432 forms dynamic turbulence, which can accelerate exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, and accelerate ion transfer. Third, the scraping part of the mesh body 432 makes frictional contact with the diaphragm 2 or the corresponding electrode plate 3 during the cyclic movement, which plays a role in cleaning and scraping scale.

[0052] The advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0053] (1) By setting a tracked mesh body 432 around the electrode sheet 3, the diaphragm 2 is supported and protected. The mesh body 432 is designed as a triangular wave structure. The dynamic turbulence formed by the movement of the mesh body 432, the local turbulence formed by the mesh of the mesh body 432, and the scraping effect formed by the contact with the wall surface during movement greatly accelerate the discharge of air bubbles in the electrode sheet 3, diaphragm 2 and electrolytic cell water circuit. Compared with the currently commonly used method of designing exhaust ports on the electrolytic cell, which requires additional sealing design and other auxiliary exhaust design, this accelerated exhaust method has better exhaust effect, simpler structure, and controllable cost, and is very suitable for small electrolytic cells.

[0054] (2) The dynamic turbulence formed by the movement of the mesh body 432 and the local turbulence formed by the mesh holes of the mesh body 432 are used to prevent scale deposition. The scraping action formed by the contact wall further plays a descaling role. Compared with the commonly used positive and negative electrode switching descaling method, it does not require the positive and negative electrodes to have a catalytic coating that can participate in the positive electrode reaction and frequent positive and negative electrode switching. It has lower cost, simpler structure, lower requirements for electrical control, and guaranteed electrode life.

[0055] (3) By utilizing the dynamic turbulence formed by the movement of the mesh body 432 and the local turbulence formed by the mesh openings of the mesh body 432, the diffusion and transfer of ions are accelerated, thereby improving the pH value and stability of the effluent.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell, comprising: Tank (1); A diaphragm (2) is disposed within the tank (1), the diaphragm (2) dividing the inner cavity of the tank (1) into at least two electrode chambers (110); and Two electrode plates (3) are respectively disposed in the two electrode chambers (110); Its features are: It also includes two sets of mesh assemblies (4) corresponding to the electrode sheet (3), the two sets of mesh assemblies (4) being respectively disposed in the two electrode chambers (110), each of the mesh assemblies (4) including: The drive wheel (41) is rotatably connected to the groove (1); The driven wheel (42), spaced apart from the driving wheel (41), is rotatably connected to the groove (1); and An insulating mesh (43) surrounds the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet (3), is wound around the peripheral wall of the driving wheel (41) and the driven wheel (42), and is connected to the driving wheel (41) and the driven wheel (42) in a transmission manner; The insulating mesh (43) includes A transmission belt (431) surrounds the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode plate (3), is wound around the peripheral walls of the driving wheel (41) and the driven wheel (42), and is connected to the driving wheel (41) and the driven wheel (42) in a transmission manner; and The flexible mesh body (432) extends along the forward direction of the transmission belt (431) and is connected to the transmission belt (431). The mesh body (432) is connected end to end to form a closed loop structure, thereby surrounding the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet (3). The surface of the mesh body (432) is provided with a plurality of mesh holes (4321) for fluid to pass through. The cross-section of the mesh body (432) has a wave-like structure.

2. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The trough of the mesh body (432) is formed with a first scraping part (4322) that can rub against the corresponding electrode sheet (3).

3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plane passing through the axis of the driving wheel (41) and the axis of the driven wheel (42) is denoted as the axial surface of the mesh assembly (4). This axial surface is in the same plane as the corresponding electrode sheet (3) so that each of the first scraping parts (4322) can sequentially make frictional contact with the surfaces on both sides of the electrode sheet (3) during the cyclic movement of the insulating mesh (43).

4. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The crest of the mesh body (432) is formed with a second scraping part (4323) that can rub against the diaphragm (2).

5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The trough (1) is formed by assembling two covers (11), with the inner cavity of the trough (1) surrounded by the two covers (11), and the periphery of the diaphragm (2) is sandwiched between the two opposite end faces of the two covers (11).

6. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each electrode chamber (110) has a liquid inlet (111) and a liquid outlet (112) communicating with the electrode chamber (110) in the corresponding tank (1).

7. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waveform structure described is a triangular wave or a sine wave.

8. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The outer side of the trough (1) is provided with a drive member (5), the power output shaft of which is connected to the drive wheel (41) to drive the drive wheel (41) to rotate around its own axis and drive the mesh body (432) to move along its closed loop through the transmission belt (431).

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