An electrolytic cell

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body (1) having an electrode chamber (110), wherein a pair of spaced electrode sheets (3) are provided in the electrode chamber (110), and wherein the electrolytic cell is characterized in that an insulating screen (4) is provided in the electrode chamber (110), wherein the insulating screen (4) can move along its extension direction under the action of an external force and enter and exit between the two electrode sheets (3), and has at least two states: in a first state, the insulating screen (4) separates the two electrode sheets (3); in a second state, the insulating screen (4) releases the separation between the two electrode sheets (3). Compared with the prior art, the electrolytic cell of the present invention facilitates the control of a constant current.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of kitchen equipment, in particular to an electrolytic cell. Background Art

[0002] An electrolytic cell consists of a cell body, an anode, and a cathode. Most electrolytic cells are separated by an ion exchange membrane (also called a diaphragm). Depending on the 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 cell, an oxidation reaction occurs at the anode-solution interface, while a reduction reaction occurs at the cathode-solution interface, producing electrolyzed water.

[0003] For example, the Chinese invention patent application number CN201810264395.4 (publication number CN108609693A), "A Method for Preparing Acidic Water and Alkaline Water," electrolyzes salt water to form cations and anions, which move toward 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 generate 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, the ion exchange membrane is a unique polymer membrane containing ionic groups that has the ability to selectively transmit cations or anions in the solution. It has a certain degree of flexibility. Over time, it will be affected by air pressure and water pressure, and will deform. It may even contact the electrode and cause dry burning, affecting the water output and the life of the electrolytic cell. This problem is particularly serious in small electrolytic cells.

[0006] Second, during the electrolysis process, a large number of bubbles are generated on the cathode and anode sheets. These bubbles accumulate on the electrode sheets, ion exchange membranes, and the water channels within the electrolytic cell, resulting in high voltage and energy consumption for the electrolysis system. This also reduces the effective electrolysis area, lowering the electrolysis reaction efficiency, leading to low effluent pH, and obstructing the flow of water, making the pH and voltage extremely unstable. Furthermore, the air pressure can exacerbate the deformation of the ion exchange membrane in the middle. This problem is particularly severe in small electrolytic cells.

[0007] Third, during the electrolysis process, the OH generated at the cathode (negative electrode) - Will react with Ca in water 2+ Mg 2+ The reaction generates scale, which is deposited on the cathode and ion exchange membrane, affecting the electrolysis effect and the life of the electrolytic cell;

[0008] Fourth, during the electrolysis process, ions need to first pass through the ion exchange membrane from the anode chamber into the cathode chamber before they can promote the entire electrolysis reaction. However, during the electrolysis reaction, ions and products tend to gather around the electrode sheet, which is not conducive to the diffusion and transfer of ions and the uniformity of products, thereby affecting the electrolysis efficiency and pH stability.

[0009] In addition, the Chinese invention patent application number CN202080012097.1 (publication number CN113474492A), "Electrolyte Manufacturing Apparatus and Electrolyte Manufacturing Method," discloses that a mesh is provided between the diaphragm and the electrode sheet to separate the diaphragm and the electrode sheet to prevent the diaphragm from contacting the electrode sheet and causing dry burning. Although water flow can form local micro-turbulence in the process of passing through the mesh, its turbulence effect is limited and cannot effectively accelerate exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, and accelerate ion transfer.

[0010] In addition, during the electrolysis process, if the current is too high, the overall temperature of the electrolytic cell will rise too high, and a polarization effect may be formed. The current density per unit area is too high and no reaction occurs. If the current is too low, the system will not react or will react very slowly, and the effluent will have difficulty reaching the target pH. Therefore, it is generally necessary to control the current to be constant to stabilize the effluent pH. However, during the electrolysis process, as the electrolyte concentration decreases, the resistance of the entire system will increase. In order to control the current to be constant, the voltage needs to be continuously increased, so a constant current power supply is required. However, constant current power supplies are expensive and difficult to develop. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell which can conveniently control the constant current in view of the current status of the prior art.

[0012] 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 accelerate exhaust.

[0013] The third technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that can improve the flow disturbance effect and thus inhibit scale deposition.

[0014] The fourth 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.

[0015] The present invention solves the first, second, third, and fourth technical problems described above by adopting a technical solution: an electrolytic cell comprising a cell body having an electrode chamber, wherein a pair of spaced-apart electrode sheets are disposed within the electrode chamber, and wherein an insulating screen is disposed within the electrode chamber. The insulating screen can be moved along its extension direction under the action of an external force to enter and exit between the two electrode sheets, and has at least two states:

[0016] In the first state, the insulating mesh is separated between the two electrode sheets;

[0017] In the second state, the insulating screen releases the separation between the two electrode sheets.

[0018] In order to realize the driving of the insulating screen, a driving mechanism for driving the insulating screen to move along its extending direction is also included.

[0019] In order to provide all-round protection for the electrode sheet, the insulating screen and the driving mechanism correspond to the electrode sheet;

[0020] The driving mechanism includes

[0021] A driving wheel rotatably connected to the tank body;

[0022] A driven wheel is spaced apart from the driving wheel and rotatably connected to the tank body;

[0023] a transmission belt, which 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 transmission-connected to the driving wheel and the driven wheel; and

[0024] A driving member is provided on the outside of the tank body, and its power output shaft is connected to the driving wheel, so as to drive the driving wheel to rotate around its own axis and drive the transmission belt forward;

[0025] The insulating screen is flexible, extends along the forward direction of the corresponding transmission belt and is connected to the transmission belt.

[0026] In order to improve the installation compactness of the insulating screen and the electrode sheets, the plane passing through the axis of the driving wheel and the axis of the driven wheel is in the same plane as the corresponding electrode sheets.

[0027] In order to achieve the isolation protection function of the diaphragm, a diaphragm is provided in the tank body, which divides the inner cavity of the tank body into at least two electrode chambers. The two electrode sheets are respectively arranged in the two electrode chambers, and the insulating screen corresponds to the electrode sheets.

[0028] In the first state, the insulating screen is separated between the diaphragm and the corresponding electrode sheet;

[0029] In the second state, the insulating screen releases the separation between the diaphragm and the corresponding electrode sheet.

[0030] In order to facilitate the stable installation of the diaphragm, the trough body is formed by assembling two covers, the two covers surround an inner cavity of the trough body, and the periphery of the diaphragm is clamped between two opposite end surfaces of the two covers.

[0031] In order to facilitate the supply of raw materials and the discharge of electrolyzed water, the tank body portion corresponding to each electrode chamber is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet that are in communication with the electrode chamber.

[0032] In order to avoid hindering the flow of ions, a plurality of mesh holes for fluid to pass through are opened on the surface of the insulating screen.

[0033] Preferably, the porosity of the insulating mesh is greater than 1%.

[0034] Furthermore, the porosity of the insulating mesh is 40-60%.

[0035] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of the present invention are: by arranging an insulating screen in the electrode chamber that can move along its extension direction under the action of external force, so that it can enter and exit between the two electrode sheets, on the one hand, the system resistance can be adjusted, thereby facilitating the maintenance of constant current when the electrolyte concentration decreases, so as to stabilize the pH of the outlet water; on the other hand, the movement of the insulating screen forms a dynamic turbulence, which accelerates exhaust, inhibits scale deposition, and accelerates ion transfer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of an electrolytic cell of the present invention when the insulating screen is in a first state;

[0037] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional exploded view of the electrolytic cell;

[0038] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the middle insulating screen and the driving mechanism;

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 1 a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell;

[0040] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of part I;

[0041] Figure 6 It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention when the insulating screen is in a second state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0043] In the present specification and claims, directional terms such as "front," "back," "up," "down," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom" are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and components of the present invention. However, these terms are used herein for convenience of description only and are based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Because the embodiments disclosed herein can be arranged in various orientations, these directional terms are intended for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. For example, "up" and "down" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 6 FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an electrolytic cell according to the present invention. The electrolytic cell comprises a cell body 1, a diaphragm 2, an electrode sheet 3, an insulating screen 4, and a drive mechanism 5. The electrolytic cell in this embodiment is a single-diaphragm cell, but can also be designed as a dual-diaphragm cell or a diaphragm-free cell as needed.

[0045] The tank body 1 is formed by two covers 11 assembled front and back by fasteners, and a closed inner cavity is formed between the two covers 11; two annular sealing gaskets 12 arranged in sequence front and back are sandwiched between the two opposite end faces of the two covers 11.

[0046] The diaphragm 2 is a cation exchange membrane, arranged vertically in the inner cavity of the above-mentioned tank body 1, and the periphery of the diaphragm 2 is sandwiched between the above-mentioned two annular sealing gaskets 12. The above-mentioned diaphragm 2 is in one piece and divides the inner cavity of the tank body 1 into two electrode chambers 110. The electrode chamber 110 located between the front cover body 11 and the diaphragm 2 is denoted as the cathode chamber 110a, and the electrode chamber 110 located between the rear cover body 11 and the diaphragm 2 is denoted as the anode chamber 110b. The lower and upper portions of each cover body 11 are respectively provided with a liquid inlet 111 and a liquid outlet 112 that penetrate the corresponding electrode chamber 110. Therefore, the water in each electrode chamber 110 flows from bottom to top.

[0047] The electrode sheets 3 are a pair, designated as a cathode sheet 3a and an anode sheet 3b. The cathode sheet 3a is vertically positioned substantially in the center of the cathode chamber 110a, while the anode sheet 3b is vertically positioned substantially in the center of the anode chamber 110b. Each electrode sheet 3 has a conductive post 31 on its side, extending through the corresponding housing 11 and exposed on the sidewall of the housing 11. The conductive posts 31 on the cathode sheet 3a and anode sheet 3b are respectively configured to electrically connect to the negative and positive electrodes of an external power source.

[0048] There are two insulating screens 4, one corresponding to each of the two electrode chambers 110, and each located within the corresponding electrode chamber 110. Each insulating screen 4 is flexible and designed as a crawler, extending along the forward direction of the corresponding drive belt 53 in the drive mechanism 5 described below and connected to the drive belt 53. The surface of the insulating screen 4 is provided with a plurality of mesh holes 40 for fluid to pass through.

[0049] In this embodiment, the insulating screen 4 is made of a material (food grade) that is resistant to high and low temperatures, strong acids and alkalis, and has good insulation properties, preferably food grade Teflon; the porosity of the insulating screen 4 is greater than 1%, preferably 50%, the thickness of the insulating screen 4 is greater than 0.1 mm, preferably 0.4 mm, and the shape of the mesh 40 of the insulating screen 4 is preferably a square hole, 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 40.

[0050] There are two sets of driving mechanisms 5 , one corresponding to each of the above-mentioned insulating screens 4 . Each driving mechanism 5 is used to drive the corresponding insulating screen 4 to move along its extension direction, and includes a driving wheel 51 , a driven wheel 52 , a transmission belt 53 and a driving member 54 . Specifically, the two ends of the driving wheel 51 are rotatably connected to the corresponding cover body 11 through a rotating shaft and are located directly below the corresponding electrode sheet 3; the two ends of the driven wheel 52 are rotatably connected to the corresponding cover body 11 through a rotating shaft and are located directly above the corresponding electrode sheet 3; the transmission belt 53 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet 3, wound around the peripheral walls of the driving wheel 51 and the driven wheel 52, and is transmission-connected to the driving wheel 51 and the driven wheel 52. In this embodiment, the transmission belt 53 is an integral part with the wall surface of the insulating partition 4 and is located in the middle position of the insulating partition 4; the driving member 54 is a motor, which is installed on the outside of the corresponding cover body 11, and its power output shaft passes through the cover body 11 and extends into the corresponding electrode chamber 110 to be connected to the corresponding driving wheel 51, so as to drive the driving wheel 51 to rotate around its own axis and drive the insulating partition 4 forward through the transmission belt 53.

[0051] During the forward movement of the insulating screen 4, it can enter and exit between the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode sheet 3 and has at least two states:

[0052] In the first state, if Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the insulating screen 4 is separated between the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode sheet 3. In this case, the insulating screen 4 has the following functions: first, the insulating screen 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, when the water flows through the mesh 40, it can form local micro-turbulence, accelerate exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, and accelerate ion transfer.

[0053] In the second state, if Figure 6 As shown, the insulating screen 4 releases the separation between the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode sheet 3.

[0054] In this embodiment, the plane passing through the axis of the driving wheel 51 and the axis of the driven wheel 52 is in the same plane as the corresponding electrode sheet 3, thereby improving the installation compactness of the insulating screen 4 and the electrode sheet 3.

[0055] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0056] (1) In the initial state, if Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the insulating screen 4 is in a first state, separated between the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode sheet 3;

[0057] 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 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. The produced alkaline electrolyzed water is discharged from the anode chamber 110b. During the electrolysis process, firstly, the insulating screen 4 separates 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. Secondly, the water flow can form local micro-turbulence in the process of passing through the mesh 40, which accelerates exhaust, inhibits scale deposition, and accelerates ion transfer.

[0058] (2) During the electrolysis process, as the electrolyte concentration decreases, the system resistance increases. The driving member 54 can be started to drive the driving wheel 51 to rotate, thereby driving the insulating screen 4 forward through the transmission belt 53, so that the insulating screen 4 gradually leaves the space between the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode sheet 3. The degree of obstruction of the insulating screen 4 to ions gradually decreases, and the system resistance decreases accordingly, eliminating the change in system resistance caused by the decrease in electrolyte concentration, thereby maintaining the current unchanged when the voltage is constant, extending the electrolyte's available electrolysis time, and reducing the frequency of electrolyte replacement (pH stability can still be maintained at low concentrations);

[0059] In addition, during the forward movement of the insulating screen 4, the movement of the insulating screen 4 forms a dynamic turbulence, which can accelerate exhaust, inhibit scale deposition, and accelerate ion transfer;

[0060] (3) Until the insulating screen 4 is completely away from the space between the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode 3, as shown in the following figure: Figure 6 As shown, in the second state, the insulating screen 4 releases the separation between the diaphragm 2 and the corresponding electrode sheet 3, and the electrolysis is completed.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell comprising a cell body (1) having an electrode chamber (110), wherein a pair of spaced-apart electrode sheets (3) are provided in the electrode chamber (110), characterized in that: An insulating screen (4) is provided in the electrode chamber (110). The insulating screen (4) can move along its extension direction under the action of an external force and enter and exit between the two electrode sheets (3), and has at least two states: In the first state, the insulating screen (4) is separated between the two electrode sheets (3); In the second state, the insulating screen (4) releases the separation between the two electrode sheets (3).

2. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a driving mechanism (5) for driving the insulating screen (4) to move along its extension direction.

3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, wherein: The insulating screen (4) and the driving mechanism (5) correspond to the electrode sheet (3); The driving mechanism (5) includes A driving wheel (51) is rotatably connected to the tank body (1); A driven wheel (52) is spaced apart from the driving wheel (51) and is rotatably connected to the tank body (1); A transmission belt (53) surrounds the outer periphery of the corresponding electrode sheet (3), is wound around the peripheral walls of the driving wheel (51) and the driven wheel (52), and is transmission-connected to the driving wheel (51) and the driven wheel (52); as well as A driving member (54) is provided on the outside of the tank body (1), and its power output shaft is connected to the driving wheel (51) to drive the driving wheel (51) to rotate around its own axis and drive the transmission belt (53) forward; The insulating screen (4) is flexible, extends along the forward direction of the corresponding transmission belt (53) and is connected to the transmission belt (53).

4. The electrolytic cell according to claim 3, wherein: A plane passing through the axis of the driving wheel (51) and the axis of the driven wheel (52) is in the same plane as the corresponding electrode sheet (3).

5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein: A diaphragm (2) is provided in the tank body (1), and the diaphragm (2) divides the inner cavity of the tank body (1) into at least two electrode chambers (110). The two electrode sheets (3) are respectively provided in the two electrode chambers (110), and the insulating screen (4) corresponds to the electrode sheets (3); In the first state, the insulating screen (4) is separated between the diaphragm (2) and the corresponding electrode sheet (3); In the second state, the insulating screen (4) releases the separation between the diaphragm (2) and the corresponding electrode sheet (3).

6. The electrolytic cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tank body (1) is formed by assembling two covers (11), the two covers (11) surround and form an inner cavity of the tank body (1), and the periphery of the diaphragm (2) is clamped between two opposite end faces of the two covers (11).

7. The electrolytic cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: The portion of the tank body (1) corresponding to each electrode chamber (110) is provided with a liquid inlet (111) and a liquid outlet (112) that are in communication with the electrode chamber (110).

8. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The surface of the insulating screen (4) is provided with a plurality of mesh holes (40) for fluid to pass through.

9. The electrolytic cell according to claim 8, characterized in that: The porosity of the insulating screen (4) is greater than 1%.

10. The electrolytic cell according to claim 9, characterized in that: The porosity of the insulating screen (4) is 40-60%.

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