A novel modular electrolytic cell

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of electrolysis, and particularly relates to a novel modular electrolytic cell, which comprises a cell body, a fluid distribution mechanism arranged at one end of the cell body, a liquid outlet distributor arranged at the other end of the cell body, a liquid outlet pipe arranged at one end of the liquid outlet distributor, and an electrode assembly arranged in the cell body; the fluid distribution mechanism comprises a distributor shell, the inside of the distributor shell is hollow, a distributor cover plate is arranged at the top of the distributor shell, one end of the distributor shell is communicated with the inside of the cell body, liquid inlet bends are connected to the other end of the distributor shell, and the liquid inlet bends are connected with a liquid inlet main pipe. The vertical feeding and discharging arrangement not only effectively protects the ion membrane and prolongs the service life of the ion membrane, but also ensures uniform distribution of the electrolyte, improves current efficiency, and is convenient to install and easy to replicate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electrolysis technology, and specifically relates to a novel modular electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] Electrolysis, a synthetic reaction driven by electrons—a clean reagent—at room temperature and pressure, is a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly green synthesis technology. It has broad prospects for future development, making continuous optimization of electrolyzers essential.

[0003] Most electrolyzers used domestically and internationally employ bolts or filter presses to tightly seal the outer frame, flat electrodes, multiple partitions (water distribution plates), and rubber gaskets. To protect the ion-exchange membrane and reduce the impact of the electrolyte, most electrolyzers use horizontal feed and discharge. However, this inevitably leads to uneven electrolyte distribution and the formation of electrolytic "dead zones"—areas with low flow rates. Even with vertical feed and discharge, and even if the inlet and outlet pipes are positioned centrally, ensuring uniform electrolyte distribution is even more challenging.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to invent a new type of modular electrolytic cell to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a novel modular electrolytic cell to solve the issues raised in the background section.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a novel modular electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body, a fluid distribution mechanism at one end of the cell body, a liquid outlet distributor at the other end, a liquid outlet pipe at one end of the liquid outlet distributor, and an electrode assembly inside the cell body; The fluid distribution mechanism includes a distributor housing, which is hollow inside and has a distributor cover plate on top. One end of the distributor housing is connected to the inside of the tank, and the other end is connected to an inlet bend pipe, which is connected to a main inlet pipe.

[0007] Furthermore, the distributor housing is provided with multiple frustum protrusions, which are evenly distributed in multiple rows and gradually decrease in size from both sides of the middle box.

[0008] Furthermore, the end of the distributor housing connected to the inlet bend is gradually reduced until it matches the outer diameter of the inlet bend. Inside the distributor housing, near the inlet bend, there are multiple distribution baffles arranged in an umbrella shape, with their ends not in contact with each other and close to the inlet bend.

[0009] Furthermore, the electrode assembly includes a cathode electrode plate and an anode electrode plate, which are respectively installed on the inner top wall and inner bottom wall of the tank. Two partitions and two gaskets are provided between the cathode electrode plate and the anode electrode plate.

[0010] Furthermore, each of the aforementioned partitions and gaskets forms a group, which is divided into two groups and is respectively located at the top and bottom of the anode electrode plate, and an electrolyte channel is formed between the two partitions and gaskets.

[0011] Furthermore, the number of tanks (1) is one or more overlapping, and the liquid distributor (301) has the same shape as the distributor housing (201), and no other components are provided inside the liquid distributor (301).

[0012] Furthermore, the thickness of the inlet bend (201), the fluid distribution mechanism (2), and the outlet distributor (301) are all the same as the thickness of the electrolyte channel 405, and are correspondingly arranged.

[0013] The technical effects and advantages of this invention are as follows: 1. This invention, through its vertical feed and discharge design, not only effectively protects the ion exchange membrane and extends its lifespan, but also ensures uniform distribution of the electrolyte, improves current efficiency, and is easy to install and replicate.

[0014] 2. By setting up a fluid distribution mechanism, the present invention ensures that the electrolyte can flow in the area of ​​the electrolyte channel, thereby ensuring that it does not impact the ion membrane. Another feature is the curved structure of the electrolyte channel, which mainly reduces the flow velocity of part of the electrolyte, adjusts the fluid direction, and allows it to enter the distributor housing more evenly.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of multiple tank combinations according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A structural diagram of the distributor housing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the electrode assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; In the diagram: 1. Tank; 2. Fluid distribution mechanism; 201. Distributor housing; 202. Distributor cover; 203. Inlet bend; 204. Inlet main pipe; 205. Conical protrusion; 206. Distribution baffle; 3. Outlet pipe; 301. Outlet distributor; 4. Electrode assembly; 401. Cathode electrode plate; 402. Anode electrode plate; 403. Partition; 404. Gasket; 405. Electrolyte channel. Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] This invention provides a novel modular electrolytic cell, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the system includes a tank 1, with a fluid distribution mechanism 2 at one end and a liquid outlet distributor 301 at the other end. A liquid outlet pipe 3 is provided at one end of the liquid outlet distributor. An electrode assembly 4 is installed inside the tank 1, comprising a cathode electrode plate 401 and an anode electrode plate 402. The cathode electrode plate 401 and the anode electrode plate 402 are respectively installed on the inner top and bottom walls of the tank 1. Two partitions 403 and two gaskets 404 are provided between the cathode electrode plate 401 and the anode electrode plate 402. Each partition 403 and gasket 404 forms a group, and there are two groups in total, located at the top and bottom of the anode electrode plate 402 respectively. An electrolyte channel 405 is formed between the two partitions 403 and gaskets 404. The electrolyte is introduced through the fluid distribution mechanism 2, then electrolyzed through the electrode assembly 4 inside the tank 1, enters the liquid outlet distributor 301, and finally is discharged through the liquid outlet pipe 3. The fluid distribution mechanism 2 includes a distributor housing 201, which is hollow inside and has a distributor cover plate 202 on top. One end of the distributor housing 201 communicates with the interior of the tank 1, and the other end is connected to an inlet bend 203. The inlet bend 203 is connected to an inlet manifold 204. Electrolyte enters through the inlet manifold 204 and then passes through the inlet bend 203 into the interior of the distributor. The thickness of the inlet bend 201, the fluid distribution mechanism 2, and the outlet distributor 301 are all the same as the thickness of the electrolyte. The electrolyte channels 405 have the same thickness and are correspondingly set. The thickness of the inlet bend 203 is exactly the same as the thickness of the electrolyte channel 405. This ensures that the electrolyte can flow in the area of ​​the electrolyte channel 405, thereby preventing impact on the ion membrane. Another feature is the bent structure of the electrolyte channel 405, which mainly reduces the flow velocity of part of the electrolyte and adjusts the fluid direction, allowing it to enter the distributor housing 201 more evenly. This is equivalent to the first step of adjustment in the distribution from the inlet main pipe 204 to the inlet bend 203.

[0020] like Figure 3 As shown, the distributor housing 201 has multiple frustoconical protrusions 205 inside, and the frustoconical protrusions 205 are evenly distributed in multiple rows, gradually decreasing in size from both sides of the middle box, to further enhance the distribution and turbulence effect, thereby improving the mass transfer and heat transfer effect between the electrode assembly 4 and the electrolyte. The position and size of the frustoconical protrusions 205 need to be designed according to the umbrella-shaped distributor area and the cross-section of the electrode assembly 4. Since more electrolyte will be distributed in the middle area, the size of the middle protrusion is generally slightly larger, while the size near the two sides will be slightly smaller, so that the electrolyte will flow to both sides as much as possible and be more evenly distributed. The frustoconical protrusions 205 can also be other protrusion shapes. After two layers of distribution, the electrolyte will flow through the electrolysis plate at basically the same flow rate and pressure.

[0021] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the end of the distributor housing 201 connected to the liquid inlet bend 203 is gradually reduced in size until it matches the outer diameter of the liquid inlet bend 203. Multiple distribution baffles 206 are provided inside the distributor housing 201 near the liquid inlet bend 203. The multiple distribution baffles 206 are arranged in an umbrella shape, with their ends not in contact and close to the liquid inlet bend 203. Their function is to evenly distribute the electrolyte across the entire cross-section. With the center line as the axis of symmetry, the distribution baffles 206 on both sides are symmetrical. The size, length, angle, and width of the distribution baffles 206 need to be specially designed according to the actual cross-sectional area of ​​the electrode assembly 4.

[0022] like Figure 2As shown, the number of tanks 1 is one or more overlapping, and the liquid distributor 301 has the same shape as the distributor housing 201. The liquid distributor 301 does not have any other components inside, so that the tanks 1 are modular. Each module can be added to the cavity of the electrolysis equipment in a similar "drawer" form. As long as the cavity capacity is large enough, it can be increased indefinitely.

[0023] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel modular electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body (1), characterized in that: The tank (1) is provided with a fluid distribution mechanism (2) at one end and a liquid distributor (301) at the other end. A liquid outlet pipe (3) is provided at one end of the liquid distributor. An electrode assembly (4) is provided inside the tank (1). The fluid distribution mechanism (2) includes a distributor housing (201), which is hollow inside and has a distributor cover plate (202) on top. One end of the distributor housing (201) is connected to the inside of the tank (1), and the other end is connected to the liquid inlet bend (203), which is connected to the liquid inlet main pipe (204). The distributor housing (201) is provided with multiple frustum protrusions (205) inside, and the frustum protrusions (205) are evenly distributed in multiple rows and gradually decrease in size from the middle to both sides; The end of the distributor housing (201) connected to the inlet bend (203) is gradually reduced until it matches the outer diameter of the inlet bend (203). Multiple distribution baffles (206) are provided inside the distributor housing (201) near the inlet bend (203). The multiple distribution baffles (206) are arranged in an umbrella shape, and their ends do not contact each other and are close to the inlet bend (203). The electrode assembly (4) includes a cathode electrode plate (401) and an anode electrode plate (402). The cathode electrode plate (401) and the anode electrode plate (402) are respectively installed on the inner top wall and the inner bottom wall of the tank (1). Two partition plates (403) and two gaskets (404) are provided between the cathode electrode plate (401) and the anode electrode plate (402). Each of the partitions (403) and gaskets (404) is a group, and there are two groups in total. They are respectively located at the top and bottom of the anode electrode plate (402), and an electrolyte channel (405) is formed between the two partitions (403) and gaskets (404).

2. The novel modular electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of tanks (1) is one or more overlapping, and the liquid distributor (301) has the same shape as the distributor housing (201), and no other components are installed inside the liquid distributor (301).

3. The novel modular electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the inlet bend (203), the fluid distribution mechanism (2), and the outlet distributor (301) are the same as the thickness of the electrolyte channel (405) and are set accordingly.

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