Device for producing heavy water

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of heavy water production, and discloses a heavy water production device which comprises a plurality of electrolytic cells, and every two of the electrolytic cells are connected through a transfer pipeline system; the transfer pipeline system comprises a plurality of pipeline bodies used for connecting two adjacent electrolytic cells, one end of each pipeline body is communicated with the interior of one electrolytic cell through the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and a pore plate is arranged at the bottom of the electrolytic cell. By arranging the transfer pipeline system, during use, multiple electrolytic cells are connected in series, during actual use, on one hand, the breathing process of liquid in the electrolytic cells, namely the process that the liquid is pumped into a pipeline body and then pushed into the electrolytic cells, can be achieved through movement of a piston, and release of bubbles in heavy water is promoted through a pore plate structure; the electrolysis process is prevented from being interfered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of heavy water production, and in particular to a device for producing heavy water. Background Art

[0002] The production of heavy water (D2O) typically involves enriching ordinary water (H2O) with the hydrogen isotope deuterium (D) to the desired concentration. Deuterium is a stable isotope of hydrogen that contains one proton and one neutron in its nucleus, while ordinary hydrogen has only one proton in its nucleus.

[0003] The electrolyzer used in heavy water production is a common device used to enrich heavy water through the electrolysis process. The basic structure of the electrolyzer includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte (usually water). During the electrolysis process, water molecules decompose into hydrogen and oxygen at the electrodes. Since the electrolysis rate of ordinary hydrogen (H) is much faster than that of deuterium (D), the concentration of heavy water in the electrolyzer will gradually increase during the electrolysis process.

[0004] Currently, in the heavy water production process, multiple electrolytic cells are connected in series to improve production efficiency. However, during this process, gases produced during electrolysis (such as hydrogen and oxygen) may form bubbles in the electrolytic cell, which may interfere with the electrolysis process. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems existing in the prior art and to propose a device for producing heavy water.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A device for producing heavy water, comprising a plurality of electrolytic cells, wherein the plurality of electrolytic cells are connected in pairs via a transfer pipeline system;

[0008] The transfer pipeline system includes a plurality of pipeline bodies for connecting two adjacent electrolytic cells, one end of the pipeline body is connected to the interior of one of the electrolytic cells through the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and a perforated plate is provided at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, the other end of the pipeline body is fixedly connected to the top of the other electrolytic cell, a piston is provided inside the pipeline body, and a lifting drive mechanism for driving the piston to move inside the pipeline body is provided at the bottom of the piston;

[0009] An electrolyte breathing tube is provided above the pipeline body, the other end of the gas connecting tube is connected to the upper part of the electrolytic tank above the pipeline body, and the other end of the electrolyte breathing tube is connected to the electrolytic tank below the pipeline body.

[0010] Preferably, the lifting drive mechanism includes an opening provided at the lower side of the pipeline body, a push rod motor arranged outside the pipeline body, and an X-shaped lifting frame arranged at the driving end of the push rod motor, and the top of the X-shaped lifting frame is connected to the bottom of the piston.

[0011] Preferably, the orifice plate includes a frame and a sealing assembly located inside the frame, the frame is installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, the sealing assembly includes a plurality of sealing blocks arranged in parallel, both ends of the sealing blocks are provided with flexible connectors, the other end of the flexible connector is connected to the inner periphery of the frame, and both sides of the frame are installed with propulsion devices, when the sealing blocks located on both sides of the orifice plate are subjected to horizontal thrust from the propulsion device, all the sealing blocks and the flexible connectors are squeezed together to close the orifice plate.

[0012] Preferably, the flexible connecting member comprises a plurality of rectangular corrugated structures and an elastic member arranged between two adjacent rectangular corrugated structures.

[0013] Preferably, a protrusion is provided on one side of the sealing block, and an embedding groove is provided on the other side of the sealing block, and the shape of the protrusion is adapted to the shape of the embedding groove.

[0014] Preferably, the outer sides of the protrusions are each provided with a plurality of protruding parts, the inner walls of the embedding grooves are each provided with a flexible embedding surface, and the protruding parts are adapted to the flexible embedding surface.

[0015] Preferably, a microporous ceramic structure is provided in the sealing block, and the microporous ceramic structure communicates with the inner cavity of the electrolytic cell and the inner cavity of the pipeline body.

[0016] Preferably, a gas connecting tube is provided on the pipeline main body, the other end of the gas connecting tube is connected to the top of the electrolytic cell above the pipeline main body, a pumping device, a drying box and an exhaust pipe are provided on the gas connecting tube, the exhaust pipe is connected to the output end of the pumping device, and solenoid valves are provided on the gas connecting tube and the electrolyte breathing tube.

[0017] Preferably, a limit plate is installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and the limit plate is frame-shaped and located above the frame. When all the sealing blocks and the flexible connectors are squeezed together, the length of the sealing assembly is smaller than the inner circumference of the limit plate, and the top of the sealing block is abutted against the bottom of the limit plate. A limit slider is installed on the surface of the rectangular corrugated structure, and a plurality of slide grooves are provided at the bottom of the limit plate, and the limit slider is slidably connected to the slide grooves.

[0018] Preferably, the protrusion is an airbag, and a second airbag is provided on both sides of the limit slider. The second airbag is designed in a bellows shape, and its outer side is against the inner wall of the slide groove. The second airbag is connected with the protrusion through a gas channel. The propulsion device pushes the second airbag of the limit slider to fill the protrusion with gas, thereby realizing the interlocking seal between the protrusion and the flexible embedded surface. After the second airbag loses thrust, the gas is reset to the limit slider due to the elastic force of the protrusion itself and the second airbag itself. At this time, the position of the limit slider is fixed to ensure the stability of the position of the sealing block.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The present invention connects a plurality of electrolytic cells in series by setting up a transfer pipeline system during use. In actual use, on the one hand, the movement of the piston can be used to realize the breathing process of the liquid in the electrolytic cell, that is, the liquid is drawn into the pipeline body and then pushed into the electrolytic cell. The orifice plate structure is used to promote the release of bubbles in the heavy water to avoid interference with the electrolysis process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of Example 1 of a device for producing heavy water proposed by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A front cross-sectional view of Example 1 of a device for producing heavy water proposed by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A front view of a second embodiment of a device for producing heavy water proposed by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 A top view of a hole plate of Example 2 of a device for producing heavy water proposed by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a limiting plate of Example 2 of a device for producing heavy water proposed by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 A front view of a third embodiment of a device for producing heavy water proposed by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a top view of a orifice plate of Example 3 of a device for producing heavy water proposed by the present invention.

[0028] In the figure: 1. electrolytic cell; 2. pipeline body; 3. orifice plate; 4. piston; 5. gas connecting pipe; 6. electrolyte breathing tube; 7. opening; 8. push rod motor; 9. X-shaped lifting frame; 10. frame; 11. sealing block; 12. propulsion device; 13. rectangular corrugated structure; 14. elastic member; 15. protrusion; 16. embedded groove; 17. protrusion; 18. flexible embedded surface; 19. microporous ceramic structure; 20. pumping device; 21. exhaust pipe; 22. limit plate; 23. slide groove; 24. second air bag; 25. limit slider; 26. gas channel; 27. drying box; 28. push plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a device for producing heavy water, comprising a plurality of electrolytic cells 1, wherein the plurality of electrolytic cells 1 are connected in pairs via a transfer pipeline system;

[0031] The transfer pipeline system includes a plurality of pipeline bodies 2 for connecting two adjacent electrolytic cells 1, one end of the pipeline body 2 is connected to the inside of one of the electrolytic cells 1 through the bottom thereof, and a perforated plate 3 is provided at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 1, the other end of the pipeline body 2 is fixedly connected to the top of the other electrolytic cell 1, a piston 4 is provided inside the pipeline body 2, and a lifting drive mechanism for driving the piston 4 to move inside the pipeline body 2 is provided at the bottom of the piston 4;

[0032] An electrolyte breathing tube 6 is provided above the pipeline main body 2 , and the other end of the electrolyte breathing tube 6 is connected to the electrolytic tank 1 below the pipeline main body 2 .

[0033] When the device is used, multiple electrolytic cells 1 are connected in series. In actual use, the movement of the piston 4 can be used to realize the breathing process of the liquid in the electrolytic cell 1, that is, the liquid is drawn into the pipeline body and then pushed into the electrolytic cell 1. The orifice plate 3 structure is used to promote the release of bubbles in the heavy water to avoid interfering with the electrolysis process. At the same time, the piston 4 can also be used as a power to transfer the enriched heavy water in one electrolytic cell 1 to another electrolytic cell 1 to achieve multi-stage electrolysis and improve production efficiency. In addition, in certain specific cases, when electrolyte needs to be added, such as to improve conductivity and control pH value, the mixing degree of electrolyte and heavy water can also be promoted to avoid the formation of local over-concentrated or over-diluted areas in the electrolytic cell 1 during the electrolysis process of adding electrolyte. Local over-concentration may cause the electrolysis reaction rate to decrease, because the electrolysis rate of heavy water is slower than that of ordinary water; while local over-diluted may cause the electrolysis rate of ordinary water to be too fast, wasting electrical energy.

[0034] In this embodiment, the lifting drive mechanism includes an opening 7 opened at the lower side of the pipeline body 2, a push rod motor 8 arranged on the outside of the pipeline body 2, and an X-shaped lifting frame 9 arranged at the driving end of the push rod motor 8. The top of the X-shaped lifting frame 9 is connected to the bottom of the piston 4, and the two ends on one side of the X-shaped lifting frame 9 are respectively rotatably connected to the bottom of the piston 4 and the top of the electrolytic cell 1 below. The two ends on the other side can be provided with a slide groove 23 at the bottom of the piston 4 and the top of the electrolytic cell 1 so that they can slide in the slide groove 23. At this time, the push rod motor 8 can push one end of the X-shaped lifting frame 9 to move, thereby realizing the lifting process of the top of the X-shaped lifting frame 9 and realizing the position control of the piston 4.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] like Figure 3-Figure 5 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that:

[0037] In this embodiment, the orifice plate 3 includes a frame 10 and a sealing assembly located inside the frame 10. The frame 10 is installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 1. The sealing assembly includes a plurality of sealing blocks 11 arranged in parallel. Both ends of the sealing blocks 11 are provided with flexible connectors. The other end of the flexible connector is connected to the inner periphery of the frame 10. Both sides of the frame 10 are provided with a propulsion device 12. The propulsion device 12 is an electric telescopic rod, and a push plate 28 is installed at its driving end. When the sealing blocks 11 located on both sides of the orifice plate 3 are subjected to the horizontal thrust of the propulsion device 12, all the sealing blocks 11 and the flexible connectors are squeezed together, so that the orifice plate 3 is closed. Through the above-mentioned structural design, it is convenient to By opening and closing, the outflow of heavy water can be controlled. For example, when all the sealing blocks 11 and the flexible connectors are squeezed together, the process of heavy water enrichment is carried out in the electrolytic cell 1. After the propulsion device 12 unloads the force, all the sealing blocks 11 and the flexible connectors are separated, and the heavy water can flow out from the gaps between the sealing blocks 11. The transfer of heavy water can be achieved by cooperating with the piston 4, that is, after a certain amount of heavy water enters the pipeline body 2, the sealing block 11 re-seals the electrolytic cell 1. At this time, the piston 4 is moved upward to push the heavy water into another electrolytic cell 1 through the electrolyte breathing tube 6 for the next step of electrolysis, or pass through the gaps between the sealing blocks 11 again and return to the previous electrolytic cell 1 to complete the process of eliminating bubbles.

[0038] In this embodiment, the flexible connector includes a plurality of rectangular corrugated structures 13 and an elastic member 14 arranged between two adjacent rectangular corrugated structures 13. The outermost rectangular corrugated structure 13 is fixedly connected to the inner periphery of the frame 10, and the other rectangular corrugated structures 13 are movably arranged. The purpose of setting the elastic member 14 is that when the sealing block 11 is squeezed, it will produce horizontal movement. Under the action of the elastic member 14, when the sealing block 11 loses the thrust of the propulsion device 12, it can be reset by the action of the elastic member 14, so that a gap is re-formed between the plurality of sealing blocks 11. The rectangular corrugated structure 13 can play a certain compensatory role for the elastic member 14 (it itself has a certain deformability).

[0039] In this embodiment, a protrusion 15 is provided on one side of the sealing block 11, and an embedding groove 16 is provided on the other side of the sealing block 11. The shape of the protrusion 15 is adapted to the shape of the embedding groove 16. When the sealing blocks 11 are squeezed together, the protrusion 15 can be inserted into the embedding groove 16 to further form a seal.

[0040] In this embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 17 are provided on the outer side of the protrusion 15, and a flexible embedding surface 18 is provided on the inner wall of the embedding groove 16, and the protrusions 17 are adapted to the flexible embedding surface 18. After the protrusion 15 enters the embedding groove 16, the protrusions 17 can be embedded in the flexible embedding surface 18 to further form a seal and improve the sealing effect.

[0041] In this embodiment, a limiting plate 22 is installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 1. The limiting plate 22 is frame-shaped and is located above the frame 10. When all the sealing blocks 11 and the flexible connectors are squeezed together, the length of the sealing assembly is smaller than the inner circumference of the limiting plate 22. The top of the sealing block 11 is against the bottom of the limiting plate 22. A limiting slider 25 is installed on the surface of the rectangular corrugated structure 13. A plurality of slide grooves 23 are provided at the bottom of the limiting plate 22. The limiting slider 25 is slidably connected to the slide grooves 23.

[0042] In this embodiment, the protrusion 17 is an airbag, and second airbags 24 are provided on both sides of the limit slider 25. The second airbag 24 is designed in a bellows shape, and its outer side is against the inner wall of the slide groove 23. The second airbag 24 is connected with the protrusion 17 through the gas channel 26. The propulsion device 12 pushes the second airbag 24 of the limit slider 25 through the push plate 28 (the push plate 28 is in a "concave" shape, and its two ends are located in the slide groove 23 on both sides of the frame 10, which is used to push the second airbag 24). The protrusion 17 can be filled with gas to achieve the chimeric seal between the protrusion 17 and the flexible embedded surface 18 (the volume of the protrusion 17 becomes larger, and the flexible embedded surface 18 is squeezed). After the second airbag 24 loses its thrust, it is reset by the elastic force of the protrusion 17 itself and the second airbag 24 itself, and returns to the limit slider 25. At this time, the position of the limit slider 25 is fixed to ensure the stability of the position of the sealing block 11.

[0043] Example 3

[0044] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 2 is that:

[0045] In this embodiment, a gas connecting tube 5 is provided on the pipeline main body 2, and the other end of the gas connecting tube 5 is connected to the top of the electrolytic cell 1 above the pipeline main body 2. A pumping device 20, a drying box 27 and an exhaust pipe 21 are provided on the gas connecting tube 5. The drying box 27 is connected to the output end of the pumping device 20, and the exhaust pipe 21 is connected to the gas connecting tube 5 at the output end 27 of the drying box. Solenoid valves are provided on the exhaust pipe 21, the gas connecting tube 5 and the electrolyte breathing tube 6. A microporous ceramic structure 19 is provided in the sealing block 11, and the microporous ceramic structure 19 connects the inner cavity of the electrolytic cell 1 and the inner cavity of the pipeline main body.

[0046] Through the above structural design, the pumping device 20 can pump away the gas generated during the electrolysis process of the electrolytic cell 1. Here, optionally, the pumped gas can be dried through the drying box 27 to remove the moisture therein, and then re-sent into the pipeline body 2, and then re-sent into the electrolytic cell 1 through the microporous ceramic structure 19 (only gas can pass through, liquid cannot pass through). In certain specific cases, when electrolyte needs to be added, such as to improve conductivity and control pH value, oxygen and oxygen generated during the electrolysis of heavy water and electrolyte can be used to reintroduce into the electrolytic cell 1. Gas bubbling can generate turbulence, increase the mixing degree of fluids, and avoid the formation of local over-concentration or over-dilute areas in the electrolytic cell 1 during the electrolysis process of adding electrolyte. Local over-concentration may cause the electrolysis reaction rate to decrease, because the electrolysis rate of heavy water is slower than that of ordinary water; while local over-diluteness may cause the electrolysis rate of ordinary water to be too fast, wasting electricity.

[0047] It should be noted that, in the present invention, the sealing block 11, the protrusion 15, the protruding portion 17, the second airbag 24, the elastic member 14 and other components that require elasticity are all made of rubber.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can make equivalent replacements or changes according to the technical scheme and inventive concept of the present invention within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for producing heavy water, comprising a plurality of electrolytic cells, characterized in that: The plurality of electrolytic cells are connected in pairs via a transfer pipeline system; The transfer pipeline system includes a plurality of pipeline bodies for connecting two adjacent electrolytic cells, one end of the pipeline body is connected to the interior of one of the electrolytic cells through the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and a perforated plate is provided at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, the other end of the pipeline body is fixedly connected to the top of the other electrolytic cell, a piston is provided inside the pipeline body, and a lifting drive mechanism for driving the piston to move inside the pipeline body is provided at the bottom of the piston; An electrolyte breathing tube is provided above the pipeline main body, and the other end of the electrolyte breathing tube is connected to the electrolytic tank below the pipeline main body.

2. A device for producing heavy water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting drive mechanism includes an opening provided below the side of the pipeline body, a push rod motor arranged outside the pipeline body, and an X-shaped lifting frame arranged at the driving end of the push rod motor, wherein the top of the X-shaped lifting frame is connected to the bottom of the piston.

3. The device for producing heavy water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The orifice plate includes a frame and a sealing assembly located inside the frame, the frame is installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, the sealing assembly includes a plurality of sealing blocks arranged in parallel, both ends of the sealing blocks are provided with flexible connectors, the other end of the flexible connector is connected to the inner periphery of the frame, and both sides of the frame are installed with propulsion devices. When the sealing blocks located on both sides of the orifice plate are subjected to horizontal thrust from the propulsion device, all the sealing blocks and the flexible connectors are squeezed together to close the orifice plate.

4. The device for producing heavy water according to claim 3, characterized in that: The flexible connecting member comprises a plurality of rectangular corrugated structures and an elastic member arranged between two adjacent rectangular corrugated structures.

5. The device for producing heavy water according to claim 4, characterized in that: A protrusion is arranged on one side of the sealing block, and an embedding groove is arranged on the other side of the sealing block, and the shape of the protrusion is adapted to the shape of the embedding groove.

6. The device for producing heavy water according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer sides of the protrusions are each provided with a plurality of protruding parts, the inner walls of the embedding grooves are each provided with a flexible embedding surface, and the protruding parts are adapted to the flexible embedding surface.

7. The device for producing heavy water according to claim 6, characterized in that: A gas connecting tube is provided on the pipeline main body, and the other end of the gas connecting tube is connected to the top of the electrolytic cell above the pipeline main body. A pumping device, a drying box and an exhaust pipe are provided on the gas connecting tube, and the exhaust pipe is connected to the output end of the pumping device. Solenoid valves are provided on the gas connecting tube and the electrolyte breathing tube. A microporous ceramic structure is provided in the sealing block, and the microporous ceramic structure connects the inner cavity of the electrolytic cell and the inner cavity of the pipeline main body.

8. The device for producing heavy water according to claim 5, characterized in that: A limit plate is installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell. The limit plate is frame-shaped and located above the frame. When all the sealing blocks and the flexible connectors are squeezed together, the length of the sealing assembly is smaller than the inner circumference of the limit plate. The top of the sealing block is against the bottom of the limit plate. A limit slider is installed on the surface of the rectangular corrugated structure. A plurality of slide grooves are provided at the bottom of the limit plate. The limit slider is slidably connected to the slide grooves.

9. The device for producing heavy water according to claim 8, characterized in that: The protrusion is an airbag, and second airbags are arranged on both sides of the limit slider. The second airbag is designed in a bellows shape, and its outer side is against the inner wall of the slide groove. The second airbag is connected with the protrusion through the gas channel. The propulsion device pushes the second airbag of the limit slider to fill the protrusion with gas, thereby realizing the interlocking seal between the protrusion and the flexible embedded surface. After the second airbag loses thrust, the gas is reset to the limit slider due to the elastic force of the protrusion itself and the second airbag itself. At this time, the position of the limit slider is fixed to ensure the stability of the position of the sealing block.

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