Rare earth electrolytic tank and rare earth electrolysis control method

Abstract

The invention discloses a rare earth electrolysis control method, which relates to a rare earth processing technology and comprises the following steps of: setting a stirring interval period, and controlling an electrode in an electrolytic tank to move from the center of the electrolytic tank to the side wall of the electrolytic tank at the end moment of the stirring interval period, and then the electrode is made to stir the solution in the electrolytic tank at the set initial speed in a spiral path, in the stirring process, the splashing condition of the solution in the electrolytic tank is monitored in real time, and the moving speed of the electrode is controlled according to the splashing condition. The invention further discloses a rare earth electrolytic tank. According to the electrolytic tank, materials on the outer side in the electrolytic tank can be stirred to the center position, uniform distribution of the materials is achieved, and meanwhile waste caused by splashing of a solution and even the phenomenon that the solution is splashed out to hurt people can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rare earth processing technology, and more specifically, to a rare earth electrolysis cell and a rare earth electrolysis control method. Background Art

[0002] During the electrolysis of rare earths, firstly, the rare earths and electrolyte are placed in a rare earth electrolytic cell, and then the electrodes are inserted into the rare earth electrolytic cell. After the electrodes are energized, the rare earths can be electrolyzed. Rare earth ores are generally in powder form. As the electrolysis proceeds, the metals therein melt to form a rare earth ore solution. Since the electrodes of the existing electrolytic cells are basically located in the middle of the electrolytic cells, in order to prevent the rare earth ores near the inner wall of the electrolytic cell from being effectively electrolyzed, workers are often required to stir the solution in the electrolytic cell from the cell mouth with special tools during the electrolysis process. However, since the electrolysis process will produce high temperature and strong light, and the electrolysis will not stop during the stirring process, the solution will splash, which will not only be more dangerous, but also have the problem of uneven stirring. Moreover, each electrolysis does not need to be stirred only once, which will cause the problem of high labor intensity for workers. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a rare earth electrolytic cell and a rare earth electrolysis control method for the deficiencies of the prior art, which can effectively reduce the splashing of the solution during the stirring process and improve the uniformity of the material separation in the solution after stirring.

[0004] A rare earth electrolysis control method described in the present invention sets a stirring interval period. At the end of the stirring interval period, the electrode in the electrolytic cell is controlled to move from the center of the electrolytic cell toward the side wall thereof, and then the electrode is caused to stir the solution in the electrolytic cell in a spiral path at a set initial speed. During the stirring process, the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is monitored in real time, and the moving speed of the electrode is controlled according to the splashing situation.

[0005] Preferably, during the electrolysis process, the stirring interval period is adjusted according to the average driving torque of the electrode during stirring.

[0006] Preferably, the specific method for adjusting the stirring interval period is: obtaining the initial average driving torque of the electrode during the first stirring, and the current average driving torque of the electrode during the current stirring process; using the ratio between the initial average driving torque and the current average driving torque as an adjustment parameter, and taking the product of the adjustment parameter and the current stirring interval period as the next stirring interval period.

[0007] Preferably, during the movement of the electrode in a spiral path, the center position of the electrolytic cell is used as the stirring end point of the electrode.

[0008] Preferably, the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is monitored in real time, specifically:

[0009] Collect two synchronous images between the upper surface of the solution in the electrolytic cell and the cell mouth of the electrolytic cell from two mutually perpendicular viewing angles;

[0010] performing image preprocessing on the two synchronous images respectively to obtain two filtered synchronous images;

[0011] Performing a similarity comparison analysis on the two filtered synchronized images; if the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is lower than a set similarity threshold, the current images are discarded and the images are recaptured; if the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is equal to or greater than the set similarity threshold, one of the filtered synchronized images is randomly selected as the target image;

[0012] Segmenting the target image using an edge detection algorithm to extract bright points in the target image as splash points of the solution in the electrolytic cell;

[0013] The splashing conditions of the solution in the electrolytic cell are graded according to the total number of splashing points and the area proportion of the splashing points.

[0014] Preferably, the specific method of performing graded treatment on the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is:

[0015] The total number of the splash points is compared with a set number threshold, and the image area ratio of all the splash points in the target image is calculated, and the image area ratio is compared with a set area ratio threshold;

[0016] If the total number of splash points is less than or equal to the number threshold, and the image area ratio is less than or equal to the area ratio threshold, then the current splash situation of the electrolytic cell is set to the minimum splash level;

[0017] If the total number of splash points is greater than the number threshold, and the image area ratio is less than the area ratio threshold, the current splash situation of the electrolytic cell is set to a medium splash level;

[0018] If the total number of splash points is less than the number threshold, and the image area ratio is greater than the area ratio threshold, the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell is set to the medium-second splash level;

[0019] If the total number of splash points is greater than a quantity threshold, and the image area ratio is greater than an area ratio threshold, the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell is set to a maximum splash level.

[0020] Preferably, a speed correction parameter corresponding to the splash level is set, and during the process of the electrode stirring the solution, the initial speed is corrected with the corresponding speed correction parameter according to the splash level at the current moment.

[0021] Preferably, if the splash level at the current moment is the maximum splash level, and there are still splash levels other than the minimum splash level after the initial speed is corrected, the corrected initial speed is corrected using the speed correction parameter corresponding to the splash level other than the minimum splash level after the initial speed is corrected.

[0022] Preferably, the magnitude relationship of the speed correction parameter of each splash level is: minimum splash level>medium 1 splash level>medium 2 splash level>maximum splash level.

[0023] A rare earth electrolysis cell for implementing the rare earth electrolysis control method, comprising:

[0024] The electrolytic cell body is used to place rare earth and electrolyte;

[0025] An electrode, used for electrolyzing the rare earth and electrolyte in the electrolytic cell body, which is installed on a driving device so that it can be moved into the electrolytic cell body and stir the solution in the electrolytic cell body;

[0026] Two image acquisition devices are provided, both of which are located on the outer periphery of the transparent side wall of the electrolytic cell body near the cell opening, and the acquisition paths of the two image acquisition devices are arranged perpendicular to each other, for acquiring synchronous images;

[0027] The industrial computer is used to receive the synchronous image and process the synchronous image; and is also used to control the stirring process of the electrode.

[0028] Beneficial Effects

[0029] The advantages of the present invention are that the electrodes periodically stir the solution in the electrolytic cell, so that the outer materials in the electrolytic cell can be stirred to the center position, thereby achieving uniform distribution of the materials. At the same time, during the stirring process, the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is monitored in real time, and the moving speed of the electrodes is controlled according to the splashing situation, so that the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is lower than the target expectation, thereby avoiding waste caused by the splashing of the solution or even splashing out to hurt people. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of the rare earth electrolysis control method of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is a flow chart of the edge detection algorithm of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the rare earth electrolytic cell of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the rare earth electrolytic cell of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the embodiments, but it does not constitute any limitation to the present invention. Any limited number of modifications made by anyone within the scope of the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0035] See also Figure 1 The present invention provides a rare earth electrolysis control method, which mainly includes the following process.

[0036] First, the stirring interval needs to be set. The stirring interval of this embodiment is not a fixed period of time, but a variable stirring interval. Specifically, during the electrolysis process, the stirring interval is adjusted according to the average driving torque of the electrode during stirring, and the process of manual stirring can be simulated according to actual needs.

[0037] Among them, the specific method for adjusting the stirring interval period is: obtaining the initial average driving torque of the electrode during the first stirring, and the current average driving torque of the electrode during the current stirring process; taking the ratio between the initial average driving torque and the current average driving torque as the adjustment parameter, and taking the product of the adjustment parameter and the current stirring interval period as the next stirring interval period. The advantage of this setting is that the average driving torque can indirectly reflect the fluidity of the solution in the electrolytic cell. If the rare earth solubility is not large, the fluidity is weak, and the average driving torque is large during stirring. A relatively short interval can be used for stirring to make the various materials in the solution more evenly mixed; and if the rare earth solubility is large, the fluidity is good, and the average driving torque is also small during stirring. At this time, a relatively long interval can be used for stirring again, reducing the number of stirring times and thus reducing the loss caused by the splashing of the solution. But on the whole, the time of each stirring interval period is extended, which is basically similar to the way of manual stirring in practice, and it simulates the manual stirring process very well.

[0038] At the end of the stirring interval, the electrode in the electrolytic cell is controlled to move from the center of the electrolytic cell toward its side wall, and then the electrode is made to stir the solution in the electrolytic cell in a spiral path at a set initial speed. It should be noted that in the existing rare earth electrolysis process, the electrode is generally located in the middle of the electrolytic cell. Since the material near the electrode has a large solubility, the present embodiment adopts a spiral stirring method from the outside to the inside for stirring, which can better stir the outer material in the electrolytic cell to the center position and achieve more uniform stirring. During the stirring process, the present invention uses the center position of the electrolytic cell as the stirring end point of the electrode. That is, after the electrode moves to the stirring end point, when the stirring ends, the timing of the next stirring interval period is restarted. The number of stirring times is set according to actual needs.

[0039] In addition, during the stirring process, the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is monitored in real time, and the movement speed of the electrode is controlled according to the splashing situation, so that the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is lower than the target expectation, avoiding waste caused by splashing of the solution or even splashing out to injure people.

[0040] Among them, regarding real-time monitoring of the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell, the specific monitoring process includes the following steps:

[0041] Step 1: Collect two synchronous images between the top of the solution surface of the electrolytic cell and the cell mouth of the electrolytic cell from two mutually perpendicular viewing angles. This is to avoid the problem of overlapping of some splash parts and inability to accurately judge due to taking pictures from a single viewing angle.

[0042] Step 2: Perform image preprocessing on the two synchronized images respectively to obtain two synchronized images after filtering, wherein the image preprocessing mainly includes image denoising.

[0043] Image denoising is mainly to improve the visual effect of the image to enhance the clarity of the image target. Image noise signals may be randomly generated during the acquisition, quantization and transmission of the image, and the noise can only be understood through probability statistics. Statistical features are usually used to describe noise, such as expectation, variance and related functions. Assuming that the image signal is a grayscale image and distributed according to the two-dimensional brightness f(x,y), then the noise can be regarded as interference with the brightness, represented by n(x,y). By the expected value of the square of the noise E[n 2 (x, y)] to describe the total power of the noise, and the variance of the noise is E[(n(x, y) - E[n(x, y)]) 2 ] to describe the AC power of the noise, and the square of the noise expectation value E 2 [n(x, y)] represents the DC power of the noise.

[0044] When performing variable domain denoising on an image, it is a common method to use certain tools to decompose the image. This is because most of the image content belongs to the low-frequency and medium-frequency areas, while the noise belongs to the high-frequency area. In this way, by setting a closed value in the high-frequency area, the high-frequency component of the noise part can be filtered out. When performing spatial domain denoising on an image, various templates can be used to smooth the pixels between the neighborhoods of the image, thereby achieving the purpose of denoising.

[0045] Step 3: Perform a similarity comparison analysis on the two filtered synchronized images. If the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is lower than the set similarity threshold, the current images are discarded and the images are re-collected. If the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is equal to or greater than the set similarity threshold, any one of the filtered synchronized images is selected as the target image. The similarity threshold can be above 98%. By comparing the similarity of the filtered images, it can be determined whether the currently collected images have problems such as large overlap of splash points or interference with the collected images, which provides active help for the subsequent accurate analysis of splash points. Moreover, when the two images are basically the same, only one of them is selected as the target image, avoiding the problems of slow computer processing speed and heavy load caused by multi-image processing.

[0046] Step 4: Segment the target image using an edge detection algorithm to extract bright points in the target image as splash points of the solution in the electrolytic cell. The process of the edge detection algorithm is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it is the prior art, and the present invention does not improve it, so no further discussion is made on it.

[0047] Step 5: Classify the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell according to the total number of splashing points and the area ratio of the splashing points. Specifically, the total number of splashing points is compared with the set number threshold, and the image area ratio of all splashing points in the target image is calculated, and the image area ratio is compared with the set area ratio threshold. The splashing level is classified according to the comparison results as follows:

[0048] If the total number of splash points is less than or equal to the number threshold, and the image area ratio is less than or equal to the area ratio threshold, the current splash situation of the electrolytic cell is set to the minimum splash level;

[0049] If the total number of splash points is greater than the number threshold, and the image area ratio is less than the area ratio threshold, the current splash situation of the electrolytic cell is set to the medium splash level;

[0050] If the total number of splash points is less than the number threshold, and the image area ratio is greater than the area ratio threshold, the current splash situation of the electrolytic cell is set to the medium-second splash level;

[0051] If the total number of splash points is greater than the quantity threshold and the image area ratio is greater than the area ratio threshold, the current splash situation of the electrolytic cell is set to the maximum splash level.

[0052] For the above four splash levels, a speed correction parameter is set for each splash level. The size relationship of the speed correction parameters of each splash level is: minimum splash level > medium splash level > medium splash level > maximum splash level. Among them, the minimum splash level means that the splash degree is small and belongs to the acceptable range, so its speed correction parameter is 1, that is, no correction is required, and the speed correction parameters corresponding to other splash levels can be set according to the actual situation, for example: the medium splash level is 0.9, the medium splash level is 0.8, and the maximum splash level is 0.7.

[0053] Set the speed correction parameter corresponding to the splash level. When the electrode stirs the solution, the initial speed is corrected with the corresponding speed correction parameter according to the current splash level. That is, the greater the splash level, the slower the electrode movement speed, thereby reducing the splash of the solution caused by stirring.

[0054] Taking into account special circumstances, for example, if the current splash level is the maximum splash level, and there are still splash levels other than the minimum splash level after the initial speed is corrected, the corrected initial speed is corrected with the speed correction parameter corresponding to the splash level other than the minimum splash level after the initial speed is corrected. That is, if there is still splash after correction, correction is performed again to further reduce the electrolysis speed, so that splashing of the solution can be effectively eliminated.

[0055] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a rare earth electrolysis cell for implementing the above-mentioned rare earth electrolysis control method comprises:

[0056] The electrolytic cell body 1 is used to place rare earth and electrolyte;

[0057] The electrode 2 is used to electrolyze the rare earth and electrolyte in the electrolytic cell body 1, and is installed on the driving device 4 so that it can be moved into the electrolytic cell body 1 and stir the solution in the electrolytic cell body 1;

[0058] There are two image acquisition devices 3, both of which are located on the outer periphery of the transparent side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1 near the cell mouth. This arrangement is mainly due to the consideration that the solution may roll at the contact point between the electrode and the solution during the electrolysis process. Therefore, the image acquisition device 3 is placed near the cell mouth so that the image acquisition device 3 will not capture images of the rolling solution, thereby avoiding its influence on the splash point judgment. The acquisition paths of the two image acquisition devices 3 are arranged perpendicular to each other and are used to acquire synchronous images;

[0059] The industrial computer is used to receive and process the synchronous images; and is also used to control the stirring process of the electrode 2.

[0060] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the structure of the present invention, which will not affect the effect of the implementation of the present invention and the practicality of the patent.

Claims

1. A rare earth electrolysis control method, characterized in that: A stirring interval period is set. At the end of the stirring interval period, the electrode in the electrolytic cell is controlled to move from the center of the electrolytic cell toward the side wall thereof, and then the electrode is caused to stir the solution in the electrolytic cell in a spiral path at a set initial speed. During the stirring process, the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is monitored in real time, and the moving speed of the electrode is controlled according to the splashing situation.

2. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the electrolysis process, the stirring interval period is adjusted according to the average driving torque of the electrode during stirring.

3. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The specific method for adjusting the stirring interval period is: obtaining the initial average driving torque of the electrode during the first stirring, and the current average driving torque of the electrode during the current stirring process; using the ratio between the initial average driving torque and the current average driving torque as an adjustment parameter, and taking the product of the adjustment parameter and the current stirring interval period as the next stirring interval period.

4. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the movement of the electrode in the spiral path, the center position of the electrolytic cell is taken as the stirring end point of the electrode.

5. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is monitored in real time, specifically: Collect two synchronous images between the upper surface of the solution in the electrolytic cell and the cell mouth of the electrolytic cell from two mutually perpendicular viewing angles; performing image preprocessing on the two synchronous images respectively to obtain two filtered synchronous images; Performing a similarity comparison analysis on the two filtered synchronized images; if the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is lower than a set similarity threshold, the current images are discarded and the images are recaptured; if the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is equal to or greater than the set similarity threshold, one of the filtered synchronized images is randomly selected as the target image; Segmenting the target image using an edge detection algorithm to extract bright points in the target image as splash points of the solution in the electrolytic cell; The splashing conditions of the solution in the electrolytic cell are graded according to the total number of splashing points and the area proportion of the splashing points.

6. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The specific method of graded treatment of the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is as follows: The total number of the splash points is compared with a set number threshold, and the image area ratio of all the splash points in the target image is calculated, and the image area ratio is compared with a set area ratio threshold; If the total number of splash points is less than or equal to the number threshold, and the image area ratio is less than or equal to the area ratio threshold, then the current splash situation of the electrolytic cell is set to the minimum splash level; If the total number of the splash points is greater than the number threshold, and the image area ratio is less than the area ratio threshold, the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell is set to a medium splash level; If the total number of splash points is less than the number threshold, and the image area ratio is greater than the area ratio threshold, the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell is set to the medium-second splash level; If the total number of splash points is greater than a quantity threshold, and the image area ratio is greater than an area ratio threshold, the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell is set to a maximum splash level.

7. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: A speed correction parameter corresponding to the splash level is set. During the process of the electrode stirring the solution, the initial speed is corrected with the corresponding speed correction parameter according to the splash level at the current moment.

8. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: If the splash level at the current moment is the maximum splash level, and there are still splash levels other than the minimum splash level after the initial speed is corrected, then the corrected initial speed is corrected using the speed correction parameter corresponding to the splash level other than the minimum splash level after the initial speed is corrected.

9. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The magnitude relationship of the speed correction parameter of each splash level is: minimum splash level > medium splash level 1 > medium splash level 2 > maximum splash level.

10. A rare earth electrolysis cell for implementing the rare earth electrolysis control method according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: include: The electrolytic cell body (1) is used to place rare earth and electrolyte; An electrode (2) for electrolyzing the rare earth and electrolyte in the electrolytic cell body (1), and mounted on a driving device (4) so ​​as to be movable into the electrolytic cell body (1) and to stir the solution in the electrolytic cell body (1); Two image acquisition devices (3) are provided, both of which are located on the outer periphery of the transparent side wall of the electrolytic cell body (1) close to the cell opening, and the acquisition paths of the two image acquisition devices (3) are arranged perpendicular to each other, for acquiring synchronous images; The industrial computer is used to receive the synchronous image and process the synchronous image; and is also used to control the stirring process of the electrode (2).

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