A rare earth electrolytic cell and a rare earth electrolysis control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a rare earth electrolysis control method, which relates to a rare earth processing process. A stirring interval is set. At the end of the stirring interval, an electrode in an electrolytic cell is controlled to move from the center of the electrolytic cell toward its sidewalls. The electrode is then 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 movement speed of the electrode is controlled based on the splashing. The present invention also discloses a rare earth electrolytic cell. The present invention can stir the outer material in the electrolytic cell to the center position, achieving uniform distribution of the material, while also avoiding waste caused by splashing of the solution, and even splashing and injury.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] During rare earth electrolysis, rare earth elements and an electrolyte are first placed in a rare earth electrolytic cell. Electrodes are then inserted into the cell and energized to begin electrolysis. Rare earth ore is typically in powder form. As electrolysis proceeds, the metals within melt, forming a rare earth ore solution. Because existing electrolytic cells typically have electrodes located in the center, workers often use specialized tools to stir the solution from the cell opening to prevent the rare earth ore near the cell walls from being effectively electrolyzed. However, the electrolysis process generates high temperatures and intense light, and the stirring process continues, causing the solution to splash. This is not only dangerous but also leads to uneven stirring. Furthermore, stirring is not required only once per electrolysis, which increases worker labor intensity. 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 in view of the deficiencies of the existing technology, which can effectively reduce the splashing phenomenon of the solution during stirring and improve the uniformity of the material separation in the solution after stirring.

[0004] The rare earth electrolysis control method described in the present invention sets a stirring interval period. At the end of the stirring interval period, the electrodes in the electrolytic cell are controlled to move from the center of the electrolytic cell toward its side wall. The electrodes are then 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 movement speed of the electrodes is controlled based on 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 the 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] Two synchronous images are collected from two mutually perpendicular viewing angles between the upper surface of the solution in the electrolytic cell and the cell opening of the electrolytic cell;

[0010] performing image preprocessing on the two synchronized images respectively to obtain two filtered synchronized 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, discarding the current image and re-acquiring the image; if the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is equal to or greater than the set similarity threshold, randomly selecting one of the filtered synchronized images 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 ratio 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] Comparing the total number of the splash points with a set number threshold, calculating the image area ratio of all the splash points in the target image, and comparing the image area ratio with a set area ratio threshold;

[0016] If the total number of splash points is less than or equal to a quantity threshold, and the image area ratio is less than or equal to an area ratio threshold, setting the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell to a minimum splash level;

[0017] If the total number of splash points is greater than a quantity threshold, and the image area ratio is less than an area ratio threshold, setting the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell 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 the 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 splash levels other than the minimum splash level still exist 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 still existing 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 mounted on a driving device so as to be movable into the electrolytic cell body and to 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 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, stirring the outer materials in the electrolytic cell to the center, thereby achieving uniform distribution of the materials. Simultaneously, during the stirring process, the splashing of the solution in the electrolytic cell is monitored in real time, and the movement 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, thereby avoiding waste caused by splashing of the solution and even splashing injuries. 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 Flowchart of the edge detection algorithm of the present invention;

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

[0033] Figure 4 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 this 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 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. In this embodiment, the stirring interval is not a fixed period, but a variable one. Specifically, during the electrolysis process, the stirring interval is adjusted based on the average driving torque of the electrode during stirring, simulating manual stirring as needed.

[0037] Among them, the specific method for adjusting the stirring interval 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 the adjustment parameter, and multiplying the adjustment parameter by the current stirring interval as the next stirring interval. 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, the average driving torque during stirring is large, and 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 during stirring is also small. 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 splashing of the solution. However, overall, the time of each stirring interval is extended, which is basically similar to the method of manual stirring in practice, and well simulates the manual stirring process.

[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 caused 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 solubility of the material near the electrode is large, this 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 hurt 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: Capture two synchronized images of the area between the top of the solution surface and the outlet of the electrolytic cell from two mutually perpendicular viewing angles. This is done to avoid the problem of overlapping splashes and inaccurate identification caused by taking a single-viewing angle.

[0042] Step 2: Perform image preprocessing on the two synchronized images to obtain two filtered synchronized images. The image preprocessing mainly involves 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. Noise can only be understood through probabilistic statistics. Statistical features are usually used to describe noise, such as expectation, variance and correlation functions. Assuming that the image signal is a grayscale image and is 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). 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, decomposing the image using certain tools is a common approach. This is because the majority of an image's content falls within the low- and mid-frequency regions, while noise falls within the high-frequency region. By setting a closed value in the high-frequency region, the high-frequency components of the noise can be filtered out. When performing spatial domain denoising on an image, various templates can be used to smooth pixels between neighboring regions, achieving the desired denoising effect.

[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 recaptured. 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 captured image has a large overlap of splash points or the captured image is interfered with, providing positive assistance for the subsequent accurate analysis of the splash points. Moreover, when the two images are basically consistent, 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 the bright points in the target image as the 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 based on 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 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 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 maximum splash level.

[0052] For the four splash levels mentioned above, a speed correction parameter is set for each splash level. The speed correction parameters for each splash level are in the following order: minimum splash level > medium splash level 1 > medium splash level 2 > maximum splash level. The minimum splash level indicates a low level of splash, which is within the acceptable range. Therefore, its speed correction parameter is 1, meaning no correction is required. The speed correction parameters for the other splash levels can be set based on actual conditions. 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 based on the current splash level. That is, the greater the splash level, the slower the electrode movement speed, thus reducing the splash of the solution caused by stirring.

[0054] Considering special circumstances, for example, if the current splash level is the maximum splash level, and splash levels other than the minimum splash level still exist after the initial speed correction, the corrected initial speed is corrected again using the speed correction parameters corresponding to the splash levels other than the minimum splash level after the initial speed correction. That is, if splashing still exists after the correction, the correction is performed again to further reduce the electrolysis speed, thus effectively eliminating splashing.

[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 store rare earth elements and electrolyte;

[0057] Electrode 2, used for electrolyzing the rare earth and electrolyte in the electrolytic cell body 1, 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;

[0058] Two image acquisition devices 3 are provided, both located on the outer periphery of the transparent side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1 near the cell opening. This arrangement is primarily due to the consideration that during the electrolysis process, the solution may tumble at the point of contact between the electrodes and the solution. Therefore, the image acquisition devices 3 are placed near the cell opening to prevent them from capturing images of the tumbling solution, thereby preventing it from affecting the determination of the splash point. The acquisition paths of the two image acquisition devices 3 are arranged perpendicular to each other and are used to capture synchronized 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. These modifications and improvements 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: Setting a stirring interval period, and adjusting the stirring interval period during the electrolysis process according to the average driving torque of the electrode during stirring; the specific method is: obtaining the initial average driving torque of the electrode during the first stirring process 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 multiplying the adjustment parameter by the current stirring interval period as the next stirring interval period; 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 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, and during the movement of the electrode in the spiral path, the center of the electrolytic cell is used as the stirring end point of the electrode; 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, specifically: Two synchronous images are collected from two mutually perpendicular viewing angles between the upper surface of the solution in the electrolytic cell and the cell opening of the electrolytic cell; performing image preprocessing on the two synchronized images respectively to obtain two filtered synchronized 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, discarding the current image and re-acquiring the image; if the similarity between the two filtered synchronized images is equal to or greater than the set similarity threshold, randomly selecting one of the filtered synchronized images 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 of the solution in the electrolytic cell is graded according to the total number of splashing points and the area ratio of the splashing points, specifically: Comparing the total number of the splash points with a set number threshold, calculating the image area ratio of all the splash points in the target image, and comparing the image area ratio with a set area ratio threshold, and grading the splash level according to the comparison result; 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.

2. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The specific method of grading the splash level according to the comparison result is as follows: if the total number of the 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 setting the current splash level of the electrolytic cell to the minimum splash level; If the total number of splash points is greater than a quantity threshold, and the image area ratio is less than an area ratio threshold, setting the current splash condition of the electrolytic cell 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 the 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.

3. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: If the splash level at the current moment is the maximum splash level, and splash levels other than the minimum splash level still exist 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 still existing after the initial speed is corrected.

4. A rare earth electrolysis control method according to claim 3, 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.

5. A rare earth electrolysis cell for implementing the rare earth electrolysis control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: include: The electrolytic cell body (1) is used to store rare earth elements and electrolyte; An electrode (2) for electrolyzing the rare earth and electrolyte in the electrolytic cell body (1), which is 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) near 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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