Cathode lifting device for rare earth molten salt electrolytic furnace

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of rare earth molten salt electrolysis equipment, and particularly relates to a cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace, which comprises a furnace body, an anode assembly fixedly installed on the furnace body, a lifting assembly installed on the furnace body, a motor installed on the lifting assembly, and a cathode assembly connected to the lifting assembly; the cathode assembly comprises a sleeve, a sleeve pipe, a spring, a sleeve, and a cathode plate, and the bottom cross-sectional area of the cathode plate is larger than the top cross-sectional area. In the electrolysis process, rare earth metals are deposited on the surface of the cathode plate, the overall weight of the cathode plate increases, the spring is stretched, the cathode plate moves towards the bottom of the furnace body, the bottom of the cathode plate is located in the bottom layer of the electrolyte, the top of the cathode plate is located in the top layer of the electrolyte, and under the premise of the same current density, the total amount of rare earth ions reduced per unit time at the bottom of the cathode plate increases, so that more rare earth metals can be deposited at the bottom of the cathode plate, thereby balancing the electrolyte concentration, avoiding the stratification of the electrolyte concentration, and ensuring the deposition rate of rare earth ions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of rare earth molten salt electrolysis equipment, and in particular relates to a cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace. Background Art

[0002] A rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace is a device used to produce rare earth metals through molten salt electrolysis. Molten salt electrolysis involves the reduction of rare earth ions in a molten salt electrolyte containing rare earth metals to metals by electrons at the cathode of the electrolytic cell under the action of a direct current. Chloride molten salt electrolytes are commonly used industrially to produce rare earth metals, with RECl3-KCl being the most ideal electrolyte system. When the RECl3-KCl molten salt electrolyte is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell, molten rare earth metals are produced at the cathode and chlorine gas is released at the anode, simultaneously consuming the rare earth chloride in the molten salt electrolyte and the amount of direct current.

[0003] During operation, conventional electrolytic furnaces are prone to electrolyte stratification for the following reasons: First, because the bottom of the electrolytic cell is close to the heating source (such as resistance heating or induction heating), the bottom temperature is typically higher than the top. This temperature difference creates a difference in electrolyte solubility between the bottom and top, resulting in a higher electrolyte concentration at the bottom. Second, at high temperatures, low-melting-point components in the molten salt (such as fluxing agents like LiF) tend to diffuse toward the top, while high-melting-point rare earth chlorides or fluorides may accumulate at the bottom, leading to higher concentrations at the bottom.

[0004] Electrolyte concentration stratification will increase the resistance to ion migration, resulting in a decrease in the migration rate and precipitation efficiency of rare earth ions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace in order to solve the technical problems in the prior art.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions: a cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace, which includes a furnace body, an anode assembly fixedly installed on the furnace body, a lifting assembly installed on the furnace body, a motor installed on the lifting assembly, the lifting assembly connected to the cathode assembly, and the motor drives the cathode assembly to rise and fall through the lifting assembly; the cathode assembly includes a plate sleeve and a sleeve, the lifting assembly is connected to the sleeve, the sleeve is connected to the plate sleeve through spring 2, the cathode plate is slidably installed on the plate sleeve, the bottom cross-sectional area of ​​the cathode plate is larger than the top, an inner bevel cylinder is fixedly installed on the furnace body, and when the lifting assembly drives the cathode assembly to rise, the outer bevel of the cathode plate cooperates with the inner bevel of the inner bevel cylinder, and under the action of the inner bevel cylinder, the cathode plate slides toward the inside of the plate sleeve, and the inner bevel cylinder is installed with a balanced air pressure assembly.

[0007] As a further optimization or improvement of this solution, a slide groove is provided on the plate sleeve, a guide block is installed on the cathode plate, the cathode plate is slidably connected to the slide groove through the guide block, and the cathode plate is connected to the inner wall of the slide groove through a spring.

[0008] As a further optimization or improvement of this solution, the lifting assembly includes a lifting platform fixedly installed on the furnace body, a screw rod is installed inside the lifting platform, the motor drives the screw rod to rotate, the screw rod is connected to the transmission head, a cross bar is installed on the transmission head, and the cross bar is connected to the sleeve through a pull rod.

[0009] As a further optimization or improvement of this solution, a sliding sleeve is provided on the pull rod, an upper rack is installed on the sliding sleeve, a lower rack is installed on the plate sleeve, a gear is installed on the sleeve, and the upper rack and the lower rack are engaged with the gear.

[0010] As a further optimization or improvement of this solution, the balanced air pressure assembly includes a top cover, an exhaust hole is provided on one side of the top cover, and an air inlet hole is provided on the other side, and horizontal plates are installed on both sides of the top cover for horizontal sliding, with through holes provided on the horizontal plates, and round head rods are installed on the horizontal plates, and inclined blocks 1 and 2 are fixedly installed on both sides of the pull rod, and inclined push blocks 1 and inclined push blocks 2 are installed on both sides of the sliding sleeve for horizontal sliding, and the inclined surfaces on the inclined push blocks 1 and the inclined push blocks 2 cooperate with the inclined blocks 1 and the inclined blocks 2 respectively, and a spring 3 is installed between the horizontal plate and the inner wall of the top cover; when the sliding sleeve moves up, the pull rod is fixed, and under the action of the inclined push blocks 1 and the inclined block 1, the inclined block 1 pushes the inclined push block 1 to slide toward the outside of the sliding sleeve; when the sliding sleeve moves down, the inclined block 2 pushes the inclined push block 2 to slide toward the outside of the sliding sleeve.

[0011] As a further optimization or improvement of this solution, a winch is installed on the top cover, and the winch is connected to the plate sleeve through a pull rope.

[0012] As a further optimization or improvement of this solution, an inner retaining ring is provided in the sleeve, a slider is slidably installed in the sleeve, the slider is connected to the plate sleeve through spring 2, a clamping plate is installed in the slider for horizontal sliding, the clamping plate is connected to the slider through spring 1, and the clamping plate is inserted between two adjacent inner retaining rings.

[0013] As a further optimization or improvement of this solution, a separator is installed in the furnace body, and the anode assembly includes a fixed plate and an anode column. The fixed plate is fixedly installed on the furnace body, and the anode column is installed on the fixed plate. The anode column extends into the furnace body, and a row hole is opened on the furnace body, and the row hole is located on one side of the anode column.

[0014] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0015] (1) During the electrolysis process, the present invention precipitates rare earth metals on the surface of the cathode plate, the overall weight of the cathode plate increases, the second spring is stretched, and the cathode plate moves toward the bottom of the furnace body, so that the bottom of the cathode plate is located at the bottom layer of the electrolyte and the top of the cathode plate is located at the top layer of the electrolyte. Under the premise of the same current density, the total amount of rare earth ions reduced per unit time at the bottom of the cathode plate increases, so that more rare earth metals can be precipitated at the bottom of the cathode plate, thereby balancing the electrolyte concentration, avoiding electrolyte concentration stratification, and ensuring the rare earth ion precipitation rate.

[0016] (2) When the plate sleeve and cathode plate of the present invention move downward, the plate sleeve moves downward and drives the upper rack and the sliding sleeve to move upward. When the sliding sleeve moves upward, the inclined block 1 pushes the inclined surface push block 1 to slide toward the outside of the sliding sleeve, so that the inclined surface push block 1 cooperates with the round head rod on the horizontal plate. As the sliding sleeve continues to move upward, the sliding sleeve drives the inclined surface push block 1 to move synchronously, and the inclined surface push block 1 pushes the round head rod to slide horizontally. At this time, a part of the protective gas near the cathode assembly is discharged through the through hole and the exhaust hole, thereby maintaining the protective gas pressure balance near the cathode assembly, avoiding the gas pressure inhibiting the flow of the molten salt electrolyte, resulting in abnormal temperature gradient near the cathode or anode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the working state of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the anode assembly.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the structural coordination between the cathode assembly and the balanced air pressure assembly.

[0022] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the sleeve.

[0023] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the connection structure between the pull rope and the plate sleeve.

[0024] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the overall internal structure of the furnace.

[0025] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of the structure of part A.

[0026] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the casing.

[0027] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified view of the structure of part B.

[0028] The following are marked in the figure: 1. Furnace body; 2. Anode assembly; 201. Fixed plate; 202. Anode column; 3. Lifting assembly; 301. Lifting platform; 302. Screw; 303. Transmission head; 304. Crossbar; 305. Pull rod; 4. Motor; 5. Separator; 6. Balanced air pressure assembly; 601. Top cover; 602. Exhaust hole; 603. Air inlet hole; 604. Through hole; 605. Spring three; 606. Crossbar; 607. Inclined push block one; 608. Inclined push block 2; 609, inclined block one; 610, inclined block two; 611, round head rod; 7, row of holes; 8, cathode assembly; 801, plate sleeve; 802, cathode plate; 803, guide block; 804, slide groove; 805, spring two; 806, sleeve; 807, lower rack; 808, gear; 809, upper rack; 810, slider; 811, clamping plate; 812, spring one; 813, inner retaining ring; 814, sleeve; 9, inner bevel cylinder; 10, winch; 11, pull rope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] See also Figures 1-6 , a cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace, which includes a furnace body 1, an anode assembly 2 is fixedly installed on the furnace body 1, a lifting assembly 3 is installed on the furnace body 1, a motor 4 is installed on the lifting assembly 3, the lifting assembly 3 is connected to the cathode assembly 8, and the motor 4 drives the cathode assembly 8 to rise and fall through the lifting assembly 3; the cathode assembly 8 includes a plate sleeve 801 and a sleeve 806, the lifting assembly 3 is connected to the sleeve 806, the sleeve 806 is connected to the plate sleeve 801 through a spring 2 805, and a cathode plate 802 is slidably installed on the plate sleeve 801, and the bottom cross-sectional area of ​​the cathode plate 802 is larger than the top, and an inner bevel cylinder 9 is fixedly installed on the furnace body 1. In the process of the lifting assembly 3 driving the cathode assembly 8 to rise, the outer bevel of the cathode plate 802 cooperates with the inner bevel of the inner bevel cylinder 9. Under the action of the inner bevel cylinder 9, the cathode plate 802 slides toward the inside of the plate sleeve 801, and the inner bevel cylinder 9 is installed with a balanced air pressure assembly 6.

[0031] Specifically, a slide groove 804 is provided on the plate sleeve 801 , a guide block 803 is installed on the cathode plate 802 , the cathode plate 802 is slidably connected to the slide groove 804 via the guide block 803 , and the cathode plate 802 is connected to the inner wall of the slide groove 804 via a spring.

[0032] Specifically, the lifting assembly 3 includes a lifting platform 301 fixedly mounted on the furnace body 1, a screw rod 302 is installed inside the lifting platform 301, the motor 4 drives the screw rod 302 to rotate, the screw rod 302 is connected to the transmission head 303, a cross bar 304 is installed on the transmission head 303, and the cross bar 304 is connected to the sleeve 806 through the pull rod 305.

[0033] Specifically, a sliding sleeve 814 is sleeved on the pull rod 305 , an upper rack 809 is installed on the sliding sleeve 814 , a lower rack 807 is installed on the plate sleeve 801 , a gear 808 is installed on the sleeve 806 , and the upper rack 809 and the lower rack 807 are meshed with the gear 808 .

[0034] It should be noted that the anode assembly 2 is mounted on one side of the furnace body 1, and the cathode assembly 8 is mounted on the other side. A separator 5 is installed between the anode assembly 2 and the cathode assembly 8. The separator 5 is composed of a floating plate, a slide plate, and a base sleeve. During the electrolysis process, chlorine gas is generated near the anode assembly 2, and rare earth metals are formed on the cathode plate 802. To prevent oxidation of the rare earth metals caused by chlorine gas, the present invention uses separator 5 to separate the anode assembly 2 and the cathode assembly 8.

[0035] During use, the electrolyte is injected into the furnace body 1, see Figure 2 , place the cathode assembly 8 in the electrolyte, while ensuring that the cathode assembly 8 is not at the bottom of the electrolyte, and then introduce protective gas near the cathode assembly 8 (the main purpose of introducing protective gas is to prevent oxidation of the cathode material, reduce impurity contamination, and maintain a stable electrolysis environment). In the early stages of operation, the molten salt has not yet completely melted, and the temperature is not evenly distributed. If the cathode plate 802 is directly extended into the bottom of the furnace, the molten salt cannot completely cover the surface of the cathode plate 802, causing a local area of ​​the cathode plate 802 to be exposed to high temperature, accelerating oxidation or corrosion.

[0036] After the electrolyte inside the furnace body 1 is heated to the electrolysis temperature, rare earth metals are precipitated on the surface of the cathode plate 802. At this time, the overall weight of the cathode plate 802 increases, the second spring 805 is stretched, and the cathode plate 802 moves toward the bottom of the furnace body 1, so that the bottom of the cathode plate 802 is located at the bottom layer of the electrolyte, and the top of the cathode plate 802 is located at the top layer of the electrolyte. Under the premise of the same current density, the total amount of rare earth ions reduced per unit time at the bottom of the cathode plate 802 increases, so that more rare earth metals can be precipitated at the bottom of the cathode plate 802, balancing the electrolyte concentration, avoiding electrolyte concentration stratification, and ensuring the rare earth ion precipitation rate.

[0037] As the plate sleeve 801 is immersed in the electrolyte, the liquid level of the electrolyte rises, causing the pressure of the protective gas near the cathode assembly 8 to increase, inhibiting the natural convection of the molten salt electrolyte, resulting in uneven heat distribution and abnormal temperature gradient near the cathode or anode.

[0038] When the plate sleeve 801 and the cathode plate 802 move downward, the plate sleeve 801 drives the lower rack 807 to move downward synchronously. Under the action of the transmission connection between the lower rack 807, the gear 808 and the upper rack 809, the plate sleeve 801 moves downward and drives the upper rack 809 and the sliding sleeve 814 to move upward. Figure 8 As sleeve 814 moves upward, bevel block 1 609 pushes bevel push block 1 607 to slide outward from sleeve 814, causing bevel push block 1 607 to engage with round rod 611 on cross plate 606. As sleeve 814 continues to move upward, sleeve 814 drives bevel push block 1 607 to move synchronously. Bevel push block 1 607 pushes round rod 611 to slide laterally, causing through hole 604 on cross plate 606 to coincide with exhaust hole 602. At this point, a portion of the shielding gas near cathode assembly 8 is discharged through through hole 604 and exhaust hole 602. After discharge, cross plate 606 returns to its original position under the action of spring 3 605, sealing exhaust hole 602 and maintaining shielding gas pressure balance near cathode assembly 8. This prevents increased pressure from inhibiting the flow of molten salt electrolyte and causing abnormal temperature gradients near the cathode or anode. During this process, the movement of plate sleeve 801 is controlled by the winding of winch 10.

[0039] See also Figures 4-10 The balanced air pressure assembly 6 includes a top cover 601, an exhaust hole 602 is provided on one side of the top cover 601, and an air inlet hole 603 is provided on the other side. A horizontal plate 606 is installed on both sides of the top cover 601 for horizontal sliding. A through hole 604 is provided on the horizontal plate 606, and a round head rod 611 is installed on the horizontal plate 606. An inclined block 1 609 and an inclined block 2 610 are fixedly installed on both sides of the pull rod 305. An inclined push block 1 607 and an inclined push block 2 608 are installed on both sides of the sliding sleeve 814 for horizontal sliding. The inclined push block 1 609 and an inclined push block 2 610 are fixedly installed on both sides of the pull rod 305. 07 and the inclined surfaces on the inclined push block 2 608 cooperate with the inclined block 1 609 and the inclined block 2 610 respectively, and a spring 3 605 is installed between the horizontal plate 606 and the inner wall of the top cover 601; when the sliding sleeve 814 moves up, the pull rod 305 is fixed, and under the action of the cooperation between the inclined push block 1 607 and the inclined block 1 609, the inclined block 1 609 pushes the inclined push block 1 607 to slide toward the outside of the sliding sleeve 814; when the sliding sleeve 814 moves down, the inclined block 2 610 pushes the inclined push block 2 608 to slide toward the outside of the sliding sleeve 814.

[0040] Specifically, a winch 10 is installed on the top cover 601 , and the winch 10 is connected to the plate sleeve 801 via a pull rope 11 .

[0041] Specifically, an inner retaining ring 813 is provided in the sleeve 806, a slider 810 is slidably installed in the sleeve 806, the slider 810 is connected to the plate sleeve 801 through spring 2 805, a clamping plate 811 is horizontally slidably installed in the slider 810, the clamping plate 811 is connected to the slider 810 through spring 1 812, and the clamping plate 811 is inserted between two adjacent inner retaining rings 813.

[0042] It should be noted that the top cover 601 is connected to the inner beveled tube 9 via an electromagnetic chuck. During the electrolysis process, the top cover 601 is fixedly and sealedly connected to the inner beveled tube 9 via the electromagnetic chuck. After the electrolysis is completed, when the cathode assembly 8 needs to be removed from the furnace body 1, the electromagnetic chuck is disconnected. The exhaust hole 602 is connected to the exhaust pipe, and the air inlet hole 603 is connected to the air inlet pipe.

[0043] See also Figure 8 The inclined push block 1 607 and the inclined push block 2 608 cooperate with the round head rod 611 through the ball sleeve. This cooperation method can ensure that the exhaust hole 602 opens and closes once every time the plate sleeve 801 descends a certain distance. The cooperation method of the inclined push block 1 607 and the inclined push block 2 608 and the round head rod 611 can be replaced by a single inclined contact.

[0044] In the later stage of electrolysis, the electrolysis products increase and are deposited at the bottom of the furnace body 1. It is necessary to raise the position of the cathode assembly 8 to prevent the electrolysis products from adhering to the rare earth metals, which will cause the quality of the rare earth metals to deteriorate.

[0045] See also Figure 6 The plate sleeve 801 is pulled upward by the winch 10 to remove part of the cathode plate 802 from the electrolyte. At this time, the electrolyte level drops and the pressure of the protective gas near the cathode assembly 8 decreases.

[0046] In order to ensure the pressure balance of the protective gas, under the action of the transmission connection between the lower rack 807, the gear 808 and the upper rack 809, the plate sleeve 801 moves upward to drive the upper rack 809 and the sliding sleeve 814 to move downward. Figure 8 As the sliding sleeve 814 moves downward, the second inclined block 610 pushes the second inclined push block 608 toward the outside of the sliding sleeve 814, causing the second inclined push block 608 to engage with the round-headed rod 611 on the horizontal plate 606. As the sliding sleeve 814 continues to move downward, the sliding sleeve 814, through the second inclined push block 608, pushes the horizontal plate 606 to move laterally, causing the through hole 604 on the horizontal plate 606 to coincide with the air inlet 603, allowing shielding gas to flow into the interior of the furnace body 1 through the air inlet 603 and the through hole 604, thereby balancing the shielding gas pressure near the cathode assembly 8. During this process, the pull rod 305 can be coordinated with the upward movement of the second inclined block 610 and the second inclined push block 608, so that the second inclined block 610 and the second inclined push block 608 can move directly in coordination.

[0047] When the winch 10 pulls up the plate sleeve 801 through the pull rope 11, the plate sleeve 801 drives the slider 810 to move upward along the inner cavity of the sleeve 806 through the spring 2 805. Figure 10When the slider 810 moves upward, the inclined surface on the card plate 811 cooperates with the inner snap ring 813, and the card plate 811 extends into the slider 810. When the plate sleeve 801 stops, the card plate 811 is again inserted between the two adjacent inner snap rings 813 to ensure that the spring 2 805 returns to its normal state during the upward movement of the plate sleeve 801, preparing for the next operation.

[0048] After the electrolysis is completed, wait for the electrolyte to cool down, and then the motor 4 drives the screw 302 to rotate, and the screw 302 drives the cross bar 304 and the pull rod 305 to rotate through the transmission head 303, and the pull rod 305 drives the cathode assembly 8 to move out of the furnace body 1. During this process, when the cathode plate 802 passes through the inner bevel cylinder 9, the inner bevel cylinder 9 pushes the cathode plate 802 into the slide 804, scraping off the rare earth metal on the cathode plate 802.

[0049] See also Figure 2-Figure 3 A separator 5 is installed in the furnace body 1, and the anode assembly 2 includes a fixed plate 201 and an anode column 202. The fixed plate 201 is fixedly installed on the furnace body 1, and the anode column 202 is installed on the fixed plate 201. The anode column 202 extends into the furnace body 1. A row hole 7 is opened on the furnace body 1, and the row hole 7 is located on one side of the anode column 202.

[0050] It should be noted that the purpose of the discharge hole 7 is to discharge chlorine gas into the gas tank.

[0051] The present invention operates as follows: an anode assembly 2 is mounted on one side of a furnace body 1, a cathode assembly 8 is mounted on the other side, and a separator 5 is installed between the anode assembly 2 and the cathode assembly 8. During the electrolysis process, chlorine gas is generated near the anode assembly 2, and rare earth metals are formed on the cathode plate 802. To prevent oxidation of the rare earth metals caused by chlorine gas, the present invention uses a separator 5 to separate the anode assembly 2 and the cathode assembly 8.

[0052] At the beginning of electrolysis, the cathode assembly 8 is placed in the electrolyte, ensuring that it is not at the bottom of the electrolyte. A protective gas is then introduced near the cathode assembly 8. In the initial stages of operation, the molten salt has not yet fully melted, and the temperature is not evenly distributed. If the cathode plate 802 is directly inserted into the furnace bottom, the molten salt will not completely cover the surface of the cathode plate 802, exposing a portion of the cathode plate 802 to high temperatures and accelerating oxidation or corrosion.

[0053] During the electrolysis process, after the electrolyte within furnace body 1 is heated to the electrolysis temperature, rare earth metals are deposited on the surface of cathode plate 802. This increases the overall weight of cathode plate 802, stretching spring 2 805 and causing cathode plate 802 to move toward the bottom of furnace body 1, positioning the bottom of cathode plate 802 at the bottom electrolyte layer and the top of cathode plate 802 at the top electrolyte layer. Under the same current density, the total amount of rare earth ions reduced per unit time at the bottom of cathode plate 802 increases, allowing more rare earth metals to be deposited at the bottom of cathode plate 802. This balances the electrolyte concentration, prevents electrolyte stratification, and ensures the rate of rare earth ion deposition. During this process, the movement of plate housing 801 is controlled by the winding mechanism 10, which unwinds the wire.

[0054] As the plate sleeve 801 is immersed in the electrolyte, the liquid level of the electrolyte increases, causing the pressure of the protective gas near the cathode assembly 8 to increase, thereby inhibiting the natural convection of the molten salt electrolyte, resulting in uneven heat distribution and abnormal temperature gradients near the cathode or anode.

[0055] The present invention moves the plate sleeve 801 and the cathode plate 802 downward, and the plate sleeve 801 drives the lower rack 807 to move downward synchronously. Under the action of the transmission connection between the lower rack 807, the gear 808 and the upper rack 809, the plate sleeve 801 moves downward and drives the upper rack 809 and the sliding sleeve 814 to move upward. Figure 8 When the sleeve 814 moves upward, the inclined block 609 pushes the inclined push block 607 to slide toward the outside of the sleeve 814, so that the inclined push block 607 cooperates with the round head rod 611 on the horizontal plate 606. As the sleeve 814 continues to move upward, the sleeve 814 drives the inclined push block 607 to move synchronously, and the inclined push block 607 pushes the round head rod 611 to slide horizontally, so that the through hole 604 on the horizontal plate 606 coincides with the exhaust hole 602. At this time, a part of the protective gas near the cathode assembly 8 is discharged through the through hole 604 and the exhaust hole 602. After discharge, the horizontal plate 606 is reset under the action of the spring three 605, and the horizontal plate 606 closes the exhaust hole 602, thereby maintaining the protective gas pressure balance near the cathode assembly 8, avoiding the gas pressure inhibiting the flow of the molten salt electrolyte, resulting in abnormal temperature gradient near the cathode or anode.

[0056] In the later stage of electrolysis, the electrolysis products increase and are deposited at the bottom of the furnace body 1. It is necessary to raise the position of the cathode assembly 8 to prevent the electrolysis products from adhering to the rare earth metals, which will cause the quality of the rare earth metals to deteriorate.

[0057] See also Figure 6 The plate sleeve 801 is pulled upward by the winch 10 to remove part of the cathode plate 802 from the electrolyte. At this time, the electrolyte level drops and the pressure of the protective gas near the cathode assembly 8 decreases.

[0058] In order to ensure the pressure balance of the protective gas, under the action of the transmission connection between the lower rack 807, the gear 808 and the upper rack 809, the plate sleeve 801 moves upward to drive the upper rack 809 and the sliding sleeve 814 to move downward. Figure 8 During the downward movement of the sliding sleeve 814, the inclined block 2 610 pushes the inclined push block 2 608 to move toward the outside of the sliding sleeve 814, so that the inclined push block 2 608 cooperates with the round head rod 611 on the horizontal plate 606. As the sliding sleeve 814 continues to move downward, the sliding sleeve 814 pushes the horizontal plate 606 to move horizontally through the inclined push block 2 608, so that the through hole 604 on the horizontal plate 606 coincides with the air inlet 603, so that the protective gas is filled into the interior of the furnace body 1 through the air inlet 603 and the through hole 604, thereby balancing the air pressure of the protective gas near the cathode assembly 8.

[0059] When the winch 10 pulls up the plate sleeve 801 through the pull rope 11, the plate sleeve 801 drives the slider 810 to move upward along the inner cavity of the sleeve 806 through the spring 2 805. Figure 10 When the slider 810 moves upward, the inclined surface on the card plate 811 cooperates with the inner snap ring 813, and the card plate 811 extends into the slider 810. When the plate sleeve 801 stops, the card plate 811 is again inserted between the two adjacent inner snap rings 813 to ensure that the spring 2 805 returns to its normal state during the upward movement of the plate sleeve 801, preparing for the next operation.

[0060] After the electrolysis is completed, wait for the electrolyte to cool down, and then the motor 4 drives the screw 302 to rotate, and the screw 302 drives the cross bar 304 and the pull rod 305 to rotate through the transmission head 303, and the pull rod 305 drives the cathode assembly 8 to move out of the furnace body 1. During this process, when the cathode plate 802 passes through the inner bevel cylinder 9, the inner bevel cylinder 9 pushes the cathode plate 802 into the slide 804, scraping off the rare earth metal on the cathode plate 802.

[0061] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention are shown and described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace, characterized in that: The invention comprises a furnace body (1), an anode assembly (2) is fixedly mounted on the furnace body (1), a lifting assembly (3) is mounted on the furnace body (1), a motor (4) is mounted on the lifting assembly (3), the lifting assembly (3) is connected to the cathode assembly (8), and the motor (4) drives the cathode assembly (8) to rise and fall through the lifting assembly (3); The cathode assembly (8) includes a plate sleeve (801) and a sleeve (806), the lifting assembly (3) is connected to the sleeve (806), the sleeve (806) is connected to the plate sleeve (801) via a second spring (805), a cathode plate (802) is slidably mounted on the plate sleeve (801), the bottom cross-sectional area of ​​the cathode plate (802) is larger than the top, an inner bevel cylinder (9) is fixedly mounted on the furnace body (1), and when the lifting assembly (3) drives the cathode assembly (8) to rise, the outer bevel of the cathode plate (802) cooperates with the inner bevel of the inner bevel cylinder (9), and under the action of the inner bevel cylinder (9), the cathode plate (802) slides toward the inside of the plate sleeve (801), and the inner bevel cylinder (9) is mounted with a balanced air pressure assembly (6); A slide groove (804) is provided on the plate sleeve (801), a guide block (803) is installed on the cathode plate (802), the cathode plate (802) is slidably connected to the slide groove (804) via the guide block (803), and the cathode plate (802) is connected to the inner wall of the slide groove (804) via a spring.

2. The cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly (3) includes a lifting platform (301) fixedly mounted on the furnace body (1), a screw rod (302) is mounted inside the lifting platform (301), a motor (4) drives the screw rod (302) to rotate, the screw rod (302) is connected to a transmission head (303), a cross bar (304) is mounted on the transmission head (303), and the cross bar (304) is connected to a sleeve (806) via a pull rod (305).

3. The cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace according to claim 2, characterized in that: A sliding sleeve (814) is sleeved on the pull rod (305), an upper rack (809) is mounted on the sliding sleeve (814), a lower rack (807) is mounted on the plate sleeve (801), a gear (808) is mounted on the sleeve (806), and the upper rack (809) and the lower rack (807) are meshed with the gear (808).

4. The cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace according to claim 3, characterized in that: The balanced air pressure assembly (6) includes a top cover (601), an exhaust hole (602) is provided on one side of the top cover (601), and an air inlet hole (603) is provided on the other side. A horizontal plate (606) is installed on both sides of the top cover (601) for horizontal sliding. A through hole (604) is provided on the horizontal plate (606). A round head rod (611) is installed on the horizontal plate (606). An inclined block (609) and an inclined block (611) are fixedly installed on both sides of the pull rod (305). Block 2 (610), the two sides of the sliding sleeve (814) are respectively installed with inclined push block 1 (607) and inclined push block 2 (608) for horizontal sliding, the inclined surfaces on inclined push block 1 (607) and inclined push block 2 (608) are respectively matched with inclined block 1 (609) and inclined block 2 (610), and a spring 3 (605) is installed between the horizontal plate (606) and the inner wall of the top cover (601); when the sliding sleeve (814) moves upward, the pull rod (30 5) fixed, under the action of the inclined push block 1 (607) and the inclined block 1 (609), the inclined block 1 (609) pushes the inclined push block 1 (607) to slide toward the outside of the sliding sleeve (814), so that the through hole (604) on the horizontal plate (606) coincides with the exhaust hole (602), and at this time, the protective gas near the cathode assembly (8) is partially discharged through the through hole (604) and the exhaust hole (602). After being discharged, the horizontal plate (606) Under the action of spring three (605), the horizontal plate (606) is reset to close the exhaust hole (602); when the sliding sleeve (814) moves downward, the inclined block two (610) pushes the inclined surface push block two (608) to slide toward the outside of the sliding sleeve (814), so that the through hole (604) on the horizontal plate (606) coincides with the air inlet (603), so that the protective gas is filled into the interior of the furnace body (1) through the air inlet (603) and the through hole (604).

5. The cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace according to claim 4, characterized in that: A hoist (10) is installed on the top cover (601), and the hoist (10) is connected to the plate sleeve (801) via a pull rope (11).

6. The cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inner retaining ring (813) is provided in the sleeve (806), a slider (810) is slidably installed in the sleeve (806), the slider (810) is connected to the plate sleeve (801) via a second spring (805), a clamping plate (811) is slidably installed in the slider (810), the clamping plate (811) is connected to the slider (810) via a first spring (812), and the clamping plate (811) is inserted between two adjacent inner retaining rings (813).

7. The cathode lifting device for a rare earth molten salt electrolysis furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: A separator (5) is installed in the furnace body (1), and the anode assembly (2) includes a fixed plate (201) and an anode column (202). The fixed plate (201) is fixedly installed on the furnace body (1), and the anode column (202) is installed on the fixed plate (201). The anode column (202) extends into the furnace body (1). The furnace body (1) is provided with a row hole (7), and the row hole (7) is located on one side of the anode column (202).

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