Electrolytic bath and electrolytic equipment for preparing metal through ionic liquid electrolysis

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrolytic bath and electrolytic equipment for preparing metal through ionic liquid electrolysis. The two electrode positioning clamping grooves, the negative plate, the positive plate and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet in the electrolytic bath body are matched to form a snake-shaped inner circulation channel, and the electrolytic reaction is uniform and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of rare earth preparation, and in particular to an electrolytic cell and electrolytic equipment for preparing metals by electrolysis of ionic liquids. Background Art

[0002] Ionic liquids are organic salts composed entirely of anions and cations that are liquid below 100°C. Their properties are determined by the types of anions and cations that make them up, as well as the length of their alkyl chains. They possess extremely high chemical stability and a wide electrochemical window, allowing them to react at room temperature. They also have low vapor pressures, wide liquid ranges, excellent thermal stability, and are environmentally friendly. As environmentally friendly green solvents, ionic liquids are highly reusable and low volatile. As low-temperature molten salts, ionic liquids are widely used in various fields of chemical research. Ionic liquid electrolysis is a new method for the electrolytic preparation of metals and alloys, characterized by low electrolysis temperatures and low energy consumption, and holds great promise for future applications.

[0003] CN204198870U provides a device for ionic liquid electrodeposition. In this device, a silicone oil tank is placed on a heater, an electrolytic cell is placed inside the silicone oil tank, a rubber stopper is provided on the top of the electrolytic cell, an ionic liquid is placed inside the electrolytic cell, a cathode and an anode are provided on the top of the electrolytic cell, the bottoms of the cathode and anode are immersed in the ionic liquid, and the cathode and anode are connected to a power supply. A stirring structure is provided in the middle of the top of the rubber stopper, a thermometer is inserted into one side of the top of the rubber stopper, and the bottom of the thermometer is immersed in the ionic liquid. An inert gas tank is inserted into the top of the rubber stopper near the anode through an air inlet pipe, and a tail suction device is inserted into the top of the rubber stopper near the cathode through an exhaust pipe.

[0004] CN116377522A provides a device and method for preparing nano-aluminum based on an ionic liquid electrolyte. The device includes an electrolytic cell, a collecting assembly, a stirring assembly, an electrolytic assembly, a liquid adding assembly, a liquid discharge assembly, and a liquid measuring assembly. The electrolytic cell includes a cell body and a cover plate, the cover plate covering the notch of the cell body; the collecting assembly is located at the bottom of the cell body; the stirring assembly includes a stirring connector and a stirring member, the stirring connector passing through the cover plate, and the stirring member is located within the stirring connector; the aluminum cathode and aluminum anode of the electrolytic assembly are located within the cell body and arranged around the stirring member; the liquid adding assembly is used to add ionic liquid electrolyte to the interior of the cell body; one end of the liquid discharge assembly is located within the cell body and extends close to the collecting assembly; and the liquid measuring assembly is used to detect the liquid level of the ionic liquid electrolyte within the cell body.

[0005] The inventors have found that when the above electrolysis equipment is used for preparing metals by electrolysis of ionic liquids, there are technical problems such as uneven flow field and low electrolysis efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides an electrolytic cell and electrolytic equipment for preparing metals by electrolysis of ionic liquids, so as to make the flow field uniform and improve the electrolysis efficiency.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: an electrolytic cell for preparing metals by electrolysis of ionic liquids, comprising:

[0008] The electrolytic cell body has at least two planar inner side surfaces that are opposite to and parallel to each other;

[0009] an electrolytic cell cover, detachably sealing the opening of the electrolytic cell body;

[0010] Two electrode positioning slots are located in the electrolytic cell body, and the electrode positioning slots include an integrally formed slot back plate and two horizontal plates, the slot back plate is flat, and its first side surface is close to a planar inner side surface of the electrolytic cell body, and the two horizontal plates are respectively vertically connected to the upper edge and lower edge of the second side surface of the slot back plate, the horizontal plate is a rectangular plate, and the side of the horizontal plate parallel to the slot back plate is its long side, and a plurality of long slots and a plurality of short slots are provided on the free end surface of the long side of the horizontal plate, the long slots and the short slots are alternately arranged along the extension direction of the long side of the horizontal plate, the long slots and the short slots both pass through the horizontal plate up and down, the bottom of the long slot is flush with the second side surface of the slot back plate, and the depth of the short slot is less than the depth of the long slot. The long slots on the two horizontal plates of the same electrode positioning slot are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body, and the short slots on the two horizontal plates of the same electrode positioning slot are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body (in use, the electrolytic cell body is placed horizontally, and the short slots on the two horizontal plates of the same electrode positioning slot are aligned in a vertical direction), the slot back plates of the two electrode positioning slots are arranged in parallel and their second side surfaces are arranged opposite to each other, the long slot of the upper horizontal plate of any electrode positioning slot is aligned with the short slot of the upper horizontal plate of the other electrode positioning slot in a direction perpendicular to the slot back plate, and the long slot of the lower horizontal plate of any electrode positioning slot is aligned with the short slot of the lower horizontal plate of the other electrode positioning slot in a direction perpendicular to the slot back plate;

[0011] A plurality of cathode plates and a plurality of anode plates are located in the electrolytic cell body, alternately arranged along the long side extension direction of the horizontal plate, inserted into the same group of slots and closely attached to the slot bottom of the same group of slots, wherein the long slot and the short slot of one electrode positioning slot aligned in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plate and the short slot and the long slot of another electrode positioning slot aligned in a direction along the slot back plate constitute a group of slots;

[0012] The side wall of the electrolytic cell body is further provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The positions of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are set to guide the ionic liquid into the electrolytic cell body and then flow through each cathode plate and anode plate in a serpentine shape along the arrangement direction of the cathode plate and the anode plate before flowing out of the electrolytic cell body.

[0013] The bottom of the back plate of the electrode positioning slot, the lower horizontal plate of the two horizontal plates of the electrode positioning slot, the bottom of the cathode plate and the bottom of the anode plate are all in contact with the bottom of the electrolytic cell body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the electrolytic cell further includes a thermoelectric tube and a thermocouple disposed inside the electrolytic cell body.

[0015] In some embodiments, four liquid inlets are provided on one side wall of the electrolytic cell body, respectively located at the four corners of the side wall, and four liquid outlets are provided on another side wall of the electrolytic cell body, respectively located at the four corners of the side wall.

[0016] In some embodiments, a plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets are further provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and the air inlets and the air outlets are both higher than the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cathode plate and the anode plate have the same shape and size, the cathode plate includes a rectangular flat section and a cathode lug protruding upward from an upper corner portion where the rectangular flat section is connected to the long slot, and the anode plate includes a rectangular flat section and an anode lug protruding upward from an upper corner portion where the rectangular flat section is connected to the long slot;

[0018] The cathode lugs of the cathode plate are connected to the conductive copper bars in a one-to-one correspondence, and the conductive copper bars connected to the cathode plate are all connected to the cathode conductive plate. The anode lugs of the anode plate are connected to the conductive copper bars in a one-to-one correspondence, and the conductive copper bars connected to the anode plate are all connected to the anode conductive plate. The cathode conductive plate and the anode conductive plate are each connected to a terminal, and the terminal passes through the side wall of the electrolytic cell body (that is, the terminal passes through the side wall of the electrolytic cell body).

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: an electrolysis device, comprising the aforementioned electrolytic cell for preparing metal by electrolysis of ionic liquid, the electrolysis device further comprising:

[0020] A circulation pump is connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, and is used to drive the internal circulation flow of the ionic liquid.

[0021] In some embodiments, a stirring barrel is further included, wherein the stirring barrel is used to stir the ionic liquid and the electrolyte, a thermoelectric tube and a thermocouple are provided in the stirring barrel, and the stirring barrel is communicated with the electrolytic cell body.

[0022] In some embodiments, two pipeline tees are further included, wherein the three ends of one pipeline tee are respectively connected to the liquid inlet of the electrolytic cell body, the first end of the circulation pump and the outlet of the stirring barrel, and the three ends of the other pipeline tee are respectively connected to the liquid outlet of the electrolytic cell body, the second end of the circulation pump and the inlet of the stirring barrel.

[0023] In some embodiments, all the air inlets are opened on the same side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and all the air outlets are opened on another same side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and the side wall of the electrolytic cell body where the air inlets are located is opposite to the side wall of the electrolytic cell body where the air outlets are located; the electrolysis equipment also includes an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe, the air inlet pipe is communicated with the air inlet and has a only external port, and the air outlet pipe is communicated with the air outlet and has a only external port.

[0024] In some embodiments, a tail gas adsorption device is further provided on the gas outlet pipe.

[0025] Taking patents CN 204198870U and CN116377522A as examples, the existing technology uses a single set of cathodes and anodes, resulting in low space utilization within the electrolytic cell and high electrolyte consumption. However, the present invention employs a method of alternating and repetitively placing parallel cathode and anode plates, with multiple sets of anode and cathode plates connected in parallel. This allows for simultaneous reactions on multiple sets of anode and cathode plates, resulting in higher electrolysis efficiency. With the same electrode spacing, the present invention utilizes space more efficiently, achieving higher space, electrode area, and electrolyte utilization, while significantly reducing costs.

[0026] Taking patent CN 204198870U and patent CN116377522A as examples, the existing technologies are all cathode single-sided plating, while the present invention can achieve cathode double-sided electrodeposition / electroplating.

[0027] Taking patent CN 204198870U as an example, the electrolytic heating device in the prior art is a bottom non-liquid contact heating device. Since some electrolytic cells are made of ceramic materials, quartz materials, polypropylene and other polymer materials, and in order to facilitate the processing of the cell body, cheap polymer materials are often used. Due to the low melting point of polymer materials, direct contact with the heating base will cause uneven heating and the electrolytic cell to melt or catch fire, leading to accidents such as leakage. The present invention sets an electric heating pipe inside the electrolytic cell body, which can directly contact the circulating liquid, has high heating efficiency, and will not damage the electrolytic cell body if it does not contact the electrolytic cell body.

[0028] Taking patents CN 204198870U and CN116377522A as examples, existing technologies use fixed stirring paddles for stirring. This stirring method creates an uneven flow field within the electrolytic cell, particularly between the cathode and anode, which can cause uneven reaction on the electrode surfaces. The present invention achieves a good uniform flow effect by controlling the circulation of electrolyte within the electrolysis area. Simultaneously controlling multiple inlet and outlet valves ensures uniform liquid flow without dead spots.

[0029] Taking patents CN 204198870U and CN116377522A as examples, the prior art uses a closed structure with a lid on the top of the electrolytic cell. Since the electrodes, stirring paddles, air inlet and outlet pipes, thermometers and other devices in the electrolytic cell are all connected through the lid, the above devices cause the complexity of the lid. In particular, the stirring paddles and the lid need to be dynamically sealed, which is prone to leakage. At the same time, the lid device is relatively complicated and not easy to follow operations such as changing electrodes during the experimental process. The electrolytic cell cover of the present invention is only used for sealing. The electrode connection, gas inlet and outlet, ionic liquid inlet and outlet, temperature detection, etc. are all achieved through the electrolytic cell body, with good sealing and simple structure.

[0030] Taking patent CN 204198870U as an example, the prior art does not have a device for replenishing electrolytes or solutes. If the lid is not opened while the reaction process remains airtight, the reactants cannot be replenished. As the reaction proceeds, the electrolyte concentration gradually decreases, which is not conducive to the continued stability of the reaction process. If solutes need to be replenished, the electrolytic cell lid must be opened, which will cause some volatiles to leak and introduce substances in the air. Taking patent CN116377522A as an example, although there are liquid inlet and outlet components, the liquid inlet and outlet devices need to be connected separately, which poses uncertainty. The present invention directly connects the liquid storage device (i.e., the stirring barrel) through a pipeline to form a closed pipeline and chamber. Reliability is improved.

[0031] Taking patents CN 204198870U and CN116377522A as examples, the prior art electrolytic cell liquid does not have a buffer zone. The supporting device of the present invention can pump the liquid into the stirring tank through the circulation system after the reaction is completed, and the present invention can prevent the ionic liquid from coming into contact with air.

[0032] Taking patent CN 204198870U and patent CN116377522A as examples, the electrode device in the prior art does not have a pole distance fixing device, resulting in pole distance fluctuations. The present invention provides a movable and detachable electrode slot, which can not only achieve the positioning of the electrolytic plate, but also facilitate disassembly and cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is an external view of the electrolysis equipment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electrolysis equipment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a partial structure of the electrolytic cell of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The omitted view.

[0037] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of another part of the structure of the electrolytic cell of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of a part of the structure of the electrolysis equipment of the present invention, and the arrows in the pipeline indicate the direction of liquid flow.

[0039] Figure 7 It is a front view of the cathode plate of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 It is a view of the appearance and internal structure of the stirring barrel in the electrolysis equipment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 9 It is a front view of a partial structure of the electrolysis equipment of the present invention, wherein Figure a is a top view, Figure b is a left view with reference to Figure a, and the arrows in the pipe indicate the direction of gas flow.

[0042] Figure 10 It is a top view of a partial structure of the electrolysis device of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 11 It is a front view of a partial structure of the electrolysis equipment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 12 It is a perspective view of a partial structure of the electrolysis equipment of the present invention.

[0045] The accompanying drawings are numbered as follows: 1. electrolytic cell body; 2. electric heating tube; 3. conductive copper busbar; 4. anode conductive plate; 5. temperature controller; 6. circulation pump; 7. stirring barrel; 8. stirring motor; 9. bracket; 10. pipeline valve; 11. circulation pipeline; 12. air inlet pipe; 12a. air outlet pipe; 13. electrode positioning slot; 14. cathode plate; 15. anode plate; 16. thermocouple; 17. electric heating tube; 18. stirring paddle; 19. electric heating tube terminal; 20. exhaust gas adsorption device; 21. stirring barrel liquid inlet pipe; 22. stirring barrel liquid outlet pipe; 23. cathode conductive plate ; 24. Air flow inlet; 25. Air flow outlet; 26. Liquid outlet; 27. Connecting pipe from pipeline tee to mixing barrel; 28. Pipe tee; 29. Feeding port; 30. Cathode conductive terminal; 31. Anode conductive terminal; 32. Electrolytic cell cover; 33. Sealing card slot; 35. Main line switch; 36. Circulation control switch; 37. Liquid inlet; 131. Card slot back plate; 132. Horizontal plate; 133. Long card slot; 134. Short card slot; H2. Back plate receiving hole; 141. Cathode lug; 151. Anode lug; H1. Electrode connection hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0047] An embodiment of the present invention provides an electrolytic cell for preparing metals by electrolysis of ionic liquids, comprising: an electrolytic cell body, an electrolytic cell cover, two electrode positioning slots, a plurality of cathode plates, and a plurality of anode plates.

[0048] <Electrolytic Cell Body>

[0049] The electrolytic cell body has at least two planar inner side surfaces which are opposite to each other and arranged in parallel.

[0050] In some embodiments, the electrolytic cell body is a rectangular parallelepiped tank. In other embodiments, the internal space of the electrolytic cell body is a cube. In some embodiments, the inner side surface of the electrolytic cell body has a curved surface.

[0051] A thermocouple and a thermoelectric tube are provided in the electrolytic cell body, and the two are electrically connected to an external control system (such as a microprocessor unit MCU) through connection terminals provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell body.

[0052] The thermoelectric tube is used to heat the ionic liquid in the electrolytic cell, and the thermocouple is used to detect the temperature of the ionic liquid.

[0053] <Electrolytic cell cover>

[0054] The electrolytic cell cover detachably seals the opening of the electrolytic cell body.

[0055] In some embodiments, a sealing groove is provided on the upper end surface of the electrolytic cell body, and a sealing strip is provided on the lower end surface of the electrolytic cell cover. The sealing strip is inserted into the sealing groove, thereby realizing a detachable sealed connection between the electrolytic cell cover and the electrolytic cell body.

[0056] The electrolytic cell cover of the present invention is only used for sealing, and is not provided with gas inlet and outlet channels, fluid inlet and outlet channels, or electrical connection terminals.

[0057] <Two electrode positioning slots>

[0058] Two electrode positioning slots are located in the electrolytic cell body, and the electrode positioning slots include an integrally formed slot back plate and two horizontal plates, the slot back plate is flat, and its first side surface is close to a planar inner side surface of the electrolytic cell body, and the two horizontal plates are respectively vertically connected to the upper edge and lower edge of the second side surface of the slot back plate, the horizontal plate is a rectangular plate, and the side of the horizontal plate parallel to the slot back plate is its long side, and a plurality of long slots and a plurality of short slots are provided on the free end surface of the long side of the horizontal plate, and the long slots and the short slots are alternately arranged along the extension direction of the long side of the horizontal plate, and the long slots and the short slots both pass through the horizontal plate up and down, and the bottom of the long slot is adjacent to the second side surface of the slot back plate. The two electrodes are aligned with each other, and the two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body. The two electrodes are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body.

[0059] In some embodiments, the slot back plate is in close contact with the inner side surface of the long side of the rectangular parallelepiped electrolytic cell body.

[0060] <Multiple Cathode Plates and Multiple Anode Plates>

[0061] Multiple cathode plates and multiple anode plates are located in the electrolytic cell body, alternately arranged along the long side extension direction of the horizontal plate, inserted into the same group of slots and close to the slot bottom of the same group of slots, wherein the long slots and short slots on one electrode positioning slot aligned in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plate and the short slots and long slots on another electrode positioning slot aligned with it in a direction along the slot back plate are regarded as a group of slots.

[0062] The number of cathode plates and anode plates can be equal or they can differ by one, for example, there is one more anode plate than cathode plate so that both sides of all cathode plates are utilized.

[0063] The long card slot and the short card slot are used for inserting the cathode plate and the anode plate. Since the short card slot will form a gap between the cathode plate and the anode plate and the card slot back plate, and the long card slot makes the cathode plate and the anode plate close to the card slot back plate, the long card slot, the short card slot and the cathode plate and the anode plate cooperate to form a serpentine fluid channel, and the fluid will flow through almost the entire surface of the cathode plate and the anode plate.

[0064] The bottom of the electrode positioning slot backplate, the lower horizontal plate of the two horizontal plates of the electrode positioning slot, and the bottoms of the cathode plate and the anode plate all conform to the bottom of the electrolytic cell. This prevents ionic liquid from flowing through the gap between the electrode positioning slot and the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and also prevents ionic liquid from flowing through the gap between the cathode plate or anode plate and the bottom of the electrolytic cell. The bottom of the electrolytic cell can be flat, curved, or of any shape, as long as the bottom of the electrode positioning slot, the cathode plate, and the anode plate match the shape thereof.

[0065] A pair of liquid inlets and liquid outlets are also provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell body. The positions of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are set to guide the ionic liquid into the electrolytic cell body and then flow through each cathode plate and anode plate in a serpentine shape along the arrangement direction of the cathode plate and the anode plate before flowing out of the electrolytic cell body.

[0066] For example, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are arranged on two opposite side walls of the electrolytic cell, and the angle between the center line of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet and the perpendicular line of the cathode plate is less than 45°.

[0067] In this way, when the ionic liquid in the electrolyzer is circulated, it generally flows in the direction of the cathode and anode plates, driving the ionic liquid along the serpentine path formed between the cathode and anode plates and the slot back plate. This effectively avoids concentration polarization within the ionic liquid and improves reaction efficiency.

[0068] In some embodiments, four liquid inlets are provided on one side wall of the electrolytic cell body, respectively located at the four corners of the side wall, and four liquid outlets are provided on another side wall of the electrolytic cell body, respectively located at the four corners of the side wall.

[0069] With this design, valves can be set on the pipelines where the liquid inlet and liquid outlet are located, so that one liquid inlet and another liquid outlet can be selectively connected to enter the internal circulation, and the other liquid inlets and liquid outlets can be selectively closed.

[0070] The side walls of the electrolytic cell where the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located can be the side walls of the electrolytic cell to which the slot back plate is in close contact, or can be the two side walls of the electrolytic cell opposite to the cathode plate or the anode plate.

[0071] Valves can be provided on the pipes connected to the liquid inlets and outlets.

[0072] From the user's perspective facing the side wall of the electrolytic cell where the liquid inlet is located, at the same time, the liquid inlet at the upper left corner and the liquid outlet at the lower right corner can be opened, or the liquid inlet at the lower left corner and the liquid outlet at the upper right corner can be opened, or the liquid inlet at the upper right corner and the liquid outlet at the lower left corner can be opened, or the liquid inlet at the lower right corner and the liquid outlet at the upper left corner can be opened.

[0073] This design avoids dead corners in the electrolytic cell where ionic liquid may flow.

[0074] In some embodiments, the depths of all short slots are equal, which makes the serpentine flow trajectory of the ionic liquid more uniform and the concentration distribution of the electrolyte in the ionic liquid more uniform.

[0075] In some embodiments, a plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets are further provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and the air inlets and the air outlets are both higher than the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet.

[0076] With this design, inert gas can be introduced into the electrolytic cell and harmful gases generated during the reaction can be discharged.

[0077] In some embodiments, the cathode plate and the anode plate have the same shape and size, the cathode plate includes a rectangular flat section and a cathode lug protruding upward from an upper corner portion where the rectangular flat section is connected to the long slot, and the anode plate includes a rectangular flat section and an anode lug protruding upward from an upper corner portion where the rectangular flat section is connected to the long slot;

[0078] The cathode lugs of the cathode plate are connected to the conductive copper bars in a one-to-one correspondence, and the conductive copper bars connected to the cathode plate are all connected to the cathode conductive plate. The anode lugs of the anode plate are connected to the conductive copper bars in a one-to-one correspondence, and the conductive copper bars connected to the anode plate are all connected to the anode conductive plate. The cathode conductive plate and the anode conductive plate are each connected to a terminal, and the terminal passes through the side wall of the electrolytic cell body.

[0079] This design allows the cathode plate and the anode plate to be electrically connected to an external power source, and the connection area is in the shape of a lug, which does not occupy the reaction area.

[0080] Specifically, a through hole is provided in the wiring area for connecting the conductive copper busbar. The two are fixedly connected using conductive screws. The conductive copper busbar is also fixedly connected to the cathode conductive plate and the anode conductive plate using conductive screws to achieve electrical connection.

[0081] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an electrolysis device, comprising the aforementioned electrolytic cell for preparing metals by electrolysis of ionic liquids, the electrolysis device further comprising a circulation pump (for achieving internal circulation of the ionic liquid). The electrolysis device may further comprise a stirring barrel (for achieving external circulation of the ionic liquid). The stirring barrel is used to stir the ionic liquid and the electrolyte, and contains a thermoelectric tube and a thermocouple, and the stirring barrel is in communication with the electrolysis cell body.

[0082] The electrolysis apparatus may also include a temperature controller for heating the ionic liquid and controlling the temperature of the ionic liquid to maintain it within a temperature range that allows for effective reaction. Specifically, the temperature controller is connected to the heating tube and thermocouple located within the electrolytic cell, as well as to the thermocouple and heating tube within the stirring barrel.

[0083] <Circulation Pump>

[0084] The circulation pump is connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, and is used to drive the internal circulation flow of the ionic liquid. The circulation pump is also used to drive the external circulation flow of the ionic liquid.

[0085] Specifically, the ionic liquid flows from the circulation pump to the liquid inlet of the electrolytic cell, then flows in a serpentine shape within the electrolytic cell, passing through each cathode plate and anode plate, and then flows back to the circulation pump from the liquid outlet of the electrolytic cell. This is internal circulation.

[0086] Specifically, the ionic liquid circulates between the electrolytic cell body and the stirring barrel, which is an external circulation flow.

[0087] <Mixing bucket>

[0088] The stirring barrel is used for stirring the ionic liquid and the electrolyte and is communicated with the electrolytic cell body.

[0089] With this design, an external circulation path can be formed between the stirring barrel and the electrolytic cell body, that is, the ionic liquid flows from the electrolytic cell body to the stirring barrel, and then from the stirring barrel to the electrolytic cell body.

[0090] A feeding port can be provided on the stirring barrel for adding electrolyte to the ionic liquid.

[0091] In some embodiments, the electrolysis equipment further includes two pipeline tees, wherein the three ends of one pipeline tee are respectively connected to the liquid inlet of the electrolytic cell body, the first end of the circulation pump and the outlet of the stirring barrel, and the three ends of the other pipeline tee are respectively connected to the liquid outlet of the electrolytic cell body, the second end of the circulation pump and the inlet of the stirring barrel.

[0092] With this design, the circulation pump drives both the internal and external circulation of the ionic liquid, saving costs and making the overall equipment compact.

[0093] The external circulation means that the ionic liquid flows from the stirring barrel into the electrolytic cell body, and then flows back to the stirring barrel from the electrolytic cell body.

[0094] In other embodiments, the internal circulation and the external circulation are driven by different circulation pumps.

[0095] In some embodiments, all the air inlets are opened on the same side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and all the air outlets are opened on another same side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and the side wall of the electrolytic cell body where the air inlets are located is opposite to the side wall of the electrolytic cell body where the air outlets are located; the electrolysis equipment also includes an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe, the air inlet pipe is communicated with the air inlet and has a only external port, and the air outlet pipe is communicated with the air outlet and has a only external port.

[0096] The external interface of the air inlet pipe is connected to the inert gas source, and the external interface of the air outlet pipe is connected to the purification equipment.

[0097] In some embodiments, a tail gas adsorption device is further provided on the gas outlet pipe.

[0098] For example, the tail gas adsorption device is equipped with one or more adsorption materials including lanthanum chips, sodium hydroxide, activated carbon, and aluminum oxide to filter the chlorine generated in the electrolytic cell.

[0099] Example 1

[0100] refer to Figures 1 to 12 Example 1 provides an electrolytic cell for preparing metals by ionic liquid electrolysis, comprising: an electrolytic cell body 1, an electrolytic cell cover 32, two electrode positioning slots 13, a plurality of cathode plates 14 and a plurality of anode plates 15, a thermoelectric tube 2 and a thermocouple (not shown).

[0101] refer to Figure 2 The electrolytic cell body 1 has at least two planar inner side surfaces that are opposite to each other and arranged in parallel. Specifically, the electrolytic cell body 1 defines an inner space in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0102] refer to Figure 6 The electrolytic cell cover 32 detachably seals the opening of the electrolytic cell body 1. Specifically, a sealing slot 33 is provided on the upper surface of the side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1, and a sealing strip corresponding to the sealing slot 33 is provided on the electrolytic cell cover 32, and the sealing strip can be inserted into the sealing slot 33.

[0103] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 Combined with Figure 2 The two electrode positioning slots 13 are located in the electrolytic cell body 1 , and the electrode positioning slots 13 include an integrally formed slot back plate 131 and two horizontal plates 132 .

[0104] The slot back plate 131 is flat, and its first side surface is in close contact with a flat inner side surface of the electrolytic cell body 1 . The two horizontal plates 132 are respectively vertically connected to the upper and lower edges of the second side surface of the slot back plate 131 .

[0105] The horizontal plate 132 is a rectangular plate, and the side of the horizontal plate 132 parallel to the slot back plate 131 is its long side. A plurality of long slots 133 and a plurality of short slots 134 are provided on the free end surface of the long side of the horizontal plate 132. The long slots 133 and the short slots 134 are alternately arranged along the extension direction of the long side of the horizontal plate 132, and both the long slots 133 and the short slots 134 pass through the horizontal plate 132 from top to bottom.

[0106] The bottom of the long card slot 133 is flush with the second side surface of the card slot back plate 131 (that is, the bottom of the long card slot 133 and the surface of the card slot back plate 131 facing the opposite card slot back plate 131 are coplanar), and the depth of the short card slot 134 is less than the depth of the long card slot 133.

[0107] The long slots 133 on the two horizontal plates 132 of the same electrode positioning slot 13 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body 1 (taking the electrolysis equipment as a reference and the electrolytic cell body as a reference, the upper and lower long slots opposite to each other of the same electrode positioning slot 13 are aligned in the vertical direction), and the short slots 134 on the two horizontal plates 132 of the same electrode positioning slot 13 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body 1.

[0108] The slot back plates 131 of the two electrode positioning slots 13 are arranged in parallel and their second side surfaces are arranged opposite to each other. The long slot 133 of the upper horizontal plate 132 of any electrode positioning slot 13 is aligned with the short slot 134 of the upper horizontal plate 132 of the other electrode positioning slot 13 in a direction perpendicular to the slot back plate 131, and the long slot 133 of the lower horizontal plate 132 of any electrode positioning slot 13 is aligned with the short slot 134 of the lower horizontal plate 132 of the other electrode positioning slot 13 in a direction perpendicular to the slot back plate 131.

[0109] The groove depths of all the short card grooves 134 are equal.

[0110] refer to Figures 2 to 5 , multiple cathode plates 14 and multiple anode plates 15 are located in the electrolytic cell body 1, alternately arranged along the long side extension direction of the horizontal plate 132, inserted into the same group of slots and close to the bottom of the same group of slots, wherein the long slot and short slot 134 on one electrode positioning slot 13 aligned in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plate 132 and the short slot and long slot 133 on another electrode positioning slot aligned with it in a direction along the slot back plate 131 are regarded as a group of slots.

[0111] The cathode plate 14 and the anode plate 15 have the same shape and size. The cathode plate 14 includes a rectangular flat section and a cathode lug 141 that protrudes upward from the upper corner where the rectangular flat section connects to the long slot 133. The anode plate 14 includes a rectangular flat section and an anode lug 151 that protrudes upward from the upper corner where the rectangular flat section connects to the long slot 133.

[0112] The cathode lugs 141 of the cathode plate 14 are connected to the conductive copper bars 3 in a one-to-one correspondence, and the conductive copper bars 3 connected to the cathode plate 14 are all connected to the cathode conductive plate 23 .

[0113] The anode lugs 151 of the anode plate 15 are connected to the conductive copper busbars 3 in a one-to-one correspondence. The conductive copper busbars 3 connected to the anode plate 15 are all connected to the anode conductive plate 4. The cathode conductive plate 23 and the anode conductive plate 4 are each connected to a terminal (i.e., the cathode conductive terminal 30 and the anode conductive terminal 31). The terminal extends from the side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1.

[0114] refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 7 The main body of the cathode plate 14 is rectangular. The horizontal dimension of the rectangular area is a, and the height dimension is b, when used. The top corners of the cathode plate 14 protrude upward to form cathode lugs 141. These lugs 141 are also rectangular, with their boundaries parallel to the boundaries of the main body of the cathode plate 14. Electrode connection holes H1 are provided on cathode lugs 141. These holes are used to connect to the conductive copper busbar 3.

[0115] Continue to refer Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 7 The main body of the anode plate 15 is rectangular. The horizontal dimension of the rectangular area is a, and the height dimension is b, when used. The top corners of the anode plate 15 protrude upward to form anode lugs 151. These lugs 151 are also rectangular, with their boundaries parallel to the main body of the anode plate 15. Anode lugs 151 are provided with click-connection holes H1. These holes are used to connect to the conductive copper busbar 3.

[0116] The bottom of the electrolytic cell 1 is flat. The bottom surface of the slot back plate 131, the bottom surface of the horizontal plate 132 located below, and the bottom surfaces of the cathode plate 14 and anode plate 15 are all coplanar and adhere to the bottom of the electrolytic cell 1 due to gravity, thereby more effectively utilizing the electrolyte.

[0117] Among them, a liquid inlet 37 and a liquid outlet 26 are also provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1. The positions of the liquid inlet 37 and the liquid outlet 26 are set to guide the ionic liquid into the electrolytic cell body 1 and then flow through each cathode plate 14 and anode plate 15 in a serpentine manner along the arrangement direction of the cathode plate 14 and the anode plate 15 before flowing out of the electrolytic cell body 1.

[0118] The ionic liquid flows into the electrolytic cell body 1 from a liquid inlet 37, first flowing through the surface of the electrode plate (i.e., cathode plate 14 or anode plate 15) closest to the liquid inlet 37, facing the liquid inlet 37, then through the gap between the first electrode plate and the slot back plate 131, continuing to flow to the gap between the first and second electrode plates, then through the gap between the second electrode plate and the slot back plate 131, flowing to the gap between the second and third electrode plates, and so on, ultimately flowing to the liquid outlet 26. At each gap between the electrode plate and the slot back plate 131, the flow direction of the ionic liquid reverses 180 degrees.

[0119] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12 Four liquid inlets 37 are provided on one long side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1, which are respectively located at the four corners of the side wall; four liquid outlets 26 are provided on the other long side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1, which are respectively located at the four corners of the side wall.

[0120] refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 6 and Figure 9 A plurality of air inlets and air outlets are also provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1 , and both the air inlets and the air outlets are higher than the liquid inlet 37 and the liquid outlet 26 .

[0121] The electric heating tube 2 is connected to an external power source (not shown) via an electric heating tube terminal 19 provided on a short side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1 .

[0122] refer to Figure 4 Combined with Figure 2 and Figure 12 Four backplate receiving holes H2 are defined on the slot backplate 131 of the motor positioning slot 13. The four backplate receiving holes H2 on one slot backplate 131 correspond directly to the four liquid outlets 26, while the four backplate receiving holes H2 on the other slot backplate 131 correspond directly to the four liquid inlets 37. Thus, for internal circulation, the ionic liquid enters the electrolytic cell 1 from the liquid inlets 37 through the backplate receiving holes H2, and then flows out of the electrolytic cell 1 through the backplate receiving holes H2 and the liquid outlets 26.

[0123] Example 2

[0124] refer to Figures 1 to 12 Example 2 provides an electrolysis device, including the electrolysis cell for preparing metal by ionic liquid electrolysis of Example 1, and the electrolysis device also includes: a circulation pump 6.

[0125] refer to Figure 2The circulation pump 6 is connected to the liquid inlet 37 and the liquid outlet 26 to drive the internal circulation flow of the ionic liquid.

[0126] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 8 The electrolysis equipment further includes a stirring barrel 7 and a temperature controller 5. The stirring barrel 7 is used to stir the ionic liquid and electrolyte. The stirring barrel 7 has a built-in thermocouple 16 and an electric heating tube 17. The temperature controller 5 is connected to the thermocouple 16 and the electric heating tube 17 to heat and control the temperature of the ionic liquid in the stirring barrel 7. The stirring barrel 7 is in communication with the electrolysis cell 1.

[0127] Continue to refer Figure 2 Combine Figure 8 The temperature controller 5 is connected to the thermocouple 16 and the electric heating tube 17 in the stirring barrel 7 to control the start and stop and power of the electric heating tube 17, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the ionic liquid in the stirring barrel 7.

[0128] Continue to refer Figure 2 The temperature controller 5 is also connected to the electric heating tube 2 and the thermocouple (not shown) in the electrolytic cell body 1 to control the start and stop and power of the electric heating tube 2, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the ionic liquid in the electrolytic cell body 1.

[0129] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 8 The stirring barrel 7 has a stirring motor 8 and a stirring paddle 18 . The output shaft of the stirrer 8 is connected to the stirring paddle 18 , driving the stirring paddle 18 to rotate, thereby stirring the ionic liquid in the stirring barrel 7 .

[0130] The bracket 9 is used to support the mixing barrel 7 .

[0131] A feeding port 29 is provided at the upper end of the stirring barrel 7 . The feeding port 29 is usually closed and is opened when ionic liquid or electrolyte needs to be added.

[0132] refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 The electrolysis equipment also includes two pipeline tees 28, the three ends of one pipeline tee 28 are respectively connected to the liquid inlet 37 of the electrolytic cell body 1, the first end of the circulation pump 6 and the outlet of the stirring barrel 7, and the three ends of the other pipeline tee 28 are respectively connected to the liquid outlet 26 of the electrolytic cell body 1, the second end of the circulation pump 6 and the inlet of the stirring barrel 7.

[0133] refer to Figure 9 All air inlets are located on the same side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1, and all air outlets are located on another same side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1. The side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1 where the air inlets are located is opposite to the side wall of the electrolytic cell body 1 where the air outlets are located. The electrolysis equipment also includes an air inlet pipe 12 and an air outlet pipe 12a. The air inlet pipe 12 communicates with the air inlets and has a single external connection port. The air outlet pipe 12a communicates with the air outlet and has a single external connection port.

[0134] Continue to refer Figure 9 A tail gas adsorption device 20 is also provided on the gas outlet pipe 12a, in which lanthanum chips, sodium hydroxide, activated carbon, aluminum oxide or calcium oxide are provided.

[0135] Continue to refer Figure 2 and Figure 9 The air flow inlet 24 is used to connect to an inert gas source (not shown), and the air flow outlet 25 is used to connect to an exhaust gas treatment device (not shown).

[0136] refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12 Each of the four liquid outlets 26 is connected to a circulation line 11, which is provided with a line valve 10. The other ends of the four circulation lines 11 are then connected to a line tee 28 through a single line. A main line switch 36 is provided on the line between the confluence of the four circulation lines 11 and the line tee 28. With this design, one of the liquid outlets 26 can be connected to the line tee 28, while the remaining liquid outlets 26 are disconnected from the line tee 28. Figure 11 The pipeline 27 in the middle connects the pipeline tee 28 and the inlet of the mixing barrel 7.

[0137] Each of the four liquid inlets 26 is connected to a circulation line 11, which is equipped with a line valve 10. The other ends of the four circulation lines 11 are then connected to another line tee 28 through a pipeline. A main line switch 35 is installed on the pipeline between the confluence of the four circulation lines 11 and the line tee 28. This design allows one of the liquid inlets 37 to be connected to the line tee 28, while the others are disconnected from the line tee 28. The line tee 28 is also connected to the outlet of the mixing drum 7 via the mixing drum outlet pipe 22.

[0138] The two pipeline tees 28 are also connected to the inlet and outlet of the circulation pump 6 respectively.

[0139] Circulation control switches 36 are also provided on the pipelines of the two pipeline tees 28 and the outlet and inlet of the mixing barrel 7. When the two circulation control switches 36 are turned on, the outer circulation starts. When the two circulation control switches 36 are turned off, the outer circulation stops.

[0140] Combine Figure 2 、 Figure 6 and Figure 11 The pipeline 27 is connected to the mixing barrel 7 through the mixing barrel liquid inlet pipe 21, and the two can be equivalent to one pipeline.

[0141] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Any modification, improvement, or substitution that can be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential content of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell for preparing metals by electrolysis of ionic liquids, characterized in that: include: The electrolytic cell body has at least two planar inner side surfaces that are opposite to and parallel to each other; an electrolytic cell cover, detachably sealing the opening of the electrolytic cell body; Two electrode positioning slots are located in the electrolytic cell body, and the electrode positioning slots include an integrally formed slot back plate and two horizontal plates, the slot back plate is flat, and its first side surface is close to a planar inner side surface of the electrolytic cell body, and the two horizontal plates are respectively vertically connected to the upper edge and lower edge of the second side surface of the slot back plate, and the horizontal plate is a rectangular plate, and the side of the horizontal plate parallel to the slot back plate is its long side, and a plurality of long slots and a plurality of short slots are provided on the free end surface of the long side of the horizontal plate, and the long slots and the short slots are alternately arranged along the extension direction of the long side of the horizontal plate, and the long slots and the short slots both pass through the horizontal plate up and down, and the bottom of the long slot is adjacent to the second side surface of the slot back plate. The two electrodes are aligned with each other, the long grooves on the two horizontal plates of the same electrode positioning slot are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body, the short grooves on the two horizontal plates of the same electrode positioning slot are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the electrolytic cell body, the slot back plates of the two electrode positioning slots are arranged in parallel and their second side surfaces are arranged opposite to each other, the long groove of the upper horizontal plate of any electrode positioning slot is aligned with the short groove of the upper horizontal plate of the other electrode positioning slot in a direction perpendicular to the slot back plate, the long groove of the lower horizontal plate of any electrode positioning slot is aligned with the short groove of the lower horizontal plate of the other electrode positioning slot in a direction perpendicular to the slot back plate; A plurality of cathode plates and a plurality of anode plates are located in the electrolytic cell body, alternately arranged along the long side extension direction of the horizontal plate, inserted into the same group of slots and closely attached to the slot bottom of the same group of slots, wherein the long slot and the short slot of one electrode positioning slot aligned in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plate and the short slot and the long slot of another electrode positioning slot aligned in a direction along the slot back plate constitute a group of slots; The side wall of the electrolytic cell body is further provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The positions of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are set to guide the ionic liquid into the electrolytic cell body and then flow through each cathode plate and anode plate in a serpentine shape along the arrangement direction of the cathode plate and the anode plate before flowing out of the electrolytic cell body. The bottom of the back plate of the electrode positioning slot, the lower horizontal plate of the two horizontal plates of the electrode positioning slot, the bottom of the cathode plate and the bottom of the anode plate are all in contact with the bottom of the electrolytic cell body.

2. The electrolytic cell for preparing metals by ionic liquid electrolysis according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a thermoelectric tube and a thermocouple arranged on the inner side of the electrolytic cell body.

3. The electrolytic cell for preparing metals by ionic liquid electrolysis according to claim 1, characterized in that: Four liquid inlets are provided on one side wall of the electrolytic cell body, respectively located at the four corners of the side wall; four liquid outlets are provided on the other side wall of the electrolytic cell body, respectively located at the four corners of the side wall.

4. The electrolytic cell for preparing metals by ionic liquid electrolysis according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets are further provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and the air inlets and the air outlets are both higher than the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet.

5. The electrolytic cell for preparing metals by ionic liquid electrolysis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode plate and the anode plate have the same shape and size. The cathode plate includes a rectangular flat section and a cathode lug protruding upward from the upper corner where the rectangular flat section is connected to the long slot. The anode plate includes a rectangular flat section and an anode lug protruding upward from the upper corner where the rectangular flat section is connected to the long slot. The cathode lugs of the cathode plate are connected to the conductive copper bars in a one-to-one correspondence, and the conductive copper bars connected to the cathode plate are all connected to the cathode conductive plate. The anode lugs of the anode plate are connected to the conductive copper bars in a one-to-one correspondence, and the conductive copper bars connected to the anode plate are all connected to the anode conductive plate. The cathode conductive plate and the anode conductive plate are each connected to a terminal, and the terminal passes through the side wall of the electrolytic cell body.

6. An electrolysis device, characterized in that: The electrolytic cell for preparing metal by ionic liquid electrolysis according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrolysis equipment further comprises: A circulation pump is connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, and is used to drive the internal circulation flow of the ionic liquid.

7. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that The device also includes a stirring barrel, which is used to stir the ionic liquid and the electrolyte. A thermoelectric tube and a thermocouple are arranged in the stirring barrel, and the stirring barrel is communicated with the electrolytic cell body.

8. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that It also includes two pipeline tees, wherein the three ends of one pipeline tee are respectively connected to the liquid inlet of the electrolytic cell body, the first end of the circulation pump and the outlet of the stirring barrel, and the three ends of the other pipeline tee are respectively connected to the liquid outlet of the electrolytic cell body, the second end of the circulation pump and the inlet of the stirring barrel.

9. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that All the air inlets are opened on the same side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and all the air outlets are opened on another same side wall of the electrolytic cell body, and the side wall of the electrolytic cell body where the air inlets are located is opposite to the side wall of the electrolytic cell body where the air outlets are located; the electrolysis equipment also includes an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe, the air inlet pipe is communicated with the air inlet and has a unique external port, and the air outlet pipe is communicated with the air outlet and has a unique external port.

10. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that A tail gas adsorption device is also provided on the gas outlet pipe.

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