Fused salt apparatus and its basket cathode assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of equipment for producing metal by electrolysis, and in particular to a molten salt equipment and a basket cathode assembly thereof. The cathode assembly comprises an electrode body, an electrode connector for sealingly connecting with an electrode mounting interface of the molten salt equipment, and a conductive connection assembly for connecting the electrode body with an external cable, the electrode body being insulatedly connected with the electrode connector through the conductive connection assembly. The electrode body of the basket cathode assembly can comprise a body connector and a plurality of basket assemblies. The body connector is connected with the conductive connection assembly; the plurality of basket assemblies are detachably hung on the body connector and used for accommodating metal oxides to be electrolytically reduced. The basket cathode assembly provided by embodiments of the present application has a large specific surface area, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of electrolytic reduction; meanwhile, the basket cathode assembly is also convenient to install and detach.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of equipment used for producing metals by electrolysis, and more specifically to a molten salt apparatus and its basket-type cathode assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The statements herein are provided merely as background information in connection with this application and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] In some cases, to obtain metallic materials, it is necessary to treat the corresponding metallic compounds. Currently, the common method is to electrolytically reduce metallic compounds to obtain the corresponding metallic materials. However, the electrolytic reduction of metal oxides to obtain metallic materials suffers from low electrolytic reduction efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A brief overview of this application is provided below to offer a basic understanding of certain aspects thereof. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive summary of the application. It is not intended to identify key or essential parts of the application, nor is it intended to limit its scope. Its purpose is merely to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a basket-type cathode assembly for a molten salt apparatus and a molten salt apparatus.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a basket-type cathode assembly for a molten salt apparatus, comprising an electrode body, an electrode connector for sealingly connecting to the electrode mounting interface of the molten salt apparatus, and a conductive connection assembly for connecting the electrode body to an external cable. The electrode body is insulated from the electrode connector via the conductive connection assembly. The electrode body of the cathode assembly may include the body connector and multiple basket assemblies. The body connector is connected to the conductive connection assembly; the multiple basket assemblies are detachably suspended from the body connector for accommodating the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced.

[0007] The cathode assembly provided in the embodiments of this application can accommodate the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced by setting multiple basket assemblies, so that the cathode assembly has a large surface area, which is beneficial to increasing the contact area between the cathode assembly and the metal oxide, thereby improving the efficiency of electrolytic reduction; at the same time, the multiple basket assemblies are detachably suspended on the main body connector, which facilitates the installation and disassembly of the multiple basket assemblies.

[0008] In a second aspect, embodiments of this application provide a molten salt apparatus, which includes an electrolytic container body for containing molten salt, an electrolytic container cover for sealing the electrolytic container body, a cathode assembly, and an anode assembly, wherein the cathode assembly is the cathode assembly provided in the embodiments of the first aspect of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Other objects and advantages of this application will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of this application.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of another cathode assembly of the molten salt apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the cathode assembly from another angle.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the electrode body of the cathode assembly.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the basket for the electrode body is shown.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the assembled structure of the second conductive connector, the third conductive connector, the conductive locking component, and the third insulating component of the cathode assembly.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic of the structure after omitting the second conductive connector and the third insulating component.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the molten salt equipment provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The diagram shows the structure of the molten salt equipment after omitting the electrolysis vessel body.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the structure.

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the anode assembly is shown.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cathode assembly of a molten salt device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The diagram shows the structure of the cathode assembly from another angle.

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 The diagram shows the structure of the electrode body of the cathode assembly after removing several cutout parts.

[0023] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The diagram shown is a structural schematic from another angle.

[0024] Figure 15 yes Figure 11 The diagram shows the structure of the hollowed-out part of the cathode assembly.

[0025] Figure 16 yes Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the anode assembly is shown.

[0026] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 A partially enlarged view of the anode assembly is shown.

[0027] Figure 18 yes Figure 8 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the structure after omitting the electrode assembly and the collector.

[0028] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the structure.

[0029] Figure 20 yes Figure 19 A magnified view of a portion of the structure shown.

[0030] Figure 21 yes Figure 10 A partially enlarged view of the anode assembly is shown.

[0031] Figure 22 yes Figure 10 The diagram shows the structure of the anode assembly from another angle.

[0032] Figure 23 yes Figure 22 A partially enlarged view of the anode assembly is shown.

[0033] Figure 24 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the collecting component of the molten salt device is shown.

[0034] Figure 25 yes Figure 18 The diagram shown is a structural schematic from another angle.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0036] 11. Electrolytic container body; 12. Electrolytic container cover; 121. Electrode mounting interface; 1211. Pipe fitting; 1212. Pipe connector; 12121. Mounting hole; 122. Mounting locking element; 1221. Rod; 1222. Clamping element; 1223. Elastic element; 123. Gas outlet;

[0037] 21. Electrode body; 22. Electrode connector; 221. Electrode connector body; 222. Protrusion; 223. Sealing element; 224. Electrode mounting hole;

[0038] 23. Electrode lifting component; 230. Conical surface; 231. Lifting mating component; 232. Lifting connector; 2321. Connecting plate; 2322. Connecting column; 24. Installation locking mating component; 241. Notch; 242. Guide surface; 243. Mating groove; 25. Guide component;

[0039] 26. Conductive connection assembly; 261. First conductive connector; 2611. Insulating mating part; 262. Second conductive connector; 2621. First connecting part; 2622. Second connecting part; 26221. Connecting groove; 26222. Side wall opening; 26223. Top wall opening; 263. Third conductive connector; 2631. Third conductive body; 2632. Third connecting part; 2633. Conductive locking mating part; 264. Conductive locking element; 2601. First part; 2602. Second part;

[0040] 265. Insulating component; 2651. First insulating component; 2652. Second insulating component; 2653. Third insulating component; 28. Thermal insulation component; 281. Thermal insulation board; 282. Connecting rod;

[0041] 201. Cathode assembly; 2011. First end connector; 20110. First positioning groove; 20111. First plate; 20112. Through hole; 20113. First frame member;

[0042] 2012, Second end connector; 20120, Second positioning groove; 20121, Second plate; 20122, Threaded connector; 20123, Second frame member;

[0043] 201221, Clamping plane; 2013, Hollowed-out part; 20131, Opening; 20132, Hollowed-out side wall; 2014, Center connector; 20141, Connecting rod; 20142, Limiting part; 20143, Threaded mating part; 201431, Clamping plane;

[0044] 2015, Body connector; 20151, Plate; 20152, Threaded connector; 20150, Slot; 201501, First slot section; 201502, Second slot section; 2016, Suspended platform assembly; 20161, Suspended platform; 201610, Opening; 201611, Base plate; 201612, Annular component; 201613, Mesh sidewall; 20162, Suspended platform lifting component; 20163, Suspended platform connector; 201631, First connecting rod; 201632, Second connecting rod;

[0045] 202. Anode assembly; 2021. Anode material; 2022. Anode connector;

[0046] 40. Molten salt vapor overflow prevention component; 41. Gas collection pipe fitting; 411. First pipe fitting; 412. Second pipe fitting; 42. Steam shielding component; 421. Vent hole; 43. Gas collection chamber;

[0047] 60. Cooling shell; 601. Cooling cavity; 602. Cooling pipes;

[0048] 70. Collector; 700. Collector body; 701. Collector mounting component; 7011. Rod; 70111. Guide part; 7012. Seal; 702. Mounting fitting; 703. Collector mounting hole;

[0049] 80. Heat insulation components for the cover.

[0050] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are shown only in a schematic manner without affecting the reader's understanding. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Exemplary embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity and brevity, not all features of actual implementations are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that many implementation-specific decisions must be made in the development of any such actual embodiment to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as complying with constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. Furthermore, it should be understood that while development work can be very complex and time-consuming, such development work is merely a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the content of this application.

[0052] It should also be noted that, in order to avoid obscuring this application with unnecessary details, only the equipment structure and / or processing steps closely related to the solution according to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to this application are omitted.

[0053] In the electrolytic reduction of metal oxides, because metal oxides are non-conductive, only the metal oxides in contact with the cathode can be electrolytically reduced. In related technologies, the cathode surface area is relatively small, resulting in a limited amount of metal oxide in contact with the cathode and low electrolytic reduction efficiency.

[0054] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a basket-type cathode assembly for a molten salt apparatus and a molten salt apparatus.

[0055] See Figure 7 This application provides a molten salt apparatus, which may include an electrolytic container body 11 for containing molten salt (i.e., electrolyte), an electrolytic container cover 12 for sealing the electrolytic container body 11, and a plurality of electrode assemblies. The electrolytic container body 11 is provided with an electrode mounting interface 121, and the electrode assembly is detachably mounted to a corresponding electrode mounting interface 121.

[0056] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may include an electrode body 21, an electrode connector 22 for sealing connection with the electrode mounting interface 121 of the molten salt equipment, and a conductive connection assembly 26 for connecting the electrode body 21 to an external cable, wherein the electrode body 21 is insulated from the electrode connector 22 by the conductive connection assembly 26.

[0057] Multiple electrode assemblies may include a cathode assembly 201 and multiple anode assemblies 202. In embodiments of this application, the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201 and the electrode body 21 of the anode assembly 202 have different structures, while other structures of the cathode assembly 201 and the anode assembly 202 may be identical. When describing the identical structural composition of the cathode assembly 201 and the anode assembly 202, the cathode assembly 201 and the anode assembly 202 may be referred to as electrode assemblies.

[0058] The electrode body 21 of the basket-type cathode assembly 201 includes a body connector 2015 and a plurality of basket assemblies 2016. The body connector 2015 is connected to the conductive connection assembly 26. The plurality of basket assemblies 2016 are detachably suspended on the body connector 2015 to accommodate the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced.

[0059] The cathode assembly 201 provided in the embodiments of this application can accommodate the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced by setting multiple basket assemblies 2016, so that the cathode assembly 201 has a large surface area, which is beneficial to increasing the contact area between the cathode assembly 201 and the metal oxide, thereby improving the efficiency of electrolytic reduction; at the same time, the multiple basket assemblies 2016 are detachably suspended on the body connector 2015, which facilitates the installation and removal of the multiple basket assemblies 2016.

[0060] In some embodiments, the molten salt in the molten salt apparatus may be a mixture of lithium oxide and lithium chloride, with lithium chloride comprising more than 90%. In some embodiments, the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced forms a radioactive metal mixture after electrolysis, and the metal mixture is formed on the cathode; the obtained metal mixture can be refined by electrolytic refining to extract specific components.

[0061] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the body connector 2015 forms multiple slots 20150. The suspended platform assembly 2016 includes a suspended platform 20161 and a suspended platform lifting member 20162 connected to the suspended platform 20161. The suspended platform lifting member 20162 can enter and be suspended in the slots 20150. In such embodiments, the suspended platform assembly 2016 is detachably suspended in the body connector 2015 by suspending it in the slots 20150 via the suspended platform lifting member 20162. At the same time, the body connector 2015 forms multiple slots 20150, which facilitates the suspension of multiple suspended platform assemblies 2016 in the body connector 2015 and helps to increase the surface area of ​​the cathode assembly 201.

[0062] In some embodiments, the basket 20161 is used to contain the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced.

[0063] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the slot 20150 includes a first slot segment 201501 extending radially from the periphery of the body connector 2015 and a second slot segment 201502 communicating with the first slot segment 201501 and extending at an angle to the first slot segment 201501; the suspended platform lifting component 20162 can enter the second slot segment 201502 via the first slot segment 201501. In such embodiments, the angle formed between the first slot segment 201501 and the second slot segment 201502 helps to prevent the suspended platform lifting component 20162 from unintentionally returning to the first slot segment 201501 after entering the second slot segment 201502, and prevents the suspended platform lifting component 20162 from falling out of the slot 20150.

[0064] See Figure 3 and Figure 4In some embodiments, the suspended platform assembly 2016 may include a suspended platform connector 20163 for connecting the suspended platform 20161 and the suspended platform lifting component 20162. The suspended platform connectors 20163 of adjacent suspended platform assemblies 2016 can mutually limit each other to prevent the suspended platform lifting component 20162 from entering the first slot section 201501 from the second slot section 201502. In such embodiments, by enabling the suspended platform connectors 20163 of adjacent suspended platform assemblies 2016 to mutually limit each other, it is possible to further prevent the suspended platform lifting component 20162 from unintentionally entering the first slot section 201501 from the second slot section 201502, and further facilitate preventing the suspended platform lifting component 20162 from falling out of the slot 20150.

[0065] See Figure 4 In some embodiments, the suspended platform connector 20163 may include two first connecting rods 201631 and a second connecting rod 201632 connecting the two first connecting rods 201631, with the suspended platform lifting member 20162 connected to the second connecting rod 201632. In some embodiments, an opening 201610 is formed at the upper end of the suspended platform 20161, and the two first connecting rods 201631 are connected to the suspended platform 20161 radially outside the opening 201610. In some embodiments, when the suspended platform assembly 2016 is suspended by the body connector 2015, the second connecting rods 201632 of the suspended platform assembly 2016 form a regular polygon; the first connecting rods 201631 of two adjacent suspended platform assemblies 2016 face each other to prevent the suspended platform lifting member 20162 from entering the first groove segment 201501 from the second groove segment 201502. In such an embodiment, the suspended platform lifting component 20162 is prevented from entering the first slot section 201501 from the second slot section 201502 to avoid undesirable separation of the suspended platform lifting component 20162 from the body connector 2015.

[0066] See Figure 3In some embodiments, the distance L1 between the first connecting rods 201631 of two adjacent suspended basket assemblies 2016 is less than the length L2 of the second slot segment 201502; and the suspended basket assembly 2016 is allowed to rotate relative to the second slot segment 201502. In such an embodiment, when the suspended basket assembly 2016 moves, it can only move by a length L1. Since L1 is less than L2, the suspended basket assembly 2016 remains within the second slot segment 201502 after moving, and will not enter the first slot segment 201501 from the second slot segment 201502. When the suspended basket assembly 2016 rotates, the distance between two adjacent suspended basket assemblies 2016 increases, with the maximum distance being the distance between two adjacent suspended baskets 20161, which is greater than L2. This allows the suspended basket assembly 2016 to move from the second slot segment 201502 to enter the first slot segment 201501, thereby enabling it to separate from the body connector 2015 and facilitating the removal of the suspended basket assembly 2016.

[0067] In some embodiments, after the basket assembly 2016 is removed, the metal mixture formed after electrolytic reduction can be taken out from the basket 20161, or the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced can be placed into the basket 20161.

[0068] See Figure 4 In some embodiments, the suspended platform 20161 may include a base plate 201611, an annular member 201612 forming an opening 201610, and a mesh sidewall 201613 connecting the base plate 201611 and the annular member 201612. In such embodiments, the mesh sidewall 201613 can increase the contact area between the metal oxide and its conductive components, while facilitating sufficient contact between the molten salt and the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of electrolytic reduction.

[0069] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the body connector 2015 may include a plate 20151 and a threaded connector 20152 disposed on the plate 20151, the threaded connector 20152 being threadedly connected to the conductive connection assembly 26; a slot 20150 is formed in the plate 20151. In such embodiments, the threaded connection between the threaded connector 20152 and the conductive connection assembly 26 enables quick disassembly and connection between the body connector 2015 and the conductive connection assembly 26.

[0070] In some embodiments, the threaded connector 20152 is threadedly connected to the first conductive connector 261.

[0071] See Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may further include an electrode lifting member 23 disposed on the electrode connector 22 and used for lifting. In some embodiments, the electrode lifting member 23 may include a tapered surface 230 for cooperating with a lifting mechanism to reduce the degree to which the electrode body 21 of the electrode assembly deviates from the vertical direction when the electrode lifting member 23 is lifted. In such embodiments, the cooperation of the tapered surface 230 with the lifting mechanism helps to reduce the eccentricity of the electrode body 21 of the electrode assembly.

[0072] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the electrode lifting component 23 may include a lifting mating component 231 and a lifting connector 232 connected to the lifting mating component 231, with the lifting connector 232 disposed on the electrode connector 22. The lifting mating component 231 forms a tapered surface 230, which facilitates the mating of the lifting part and reduces the eccentricity of the electrode assembly during the lifting process.

[0073] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the hoisting connector 232 may include a connecting plate 2321 and a plurality of connecting posts 2322 connected to the connecting plate 2321. The connecting plate 2321 is connected to the hoisting fitting 231; the plurality of connecting posts 2322 are disposed on the electrode connector 22 to connect the connecting plate 2321 to the electrode connector 22.

[0074] The current flowing through the electrode assemblies in molten salt equipment is typically high, especially for the cathode assembly 201, where the current flowing through the conductive connection assembly 26 reaches 1000A, requiring a thicker cable connection. In related technologies, the conductive connection assembly usually utilizes an electrical connector to achieve a quick-connect connection with the external cable connector, so that the electrical connector can be easily separated from the external cable connector when the electrode assembly is hoisted separately.

[0075] The inventors of this application have discovered that current electrical connectors for high current are relatively heavy. When using a hoisting mechanism to hoist the electrode assembly, it can cause a slight eccentricity of the electrode assembly. Since the overall length of the electrode assembly is relatively long, even a slight eccentricity can make it difficult for the hoisting mechanism to successfully hoist the electrode assembly into the electrode mounting interface.

[0076] See Figure 1 and Figure 16In some embodiments, the conductive connection assembly 26 may include a first part 2601 and a second part 2602 that can be quickly detached. The first part 2601 is insulated from the electrode connector 22 and conductively connected to the electrode body 21, while the second part 2602 is connected to an external cable. The projection of the center of gravity of the first part 2601 in the horizontal plane is located within the projection outline of the electrode hoisting member 23 in the horizontal plane. When hoisting the electrode assembly, the first part 2601 and the second part 2602 are separated. In such an embodiment, since the projection of the center of gravity of the first part 2601 in the horizontal plane is located within the projection outline of the electrode hoisting member 23 in the horizontal plane, it can prevent the electrode body 21 from deviating from the vertical direction due to the eccentricity of the electrode connector 22 during the hoisting of the electrode assembly, which is beneficial for the electrode body 21 to be smoothly hoisted into the electrode mounting interface 121.

[0077] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 12 , Figure 16 In some embodiments, the first part 2601 may include a first conductive connector 261 and a second conductive connector 262. The first conductive connector 261 passes through the electrode connector 22 and is conductively connected to the electrode body 21. The second conductive connector 262 is conductively connected to the first conductive connector 261 above the electrode connector 22. The projections of the centers of gravity of the first conductive connector 261 and the second conductive connector 262 in the horizontal plane are located inside the projection contours of the hoisting fitting 231 and the hoisting connector 232 in the horizontal plane.

[0078] In some embodiments, the second part 2602 may include a third conductive connector 263 and a conductive locking member 264. The third conductive connector 263 is used to connect to an external cable, and the conductive locking member 264 is used to quickly connect the third conductive connector 263 to the second conductive connector 262. In such an embodiment, the quick-release connection between the third conductive connector 263 and the second conductive connector 262 via the conductive locking member 264 enables a quick-release connection between the first part 2601 and the second part 2602, facilitating the assembly and disassembly of the electrode assembly.

[0079] In some embodiments, the second conductive connector 262 and the third conductive connector 263 are detached when the electrode assembly is hoisted.

[0080] In some embodiments, both the first conductive connector 261 and the second conductive connector 262 are insulated from the electrode connector 22. In some embodiments, the threaded connector 20122 is threadedly connected to the first conductive connector 261.

[0081] See Figure 6In some embodiments, the second conductive connector 262 may include a first connecting portion 2621 for connecting to the first conductive connector 261 and a second connecting portion 2622 for connecting to the third conductive connector 263. In some embodiments, the third conductive connector 263 may include a third connecting portion 2632 for connecting to an external cable and a conductive locking engagement portion 2633 for engaging with a conductive locking member 264, wherein the conductive locking engagement portion 2633 is connected to the second connecting portion 2622 through a locking engagement with the conductive locking member 264. In such embodiments, a quick-release connection between the third conductive connector 263 and the second conductive connector 262 can be achieved through the locking engagement of the conductive locking engagement portion 2633 with the conductive locking member 264, thereby achieving a quick-release connection between the first part and the second part.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion 2621 and the second connecting portion 2622 may be arranged in a horizontal direction.

[0083] In some embodiments, the third conductive connector 263 may further include a third conductive body 2631, with the third connecting portion 2632 and the conductive locking engagement portion 2633 both connected to the third conductive body 2631. The third connecting portion 2632 may be perpendicular to the conductive locking engagement portion 2633.

[0084] See Figure 5 In some embodiments, the second connecting portion 2622 can form a connecting groove 26221, with sidewall openings 26222 and topwall openings 26223 on the sidewall and topwall, respectively. A conductive locking engagement portion 2633 can enter the connecting groove 26221 through the sidewall opening 26222, and a conductive locking member 264 can lock into the conductive locking engagement portion 2633 at the topwall opening 26223, thus electrically connecting the third conductive connector 263 to the second conductive connector 262. In such embodiments, it is advantageous to make the second conductive connector 262 lightweight and small in size, thereby helping to avoid severe eccentricity of the electrode connector 22.

[0085] In some embodiments, the conductive locking engagement portion 2633 and the conductive locking member 264 can achieve a locking engagement through a threaded connection. In some embodiments, the conductive locking engagement portion 2633 can be a stud, and the conductive locking member 264 can be a nut.

[0086] See Figure 8 and Figure 9In some embodiments, the cathode assembly 201 forms a cavity for containing a mixture of radioactive metal oxides, which is electrolytically reduced in molten salt to form a metal mixture, and an oxygen-containing gas is formed at the anode assembly 202. Since exhaust gas (i.e., oxygen-containing gas) is generated during electrolysis, it needs to be discharged. In some embodiments, the mixing cavity is a perforated cavity to facilitate the inflow and outflow of molten salt.

[0087] In some embodiments, the electrolytic container cover 12 forms an outlet port 123 for supplying oxygen-containing gas.

[0088] The inventors of this application have discovered that during the exhaust gas emission process, molten salt vapor is emitted along with the exhaust gas, resulting in significant losses. To address this problem, in some embodiments, the molten salt equipment may further include a molten salt vapor overflow prevention component 40 to reduce the amount of molten salt vapor entering the exhaust port 123. In such embodiments, providing the molten salt vapor overflow prevention component 40 to reduce the amount of molten salt vapor entering the exhaust port 123 can reduce the loss of molten salt vapor flowing out with the oxygen-containing gas.

[0089] In some embodiments, oxygen-containing gas is formed at the electrode body 21 of the anode assembly 202. See also Figure 8 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, the molten salt vapor overflow prevention component 40 includes a plurality of gas collection pipes 41 connected to the electrolysis container cover 12. The plurality of gas collection pipes 41 are in fluid communication with the gas outlet 123. The plurality of gas collection pipes 41 extend downward from the electrolysis container cover 12 to below the molten salt liquid surface. Each anode assembly 202 extends downward to below the molten salt liquid surface on the radially inner side of a corresponding gas collection pipe 41. The oxygen-containing gas formed at the electrode body 21 of the anode assembly 202 can move upward along the electrode body 21 to enter the gas collection pipe 41. In this embodiment, by providing a gas collection pipe 41 connected to the cover 12 of the electrolysis container and positioning the gas collection pipe 41 below the molten salt surface, the gas formed on the surface of the electrode body 21 of the anode assembly 202 will enter the gas outlet 123 along the gas collection pipe 41, achieving the purpose of exhaust gas discharge; at the same time, the molten salt vapor located inside the gas collection pipe 41 can enter the gas outlet 123, while the molten salt vapor located outside the gas collection pipe 41 will not enter the gas outlet 123, thereby reducing the amount of molten salt vapor entering the gas collection pipe 41, and thus significantly reducing the amount of molten salt vapor entering the gas outlet 123.

[0090] See Figure 10 In some embodiments, the electrode body 21 of the anode assembly 202 may include an anode material 2021 and an anode connector 2022, wherein the anode material 2021 is connected to the anode connector 2022, and the anode connector 2022 is connected to the conductive connection assembly 26.

[0091] In some embodiments, oxygen-containing gas is formed at the anode material 2021. In some embodiments, the anode material 2021 may be formed of a carbon-carbon composite material, and the oxygen-containing gas formed at the anode material 2021 is composed of carbon oxides.

[0092] See Figure 9 In some embodiments, the molten salt vapor overflow prevention component 40 further includes a vapor blocking component 42, disposed below the electrolysis container cover 12. The vapor blocking component 42 and the electrolysis container cover 12 together form a gas collection chamber 43, which is in fluid communication with the gas outlet 123. The vapor blocking component 42 forms multiple vent holes 421, and each gas collection pipe 41 is in fluid communication with the gas collection chamber 43 through a corresponding vent hole 421. In such embodiments, by setting the vapor blocking component 42 to form the gas collection chamber 43, the gas in each gas collection pipe 41 can enter the gas collection chamber 43 and flow out from a gas outlet 123. In addition, by setting the vapor blocking component 42, most of the molten salt vapor is prevented from flowing to the electrolysis container cover 12, thereby reducing the heat transfer effect of molten salt vapor to the electrolysis container cover 12 and improving the sealing of the electrolysis container cover 12.

[0093] See Figure 8 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, the gas collection pipe 41 may include a first pipe 411 and a second pipe 412 connected to the first pipe 411, wherein the first pipe 411 is located above the molten salt surface, and the second pipe 412 extends from the upper end of the molten salt surface to below the molten salt surface, and the second pipe 412 is formed of a non-metallic material.

[0094] The inventors of this application discovered that the molten salt surface causes severe corrosion to the metal, affecting the electrolytic reduction efficiency and contaminating the molten salt. The embodiments of this application address this by configuring the gas collection pipe 41 as a first pipe 411 made of a metallic material and a second pipe 412 made of a non-metallic material. This prevents the metallic material from contacting the molten salt, ensuring the strength of the gas collection pipe 41 while avoiding corrosion of the gas collection pipe 41 by the molten salt surface.

[0095] In some embodiments, the second fitting 412 is a corundum fitting. In such embodiments, the molten salt surface will not corrode the corundum fitting, which helps to ensure the efficiency of electrolytic reduction.

[0096] See Figure 9In some embodiments, the electrolytic vessel cover 12 is provided with multiple electrode mounting interfaces 121; each gas collection pipe 41 is aligned with one electrode mounting interface 121, and the electrode mounting interface 121 communicates with the gas collection chamber 43 to allow the electrode assembly to enter and exit smoothly. In such embodiments, the amount of molten salt vapor lost from the gas outlet 123 can be reduced without affecting the entry and exit of the anode assembly 202.

[0097] See Figure 10 In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may further include a heat insulation element 28 connected to the electrode connector 22 below it. The heat insulation element 28 is used to reduce heat radiation from the molten salt within the electrolytic vessel body 11. In such embodiments, by reducing heat radiation from the molten salt through the heat insulation element 28, the heat conducted to the electrode connector 22 can be reduced, thereby lowering the temperature of the electrode connector 22 and ensuring a good seal between the electrode mounting interface 121 and the electrode connector 22.

[0098] See Figure 10 In some embodiments, the heat insulation member 28 may include a plurality of heat insulation plates 281 spaced apart along the axial direction of the electrode body 21, and the plurality of heat insulation plates 281 are connected to the electrode connector 22 via connecting rods 282. In such embodiments, by providing a plurality of heat insulation plates 281, the heat insulation effect of the heat insulation member 28 is improved.

[0099] See Figure 9 In some embodiments, the heat insulation element 28 is located inside the electrode mounting interface 121. In such embodiments, the heat insulation element 28 disposed inside the electrode mounting interface 121 can reduce the heat conducted to the electrode connector 22, thereby helping to lower the temperature of the electrode connector 22.

[0100] See Figure 9 In some embodiments, the molten salt apparatus may further include a cooling shell 60, which is connected above and to the electrolytic container cover 12 to form a cooling chamber 601. A cooling medium is introduced into the cooling chamber 601 to cool the electrolytic container cover 12. The molten salt in the gas collection pipe 41 can conduct heat to the electrode connector 22 and the electrolytic container cover 12 in the form of thermal radiation, resulting in a high temperature of the electrode connector 22 and the electrode mounting interface 121. This adversely affects the seal between the electrode connector 22 and the electrode mounting interface 121, reducing the sealing performance between them. In such embodiments, the electrolytic container cover 12 can be cooled by the cooling medium in the cooling chamber 601, thereby cooling the electrode mounting interface 121 to reduce its temperature and ensure the sealing performance between the electrode mounting interface 121 and the electrode connector 22.

[0101] In some embodiments, see Figure 18 The molten salt equipment may also include a cooling pipe 602, which is disposed on the cover 12 of the electrolysis vessel and communicates with the cooling chamber 601, for introducing a cooling medium into the cooling chamber 601.

[0102] In some embodiments, see Figure 18 The molten salt equipment may also include a cover insulation member 80, disposed below the cover 12 of the electrolysis vessel, for reducing heat conduction to the cover 12 of the electrolysis vessel. The cover insulation member 80 may be disposed on the steam shield 42. The cover insulation member 80 may include a plurality of insulation plates spaced apart along the axial direction of the electrolysis vessel body 11, the plurality of insulation plates being connected to the steam shield 42 via connecting rods. The insulation plates of the cover insulation member 80 are provided with clearance through holes for the passage of the first pipe fitting 411.

[0103] See Figure 11 and Figure 12 Embodiments of this application also provide another cathode assembly 201, wherein the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201 is connected to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201 shown is different, but the other structures are the same.

[0104] The electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201 may include a first end connector 2011, a second end connector 2012, and a plurality of spaced-apart hollow cavities. The first end connector 2011 is connected to the conductive connection assembly 26, the second end connector 2012 is detachably connected to the first end connector 2011, and the plurality of spaced-apart hollow cavities are detachably disposed between the first end connector 2011 and the second end connector 2012.

[0105] The cathode assembly 201 provided in the embodiments of this application can accommodate the metal oxide to be electrolytically reduced through multiple hollowed-out cavities, so that the cathode assembly 201 has a large specific surface area, which is beneficial to increasing the contact area between the cathode assembly 201 and the metal oxide. At the same time, the molten salt can smoothly enter the cavities and contact the metal oxide, thereby improving the efficiency of electrolytic reduction. In addition, the multiple hollowed-out cavities are detachably arranged between the first end connector 2011 and the second end connector 2012, which facilitates installation and disassembly.

[0106] See Figure 13 and Figure 14 In some embodiments, the facing surfaces of the first end connector 2011 and the second end connector 2012 may respectively form a first positioning groove 20110 and a second positioning groove 20120. See also Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15In some embodiments, the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201 may further include a plurality of hollowed-out parts 2013. The hollowed-out parts 2013 are circumferentially closed and have an opening 20131 at one end facing the first end connector 2011 or the second end connector 2012. The two ends of the hollowed-out parts 2013 are respectively embedded in the first positioning groove 20110 and the second positioning groove 20120 to form a hollowed-out receiving cavity together with the first end connector 2011 or the second end connector 2012. In this embodiment, by setting the hollowed-out part 2013 to be open at one end 20131 and closed at the other end, it is convenient to load cathode material into the hollowed-out part 2013 through the opening 20131 at one end when the hollowed-out part 2013 is not connected to the first end connector 2011 and the second end connector 2012. At the same time, since the hollowed-out part 2013 has a small amount of elasticity along its length due to the opening 20131 at one end, when assembling multiple hollowed-out parts 2013, the first end connector 2011 and the second end connector 2012, even if the length of the multiple hollowed-out parts 2013 is different due to the existence of processing errors, the small amount of elasticity of the hollowed-out part 2013 along its length allows the two ends of the multiple hollowed-out parts 2013 to be smoothly installed in the first positioning groove 20110 and the second positioning groove 20120, and allows the two end connectors to be detachably connected.

[0107] See Figure 15 In some embodiments, the cutout component 2013 may include multiple cutout sidewalls 20132, which are interconnected to achieve circumferential closure.

[0108] See Figure 13 and Figure 14 In some embodiments, the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201 may further include a central connector 2014, with a first end connector 2011 and a second end connector 2012 detachably connected to the central connector 2014. In such an embodiment, the first end connector 2011 can be detachably connected to the second end connector 2012 via the central connector 2014.

[0109] See Figure 13 and Figure 14 In some embodiments, the first end connector 2011 may form a through hole 20112, through which the central connector 2014 passes, so that the first end connector 2011 can be fitted onto the central connector 2014.

[0110] The first end connector 2011 may include a first plate 20111 and a plurality of first frame members 20113 disposed on the first plate 20111, wherein the first frame members 20113 and the first plate 20111 together form a first positioning groove 20110.

[0111] See Figure 13 and Figure 14 In some embodiments, the central connector 2014 may include a connecting rod 20141 and a limiting member 20142 disposed on the connecting rod 20141. The limiting member 20142 is used to prevent the first end connector 2011 from detaching from the connecting rod 20141, which facilitates assembly.

[0112] See Figure 13 and Figure 14 In some embodiments, the second end connector 2012 may include a second plate 20121 and a threaded connector 20122 disposed on the second plate 20121. The threaded connector 20122 is threadedly connected to the conductive connection assembly 26 and the center connector 2014, so that the electrode body 21 can be assembled and disassembled from the conductive connection assembly 26 through the threaded connector 20122, which facilitates the removal of the electrode body 21 separately for subsequent processing after electrolysis.

[0113] In such an embodiment, the threaded connection between the threaded connector 20122 and the center connector 2014 enables a detachable connection between the threaded connector 20122 and the center connector 2014, thereby enabling a detachable connection between the electrode body 21.

[0114] The threaded connector 20122 and the connecting rod 20141 are threaded together. In some embodiments, one end of the connecting rod 20141 is provided with a limiting member 20142, and the other end of the connecting rod 20141 is threaded to be threaded together with the threaded connector 20122.

[0115] The second end connector 2012 may also include a plurality of second frame members 20123 disposed on the second plate 20121, the second frame members 20123 and the second plate 20121 together forming a second positioning groove 20120.

[0116] See Figure 13 and Figure 14In some embodiments, the central connector 2014 may further include a threaded engagement member 20143, which is disposed on the connecting rod 20141 and located on the side of the limiting member 20142 away from the second end connector 2012. The radially outer surfaces of the threaded engagement member 20143 and the threaded connector 20122 respectively form clamping planes 201431 and 201221 that can be clamped by clamping members, allowing the threaded engagement member 20143 and the threaded connector 20122 to be clamped by clamping members to achieve relative rotation, thereby enabling the assembly and disassembly of the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201. In such embodiments, the ability to rotate by clamping the clamping planes 201431 and 201221 of the threaded engagement member 20143 and the threaded connector 20122 respectively simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201. In some embodiments, the central connector 2014 is a single piece.

[0117] Threaded fittings 20143, for example, can have 6 hexagonal clamping planes 201431.

[0118] When assembling the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201, firstly, the two ends of each hollowed-out part 2013 are respectively embedded into the first positioning groove 20110 and the second positioning groove 20120. Then, the connecting rod 20141 passes through the through hole 20112 formed on the first end connector 2011 and enters the through hole of the second end connector 2012. Then, the clamping plane 201431 of the threaded mating part 20143 and the clamping plane 201221 of the threaded connector 20122 are clamped respectively. The threaded mating part 20143 is rotated to tighten the connecting rod 20141 and the threaded connector 20122, thus completing the assembly of the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201.

[0119] When disassembling the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201, the clamping planes 201431 and 201221 of the threaded mating part 20143 and the threaded connecting part 20122 are clamped by clamping members respectively. The threaded mating part 20143 is rotated to separate the connecting rod 20141 from the threaded connecting part 20122. The connecting rod 20141 is then pulled out from the second end connecting part 2012 and the first end connecting part 2011. At this time, each hollowed-out part 2013 can be separated from the first positioning groove 20110 and the second positioning groove 20120, thereby completing the disassembly of the electrode body 21 of the cathode assembly 201.

[0120] See Figure 14In some embodiments, a gap may be formed between the threaded mating part 20143 and the limiting part 20142, and the outer diameter of the threaded mating part 20143 is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting rod 20141. After electrolysis, the threaded mating part 20143 and the limiting part 20142 are immersed and corroded by molten salt, and a large amount of molten salt adheres to both, making it difficult for the clamping part to clamp the threaded mating part 20143, making it difficult to achieve relative rotation between the threaded mating part 20143 and the threaded connecting part 20122, thus making it difficult to disassemble the cathode assembly 201. In such embodiments, by forming a gap between the threaded mating part 20143 and the limiting part 20142, and by ensuring that the outer diameter of the threaded mating part 20143 is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting rod 20141, it is beneficial to reduce the amount of molten salt adhering to the threaded mating part 20143, thereby facilitating the clamping part to clamp the threaded mating part 20143.

[0121] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may further include an insulating component 265 for forming insulation between the conductive connection component 26 and the electrode connector 22.

[0122] See Figure 17 In some embodiments, the electrode connector 22 may form an electrode mounting hole 224. In some embodiments, the insulating component 265 may include a first insulating member 2651 and a second insulating member 2652. The first insulating member 2651 is embedded in the electrode mounting hole 224, and the second conductive connector 262 abuts against the first insulating member 2651 above it. The first conductive connector 261 passes through the electrode mounting hole 224 and connects to the second conductive connector 262 inside the first insulating member 2651. The second insulating member 2652 is disposed below the electrode connector 22. The first conductive connector 261 has an insulating mating portion 2611, and the second insulating member 2652 is disposed between the first insulating member 2651 and the insulating mating portion 2611 to avoid conductive contact between the first conductive connector 261 and the lower surface of the electrode connector 22. In such an embodiment, insulation can be formed between the first connecting portion 2621 of the second conductive connector 262 and the electrode connector 22 by means of the first insulating member 2651, and insulation can also be formed between the first conductive connector 261 and the electrode connector 22 by means of the first insulating member 2651 and the second insulating member 2652.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first insulating member 2651 and the second insulating member 2652 may be rubber or plastic rings.

[0124] See Figure 10In some embodiments, the insulating component 265 may further include a third insulating member 2653 for providing support for the second connection portion 2622 of the second conductive connector 262 and insulating the second connection portion 2622 from the electrode connector 22. In such an embodiment, the third insulating member 2653 can form insulation between the second connection portion 2622 of the second conductive connector 262 and the electrode connector 22, thereby cooperating with the first insulating member 2651 to achieve insulation between the second conductive connector 262 and the electrode connector 22.

[0125] See Figure 10 In some embodiments, the top wall opening 26223 is close to the connecting plate 2321, and the third insulating member 2653 is disposed below the top wall opening 26223 to prevent the second conductive connector 262 from tilting downward after the third conductive connector 263 and the second conductive connector 262 are assembled.

[0126] See Figure 1 and Figure 10 In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may include a guide 25 disposed below the first conductive connector 261. When the electrode lifting member 23 is lifted, the guide 25 guides the electrode body 21 so that it can be smoothly removed from the electrode mounting interface 121. When the electrode body 21 is removed from the electrode mounting interface 121 by lifting, due to the relatively long length of the electrode assembly, the electrode body 21 may become eccentric or wobble, potentially getting stuck and unable to be removed smoothly. In such embodiments, the guide 25 provides guidance for the electrode body 21, allowing it to be smoothly removed from the electrode mounting interface 121. In some embodiments, the guide 25 may be a frustum structure, with the maximum outer diameter of the frustum being the same as the outer diameter of the electrode body 21.

[0127] See Figure 8 and Figure 18 In some embodiments, each electrode assembly is detachably mounted to a corresponding electrode mounting interface 121.

[0128] When electrolyzing radioactive materials, the molten salt equipment is housed inside a glove box, and the installation and removal of each electrode assembly and electrode mounting interface 121 are performed manually. Due to the large number of electrode assemblies, those located away from the operating gloves inside the glove box are difficult to remove manually. Therefore, finding a convenient way to install and remove the electrode assemblies from the electrode mounting interface 121 is a pressing problem that needs to be solved.

[0129] For this question, see [link / reference] Figure 7 and Figure 18In some embodiments, the electrode mounting interface 121 includes multiple mounting locking elements 122, and the electrode assembly includes multiple mounting locking mating elements 24. When the electrode assembly rotates relative to the electrode mounting interface 121, the mounting locking elements 122 and the mounting locking mating elements 24 can lock or unlock to seal or separate the electrode assembly and the electrode mounting interface 121. Typically, the electrode assembly is located inside a glove box and is transferred within the glove box via a lifting mechanism. In such embodiments, the lifting mechanism rotates the electrode assembly relative to the electrode mounting interface 121, enabling the installation and removal of the electrode assembly from the electrolysis vessel cover 12.

[0130] See Figure 18 In some embodiments, the electrode mounting interface 121 may include a pipe fitting 1211 connected to the electrolysis vessel cover 12 and a pipe port connector 1212 disposed at the opening of the pipe fitting 1211. The pipe port connector 1212 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 12121, and a mounting locking member 122 is disposed in the mounting holes 12121. See also Figure 7 In some embodiments, a mounting locking fitting 24 is disposed on the electrode connector 22. The electrode body 21 is inserted into the tube 1211 through the tube connector 1212, and the mounting locking fitting 122 locks into the mounting locking fitting 24 to seal the electrode connector 22 with the tube connector 1212. In such an embodiment, by sealing the electrode connector 22 with the tube connector 1212, the electrode assembly is sealed to the electrode mounting interface 121.

[0131] See Figure 9 In some embodiments, the thermal insulation element 28 is located within the fitting 1211 of the electrode mounting interface 121.

[0132] See Figure 19 and Figure 20 In some embodiments, the mounting locking member 122 may include a rod 1221 and a clamping member 1222, wherein the rod 1221 passes through a corresponding mounting hole 12121, and the clamping member 1222 is connected to the rod 1221. See also Figure 21 In some embodiments, the mounting locking fitting 24 forms a notch 241. When the electrode assembly is rotated relative to the electrode mounting interface 121, the rod 1221 can enter the notch 241, and the clamping member 1222 can press the electrode connector 22 and the port connector 1212 together. In such an embodiment, after the electrode assembly is inserted into the electrode mounting interface 121, when the rod 1221 is aligned with the notch 241, rotating the electrode assembly allows the rod 1221 to enter the notch 241, and then the clamping member 1222 presses the electrode connector 22 and the port connector 1212 together, thereby connecting the electrode assembly. This is suitable for operation inside a glove box.

[0133] See Figure 20 In some embodiments, the mounting locking member 122 may further include an elastic member 1223 for providing a force to the clamping member 1222 to press the electrode connector 22 against the port connector 1212. In such embodiments, the clamping force provided by the elastic member 1223 ensures that the electrode connector 22 and the port connector 1212 are pressed together, thereby ensuring a stable connection between the electrode assembly and the electrode mounting interface 121.

[0134] See Figure 21 In some embodiments, the mounting locking fitting 24 can be a U-shaped piece connected to the electrode connector 22, with the U-shaped piece forming a notch 241.

[0135] See Figure 21 In some embodiments, the surfaces of the U-shaped member located on both sides of the notch 241 can form guide surfaces 242. During the insertion of the rod 1221 into the notch 241, the guide surfaces 242 guide the clamping member 1222 to move relative to the U-shaped member. In such embodiments, the guide surfaces 242 guide the clamping member 1222 to move relative to the U-shaped member, enabling the clamping member 1222 to smoothly press the electrode connector 22 against the port connector 1212, i.e., allowing the locking fitting 24 to smoothly enter between the clamping member 1222 and the port connector 1212.

[0136] See Figure 21 In some embodiments, the U-shaped member also forms a mating groove 243, and after the rod 1221 enters the notch 241, the clamping member 1222 can be embedded in the mating groove 243. In such embodiments, the clamping member 1222 embedded in the mating groove 243 can limit the rod 1221 to prevent the rod 1221 from dislodging from the notch 241.

[0137] See Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 22 and Figure 23 In some embodiments, the electrode connector 22 may include an electrode connector body 221, a protrusion 222 disposed on the electrode connector body 221, and a sealing member 223 disposed on the protrusion 222. When the clamping member 1222 presses the electrode connector 22 against the port connector 1212, the protrusion 222 is embedded in the port connector 1212, and the sealing member 223 seals the protrusion 222 and the port connector 1212. In such embodiments, by providing the protrusion 222 and the sealing member 223, a sealed connection between the electrode assembly and the electrode mounting interface 121 can be achieved.

[0138] In some embodiments, electrode mounting holes 224 are formed in the electrode connection body 221. See also Figure 1 , Figure 10 and Figure 11In some embodiments, the electrode lifting member 23 is disposed on the electrode connecting body 221, and the connecting post 2322 is connected to the electrode connecting body 221. Multiple connecting posts 2322 support the connecting plate 2321 in a suspended manner above the electrode mounting hole 224. In some embodiments, the mounting locking fitting 24 is connected to the electrode connecting body 221.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first insulating member 2651 can form insulation between the first connecting portion 2621 and the electrode connecting body 221, the second insulating member 2652 can form insulation between the first conductive connecting member 261 and the electrode connecting body 221, and the third insulating member 2653 can form insulation between the second connecting portion 2622 and the electrode connecting body 221.

[0140] In some embodiments, a plurality of heat insulation plates 281 are connected to the electrode connection body 221 via connecting rods 282.

[0141] See Figure 8 In some embodiments, the molten salt apparatus may further include a collector 70 connected to the electrolysis vessel cover 12. The collector 70 is positioned below multiple electrode assemblies to collect substances that fall from the electrode assemblies. After multiple electrolysis cycles, the collector 70 needs to be removed at 650°C for processing of the substances within it. In related technologies, the collector 70 is typically placed directly into the electrolysis vessel body 11, which presents an inconvenience when removing it.

[0142] The embodiments of this application connect the collection component 70 to the electrolytic container cover 12, so that the collection component 70 can be removed simply by lifting the electrolytic container cover 12, making the operation simple.

[0143] See Figure 8 In some embodiments, the collection component 70 is detachably connected to the electrolytic container cover 12. When both the collection component 70 and the electrolytic container cover 12 are lifted away from the electrolytic container body 11 simultaneously, sufficient space is required above the electrolytic container body 11. If the space above the electrolytic container body 11 is limited, it is impossible to lift both the collection component 70 and the electrolytic container cover 12 simultaneously; the collection component 70 must remain inside the electrolytic container body 11, and the electrolytic container cover 12 must be lifted away separately. In the embodiments of this application, by making the collection component 70 and the electrolytic container cover 12 detachably connected, it is convenient to separate the electrolytic container cover 12 and the collection component 70 when needed, thereby facilitating the lifting of the electrolytic container cover 12 separately.

[0144] See Figure 8 and Figure 24In some embodiments, the collection component 70 may include a collection body 700 and a plurality of collection mounting components 701 connected to the collection body 700. The molten salt equipment may also include a plurality of mounting fittings 702. The electrolysis container cover 12 is provided with a cover collection mounting hole for the collection mounting components 701 to pass through. The collection mounting component 701 extends upward from the collection body 700 to extend beyond the cover collection mounting hole. The mounting fitting 702 cooperates with the collection mounting component 701 to connect the collection mounting component 701 to the electrolysis container cover 12. In such embodiments, the collection component 70 and the electrolysis container cover 12 can be detachably connected through the cooperation of the mounting fitting 702 and the collection mounting component 701.

[0145] See Figure 25 In some embodiments, the vapor shield 42 also has a plurality of collection mounting holes 703 for the collection mounting member 701 to pass through. The heat insulation plate of the cover heat insulation member 80 is provided with clearance through holes for the collection mounting member 701 to pass through.

[0146] See Figure 18 and Figure 24 In some embodiments, the collecting mounting component 701 may include a threaded rod 7011 and a nut as the mounting mating component 702, so that the mounting mating component 702 and the collecting mounting component 701 can be assembled and disassembled by a robot arm inside the glove box. In such embodiments, the collecting mounting component 701 and the mounting mating component 702 are configured to be threadedly connected, which facilitates operation by the robot arm inside the glove box.

[0147] See Figure 24 In some embodiments, the top end of the rod 7011 is provided with a guide portion 70111 to guide the rod 7011 smoothly into the collection and installation hole of the cover.

[0148] Since the collector 70 is located inside the electrolytic container body 11, when assembling the electrolytic container cover 12 with the collector 70, the collection mounting part 701 may not be easily aligned with the collection mounting hole of the cover. Therefore, in this embodiment, the guide part 70111 guides the rod 7011 so that the collection mounting part 701 can smoothly enter the collection mounting hole of the cover, thereby enabling the collector 70 and the electrolytic container cover 12 to be assembled smoothly.

[0149] See Figure 24 In some embodiments, the collecting mounting component 701 may further include a sealing element 7012 disposed on the rod 7011. When the rod 7011 is tightened with the nut, the sealing element 7012 seals the collecting mounting hole of the electrolytic container cover 12 on the lower surface of the cover. In such embodiments, the sealing element 7012 seals the collecting mounting hole of the cover to prevent molten salt vapor from leaving the electrolytic container body 11 from the collecting mounting hole.

[0150] In some embodiments, the seal 7012 is formed of a high-temperature resistant polymer material.

[0151] Regarding the embodiments of this application, it should also be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0152] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. The scope of protection of this application shall be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A basket-type cathode assembly for a molten salt apparatus, characterized in that, The cathode assembly includes an electrode body, an electrode connector for sealingly connecting to the electrode mounting interface of the molten salt equipment, and a conductive connection assembly for connecting the electrode body to an external cable, wherein the electrode body is insulated from the electrode connector via the conductive connection assembly. The electrode body of the cathode assembly includes: The main connector is connected to the conductive connection assembly; Multiple basket assemblies, detachably suspended from the main body connector, are used to contain the metal oxides to be electrolytically reduced.

2. The cathode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body connector forms multiple slots; The suspended platform assembly includes a suspended platform and a suspended platform lifting component connected to the suspended platform, the suspended platform lifting component being able to enter the slot and be suspended in the slot.

3. The cathode assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The slot includes a first slot segment extending radially from the periphery of the body connector and a second slot segment communicating with the first slot segment and extending at an angle to the first slot segment. The suspended platform can enter the second section via the first section.

4. The cathode assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The suspended platform assembly also includes a suspended platform connector for connecting the suspended platform and the suspended platform lifting component. The suspended platform connectors of two adjacent suspended platform assemblies can limit each other to prevent the suspended platform lifting component from entering the first groove section from the second groove section.

5. The cathode assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The suspended platform connector includes: two first connecting rods and a second connecting rod connecting the two first connecting rods, and the suspended platform hoisting component is connected to the second connecting rod; An opening is formed at the upper end of the basket; The two first connecting rods are connected to the suspended basket on the radially outer side of the opening of the suspended basket; When the suspended platform assembly is suspended from the main body connector, the second connecting rod of the suspended platform assembly forms a regular polygon; The first connecting rods of two adjacent suspended basket assemblies are opposite each other to prevent the suspended basket lifting component from entering the first slot from the second slot.

6. The cathode assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The distance between the first connecting rods of two adjacent suspended basket assemblies is less than the length of the second groove segment; and the suspended basket assembly is allowed to rotate relative to the second groove segment.

7. The cathode assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The suspended platform includes a base plate, an annular member forming an opening, and a mesh sidewall connecting the base plate and the annular member.

8. The cathode assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main body connector includes a plate and a threaded connector disposed on the plate, wherein the threaded connector is threadedly connected to the conductive connection assembly. The slot is formed in the plate.

9. The cathode assembly according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The electrode mounting interface includes multiple mounting and locking components. The cathode assembly further includes: a plurality of mounting locking fittings disposed on the electrode connector. When the cathode assembly rotates relative to the electrode mounting interface, the mounting locking fittings and the mounting locking fittings can lock or release the locking fit to seal or separate the cathode assembly and the electrode mounting interface.

10. A molten salt apparatus, comprising an electrolytic container body for containing molten salt, an electrolytic container cover for sealing the electrolytic container body, a cathode assembly, and an anode assembly, characterized in that, The cathode assembly is the cathode assembly described in any one of claims 1-9.

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