Rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling alarm structure

Abstract

According to the rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling alarm structure, the water cooling channel and the air cooling channel are formed in the cathode bar, so that the reaction temperature of the cathode bar is greatly reduced, the resistance of the cathode bar is reduced, the comprehensive cost of a product is further reduced, the advantages of air cooling and water cooling complement each other, the air cooling and water cooling serve as the unique cooling medium, and the cooling efficiency is improved; and water cooling is used as a unique cooling medium, so that water is saved, and the operation cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of rare earth electrolysis technology, and in particular to a rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling alarm structure. Background Technology

[0002] Rare earth metals and their alloys are mainly produced using molten salt electrolysis. This process utilizes an electrolytic cell consisting of a graphite crucible, graphite anode, and tungsten cathode as the production equipment, employing a fluoride-oxide system to electrolyze and produce rare earth metals. Rare earth electrolysis is carried out under high temperature and high current conditions. The graphite anode is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply, and the tungsten cathode is connected to the negative terminal. A conductive path is formed between the graphite anode and the tungsten cathode through molten salt. The tungsten rod typically operates under electrolytic current (generally around 4000A) and electrolyte electrolysis temperature (around 1000℃). The tungsten rod exposed above the liquid surface is subjected to intense oxidation by the gas flow at the furnace opening. This oxidation causes the exposed portion of the tungsten rod to gradually thin within just six months, rendering the entire tungsten cathode unusable.

[0003] Under these conditions, as the temperature of the cathode increases with the temperature of the molten salt, the cathode resistance gradually increases, and the electrical efficiency deteriorates. In contrast, as the region where metals are generated in the molten salt electrolysis reaction, the electrical efficiency of the cathode directly affects the yield and quality of the produced metals. At the same time, as the temperature increases, the cathode is more likely to react with the molten salt and the surrounding air, resulting in finer cathode wear and directly affecting the service life of the tungsten cathode.

[0004] Jiangsu Jinshi Rare Earth Co., Ltd.'s Chinese patent application number 202021161727.5—Cathode Cooling System for Rare Earth Electrolysis: When rare earth electrolysis is performed, the circulating cooling water in the inner cavity continuously cools the cathode rod, preventing the cathode rod from overheating due to the current. Since the water inlet is connected through a copper pipe and located above the cathode rod, and the water return hole is located above the water inlet, the cooling water first contacts and cools the cathode rod. When the temperature rises after cooling, it is discharged through the water return hole above, thus making the cooling effect better.

[0005] The circulating cooling water in this patent flows inside the fixed pipe cavity, which can only cool the cold top of the cathode rod. The cooling effect on the lower part of the cathode rod is limited. If the cathode rod temperature is too high, the resistance will increase, and the electrical efficiency will be reduced due to the resistance. This cannot meet the actual needs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling alarm structure. The technical problems it solves are: excessively high cathode rod temperature leads to increased resistance, reduced electrical efficiency due to resistance, and directly impacts overall product cost; excessively high cathode rod temperature also accelerates consumption and reduces service life. The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve these problems is: The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling alarm structure includes: The cathode rod has a water-cooling channel and an air-cooling channel inside. The end cap is fixedly installed on the upper end face of the cathode rod. A partition is fixedly installed inside the end cap, which divides the inner cavity of the end cap into a left chamber and a right chamber. The air inlet of the air-cooling channel is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet of the air-cooling channel is connected to the right chamber. End cap, the end cap is set on the upper end face of the cathode rod to seal the water cooling channel; The inlet pipe and outlet pipe are connected at one end to one end of the water cooling channel and at the other end of the outlet pipe. Both the inlet pipe and outlet pipe extend to the outside of the end cap. The air inlet and air outlet are both located on the end cap. The air inlet is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet is connected to the right chamber.

[0007] Furthermore, the water cooling channel includes an inlet channel, a connecting channel, and a return channel, with the inlet channel connected to the connecting channel and the return channel. The air-cooled aisle includes an air intake duct, a connecting duct, and a return air duct. The air intake duct is connected to the connecting duct and the return air duct.

[0008] The air intake duct, return air duct, water intake duct, and return water duct all have fan-shaped cross-sections and are coaxially arranged.

[0009] Furthermore, the cathode rod is a tungsten rod; The air intake duct is located outside the water return duct, and the return air duct is located outside the water intake duct.

[0010] Furthermore, the side walls of both the waterway and the air duct are spherical.

[0011] Furthermore, the air intake channel, water intake channel, return air channel, and return water channel are set up in sequence.

[0012] Furthermore, the cross-section of the connecting waterway is a fan-shaped structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the end cap has through holes, and two connecting joints are fixedly installed at the two through holes. The two connecting joints are connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, respectively.

[0014] Furthermore, the top wall of the right chamber is designed with a spherical structure, and the air outlet is located at the highest point of the sphere.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: by opening water-cooling channels and air-cooling channels in the cathode rod, the reaction temperature of the cathode rod is greatly reduced, the resistance of the cathode rod is reduced, and thus the overall product cost is reduced. Moreover, the advantages of air cooling and water cooling complement each other. With air cooling as the only cooling medium, the cooling efficiency is improved; with water cooling as the only cooling medium, water is saved and the operating cost is reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the vertical cross-sectional three-dimensional structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the transverse cross-section of the sealing section in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the cathode rod in a cross-section according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an axial cross-section at an angle at the cathode rod in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cathode rod at another angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the structure near the end cap of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional structural diagram of the water-cooling channel and the air-cooling channel at the cathode rod in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the picture: 1. Cathode rod; 21. Water inlet channel; 22. Connecting water channel; 23. Return water channel; 31. Air inlet channel; 32. Connecting air duct; 33. Return air channel; 4. End cap; 5. Partition plate; 8. End cap; 9. Water inlet pipe; 10. Water outlet pipe; 11. Air inlet; 12. Air outlet; 13. Connecting joint. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following embodiments, so that the public can better understand the implementation method of this invention. The specific implementation scheme of this invention is as follows: The rare earth electrolysis cathode cooling alarm structure includes: a cathode rod 1, which is a tungsten rod, and a water-cooling channel and an air-cooling channel are provided inside the cathode rod 1; specifically, the water-cooling channel includes an inlet water channel 21, a connecting water channel 22, and a return water channel 23, with the inlet water channel 21 connected to the return water channel 22 and the return water channel 23; the air-cooling channel includes an air inlet channel 31, a connecting air channel 32, and a return air channel 33, with the air inlet channel 31 connected to the return air channel 33. By providing both water-cooling and air-cooling channels on the cathode rod, the reaction temperature of the cathode rod is greatly reduced, the cathode rod resistance is reduced, and thus the overall product cost is reduced. Furthermore, the advantages of air cooling and water cooling complement each other; with air cooling as the sole cooling medium, cooling efficiency is improved; and with water cooling as the sole cooling medium, water is saved, reducing operating costs.

[0021] The end cap 4 is fixedly installed on the upper end face of the cathode rod 1. The end cap 4 and the cathode rod 1 can be fixed by welding or by thread connection. The split structure is convenient for maintenance and has the characteristics of simple manufacturing process. A partition 5 is fixedly installed inside the end cap 4, which divides the inner cavity of the end cap 4 into a left chamber and a right chamber. The air inlet 11 of the air-cooling channel is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet 12 of the air-cooling channel is connected to the right chamber. The end cap 8 is installed in the inner cavity of the end cap 4 on the upper end face of the cathode rod 1 to seal the water-cooling channel and prevent the water-cooling channel from communicating with the air-cooling channel.

[0022] Specifically, the end cover 8 has a through hole, and a connecting joint 13 is fixedly installed at each of the two through holes. It adopts a split structure. The two connecting joints 13 are connected to the water inlet pipe 9 and the water outlet pipe 10 respectively. During long-term operation, if the connecting joint and the water inlet and outlet pipes leak, the leaked liquid will not enter the furnace body, but will be carried out by the air through the water cooling channel. If there is liquid in the return air conveying pipeline, a humidity sensor or a water level alarm sensor can be installed on the return air conveying pipeline to detect it and repair it in time. The water level alarm sensor model is: ad0000 wa600-w water level alarm sensor, and the humidity sensor model is: HM1500LF.

[0023] It should be noted that the top wall of the right chamber is designed with a spherical structure, and the air outlet 12 is located at the highest point of the sphere, which allows the leaked liquid to be blown out quickly.

[0024] Air inlet 11 and air outlet 12 are both located on end cap 4. Air inlet 11 is connected to the left chamber and air outlet 12 is connected to the right chamber.

[0025] One end of the water inlet pipe 9 is connected to one end of the water cooling channel, and one end of the water outlet pipe 10 is connected to the other end of the water cooling channel. The other ends of both the water inlet pipe 9 and the water outlet pipe 10 extend to the outside of the end cap 4.

[0026] The air inlet channel 31, air return channel 33, water inlet channel 21, and water return channel 23 all have fan-shaped cross-sections and are coaxially arranged. This structure increases the water and air flow area, improving cooling efficiency. The air inlet channel 31 is located outside the water return channel 23, and the water return channel 33 is located outside the water inlet channel 21. When water cooling and air cooling reach the rear, the temperature increases due to heat absorption. The opposite design of the water cooling and air cooling trajectories ensures more even cooling of the cathode rod. Furthermore, the air cooling channel surrounds the water cooling channel, effectively protecting it and preventing the tungsten rod from becoming thinner due to oxidation, which could lead to coolant leakage into the furnace and cause an explosion. This significantly improves safety. An airflow and pressure tester can also be added to the air cooling system. If air leakage occurs in the cathode rod, it can be detected promptly using the airflow and pressure tester model: DP2000-8. It should be noted that the side walls of both the waterway 22 and the airway 32 have a spherical structure, which reduces wind and water resistance and improves work efficiency.

[0027] The working principle and process of this invention are as follows: The cathode rod is placed in the electrolytic cell using a copper busbar structure for electrolysis. The water pump is started, and the cooling medium is injected into the water inlet channel 21 through the water inlet pipe 9. The cooling medium passes through the water inlet channel 21, the connecting water channel 22 and the return water channel 23 in sequence, and flows back to the cooling tower through the water outlet pipe 10. The cooling medium is cooled by the cooling tower and the circulation continues. At the same time, the fan is turned on, and the cooling air enters the air inlet 11 through the air inlet pipeline, and then enters the left chamber, air inlet channel 31, connecting air duct 32, return air channel 33 and right chamber in sequence. It then enters the return air pipeline through the air outlet, enters the air-cooled radiator for cooling, and then continues to circulate in the air inlet pipeline.

[0028] If the tungsten rod exposed above the liquid surface becomes thinner due to the reaction, the air inlet channel 31 or the return air channel 33 will be penetrated, resulting in air leakage, which can be detected in time by an air volume and air pressure tester.

[0029] If there is liquid in the return air supply pipeline, it can be detected by the humidity sensor or water level alarm sensor installed on the return air supply pipeline, and timely maintenance can be carried out. The model is ad0000 wa600-w water level alarm sensor.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "lower left," "upper right," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Although the invention has been described according to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand from the above description that other embodiments are conceived within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure, characterized in that, include: The cathode rod (1) has a water-cooling channel and an air-cooling channel inside it; The end cap (4) is fixedly installed on the upper end face of the cathode rod (1). A partition (5) is fixedly installed inside the end cap (4). The partition (5) divides the inner cavity of the end cap (4) into a left chamber and a right chamber. The air inlet (11) of the air-cooled channel is connected to the left chamber, and the air outlet (12) of the air-cooled channel is connected to the right chamber. End cap (8) is provided on the upper end face of cathode rod (1) to close the water cooling channel; Water inlet pipe (9) and water outlet pipe (10). One end of water inlet pipe (9) is connected to one end of water cooling channel, and one end of water outlet pipe (10) is connected to the other end of water cooling channel. The other ends of water inlet pipe (9) and water outlet pipe (10) extend to the outside of end cap (4). Air inlet (11) and air outlet (12) are both located on the end cap (4). Air inlet (11) is connected to the left chamber and air outlet (12) is connected to the right chamber. The air-cooled channel includes air inlet channel (31), connecting air duct (32) and return air duct (33). Air inlet channel (31) is connected to the connecting air duct (32) and return air duct (33). Cooling air enters the air inlet (11) through the air inlet pipeline, and then sequentially enters the left chamber, air inlet channel (31), connecting air duct (32), return air channel (33), and right chamber. It then enters the return air pipeline through the air outlet (12). A humidity sensor or water level alarm sensor is installed on the return air pipeline.

2. The rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode rod (1) is a tungsten rod; The water cooling channel includes an inlet channel (21), a connecting channel (22), and a return channel (23). The inlet channel (21) is connected to the connecting channel (22) and the return channel (23).

3. The rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross-sections of the air inlet channel (31), the return air channel (33), the water inlet channel (21), and the return water channel (23) are all fan-shaped and coaxially arranged. The air inlet channel (31) is located outside the return water channel (23), and the return air channel (33) is located outside the water inlet channel (21).

4. The rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The side walls of the connecting waterway (22) and the connecting airway (32) are both spherical.

5. The rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end cap (8) has a through hole, and a connecting joint (13) is fixedly installed at each of the two through holes. The two connecting joints (13) are connected to the inlet pipe (9) and the outlet pipe (10) respectively.

6. The rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top wall of the right chamber is spherical, and the air outlet (12) is located at the highest point of the sphere.

7. The rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water level alarm sensor model is: ad0000 wa600-w water level alarm sensor.

8. The rare earth electrolytic cathode cooling alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Humidity sensor model: HM1500LF.

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