Electrolysis apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by molten bath electrolysis, and in particular to an electrolysis device which can include an electrolysis vessel forming an electrolysis cell, a cathode assembly and an anode assembly, an electrode storage portion, a first auxiliary scraping device, a collection member, a second auxiliary scraping device and a hoisting device. The cathode assembly and the anode assembly are respectively used to cause an electrolysis reaction of a material in the electrolysis cell and form an electrolysis product at the cathode assembly; the electrode storage portion is used to store the cathode assembly and the anode assembly; the first auxiliary scraping device is used to assist a scraping member to scrape and collect the electrolysis product on the cathode assembly; the collection member is used to collect the electrolysis product falling from the cathode assembly in the electrolysis vessel; the second auxiliary scraping device is used to assist the scraping member to remove and collect the electrolysis product on the collection member; and the hoisting device is used to transfer the cathode assembly, the anode assembly and the collection member. The electrolysis device provided by the embodiments of the present application can improve the collection efficiency of the electrolysis product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this application relate to the field of producing, recycling or refining metals by electrolysis using molten liquid electrolysis, and specifically to an electrolysis device. 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, obtaining metallic materials requires processing the corresponding metallic compounds. For example, the metallic materials can be obtained by electrolytically reducing the metallic compounds in an electrolytic device. Currently, the technology for electrolytically reducing metallic compounds still has many limitations. 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 problems, embodiments of this application provide an electrolysis device, which may include: an electrolysis container, a cathode assembly and an anode assembly, an electrode storage section, a first auxiliary scraping device, a collecting component, a second auxiliary scraping device, and a hoisting device. The electrolysis container forms an electrolytic cell and has a cathode mounting interface and an anode mounting interface communicating with the electrolytic cell; the cathode assembly and anode assembly are respectively inserted into the cathode mounting interface and the anode mounting interface to cause the material in the electrolytic cell to undergo an electrolytic reaction, forming electrolytic products on the cathode assembly; the electrode storage section is used to store the cathode assembly and the anode assembly; the first auxiliary scraping device assists the scraping component in scraping off and collecting the electrolytic products on the cathode assembly; the collecting component is used to collect the electrolytic products that fall from the cathode assembly in the electrolysis container; the second auxiliary scraping device assists the scraping component in removing and collecting the electrolytic products on the collecting component; the hoisting device is used to transfer the cathode assembly between the first auxiliary scraping device and the electrode storage section, transfer the anode assembly between the electrolysis container and the electrode storage section, and transfer the collecting component to the second auxiliary scraping device.

[0006] The electrolysis equipment provided in the embodiments of this application can realize the transfer of cathode assembly, anode assembly and collection device by setting up a hoisting device; by setting up a first auxiliary scraping device to assist the scraping device in scraping off and collecting electrolytic products on the cathode assembly, and by setting up a collection device, a second auxiliary scraping device and a hoisting device, the electrolytic products falling from the cathode assembly in the electrolysis container can be collected, thereby improving the collection efficiency of electrolytic products. Attached Figure Description

[0007] 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.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrolysis equipment and glove box provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrolytic container of the electrolytic device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolytic vessel is shown.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the cathode assembly provided in an embodiment of this application, showing the connection relationship between the cathode seal, the heat sink, and the cathode connector.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an electrode storage section storing electrode assemblies provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0013] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a cathode assembly provided in an embodiment of this application is shown, wherein the cathode assembly is held by a cathode conductive moving element.

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The diagram shown is a partial schematic of the structure with the cathode body omitted.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the anode power supply component placed on the anode power supply bracket according to an embodiment of this application.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A partial schematic diagram of the structure after the first auxiliary scraping device and the cathode body are assembled.

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 The diagram shows the structure of the first auxiliary scraper assembly with the cathode body after omitting the transport section.

[0019] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 A partial enlarged view of the cathode body clamping part is shown.

[0020] Figure 13 yes Figure 9 A top view of the electrolysis equipment is shown.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the collecting component and the second auxiliary scraping device after assembly, as provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0022] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding agitator provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 The cross-sectional view of the feed agitator is shown.

[0024] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the stirring component provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 18 yes Figure 12 The diagram shown illustrates the cathode body clamping section after it has been opened.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100. Electrolysis equipment; 10. Electrolytic container; 11. Container body; 110. Body cooling chamber; 12. Container cover; 120. Cover cooling chamber; 1201. Inlet pipe; 1202. Outlet pipe; 13. Protective shell; 130. Protective shell cooling chamber; 1301. Cooling medium inlet pipe; 1302. Cooling medium outlet pipe; 14. Heating and insulation component; 15. Outer shell; 150. Shell cooling chamber; 101. Electrolytic cell; 102. Electrode mounting interface; 103. Temperature measuring port; 1031. Molten salt temperature measuring component; 10311. Temperature measuring body; 10312. Temperature measuring cover; 10313. Temperature measuring hoisting part; 104. Exhaust gas collection port; 24. Heat sink; 241. Heat sink element; 2411. Heat sink plate; 2412. Heat sink fin; 242. Clamping component; 25. Suspension fitting component; 201. Cathode assembly; 2011. Cathode body; 2012. Cathode connector; 2013. Cathode seal; 202. Anode assembly; 2021. Anode body; 2022. Anode connector; 2023. Anode seal; 2024. Anode power supply component; 20240. Anode clamping groove; 20241. First clamping component; 20242. Second clamping component; 20243. Anode locking component; 2030, Cathode conductive moving component; 203, Cathode conductive connecting component; 2031, Conductive gripper; 204, Cathode moving component; 2041, Vertical moving component; 2042, Horizontal moving component; 2043, Vertical moving mating component; 2044, Horizontal moving mating component; 205, Anode power supply bracket; 2051, Bracket connecting component; 2052, First limiting component; 2053, Second limiting component; 30. First auxiliary scraping device; 301. Scraping space; 31. Splash-proof part; 310. Splash-proof opening; 311. Splash-proof cylinder; 3110. Cylinder opening; 312. Support mating part; 3120. Support opening; 32. Cathode body clamping part; 320. Clamping opening; 321. First body clamping member; 3210. First clamping groove; 322. Second body clamping member; 3221. Second clamping groove; 3222. Locking groove; 323. Body locking member; 3231. Locking rod; 3232. Locking 3233, Operating handle; 324, Hinge; 33, Scraper support; 331, Splash-proof support; 3311, Support notch; 3312, Support groove; 332, Clamping support; 333, Vertical support; 34, Collection part; 35, Scraper limiting part; 350, Limiting groove; 351, Limiting body part; 3510, Connecting hole; 3511, Limiting plate; 3512, Horizontal connecting plate; 352, Position adjustment part; 3521, Support plate; 3522, Fixing plate; 36, Conveying part; 40. Electrode storage section; 401. Component temporary storage rack; 41. Hanging plate; 411. U-shaped groove; 42. Storage support; 50. Collection component; 51. Collection tray; 52. Collection connector; 520. Opening; 53. Reinforcing component; 60. Second auxiliary scraping device; 61. Receiving container; 62. Second hoisting part; 620. Slotting; 63. Clamping part; 631. Clamping component; 632. Clamping drive component; 64. Second splash guard; 640. Splash guard space; 6401. First opening; 6402. Second opening; 641. First splash guard plate; 642. Column; 643. Mounting rod; 70. Feeding agitator; 701. Receiving tank; 71. Feeding cover; 72. Feeding agitator support; 721. Feeding support; 722. Feeding agitator blades; 723. Positioning component; 73. Feeding cylinder; 730. Through hole; 731. Feeding cylinder body; 732. Feeding section; 733. Disturbing section; 74. Feeding lifting component; 741. Feeding connecting rod; 742. Feeding connector; 743. Feeding operating component; 75. Feeding rotating component; 751. Feeding... 7511. Rotating shaft; 7512. First feed shaft section; 7513. Second feed shaft section; 752. Feed drive component; 753. Feed drive mounting component; 7531. First feed mounting component; 7532. Second feed mounting component; 7533. Third feed mounting component; 7534. Feed mounting rod; 754. Feed coupling; 755. Feed bearing assembly; 7551. Feed bearing sleeve; 7552. Feed bearing; 7553. Feed bearing cover; 76. Feed lifting component; 80. Glove box; 801. Operating gloves; 81. First side surface; 90. Mixing component; 91. Mixing shaft; 92. Mixing blades; 93. Mixing hoisting part; 94. Rotating operating part; 95. Mixing cover.

[0027] 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

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The inventors of this application have discovered that during the electrolytic reduction of metal compounds, a small amount of the metal element or alloy electrolytic products formed on the cathode surface may fall off the cathode surface into the molten salt, resulting in low collection efficiency of the electrolytic products.

[0031] To address this problem, embodiments of this application provide an electrolysis device.

[0032] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrolysis equipment 100 and the glove box 80 used in conjunction with embodiments of this application. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the structure of the electrolysis container 10 of the electrolysis equipment 100. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolytic container 10 shown illustrates that the electrolysis equipment 100 of this application may include the electrolytic container 10, which forms an electrolytic cell 101 and a cathode mounting interface and an anode mounting interface communicating with the electrolytic cell 101. The electrolytic container 10 is configured to regulate the temperature of the material within the electrolytic cell 101.

[0033] See Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrolysis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of this application. The electrolysis apparatus 100 may further include a cathode assembly 201 and an anode assembly 202, an electrode storage section 40, a first auxiliary scraping device 30, a collecting component 50, a second auxiliary scraping device 60, and a hoisting device.

[0034] Cathode assembly 201 and anode assembly 202 are respectively inserted into cathode mounting interfaces and anode mounting interfaces to cause electrolytic reactions in the electrolytic cell 101, forming electrolytic products on cathode assembly 201. Electrode storage section 40 is used to store cathode assembly 201 and anode assembly 202. First auxiliary scraping device 30 is used to assist scraping members in scraping off and collecting electrolytic products on cathode assembly 201. Collection member 50 is used to collect electrolytic products that fall from cathode assembly 201 in electrolytic container 10; second auxiliary scraping device 60 is used to assist scraping members in removing and collecting electrolytic products on collection member 50; lifting device is used to transfer cathode assembly 201 between first auxiliary scraping device 30 and electrode storage section 40, transfer anode assembly 202 between electrolytic container 10 and electrode storage section 40, and transfer collection member 50 to second auxiliary scraping device 60.

[0035] The electrolysis equipment 100 provided in the embodiments of this application can realize the transfer of cathode assembly 201, anode assembly 202 and collection device 50 by setting up a hoisting device; by setting up a first auxiliary scraping device 30 to assist the scraping device in scraping off and collecting electrolytic products on cathode assembly 201, and by setting up collection device 50, second auxiliary scraping device 60 and hoisting device, electrolytic products falling from cathode assembly 201 in electrolysis container 10 can be collected, thereby improving the collection efficiency of electrolytic products.

[0036] In the embodiments of this application, both the cathode assembly 201 and the anode assembly 202 can be referred to as electrode assemblies. Both the cathode mounting interface and the anode mounting interface can be referred to as electrode mounting interface 102.

[0037] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the cathode assembly 201 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode assembly provided in the embodiment of this application stored in the electrode storage section 40.

[0038] In some embodiments, the cathode assembly 201 may include a cathode body 2011, a cathode connector 2012 connected to the cathode body 2011, and a cathode seal 2013 connected to the cathode connector 2012. The cathode connector 2012 is used to connect to an external conductive structure to supply power to the cathode body 2011. The cathode seal 2013 is used to seal the cathode mounting interface. The cathode assembly 201 may also include a heat sink 24, which is detachably disposed on the cathode connector 2012 and located above the cathode seal 2013, for dissipating heat conducted from the cathode body 2011 to the cathode connector 2012.

[0039] The cathode assembly 201 provided in the embodiments of this application dissipates heat conducted from the cathode body 2011 to the cathode connector 2012 by providing a heat dissipation component 24, thereby preventing the cathode connector 2012 from overheating and adversely affecting the external conductive structure connected to the cathode connector 2012. Since the electrode heat dissipation component 24 is detachably provided to the electrode connector 22, it is easy to remove the electrode heat dissipation component 24 from the electrode connector 22, facilitating subsequent processing of the electrode connector 22.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cathode connector 2012 is electrically connected to the cathode body 2011.

[0041] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the glove box 80 is provided with operating gloves 801 for manual operation. The electrode mounting interface 102 is located inside the glove box 80, and the electrolytic cell 101 is connected to the glove box 80. Electrode assemblies are mounted on the electrode mounting interface 102 inside the glove box 80.

[0042] In some embodiments, the cathode assembly 201 is installed in the cathode mounting interface, that is, the cathode body 2011 and part of the cathode connector 2012 of the cathode assembly 201 are inserted into the cathode mounting interface, and the cathode seal 2013 is covered on the cathode mounting interface.

[0043] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the electrolytic cell 101 can be 450 mm and the height can be 1000 mm. In some embodiments, the current during electrolysis is greater than or equal to 700 A.

[0044] See Figure 4 In some embodiments, the heat sink 24 may include a plurality of heat dissipation elements 241 and clamping members 242. The plurality of heat dissipation elements 241 are radially arranged circumferentially on the cathode connector 2012, and the clamping members 242 are used to clamp each heat dissipation element 241 to the cathode connector 2012. In such embodiments, the above arrangement is beneficial to increasing the heat dissipation area of ​​the heat sink 24, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the heat sink 24; at the same time, it facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the heat sink 24 and the cathode connector 2012 within the glove box 80.

[0045] See Figure 4 In some embodiments, the heat dissipation element 241 may include a heat dissipation plate 2411 extending radially along the cathode connector 2012 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 2412 perpendicularly connected to the heat dissipation plate 2411. In such embodiments, the above arrangement can increase the heat dissipation area of ​​the heat dissipation element 241, thereby increasing the heat dissipation area of ​​the heat dissipation component 24.

[0046] The side of the heat sink 2411 facing the cathode connector 2012 has an end face that matches the surface shape of the cathode connector 2012, so as to increase the contact area between the heat sink 2411 and the cathode connector 2012 and improve the heat dissipation effect.

[0047] See Figure 4 In some embodiments, the clamping member 242 may be a clamp. In such embodiments, the above arrangement facilitates the removal of the clamping member 242 within the glove box 80.

[0048] See Figure 4 In some embodiments, the heat dissipation element 241 is supported by the cathode seal 2013 to prevent the heat dissipation element 241 from being displaced in the axial direction of the cathode connector 2012.

[0049] In some embodiments, the cathode seal 2013 is insulated from the cathode connector 2012 to prevent current conducted by an external conductive structure from being conducted to the electrolytic vessel 10 through the cathode connector 2012 and the cathode seal 2013.

[0050] In some embodiments, the cathode body 2011 and the cathode connector 2012 are detachably connected. See also Figure 5 The cathode body 2011 forms a suspension fitting 25 for suspending the cathode body 2011. In this embodiment, the above arrangement allows the cathode body 2011 to be suspended individually on the electrode storage section 40, facilitating the replacement of the cathode body 2011.

[0051] In some embodiments, the anode assembly 202 includes an anode body 2021, an anode connector 2022, an anode seal 2023, and a heat sink 24. The anode body 2021 is detachably connected to the anode connector 2022. The anode body 2021 forms a suspension fitting 25 for suspending the anode body 2021. The structures of the anode seal 2023 and the heat sink 24 of the anode assembly 202 can be the same as the structures of the cathode seal 2013 and the heat sink 24 of the cathode assembly 201, respectively.

[0052] In some embodiments, the electrolytic vessel 10 has two electrode mounting interfaces 102, namely a cathode mounting interface for mounting the cathode assembly 201 and an anode mounting interface for mounting the anode assembly 202. In some embodiments, the size of the cathode mounting interface is larger than the size of the anode mounting interface, which is beneficial for increasing the surface area of ​​the cathode body 2011, for the formation of electrolytic products in the cathode body 2011, and also allows the addition of molten salt components (i.e., electrolytes) and electrolytic raw material powders to the electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface.

[0053] In some embodiments, the cathode body 2011 may be made of 310s stainless steel, and the cathode connector 2012 may be made of brass. In some embodiments, the anode body 2021 may be made of carbon-carbon, and the anode connector 2022 may be made of brass.

[0054] In some embodiments, the diameter of the cathode body 2011 may be the same as the diameter of the anode body 2021, and the length of the cathode body 2011 may be longer than the length of the anode body 2021, so that the electrolytic products are formed in the lower middle part of the cathode body 2011. This facilitates the fixing of the upper part of the cathode body 2011 (instead of fixing the cathode connector 2012) by a fixing structure (such as the cathode body clamping part mentioned below) when collecting the electrolytic products formed on the cathode body 2011. This allows the cathode body 2011 to be stably fixed when the electrolytic products on the cathode body 2011 are scraped off by the scraper.

[0055] In some embodiments, the diameter of the cathode body 2011 can be 40 mm and the length can be 800 mm; the diameter of the anode body 2021 can be 40 mm and the length can be 500 mm.

[0056] See Figure 5 In some embodiments, the electrode storage section 40 may be used to store the anode body 2021, the anode connector 2022, the cathode body 2011, the cathode connector 2012, and the assembled anode body 2021 and anode connector 2022. The electrode storage section 40 may be made of stainless steel, for example.

[0057] In some embodiments, the anode connector 2022 may also form a suspension fitting 25 so that the anode connector 2022 can also be suspended on the electrode storage section 40.

[0058] In some embodiments, the electrode storage section 40 includes a suspension plate 41 and a storage support member 42 for supporting the suspension plate 41. The suspension plate 41 forms a plurality of U-shaped grooves 411. The size of the U-shaped grooves 411 is smaller than the size of the suspension fitting member 25 and larger than the size of the anode body 2021, the anode body 2021 and the anode connector 2022, so that the anode body 2021, the anode body 2021 and the anode connector 2022 can be suspended on the suspension plate 41.

[0059] See Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 The diagram shows a schematic representation of the structure of a cathode assembly 201 provided in an embodiment of this application. The cathode assembly 201 is held by a cathode conductive moving member 2030. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The diagram shown is a partial schematic with the cathode body 2011 omitted. In some embodiments, the electrolysis apparatus 100 may further include a cathode conductive moving member 2030 for moving the cathode assembly 201 and supplying power to the cathode assembly 201. The cathode connector 2012 is conductively connected to the cathode conductive moving member 2030. In such embodiments, because the cathode connector 2012 and the cathode conductive moving member 2030 are conductively connected, the conductivity and movement of the cathode assembly 201 are combined, thus eliminating the need for a separate conductive structure conductive to the cathode connector 2012 and a moving structure for moving the cathode assembly 201. Since only the operator needs to disassemble or assemble the cathode connector 2012 and the cathode body 2011, the operation steps are greatly simplified.

[0060] In some embodiments, the cathode conductive moving member 2030 includes a cathode conductive connector 203 and a cathode moving member 204. The cathode conductive connector 203 is used for detachable conductive connection with the cathode connector 2012, and the cathode moving member 204 is used to drive the cathode conductive connector 203 to move in the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby installing the cathode assembly 201 into or removing it from the electrode mounting interface 102. Furthermore, when the cathode assembly 201 is installed in the electrode mounting interface 102, the cathode moving member 204 can apply pressure to the cathode connector 2012 and the cathode seal 2013 on the electrode mounting interface 102 through the cathode conductive connector 203, thereby improving the sealing performance between the cathode seal 2013 and the electrode mounting interface 102.

[0061] In some embodiments, the cathode conductive connector 203 may include conductive grippers 2031 for conductively contacting the cathode connector 2012 while clamping it, thereby providing current to the cathode connector 2012. In such embodiments, it is convenient to establish a rigid and conductive connection between the cathode conductive connector 203 and the cathode connector 2012.

[0062] See Figure 6 In some embodiments, the cathode moving member 204 includes a vertical moving member 2041 and a horizontal moving member 2042, a horizontal moving mating member 2044 disposed within the glove box 80, and a vertical moving mating member 2043 disposed on the horizontal moving member 2042. The horizontal moving member 2042 is disposed on the horizontal moving mating member 2044 and is movable horizontally relative to the horizontal moving mating member 2044; the vertical moving member 2041 is disposed on the vertical moving mating member 2043 and is movable vertically relative to the vertical moving mating member 2043. The cathode conductive connector 203 is disposed on the vertical moving member 2041.

[0063] In some embodiments, the cathode moving member 204 may further include two driving members (such as motors) for automatically driving the horizontal moving member 2042 to move horizontally relative to the horizontal moving mating member 2044 and driving the vertical moving member 2041 to move vertically relative to the vertical moving mating member 2043, thereby enabling the cathode assembly 201 to be automatically installed in the electrode mounting interface 102 or automatically removed from the electrode mounting interface 102.

[0064] See Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the anode power supply component 2024 placed on the anode power supply bracket 205 according to an embodiment of this application. In some embodiments, the electrolysis equipment 100 may further include the anode power supply component 2024, configured to be detachably connected to the anode connector 2022. In such embodiments, the above-mentioned configuration facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the anode power supply component 2024 and the anode connector 2022, thereby facilitating the transfer of the anode connector 2022 and the anode body 2021.

[0065] In some embodiments, the anode power supply component 2024 is used to clamp the anode connector 2022 to supply power to the anode connector 2022 and the anode body 2021. Specifically, the anode power supply component 2024 includes two hinged first clamping members 20241 and 20242, and an anode locking member 20243. Grooves are formed on the facing sides of the first clamping members 20241 and 20242 to form an anode clamping groove 20240 for clamping the anode connector 2022. The anode locking member 20243 is used to lock the first clamping members 20241 and 20242 to the anode connector 2022. The first clamping member 20241 or the second clamping member 20242 can be electrically connected to a power supply cable. In this embodiment, the above arrangement enables rapid power-on and power-off of the anode assembly 202, simplifying the power-on and power-off operation of the anode assembly 202.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first clamping member 20241 and the second clamping member 20242 may be provided with threaded holes respectively, and the anode locking member 20243 includes a stud that is threadedly engaged with the aforementioned threaded holes.

[0067] In some embodiments, the electrolysis equipment 100 may further include an anode power supply bracket 205, configured to be connected to the electrolysis container 10, for placing the anode power supply component 2024 in the anode power supply bracket 205 after the anode power supply component 2024 is separated from the anode connector 2022. Specifically, before the electrolysis reaction begins or after the electrolysis reaction is completed, the anode power supply component 2024 can be placed in the anode power supply bracket 205 after being separated from the anode connector 2022; after the anode connector 2022 is placed in the electrode mounting interface 102, the anode power supply component 2024 can be removed from the anode power supply bracket 205 and fitted onto the anode connector 2022, so that the anode connector 2022 is located in the anode clamping groove 20240; then the first clamping member 20241 and the second clamping member 20242 are locked. Since the first clamping member 20241 or the second clamping member 20242 is equipped with a power supply cable, an anode power supply bracket 205 is provided on the electrolytic container 10 to facilitate the transfer of the anode power supply member 2024 equipped with the power supply cable.

[0068] In some embodiments, the anode power supply bracket 205 may be disposed adjacent to the anode mounting interface to further facilitate the transfer of the anode power supply component 2024 with the power supply cable.

[0069] In some embodiments, the anode power supply bracket 205 may include a bracket connector 2051, a first limiting member 2052, and a second limiting member 2053. The bracket connector 2051 is used to connect to the electrolytic container 10. The first limiting member 2052 is connected to the bracket connector 2051 and is used to restrict the anode power supply component 2024 from moving downward. The second limiting member 2053 is connected to the first limiting member 2052 and is used to prevent the anode power supply component 2024 from disengaging from the second limiting member 2053 in the horizontal direction.

[0070] Specifically, the first limiting member 2052 is a first rod extending in the horizontal direction; the second limiting member 2053 is a second rod extending from the center of the first rod in the vertical direction. The length of the first rod is greater than the size of the anode clamping groove 20240 to prevent the anode power supply component 2024 from moving downward; the outer diameter of the second rod is smaller than the size of the anode clamping groove 20240 to facilitate the fitting of the anode power supply component 2024 onto the second rod.

[0071] When electrolyzing metal compounds to obtain the corresponding metal material (e.g., a pure metal or alloy), the metal material adheres to the cathode body 2011 of the cathode assembly 201. Currently, there is a problem of low collection efficiency for collecting the metal material attached to the cathode assembly 201.

[0072] In related technologies, when collecting metal materials, scraping is usually done by bringing a scraper close to the rotating cathode rod, which is a difficult scraping operation.

[0073] To address this problem, embodiments of this application have improved the structure of the first auxiliary scraping device 30. See also... Figure 10 and Figure 11 , Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A partial schematic diagram of the structure after the first auxiliary scraping device 30 and the cathode body 2011 are assembled is shown. Figure 11 yes Figure 9 The diagram shown illustrates the first auxiliary scraping device 30 assembled with the cathode body 2011 after omitting the transport section. The first auxiliary scraping device 30 may include a splash guard 31, a cathode body clamping section 32, a scraping support 33, a collection section 34, and a scraping limiting section 35. The splash guard 31 provides a scraping space 301 for the scraping component to prevent the scraped electrolytic products from splashing to the outside; the cathode body clamping section 32 is configured to clamp the cathode body 2011 to fix the cathode body 2011 in the scraping space 301; the scraping support 33 supports the splash guard 31 and the cathode body clamping section 32; the collection section 34 collects the electrolytic products scraped off the cathode body 2011 by the scraping component; and the scraping limiting section 35 limits the movement space of the scraping component.

[0074] The first auxiliary scraping device 30 provided in the embodiments of this application clamps the cathode body 2011 with the cathode body clamping part 32, so that the cathode body 2011 is in a stationary state, which helps to reduce the difficulty of operation when scraping with a scraping component (such as a scraper); by setting the scraping limiting part 35 to limit the movement space of the scraping component, it helps the operator to use the scraping component more accurately to scrape the material and avoid cutting through, thereby further reducing the difficulty of operation and improving the collection efficiency.

[0075] The collection section 34 can be a tank with an opening at the top.

[0076] See Figure 10 and Figure 11 In some embodiments, the scraper limiting part 35 is provided with a vertically extending limiting groove 350. The limiting groove 350 is used to allow the scraper to enter the scraping space 301, thereby limiting the movement space of the scraper. When scraping with the scraper, the operator can insert the scraper into the limiting groove 350 and then align it with the electrolytic products on the cathode body 2011, reducing the difficulty of operation.

[0077] See Figure 10 and Figure 11 In some embodiments, the scraping limiting part 35 is provided with two limiting grooves 350 extending vertically. When the cathode body 2011 is fixed to the cathode body clamping part 32, the cathode body 2011 is located in the middle of the two limiting grooves 350. In such embodiments, when scraping material using the scraping component, the operator can first insert the scraping component into one of the limiting grooves 350, and then align the scraping component with the electrolytic products on the cathode body 2011 by appropriately tilting the scraping component. This scraping method helps to reduce the difficulty of operation and avoid the scraping component scraping empty.

[0078] In some embodiments, the distance between the two limiting grooves 350 is greater than the outer diameter of the cathode body 2011, so that when scraping is performed using the scraper, the scraper can be tilted slightly inward, thereby facilitating the operator to observe the relative position between the scraper and the cathode body 2011 from both sides of the scraper limiting part 35.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first auxiliary scraping device 30 may further include a limiting body portion 351 and a position adjusting portion 352. A limiting groove 350 is formed in the limiting body portion 351, and the position adjusting portion 352 is configured to drive the limiting body portion 351 to move radially along the splash-proof portion 31 and fix it to different scraping positions. In such an embodiment, the distance between the limiting groove 350 and the cathode body 2011 can be adjusted by the position adjusting portion 352, so that the scraping member can pass through the limiting groove 350 to scrape the cathode body 2011 at different distances. Compared with scraping the cathode body 2011 at a single fixed position by passing through the limiting groove 350, the embodiments of this application are advantageous in that the scraping member can scrape different positions of the cathode body 2011 at a more suitable tilt angle, which is beneficial to improving the scraping effect on the cathode body 2011.

[0080] See Figure 10 and Figure 11 In some embodiments, the limiting body 351 includes a vertically extending limiting plate 3511 and a horizontal connecting plate 3512 fixedly connected to the limiting plate 3511, with a limiting groove 350 formed on the limiting plate 3511. The horizontal connecting plate 3512 extends radially along the splash-proof portion 31 and is provided with a plurality of connecting holes 3510, which are arranged radially along the splash-proof portion 31. The position adjusting portion 352 includes a vertically extending support plate 3521 and a horizontally extending fixing plate 3522, which extends radially along the splash-proof portion 31. The fixing plate 3522 also has a plurality of connecting holes formed thereon. The horizontal connecting plate 3512 can be disposed on the fixing plate 3522 and fixedly connected by pins passing through the connecting holes of both. By aligning the connecting holes 3510 at different positions of the horizontal connecting plate 3512 and the fixing plate 3522, and fixing them by connecting pins, the limiting body part 351 can be fixed radially to different scraping positions along the anti-splash part 31. This position adjustment and fixing method is simple and reliable to operate.

[0081] In some embodiments, the splash guard 31 is configured to form a splash guard opening 310, and the scraper limiting part 35 can be located at the splash guard opening 310 so as to facilitate operation of the scraper through the splash guard opening 310.

[0082] In some embodiments, the cathode conductive moving member 2030 is further configured to drive the cathode assembly 201 from the electrolytic container 10 to the scraping space 301 of the splash guard 31 via the cathode connector 2012.

[0083] See Figure 10 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 18 , Figure 18 yes Figure 12The diagram shows the cathode body clamping portion after it has been opened. The cathode body clamping portion 32 is configured to form a clamping opening 320 on the side facing the electrolytic container 10. The splash guard 31 is configured to rotate relative to the cathode body clamping portion 32, so that the splash guard opening 310 rotates to a position on the same side as the clamping opening 320 or to a position on the same side as the scraper limiting portion 35. Thus, the cathode conductive moving member 2030 can drive the cathode body 2011 to move out of or into the cathode body clamping portion 32 and the splash guard 31 through the clamping opening 320 and the splash guard opening 310, respectively, via the cathode connector 2012. In this embodiment, since the splash guard 31 is configured to rotate relative to the cathode body clamping part 32 to change the orientation of its splash guard opening 310, the scraper limiting part 35 can be positioned opposite the operating glove 801 of the glove box 80, thereby facilitating the operator to operate the scraper through the operating glove 801. After the electrolysis reaction, the cathode conductive moving part 2030 can drive the cathode body 2011 through the cathode connector 2012 to move into the cathode body clamping part 32 and the splash guard 31 through the clamping opening 320 and the splash guard opening 310 respectively, simplifying the operation steps of transferring the cathode body 2011 to the first auxiliary scraper device 30.

[0084] It is easy to understand that the position and structure of the scraper limiting part 35 are configured to allow the splash guard part 31 to rotate. Since the limiting body part 351 can move relative to the position adjustment part 352 along the radial direction of the splash guard part 31, interference with the rotation of the splash guard part 31 can be avoided simply by making the uppermost end of the position adjustment part 352 lower than the lowermost end of the splash guard part 31.

[0085] See Figure 10 In some embodiments, the scraper support 33 may include a splash-proof support portion 331 for supporting the splash-proof portion 31, and the splash-proof support portion 331 forms a support notch 3311. The support notch 3311 is disposed on the same side as the clamping opening 320. This facilitates the cathode conductive moving member 2030 to move the cathode body 2011 out of or into the splash-proof portion 31 through the support notch 3311 and the splash-proof opening 310.

[0086] See Figure 10 and Figure 12 , Figure 12 yes Figure 10The partial enlarged view of the cathode body clamping portion 32 shown illustrates that, in some embodiments, the scraper support 33 may further include a clamping support portion 332 for supporting the cathode body clamping portion 32. The cathode body clamping portion 32 may include a locking member, a hinged first body clamping member 321, and a second body clamping member 322. The first body clamping member 321 and the second body clamping member 322 are used to clamp the cathode body 2011, and the body locking member 323 is used to lock the first body clamping member 321 and the second body clamping member 322 to clamp and fix the cathode body 2011. The first body clamping member 321 is fixedly connected to the clamping support portion 332, and the second body clamping member 322 is configured to rotate relative to the first body clamping member 321 such that at least one side of the first body clamping member 321 and the second body clamping member 322 facing the support notch 3311 forms the aforementioned clamping opening 320. In such an embodiment, the structure of the cathode body clamping part 32 can both clamp and fix the cathode body 2011, and allow the cathode body 2011 to move out of or into the cathode body clamping part 32 through the clamping opening 320 under the drive of the cathode conductive moving part 2030.

[0087] See Figure 10 In some embodiments, the splash-proof support portion 331 may form a support groove 3312, which communicates with the support notch 3311. The splash-proof portion 31 may include a splash-proof cylinder 311 and a support mating portion 312 connected to the splash-proof cylinder 311. The splash-proof cylinder 311 and the support mating portion 312 respectively form a cylinder opening 3110 and a support opening 3120, which together form a splash-proof opening 310. The splash-proof cylinder 311 can pass through the support groove 3312, and the support mating portion 312 abuts against the periphery of the support groove 3312 above the support groove 3312, so that the periphery of the support groove 3312 provides support. In such embodiments, both stable support of the splash-proof portion 331 by the splash-proof support portion 331 can be achieved, and it is also convenient to lift the splash-proof portion 31 upward to rotate relative to the splash-proof support portion 331.

[0088] See Figure 12In some embodiments, the first body clamping member 321 and the second body clamping member 322 respectively form a first clamping groove 3210 and a second clamping groove 3221 for clamping the cathode body 2011. The second body clamping member 322 also forms a locking groove 3222. The body locking member 323 may include a locking rod 3231 hinged to the first body clamping member 321, a locking block 3232 threadedly connected to the locking rod 3231, and an operating handle 3233 for driving the locking block 3232 to rotate relative to the locking rod 3231. When the second body clamping member 322 rotates relative to the first body clamping member 321 to a position closed with the first body clamping member 321, the locking rod 3231 can rotate relative to the first body clamping member 321 to a position entering the locking groove 3222. Rotating the operating handle 3233 can abut the locking block 3232 against the second body clamping member 322. In such an embodiment, after the cathode body 2011 is moved into the cathode body clamping part 32 through the clamping opening 320 by the cathode conductive moving part 2030, the structure of the cathode body clamping part 32 facilitates the clamping and fixing of the cathode body 2011.

[0089] See Figure 12 In some embodiments, the cathode body clamping part 32 may further include a hinge 324, which is fixedly connected to the first body clamping part 321. The locking rod 3231 is hinged to the first body clamping part 321 through the hinge 324, so that the locking rod 3231 can rotate about an axis in the vertical direction.

[0090] In some embodiments, a portion of the surface of the first clamping groove 3210 and the second clamping groove 3221 is adapted to the surface of the cathode body 2011. In some embodiments, both the first body clamping member 321 and the second body clamping member 322 can be L-shaped.

[0091] See Figure 11 In some embodiments, the scraping support 33 may further include a vertically extending vertical support portion 333, and a clamping support portion 332 connected to the vertical support portion 333. A splash-proof support portion 331 is connected to the vertical support portion 333 below the clamping support portion 332; a scraping limiting portion 35 is disposed opposite to the vertical support portion 333, and a support notch 3311 is disposed between the scraping limiting portion 35 and the vertical support portion 333.

[0092] See Figure 9 and Figure 10In some embodiments, the first auxiliary scraping device 30 may further include a conveying section 36, with a collecting section 34 disposed on the conveying section 36. The conveying section 36 is used to convey the collecting section 34 to a position located below the cathode body clamping section 32 to collect the scraped electrolytic products and to convey the collecting section 34 to the next process, which is beneficial to improving the processing efficiency of the electrolytic products and thus improving the overall electrolysis efficiency. The conveying section 36 may include a track extending in a horizontal direction, the track extending in a direction away from the electrolytic container 10.

[0093] In some embodiments, the collector 50 is made of, for example, 310s stainless steel, which on the one hand maintains stability in a high-temperature electrolysis environment and avoids providing impurities to the electrolyte, and on the other hand improves the mechanical strength of the collector 50, making it easier to scrape it using a scraper.

[0094] In some embodiments, the lifting device may include a hook that can move in two mutually perpendicular horizontal directions and in a vertical direction. The lifting device may be a crane.

[0095] See Figure 3 , Figure 9 and Figure 13 In some embodiments, the electrolytic container 10 may include a container body 11 with an opening at the top and a container cover 12 for sealing the opening. The container cover 12 forms an electrode mounting interface 102. The container cover 12 is detachably connected to the container body 11 to form an electrolytic cell 101.

[0096] In some embodiments, the container body 11 is made of, for example, 310s stainless steel.

[0097] In some embodiments, the collection component 50 is fixedly connected to the container cover 12. The lifting device is configured to lift the container cover 12 to lift the container cover 12 and the collection component 50 together to the second auxiliary scraping device 60.

[0098] It is easy to understand that after electrolysis, the collector 50 needs to be removed while the molten salt is still in a molten state, which makes the process of removing the collector 50 inconvenient. In the embodiments of this application, the collector 50 is fixedly connected to the container cover 12, so the collector 50 can be removed and transferred simply by lifting the container cover 12, making the operation simple.

[0099] Since the collector 50 is fixedly connected to the container cover 12, the container cover 12 can seal the opening of the container body 11 by its own weight and the weight of the collector 50.

[0100] See Figure 14 , Figure 14This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the collecting component 50 and the second auxiliary scraping device 60 assembled according to an embodiment of this application. In some embodiments, the collecting component 50 may include a collecting tray 51, a plurality of collecting connectors 52 for connecting the collecting tray 51 to the container cover 12, and a reinforcing member 53 for connecting to the plurality of collecting connectors 52. In such an embodiment, the collecting tray 51 can collect the electrolytic products falling from the cathode body 2011 in the electrolysis container 10, and the reinforcing member 53 increases the overall strength of the collecting component 50 so that the collecting component 50 can remain stable after being fixed in the second auxiliary scraping device 60.

[0101] In some embodiments, the collecting connectors 52 are connected to the collecting tray 51 at the edge of the collecting tray 51, and the collecting connectors 52 are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the collecting tray 51. The reinforcing member 53 may be a connecting ring fixedly connected to each collecting connector 52 above the collecting tray 51, and each collecting connector 52 is connected to the connecting ring radially outward, so that when the clamping part 63 clamps the collecting connector 52, the collecting connector 52 will not detach from the connecting ring.

[0102] In some embodiments, the distance between the bottom of the collection tray 51 and the bottom wall of the electrolytic cell 101 can be 20 mm to facilitate the transfer of the collection piece 50.

[0103] See Figure 14 In some embodiments, the second auxiliary scraping device 60 may include a receiving container 61, a second lifting part 62, a clamping part 63, and a second splash-proof part 64. The receiving container 61 is used to collect the electrolytic products scraped off from the collecting member 50 by the scraping member; the second lifting part 62 is used to cooperate with the container cover 12 to suspend the collecting tray 51; the clamping part 63 is used to fix the collecting tray 51 by clamping multiple collecting connectors 52, so that the electrolytic products in the collecting tray 51 can be removed by the scraping member; the second splash-proof part 64 is used to prevent the scraped electrolytic products from splashing to the outside. In such embodiments, the second auxiliary scraping device 60 can fix the collecting tray 51 by the second lifting part 62 and the clamping part 63, so that the electrolytic products in the collecting tray 51 can be removed by the scraping member; by providing the second splash-proof part 64 and the receiving container 61, the electrolytic products in the collecting tray 51 can be completely collected, which helps to reduce the loss of electrolytic products.

[0104] For example, a scraping component is an electric drill.

[0105] In some embodiments, two of the plurality of collecting connectors 52 are arranged opposite each other, and the remaining collecting connectors 52 are located on the same side of the two oppositely arranged collecting connectors 52, thereby forming an opening 520 on the other side of the two collecting connectors 52 to facilitate the scraping operation of the scraping component above the collecting tray 51. The clamping part 63 is used to clamp the two oppositely arranged collecting connectors 52. Since the collecting member 50 is also provided with a reinforcing member 53, this method can stably fix the collecting tray 51.

[0106] For easy distinction, the two oppositely arranged collection connectors 52 are called the first collection connectors 52, and the other collection connectors 52 are called the second collection connectors 52. The second collection connectors 52 are all arranged on the same side between the two first collection connectors 52, thereby forming an opening 520 on the other side of the two first collection connectors 52, so that the scraping component can enter the collection tray 51 through the opening 520 to perform scraping operation.

[0107] In some embodiments, the second splash guard 64 may include two first splash guards 641 disposed opposite to each other, the two first splash guards 641 being configured to form a splash guard space 640 and a first opening 6401 and a second opening 6402 located on the same side of the splash guard space 640. The second splash guard 64 may also include a second splash guard (not shown in the figure), the second splash guard being movable relative to the second opening 6402 to open or close the second opening 6402. When the second opening 6402 is opened, the collector 50 can be hoisted into the splash guard space 640 through the second opening 6402.

[0108] When the container cover 12 and the collection component 50 are hoisted together to the second auxiliary scraping device 60 using a hoisting device, the openings 520 formed on the other side of the two first collection connectors 52 face the first opening 6401 of the second auxiliary scraping device 60, so that the operator can operate the scraping component to remove the electrolytic products in the collection tray 51.

[0109] See Figure 14 In some embodiments, the second lifting part 62 can be a plate forming a slot 620, which communicates with the second opening 6402, allowing the collection piece 50 to move through the second opening 6402 and the slot 620 into the splash-proof space 640, while simultaneously allowing the container cover 12 to move above the slot 620 for support from its periphery. In such embodiments, this arrangement simplifies the operation of transferring and suspending the collection piece 50.

[0110] In some embodiments, the second auxiliary scraping device 60 may further include a frame structure, on which the second lifting part 62 and the first splash guard 641 are both disposed. The frame structure may include a plurality of vertically extending four columns 642, each first splash guard 641 being connected to two columns 642; the frame structure may further include two mounting rods 643, which are respectively on the same side as the two first splash guards 641 and located directly above the first splash guards 641. The mounting rods 643 are connected to the two columns 642.

[0111] The clamping part 63 includes two clamping members 631 and two clamping drive members 632 respectively connected to the two clamping members 631. The two clamping drive members 632 are respectively disposed on the two mounting rods 643. The two clamping drive members 632 are configured to drive the two clamping members 631 to move relative to or away from each other. The clamping part 63 is configured in this way so as not to affect the collection member 50 from entering the splash-proof space 640.

[0112] There are two connecting rings: one located at the top of the collecting connector 52 and connected to the container lid 12, and the other located in the middle of the collecting connector 52. Two clamping members 631 hold the collecting connector 52 below and close to the middle connecting ring, thereby preventing deformation of the collecting connector 52.

[0113] See Figure 1 When the electrolysis equipment 100 is used in conjunction with the glove box 80, the container body 11 is located outside the glove box 80, and the opening formed at its top is located inside the glove box 80. The container cover 12, the first auxiliary scraping device 30, the cathode conductive moving part 2030, the second auxiliary scraping device 60, the hoisting device, and the electrode storage part 40 are all located inside the glove box 80.

[0114] When the electrolysis equipment 100 is used in conjunction with the glove box 80, how to rationally arrange the electrolysis equipment 100 within the limited space of the glove box 80 in order to facilitate the transfer of electrode components and the collection of electrolysis products is a problem to be solved.

[0115] In some embodiments, see Figure 13 , Figure 13 yes Figure 9The top view of the electrolysis equipment 100 shown shows that the first auxiliary scraping device 30 is disposed on one side of the container cover 12 along the length of the glove box 80; the second auxiliary scraping device 60 is disposed on the side of the container cover 12 away from the first auxiliary scraping device 30 along the length of the glove box 80. This arrangement is beneficial to shortening the displacement of the cathode assembly 201 when it is removed from the electrolysis container 10 and transferred to the first auxiliary scraping device 30 for electrolysis product collection, and also to shortening the displacement of the collection piece 50 when it is removed from the electrolysis container 10 and transferred to the second auxiliary scraping device 60 for electrolysis product collection, thereby reducing the falling of electrolysis products; at the same time, it avoids increasing the width dimension of the glove box 80, which would make it inconvenient for operators to perform related operations through the operating gloves 801.

[0116] In some embodiments, the electrode storage section 40 is disposed along the length of the glove box 80 on the side of the first auxiliary scraping device 30 away from the container cover 12, which avoids increasing the width dimension of the glove box 80. At the same time, it helps to reduce the displacement of the lifting device when the electrode assembly is transferred at each work station, and helps to avoid interference between the lifting device and other structures when lifting the electrode assembly and the container cover 12.

[0117] In some embodiments, a component storage rack 401 is disposed inside a glove box 80. The component storage rack 401 is disposed on one side of the electrode storage section 40 along the width direction of the glove box 80, facing away from the first side surface 81 of the glove box 80, so as to make reasonable use of the space inside the glove box 80.

[0118] In some embodiments, the cathode conductive moving part 2030 is located on the same side of the first auxiliary scraping device 30 and the container cover 12 along the width direction of the glove box 80, so that the cathode conductive moving part 2030 can drive the cathode assembly 201 into the electrolytic container 10 or into the first auxiliary scraping device 30.

[0119] In some embodiments, the container lid 12 is adjacent to the first side surface 81 of the glove box 80 so that an operator can perform related operations near the container lid 12 using an operating glove 801 disposed on the first side surface 81.

[0120] In some embodiments, the scraping limiting part 35 of the first auxiliary scraping device 30 faces the first side surface 81 of the glove box 80, and the second opening 6402 of the second auxiliary scraping device 60 faces the first side surface 81 of the glove box 80, so that the operator can observe the hoisting and transfer of the container cover 12 and the collection piece 50 between the container body 11 and the second auxiliary scraping device 60.

[0121] The embodiments of this application, by utilizing the arrangement of the first auxiliary scraping device 30, the second auxiliary scraping device 60, the container cover 12, and the cathode conductive moving part 2030 within the glove box 80, facilitate the rational use of the space in the glove box 80 and enable the transfer of electrode components and the collection of electrolytic products within the glove box 80 while reducing the number of operation steps; at the same time, it also helps to avoid interference between the hoisting device and other structures when hoisting the electrode components.

[0122] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the electrolytic container 10 may further include a protective shell 13, a heating and insulation component 14, and an outer shell 15. The protective shell 13 is disposed on the outside of the container body 11 to prevent material leakage from the container body 11; the heating and insulation component 14 is disposed on the outside of the protective shell 13 to heat and insulate the container body 11; the outer shell 15 is disposed on the outside of the heating and insulation component 14, and the outer shell 15 has a shell cooling chamber 150 for supplying a cooling medium to cool the outer shell 15; wherein, the top of the container body 11 enters the glove box 80, and the protective shell 13 is sealed to the lower surface of the glove box 80. In this embodiment, the protective shell 13 can prevent material leakage from the container body 11 to the heating and insulation component 14, thus protecting the heating and insulation component 14 and ensuring the normal progress of the electrolytic reaction, while also ensuring the sealing of the glove box 80; simultaneously, the shell cooling chamber 150 cools the outer shell 15, preventing the outer shell 15 from overheating and affecting the safety of the electrolytic container 10. The protective case 13 is made of, for example, 310s stainless steel.

[0123] In some embodiments, a cooling chamber 130 is provided at the location where the protective shell 13 connects to the bottom wall of the glove box 80, for supplying cooling medium to cool the bottom wall of the glove box 80. In some embodiments, the protective shell 13 has a cooling medium inlet pipe 1301 and a cooling medium outlet pipe 1302 communicating with the cooling chamber 130. The cooling medium inlet pipe 1301 and the cooling medium outlet pipe 1302 are respectively connected to a cooling medium pipeline for supplying cooling medium via quick-connect fittings.

[0124] See Figure 3 The container body 11 is located in the glove box 80. The periphery of the opening forms a body cooling chamber 110, which is used to cool the opening of the container body 11 with a cooling medium to reduce the temperature of the glove box 80 and the container cover 12.

[0125] In some embodiments, the housing 15 is provided with a housing cooling medium inlet pipe and a housing cooling medium outlet pipe communicating with the housing cooling cavity 150. The housing cooling medium inlet pipe and the housing cooling medium outlet pipe are also connected to the cooling medium pipeline via quick-connect fittings.

[0126] The cooling medium in the protective shell cooling cavity 130 and the shell cooling cavity 150 is, for example, cooling water.

[0127] In some embodiments, the heating and insulation component 14 may include a heating component and an insulation component. The heating component is used to heat the container body 11; the insulation component is used to keep the container body 11 warm.

[0128] In some embodiments, the electrolytic container 10 may further include a heating element temperature measuring element for measuring the temperature of the heating element. The heating element may be a heating wire, and the heating element temperature measuring element may be a thermocouple.

[0129] In some embodiments, a cooling chamber 120 is formed inside the container lid 12 for the flow of a cooling medium to cool the container lid 12. See also Figure 2 The container lid 12 also forms an inlet pipe 1201 and an outlet pipe 1202 communicating with the lid cooling chamber 120. The inlet pipe 1201 and the outlet pipe 1202 are respectively connected to the cooling medium pipeline via quick-connect fittings. In this embodiment, the container lid 12 is cooled by the lid cooling chamber 120 to avoid affecting the sealing effect of the container lid 12 on the opening of the container body 11 due to excessive temperature, and to avoid affecting the electrode assembly due to excessive temperature of the container lid 12.

[0130] The cooling medium is, for example, water.

[0131] In some embodiments, the container cover 12 further forms a temperature measuring port 103 communicating with the electrolytic cell 101. The electrolysis equipment 100 may also include a molten salt temperature measuring element 1031, which, after the chloride salt in the electrolytic cell 101 melts, enters the electrolytic cell 101 through the temperature measuring port 103 to measure the temperature of the molten salt within the electrolytic cell 101. A heating element heats the electrolytic cell 101 according to the temperature measured by the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031, so that the temperature of the molten salt within the electrolytic cell 101 is at a preset temperature.

[0132] In some embodiments, the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 can be hoisted to the temperature measuring port 103 by a hoisting device so that it can enter the electrolytic cell 101 through the temperature measuring port 103. In some embodiments, when the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 is not hoisted to the temperature measuring port 103, it is stored on the component temporary storage rack 401 mentioned below.

[0133] In some embodiments, the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 may include a temperature measuring body 10311, a temperature measuring cover 10312 disposed on the temperature measuring body 10311, and a temperature measuring hoisting part 10313. The temperature measuring body 10311 enters the electrolytic cell 101 through the temperature measuring installation port 103, and the temperature measuring cover 10312 is used to seal the temperature measuring installation port 103.

[0134] The temperature measuring body 10311 can be a thermocouple.

[0135] See Figure 2 In some embodiments, the container cover 12 also forms a tail gas collection port 104 connected to the electrolytic cell 101 for collecting chlorine gas generated by the electrolysis reaction.

[0136] In some embodiments, the electrolysis apparatus 100 may further include a tail gas pipeline connected to a tail gas collection port 104, through which chlorine gas is drawn away from the electrolysis cell 101. In some embodiments, the tail gas pipeline can pass through a glove box 80 and connect to an external tail gas treatment system, and the tail gas pipeline is configured to be sealed from the glove box 80. The tail gas pipeline is, for example, a metal flexible hose.

[0137] In some embodiments, the exhaust pipe is provided with a pressure measuring device for measuring the pressure of chlorine gas in the exhaust pipe. The pressure measuring device is, for example, a pressure sensor.

[0138] Currently, when electrolyzing metal compounds to obtain corresponding metallic materials (e.g., pure metals or alloys), if the melting point of the electrolytic raw material is high, the temperature inside the electrolytic cell 101 usually needs to be significantly increased to allow the electrolytic raw material and molten salt to form a eutectic molten salt for the electrolytic reaction. This results in high energy consumption and low production efficiency. For example, the inventors of this application have found that when the electrolytic raw material is uranium tetrafluoride and the molten salt is a chloride salt, specifically a mixed salt of lithium chloride and potassium chloride, the temperature inside the electrolytic cell 101 needs to be significantly increased, and a relatively long time (more than 12 hours) is required for the electrolytic raw material and molten salt to form a eutectic molten salt.

[0139] To address this issue, the electrolysis apparatus 100 of this application embodiment may further include a feeding agitator. The feeding agitator is used to add electrolytic raw material powder to the molten salt in the electrolysis cell 101 and to stir the molten salt. By stirring the electrolytic raw material powder and the chloride molten salt, the temperature required for uranium tetrafluoride and chloride molten salt to form a eutectic molten salt can be reduced, and the time required to form the eutectic molten salt can be shortened.

[0140] In some embodiments, the feed agitator is used to add electrolytic raw material powder to the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 through the electrode mounting interface 102 and to agitate the molten salt, thereby eliminating the need for a separate feed agitator.

[0141] See Figure 15 and Figure 16 , Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feed agitator 70 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 16 yes Figure 15 The cross-sectional view of the feed agitator 70 is shown.

[0142] The feeding agitator 70 may include a feeding cover 71, a feeding agitator support 72, a feeding cylinder 73, a feeding lifter 74, and a feeding rotor 75. The feeding cover 71 is used to cover the electrode mounting interface 102 of the electrolytic cell 101; the feeding agitator support 72 and the feeding cylinder 73 together form a receiving tank 701 for containing electrolytic raw material powder; the feeding lifter 74 is used to drive the feeding cylinder 73 to rise and fall relative to the feeding agitator support 72, so that the feeding cylinder 73 abuts against or separates from the feeding agitator support 72; the feeding rotor 75 is used to drive the feeding agitator support 72 to rotate, so as to agitate the molten salt and the electrolytic raw material powder.

[0143] The feeding agitator 70 provided in the embodiments of this application is equipped with a feeding lifting member 74, which drives the feeding cylinder 73 to rise and fall relative to the feeding agitation support 72. So when the feeding cylinder 73 falls down and abuts against the feeding agitation support 72, it can carry the electrolytic raw material powder into the electrolytic cell 101 through the electrode mounting interface 102. When the feeding cylinder 73 rises and separates from the feeding agitation support 72, it can make the electrolytic raw material powder come into contact with and mix with the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101. The feeding cover 71 is provided on the electrode mounting interface 102, which helps to reduce dust from being added to the electrolytic cell 101 and from being stirred.

[0144] It is easy to understand that since the feed agitator 70 enters the electrolytic cell 101 through the electrode mounting interface 102, the radial dimension of the feed agitator 70 within the electrolytic cell 101 needs to be smaller than the dimension of the electrode mounting interface 102. Due to the limitation of the electrode mounting interface 102, the stirring effect of using only rotational stirring to agitate the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt is not good. In the embodiment of this application, the feed agitator 70, while the feed rotating member 75 drives the feed stirring support member 72 to rotate and stir the molten salt, can also use the feed lifting member 74 to drive the feed cylinder member 73 to repeatedly lift and lower. The inventors of this application have found that this operation can create a large-scale oscillation disturbance effect on the molten salt from two basically perpendicular directions, thereby improving the stirring effect of the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt. The feed agitator 70 of the embodiment of this application can improve the stirring effect of the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt, which is beneficial to reducing the temperature required to melt the electrolytic raw material powder and reducing the melting time of the electrolytic raw material powder, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving production efficiency.

[0145] The feed agitator 70 is supported by the container cover 12 through the cooperation between the feed cover 71 and the electrode mounting interface 102.

[0146] In some embodiments, the feed agitator 70 can add electrolytic raw material powder to the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface.

[0147] In some embodiments, see Figure 9 and Figure 13 The electrolysis equipment 100 may also include a component storage rack 401 for storing the feed agitator 70. The component storage rack 401 may be made of, for example, stainless steel.

[0148] See Figure 15 In some embodiments, the feed agitator 70 may further include a feed lifting member 76 for hoisting the feed agitator 70 as a whole to the electrode mounting interface 102, so that the feed agitator 70 can add electrolytic raw material powder to the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 through the electrode mounting interface 102 and stir the molten salt. The feed lifting member 76 is, for example, a lifting lug.

[0149] See Figure 15 and Figure 16 In some embodiments, the feed cylinder 73 is provided with multiple through holes 730 to allow the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 to flow into the receiving tank 701 and form a eutectic molten salt with the electrolytic raw material powder. The electrolytic raw material powder is located in the area between the multiple through holes 730 and the feed stirring support 72 to prevent the electrolytic raw material powder from leaving the receiving tank 701 through the through holes 730. In such embodiments, by providing through holes 730, the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 can enter the receiving tank 701 through the through holes 730 after the feed cylinder 73 and the feed stirring support 72 enter the electrolytic cell 101. This allows the electrolytic raw material powder located on the radially outer surface and the top surface of the receiving tank 701 to be wetted by the molten salt. As a result, when the feed cylinder 73 rises, the electrolytic raw material powder will not rise with the feed cylinder 73, thus preventing the powder from being scattered outwards through the cathode mounting interface.

[0150] In some embodiments, a plurality of through holes 730 are uniformly provided in the upper middle part of the feed cylinder 73 along the circumferential and axial directions of the feed cylinder 73.

[0151] See Figure 16In some embodiments, the feeding rotating component 75 may include a feeding shaft 751, a feeding drive component 752, a feeding drive mounting component 753, a feeding coupling 754, and a feeding bearing assembly 755. The feeding shaft 751 is connected to the feeding stirring support component 72; the feeding shaft 751 is connected to the feeding drive component 752 via the feeding coupling 754, so that the feeding drive component 752 drives the feeding shaft 751 to rotate; the feeding drive component 752 is mounted on the feeding cover component 71 via the feeding drive mounting component 753; the feeding bearing assembly 755 is disposed between the feeding drive mounting component 753 and the feeding shaft 751, for rotatably connecting the feeding shaft 751 and the feeding cover component 71. In such an embodiment, the feed drive 752 is mounted on the feed cover 71 via the feed drive mounting 753, so that the feed cover 71 provides support for the feed drive 752; at the same time, the feed shaft 751 can rotate relative to the feed drive mounting 753 to drive the feed mixing support 72 to rotate.

[0152] In some embodiments, the feed drive 752 may include a drive motor and a reducer connected to the drive motor. The feed shaft 751 is connected to the reducer via a feed coupling 754 to reduce the rotational speed of the feed shaft 751. The reducer is mounted on the feed cover 71 via a feed drive mounting member 753.

[0153] See Figure 16 In some embodiments, the feed bearing assembly 755 may include a feed bearing sleeve 7551, two feed bearings 7552, and a feed bearing cover 7553. The feed bearing sleeve 7551 is integrally connected to the feed cover 71, and feed bearing mounting grooves are formed at both axial ends of the feed bearing sleeve 7551; the two feed bearings 7552 are respectively disposed in the two feed bearing mounting grooves; the feed bearing cover 7553 is detachably connected to the feed bearing sleeve 7551. In such an embodiment, the feed bearings 7552 disposed in the feed bearing mounting grooves allow the feed shaft 751 to rotate relative to the feed drive mounting member 753, thereby avoiding affecting the rotation of the feed shaft 751; at the same time, the feed bearing cover 7553 and the feed bearing sleeve 7551 are detachably connected, facilitating their assembly and disassembly with the feed shaft 751.

[0154] See Figure 16In some embodiments, the feed coupling 754 is disposed above the feed bearing assembly 755. The feed drive mounting member 753 includes a first feed mounting member 7531 connected to the feed cover member 71, a second feed mounting member 7532 connected to the first feed mounting member 7531 and extending axially along the feed bearing assembly 755 on the radially outer side of the feed bearing assembly 755, a plurality of feed mounting rods 7534 connected to the second feed mounting member 7532, and a third feed mounting member 7533 connected to the plurality of feed mounting rods 7534; wherein the height of the second feed mounting member 7532 is lower than the height of the feed bearing sleeve 7551, so as to facilitate the assembly of the feed bearing cover 7553, the feed bearing sleeve 7551, and the feed coupling 754 through the interval between two adjacent feed mounting rods 7534. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned arrangement facilitates the assembly of the feed rotating component 75 and allows for observation of the rotation status of the feed shaft 751 and the feed coupling 754 through the interval between two adjacent feed mounting rods 7534, so as to detect faults in a timely manner.

[0155] See Figure 16 In some embodiments, the feed shaft 751 includes a first feed shaft section 7511 and a second feed shaft section 7512 detachably connected to the first feed shaft section 7511; wherein the second feed shaft section 7512 is fixedly connected to the feed stirring support 72; and the first feed shaft section 7511 is connected to the feed coupling 754. In such embodiments, since the portion of the feed shaft 751 that enters the molten salt and the feed stirring support 72 are more susceptible to damage, by configuring the feed shaft 751 as two detachably connected sections, when the second feed shaft section 7512 or the feed stirring support 72 is damaged, the easily worn parts can be replaced simply by disassembling the second feed shaft section 7512 from the first feed shaft section 7511.

[0156] In some embodiments, the connection point of the first feed shaft section 7511 and the second feed shaft section 7512 is located below the feed cover 71 and above the feed cylinder 73, and closer to the feed cylinder 73. In such an embodiment, the above arrangement facilitates the replacement of the second feed shaft section 7512 and the feed stirring support 72 when the feed stirring support 72 fails.

[0157] See Figure 16In some embodiments, the feeding lifting member 74 may include a plurality of feeding connecting rods 741, a feeding connector 742, and a feeding operating member 743 fixedly connected to the feeding cylinder 73. The plurality of feeding connecting rods 741 pass through the feeding cover 71 and are configured to move up and down relative to the feeding cover 71; the feeding connector 742 is connected to the plurality of feeding connecting rods 741 above the feeding cover 71 and is disposed radially outside the feeding drive mounting member 753; the feeding operating member 743 is connected to the feeding connector 742 and is used by an operator to drive the entire feeding lifting member 74 to perform a lifting operation. In this embodiment, after the feed cylinder 73 and the feed stirring support 72 enter the electrolytic cell 101, the feed cylinder 73 is raised by operating the feed operating component 743, so that the electrolytic raw material powder in the receiving tank 701 can be mixed with the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 as soon as possible. In addition, by repeatedly raising and lowering the feed cylinder 73, the molten salt can also be shaken and disturbed, thereby improving the mixing effect of the molten salt and the electrolytic raw material powder.

[0158] In some embodiments, the feed cover 71 forms a plurality of clearance through holes for the passage of a plurality of feed connecting rods 741. In some embodiments, the feed connector 742 may be a ring, and the feed operating member 743 may be an operating handle 3233 connected to the feed connector 742.

[0159] See Figure 16 In some embodiments, the feed cylinder 73 may include a feed cylinder body 731 and a feed section 732. The feed cylinder body 731 forms a plurality of through holes 730 for molten salt to enter and exit the receiving tank 701. The feed section 732 is connected to the top end of the feed cylinder body 731 for feeding electrolytic raw material powder. A feed connecting rod 741 is connected to the feed section 732. In such embodiments, the above arrangement facilitates the addition of electrolytic raw material powder to the receiving tank 701 through the feed section 732.

[0160] See Figure 15 In some embodiments, the feed cylinder 73 may also include a disturbance part 733, which is disposed on the radial outer side of the feed cylinder body 731 and fixedly connected to the feed cylinder body 731. This part is used to increase the oscillation disturbance of the molten salt when the feed cylinder 73 is raised and lowered, so as to stir the molten salt and thus help to reduce the temperature and time required to melt the electrolytic raw material powder.

[0161] In some embodiments, the disturbance part 733 may be an elongated rib provided on the feed cylinder body 731. The elongated rib extends along the axial direction of the feed cylinder body 731, which on the one hand helps to increase the range of vibration disturbance, and on the other hand helps to reduce the resistance of the feed cylinder body 731 to rise and fall.

[0162] See Figure 15 and Figure 16In some embodiments, the feed stirring support 72 may include a feed support 721 and a plurality of feed stirring blades 722 connected to the feed support 721; the feed cylinder 73 and the feed support 721 together form a receiving groove 701, and each feed stirring blade 722 is formed on the radially outer side of the feed support 721. In such embodiments, the molten salt can be stirred by the rotation of the feed stirring blades 722, thereby improving the stirring effect of the molten salt and reducing the temperature and time required to melt the electrolytic raw material powder.

[0163] In some embodiments, the feed cylinder body 731 and the feed support 721 together form a receiving groove 701; the electrolytic raw material powder is located in the area between the portion of the feed cylinder body 731 where the through hole 730 is not formed and the feed support 721.

[0164] See Figure 15 and Figure 16 In some embodiments, the feed stirring support 72 further includes a positioning member 723 disposed on the feed support 721, for cooperating with the feed cylinder 73 to position the feed cylinder 73 and prevent the feed cylinder 73 from moving radially along the feed support 721. In such embodiments, positioning the feed cylinder 73 by the positioning member 723 can prevent the feed cylinder 73 from moving radially along the feed support 721, thereby helping to reduce leakage or dust from the electrolytic raw material powder.

[0165] In some embodiments, the positioning member 723 is used to cooperate with the feed cylinder body 731 to position the feed cylinder body 731.

[0166] For conventional agitators without a feeding function, stirring is usually carried out by a conventional stirring method where the agitator rotates at a constant speed and the shaft position remains fixed. However, the inventors of this application have discovered that when the agitator can only enter the electrolytic cell 101 through the electrode mounting interface 102, the size of the agitator blades needs to be smaller than the size of the electrode mounting interface 102. Due to the limitation of the size of the electrode mounting interface 102, the conventional stirring method is not effective in stirring the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt. Even with prolonged stirring, it is still impossible to mix the electrolytic raw material and chloride molten salt evenly, which affects the formation of the eutectic molten salt of the electrolytic raw material and chloride molten salt. For example, after stirring for 12 hours using the conventional stirring method, there are still suspended matter formed by the electrolytic raw material powder on the surface of the chloride molten salt. Although increasing the temperature of the material in the electrolytic cell 101 is beneficial for achieving uniform mixing of the electrolytic raw material and chloride molten salt using the conventional stirring method, from the perspective of safety and economy, it is still desirable to achieve uniform mixing of the electrolytic raw material and chloride molten salt by stirring within a suitable temperature range.

[0167] To address the aforementioned issues, in some other embodiments, the electrolysis equipment 100 may include another stirring element. After the electrolytic raw material powder is added to the electrolysis cell 101, the stirring element enters the electrolysis cell 101 through the electrode mounting interface 102 (such as the cathode mounting interface) to stir the electrolytic raw material and chloride molten salt, thereby reducing the temperature required for uranium tetrafluoride and chloride molten salt to form a eutectic molten salt and shortening the time required to form the eutectic molten salt.

[0168] See Figure 17 , Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the stirring component 90 provided in an embodiment of this application. The stirring component 90 may include: a stirring shaft 91, stirring blades 92 disposed on the stirring shaft 91, a stirring lifting part 93 disposed on the stirring shaft 91, and a rotation operation part 94 for driving the stirring shaft 91 to rotate. In this embodiment, the stirring blades 92 and the stirring shaft 91 can enter the electrolytic cell 101 through the electrode mounting interface 102. During stirring, the stirring component 90 is lifted by the stirring lifting part 93, so that the lower end of the stirring shaft 91 is in a free state. By manually rotating the operation part 94, the stirring shaft 91 can be made to swing within a certain angle range relative to the vertical direction, thereby increasing the stirring range and causing the stirring blades 92 to rotate at a non-uniform speed. This stirring method can improve the stirring effect on the electrolytic raw materials and chloride molten salt, and is more conducive to achieving uniform mixing of electrolytic raw materials and chloride molten salt at a suitable temperature, with better safety and economy.

[0169] See Figure 17 In some embodiments, the stirring and lifting part 93 can be a lifting lug. In some embodiments, the stirring and lifting part 93 is threadedly engaged with a lifting device so that the lifting device can lift the stirring component 90 through the stirring and lifting part 93.

[0170] In some embodiments, the stirring blade 92 can be a rectangular plate, and the stirring shaft 91 is connected to the center of the rectangular plate. The length of the first side of the rectangular plate parallel to the axial direction of the stirring shaft 91 is greater than the length of the second side of the rectangular plate perpendicular to the axial direction of the stirring shaft 91. The length of the second side is set to be shorter so that the stirring blade 92 can enter the electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface, and the length of the first side is set to be longer so that the stirring area can be increased and the stirring effect can be improved.

[0171] In some embodiments, the agitator 90 may further include an agitator cover 95 connected to the agitator shaft 91, which is used to provide some shielding for the cathode mounting interface and reduce powder dust.

[0172] In some embodiments, the electrolysis apparatus 100 may further include a feeding component, which includes a funnel and a feeding cover for sealing the upper part of the funnel. The funnel is used to pour electrolytic raw material powder into the cathode mounting interface, and the feeding cover is used to reduce powder dust. The stirring component 90 is placed into the cathode mounting interface for stirring after the electrolytic raw material powder is poured in by the feeding component.

[0173] In some embodiments, the feeding component and the stirring component 90 may be stored on the component storage rack 401 when not in use.

[0174] Because uranium tetrafluoride has a high melting point, electrolysis typically requires high temperatures. Therefore, for safety and economic reasons, electrolysis of uranium tetrafluoride is generally not used to obtain the corresponding uranium materials (e.g., metallic uranium or uranium alloys). The inventors of this application have used chlorine tetrafluoride powder as the electrolytic raw material and chloride salt as the molten salt, which helps to lower the temperature required for electrolyzing uranium tetrafluoride. However, the inventors of this application found that energy consumption still needs to be further reduced when using the electrolysis of uranium tetrafluoride to obtain the corresponding uranium materials.

[0175] To address this issue, embodiments of this application also provide a method for preparing metallic uranium or uranium alloys by electrolysis using an electrolysis device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the preparation method). This preparation method can also be implemented using the electrolysis device 100 provided in any embodiment of this application.

[0176] The preparation method may include: S10, adding chloride salt to electrolytic cell 101 and heating electrolytic cell 101 to melt the chloride salt to form chloride molten salt; S20, adding electrolytic raw material powder to electrolytic cell 101, wherein the electrolytic raw material powder is uranium tetrafluoride or a mixture of uranium tetrafluoride and other metal fluorides, and stirring the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt to form eutectic molten salt; S30, electrolyzing the eutectic molten salt to form metallic uranium or uranium alloy.

[0177] The preparation method provided in the embodiments of this application increases the contact area between the electrolytic raw material and the chloride molten salt by adding powdered raw materials, which is beneficial for full melting. By stirring the electrolytic raw material powder and the chloride molten salt, the temperature required for uranium tetrafluoride and chloride molten salt to form a eutectic molten salt can be reduced, and the time required for uranium tetrafluoride and chloride molten salt to form a eutectic molten salt can be reduced, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving the efficiency of the electrolytic reaction.

[0178] In some embodiments, in step S20, the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt are stirred by the stirring element 90 in a suspended state and by non-uniform rotation. This operation can change the position of the rotation axis of the stirring element 90 and change the rotation speed, thereby expanding the stirring range and improving the stirring effect on the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt. This allows for uniform mixing of the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt at a suitable temperature, which is beneficial for the formation of a eutectic molten salt of the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt.

[0179] In some embodiments, during step S20, when stirring, the stirring element 90 can be lifted by the stirring lifting part 93 using a lifting device, and the stirring blades 92 can be placed into the electrolytic cell 101. The stirring shaft 91 is then rotated non-uniformly by the rotation operation part 94. In this embodiment, lifting the stirring element 90 by the stirring lifting part 93 leaves the lower end of the stirring shaft 91 in a free state. By manually rotating the operation part 94, the stirring shaft 91 can be made to sway within a certain angle range relative to the vertical direction, thereby increasing the stirring range. By rotating the stirring shaft 91 non-uniformly by rotating the operation part 94, the stirring blades 92 can be stirred at a non-uniform speed, thereby changing the fluid flow direction in the electrolytic cell 101 and further improving the stirring effect.

[0180] In some embodiments, in step S20, after the agitator 90 is suspended and stirred for a preset time, the agitator 90 is lowered until the stirring cover 95 covers the cathode mounting interface, and the stirring shaft 91 continues to rotate non-uniformly for stirring. In such embodiments, lowering the agitator 90 until the stirring cover 95 covers the cathode mounting interface after suspending and stirring for a preset time helps to avoid powder dust; and changes the fluid flow direction in the electrolytic cell 101, improving the stirring effect.

[0181] In some embodiments, during step S20, when adding electrolytic raw material powder to the electrolytic cell 101, the funnel of the feeding member is placed at the cathode mounting interface, and the feeding cover is rotated upwards at a predetermined angle relative to the funnel to pour the electrolytic raw material powder into the funnel. Afterwards, the feeding cover is rotated back to the position where the funnel is closed. In such embodiments, the above operation helps reduce dust generation from the powdered electrolytic raw material, helps avoid loss of the electrolytic raw material powder, and reduces radioactive contamination.

[0182] In other embodiments, in step S20, the electrolytic raw material powder is added to the electrolytic cell 101 using the feed agitator 70, and the molten salt is stirred. In such embodiments, the above operations help reduce dust generation of the electrolytic raw material powder at the electrode mounting interface and accelerate the melting of the electrolytic raw material powder.

[0183] In some embodiments, in step S20, the feed cylinder 73 is first separated from the feed stirring support 72 by the feed lifting member 74, and then the feed stirring support 72 is rotated by the feed rotating member 75. In this embodiment, first separating the feed cylinder 73 from the feed stirring support 72 by the feed lifting member 74 allows the electrolytic raw material powder to come into contact with and mix with the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101; then rotating the feed stirring support 72 by the feed rotating member 75 can stir the molten salt, thereby facilitating the melting of the electrolytic raw material powder.

[0184] In some embodiments, in step S20, while the feed rotating member 75 drives the feed stirring support member 72 to rotate, the feed lifting member 74 drives the feed cylinder member 73 to move up and down above the feed stirring support member 72. The inventors of this application have found that this operation can create a large range of oscillation disturbance on the molten salt from two substantially perpendicular directions, thereby improving the stirring effect on the electrolytic raw material powder and chloride molten salt.

[0185] In some embodiments, in step S20, after adding the electrolytic raw material powder to the electrolytic cell 101, the temperature of the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 is increased to allow the electrolytic raw material powder to form a eutectic molten salt with the chloride molten salt. In such embodiments, the inventors of this application have found that the higher the temperature of the material in the electrolytic cell 101, the more dust is generated when adding uranium tetrafluoride powder to the electrolytic cell 101. Therefore, adding the electrolytic raw material powder to the electrolytic cell 101 at a lower temperature helps reduce dust generation from the powder. Subsequently, increasing the temperature of the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 facilitates the formation of a eutectic molten salt between uranium tetrafluoride and the chloride molten salt, which is beneficial for the electrolytic reaction and helps to accelerate the electrolytic reaction.

[0186] In some embodiments, in step S30, the temperature of the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 is lowered before electrolyzing the electrolytic raw material powder. Since heat is generated during electrolysis, lowering the material temperature in the electrolytic cell 101 in step S30 allows electrolysis to be carried out at a lower electrolysis temperature, thereby improving economy and safety, and preventing the temperature of the electrolytic cell 101 from being too high and affecting the sealing performance of the electrolytic container 10.

[0187] In some embodiments, in step S10, chloride salt is added to electrolytic cell 101 to heat the molten salt material in electrolytic cell 101 to a first temperature; in step S20, after adding electrolytic raw material powder to electrolytic cell 101, the temperature of the molten salt in electrolytic cell 101 is increased to a second temperature; in step S30, before electrolyzing eutectic molten salt, the temperature of the molten salt in electrolytic cell 101 is first decreased to a third temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature and the third temperature is lower than the second temperature.

[0188] The preparation method provided in the embodiments of this application heats the material in the electrolytic cell 101 to a first temperature in step S10, allowing the chloride salt to melt, thus avoiding energy waste. The powdered raw material added in step S20 increases the contact area between the electrolytic raw material and the molten chloride salt, promoting thorough melting. Furthermore, the inventors of this application have discovered that the higher the temperature of the material in the electrolytic cell 101, the more dust is generated when adding uranium tetrafluoride powder to the electrolytic cell 101. Therefore, adding the electrolytic raw material powder to the electrolytic cell 101 at a lower first temperature also helps reduce dust generation. Heating the material in the electrolytic cell 101 to a higher second temperature in step S20 facilitates the formation of a eutectic molten salt between uranium tetrafluoride and the chloride salt, ensuring the electrolytic reaction can proceed. Since heat is generated during electrolysis, in step S30, the temperature of the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 is heated to a third temperature lower than the second temperature. Electrolysis can be carried out at a lower electrolysis temperature, thereby improving economy and safety, and preventing the temperature of the electrolytic cell 101 from being too high and affecting the sealing of the electrolytic container 10.

[0189] In some embodiments, when the electrolytic feedstock is uranium tetrafluoride, the electrolytic product is metallic uranium. In other embodiments, when the electrolytic feedstock is a mixture of uranium tetrafluoride and other metallic fluorides, the electrolytic product is a uranium alloy.

[0190] In some embodiments, the chloride salt is a mixed salt of lithium chloride and potassium chloride. This mixed salt is more conducive to forming a eutectic molten salt with uranium tetrafluoride and facilitates the removal of the mixed salt remaining in the electrolysis products.

[0191] In some embodiments, in step S10, the anode mounting interface is closed, and chloride salt is added to the electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface; in step S20, the anode mounting interface remains closed, and electrolytic raw material powder is added to the electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface; in step S30, the cathode assembly 201 and the anode assembly 202 are introduced into the electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface and the anode mounting interface, respectively. In this embodiment, the above operations help avoid dust generation when powdered electrolytic raw materials are added to the electrolytic cell 101, and help avoid loss of electrolytic raw material powder; at the same time, the above operations enable feeding using the cathode mounting interface, eliminating the need for an additional feed port.

[0192] In some embodiments, in step S10, after determining that the chloride salt in the electrolytic cell 101 has melted based on the temperature measured by the heating element's temperature measuring element, the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 is introduced into the electrolytic cell 101 through the temperature measuring port 103. During the heating process in steps S10, S20, and S30, the heating element can heat the electrolytic cell 101 according to the temperature measured by the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 to ensure that the temperature of the molten salt in the electrolytic cell 101 measured by the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 is at a first temperature, a second temperature, or a third temperature. In such embodiments, introducing the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 into the electrolytic cell 101 through the temperature measuring port 103 after determining that the chloride salt has melted avoids deformation or damage to the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the molten salt temperature using the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031, and more accurately controlling the electrolytic reaction.

[0193] In some embodiments, multiple tests can be conducted to determine the approximate temperature range at which the chloride salt in the electrolytic cell 101 can melt, and then the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 can be placed in to accurately control the temperature of the molten salt.

[0194] In some embodiments, in step S10, after determining that the chloride salt in the electrolytic cell 101 has melted, the temperature measuring body 10311 is hoisted to the temperature measuring installation port 103 by the temperature measuring hoisting part 10313, and the temperature measuring cover 10312 is used to seal the temperature measuring installation port 103 to ensure that the electrolytic cell 101 is sealed and to prevent the powder from being blown to the outside from the temperature measuring installation port 103 when the electrolytic raw material powder is added later.

[0195] In some embodiments, step S30 may further include: extracting chlorine gas from the electrolytic cell 101 through the tail gas collection port 104. In such embodiments, extracting the chlorine gas generated by the electrolysis reaction from the electrolytic cell 101 facilitates the electrolysis reaction.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second temperature can be 600-700°C. By employing the preparation method of this application embodiment, uranium tetrafluoride can form a eutectic molten salt with chloride molten salt at a relatively low temperature (below 700°C). Since the second temperature is the highest in steps S10 to S30, it is not necessary to heat the temperature inside the electrolytic cell 101 to a particularly high temperature during the entire electrolytic preparation of metallic uranium or uranium alloys; electrolysis can be carried out at a lower electrolysis temperature, thereby improving economy and safety.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first temperature can be 500-600°C. Within such a temperature range, the mixed salt of lithium chloride and potassium chloride can be completely melted. Since there is a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature (600-700°C), it is beneficial to reduce energy consumption. At the same time, since the temperature difference range is small, it is beneficial to avoid the addition of electrolytic raw material powder in step S20, which would cause the molten salt temperature to drop and solidify, thereby affecting the mixing of electrolytic raw material powder and molten salt.

[0198] The third temperature can be 450-500℃. The inventors of this application have discovered that when the material temperature in the electrolytic cell 101 is heated to 450-500℃, the electrolytic reaction continues to release heat, which allows the electrolytic reaction to proceed smoothly, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0199] The preparation method of this application is described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0200] 1. Molten Salt Feeding: ① 90 kg of solid molten salt LiCl-KCl is fed into the main body of glove box 80 through the large transition chamber. It is then manually transferred to the electrolysis station and fed into electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface using a tooling fixture. After the heating element and temperature sensor determine that LiCl-KCl has melted, the molten salt temperature measuring device 1031 is transferred from the component storage rack 401 and inserted into the temperature measuring port 103 using a top crane. The molten salt temperature is measured to 500℃ using the molten salt temperature measuring device 1031. ② Subsequently, 30 kg of uranium tetrafluoride and zirconium tetrafluoride are fed into the main body of glove box 80 through the large transition chamber. They are then manually transferred to the electrolysis station and fed into electrolytic cell 101 through the cathode mounting interface using a tooling fixture. The molten salt temperature is measured using a molten salt temperature measuring device 1031 and raised to 700℃, so that uranium tetrafluoride and zirconium tetrafluoride are fully melted in LiCl-KCl molten salt to form a eutectic molten salt.

[0201] 2. Anode Feeding: Two anode short rods, each consisting of an anode body 2021 and an anode connector 2022, are fed into the main body of the glove box 80 via a large transition chamber. They are then transferred by a top crane of the glove box 80 to the anode installation interface and electrode storage section 40, respectively. The anode short rods are secured to the top crane via the anode power supply component 2024, and the crane then departs.

[0202] 3. Cathode feeding: Three short cathode rods, consisting of cathode bodies 2011 and cathode connectors 2012, are fed into the main box of glove box 80 through the large transition chamber. After passing through the cathode conductive moving part 2030, they are transferred to the cathode installation interface and electrode storage section 40 respectively.

[0203] 4. Electrolysis process: Connect the cathode and anode power supply, set the current to 700A, start electrolysis, reduce the heating power of the heating element, so that the molten salt temperature measured by the molten salt temperature measuring element 1031 drops to 500℃; connect the metal hose to the tail gas collection port 104, and discharge the chlorine gas generated in the electrolysis cell 101 to the tail gas treatment system outside the glove box 80.

[0204] 5. Cathode discharge: ① The short cathode rod after electrolysis is lifted by the cathode conductive moving part 2030. After cooling, the cathode body 2011 is transferred to the first auxiliary scraping device 30. A spare cathode body is taken from the electrode storage part 40 and transferred back to the cathode mounting interface using the cathode conductive moving part 2030.

[0205] 6. Anode discharge: The electrolytically discharged anode rod is detached from the anode power supply unit 2024 by the top crane, cooled and transferred to the electrode storage section 40. The top crane takes a spare anode rod from the electrode storage section 40 and transfers it back to the anode mounting interface.

[0206] 7. Product Discharge: The cathode body 2011 with electrolytic products on its surface is transferred to the first auxiliary scraping device 30, and then manually scraped by a scraping tool (electric drill, etc.). The electrolytic products are collected by the collection unit 34. After the cathode electrolytic products are manually scraped off, the cathode body 2011 is transferred to the electrode storage unit 40.

[0207] 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.

[0208] 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. An electrolysis device, characterized in that, include: An electrolytic container, forming an electrolytic cell and a cathode mounting interface and an anode mounting interface connected to the electrolytic cell; The cathode assembly and the anode assembly are respectively used to be inserted into the cathode mounting interface and the anode mounting interface, so that the material in the electrolytic cell undergoes an electrolytic reaction and forms electrolytic products in the cathode assembly; An electrode storage section is used to store the cathode assembly and the anode assembly; A first auxiliary scraping device is used to assist the scraping component in scraping off and collecting the electrolytic products on the cathode assembly; A collection device for collecting electrolytic products that fall from the cathode assembly into the electrolytic container; The second auxiliary scraping device is used to assist the scraping component in removing and collecting the electrolytic products on the collecting component; A hoisting device for transferring the cathode assembly between the first auxiliary scraping device and the electrode storage section, transferring the anode assembly between the electrolytic container and the electrode storage section, and transferring the collection piece to the second auxiliary scraping device; The electrolytic container includes a container body with an opening at the top and a container lid for sealing the opening. The container lid is detachably connected to the container body; The collection component is fixedly connected to the container lid; The hoisting device is configured to hoist the container cover, thereby hoisting the container cover and the collection component together to the second auxiliary scraping device; The collection components include: A collection tray and a plurality of connectors for connecting the collection tray to the container cover; The second auxiliary scraping device includes: A receiving container used to receive electrolysis products; A lifting unit is used to suspend the collection tray by engaging with the container lid. The clamping part is used to fix the collecting tray by clamping the plurality of connecting members, so as to remove the electrolytic products in the collecting tray by using the scraping member; The second splash guard is used to prevent the scraped-off electrolytic products from splashing to the outside.

2. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container cover is used to install the cathode assembly and the anode assembly, and the container cover is disposed inside the glove box.

3. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The collection device also includes: A reinforcing member for connection with the plurality of connectors.

4. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of connectors includes two first connectors and at least one second connector; The two first connectors are arranged opposite to each other, and each second connector is located on the same side of the two first connectors, so as to form an opening on the other side of the two first connectors to facilitate the scraping component to enter the collection tray above for scraping operation; The clamping part is used to clamp the two first connecting members.

5. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second splash guard includes: Two first splash guards are arranged opposite each other, and the two first splash guards are configured to form a splash guard space and a first opening and a second opening located on the same side of the splash guard space; The second splash guard is configured to be movable relative to the second opening to open or close the second opening, wherein when the second splash guard opens the second opening, the collection item can be hoisted through the second opening into the splash-proof space.

6. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The hoisting part is a plate with a slot, which communicates with the second opening so that the collection part can move through the second opening and the slot to enter the splash-proof space, while the container cover can move above the slot so that it is supported by the periphery of the slot.

7. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The clamping part includes two clamping members and two clamping drive members respectively connected to the two clamping members. The two clamping drive members are on the same side as the two first splash guards. The two clamping drive members are configured to drive the two clamping members to move relative to or away from each other.

8. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reinforcing member is a connecting ring fixedly connected above the collection tray and to each of the connecting members, with each of the connecting members connected to the connecting ring on its radial outer side.

9. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electrolysis equipment is used in conjunction with a glove box; The container body is located outside the glove box, and the opening formed at its top is located inside the glove box; the container lid, the first auxiliary scraping device, the second auxiliary scraping device, the hoisting device, and the electrode storage part are all located inside the glove box; The first auxiliary scraping device is disposed on one side of the container lid along the length of the glove box; The second auxiliary scraping device is disposed along the length of the glove box on the side of the container lid away from the first auxiliary scraping device; The electrode storage section is located along the length of the glove box on the side of the first auxiliary scraper that is away from the container cover.

10. The electrolysis equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: A cathode conductive moving component is used to transfer the cathode assembly between the electrolytic vessel and the first auxiliary scraping device and to supply power to the cathode assembly; The cathode conductive moving part is disposed inside the glove box and is located on the same side of the first auxiliary scraping device and the container cover along the width direction of the glove box.

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