Electrolytic cell electrical property detection method and system

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of electrode testing technology, and more particularly to a method and system for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell. The system includes a cell body, floats, a base, a strain sensing unit, and a control unit. The inner wall of the cell is provided with cathode and anode slots and a diaphragm, which divides the cell body into a cathode region and an anode region. Two floats are respectively placed between the diaphragm and the cathode and anode electrodes, partially immersed in the electrolyte, and can move under the influence of buoyancy, gravity, and electrolytic gas. The base is fixed to the cell body and extends cathode and anode probes, which are connected to the corresponding floats via hinges. The strain sensing unit includes differential strain gauges respectively disposed at the roots of the two probes to collect time-domain strain signals. The control unit acquires the time-domain strain signals and evaluates the electrode pair performance based on the time-domain strain signals, thereby detecting the electrode working state. This invention can obtain the true performance data of a single electrode pair, accurately identify electrode pairs with abnormal performance, and complete the pre-screening of electrode pairs before converting a high-density electrolytic cell to a zero-gap state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of electrode testing, and more particularly to a method and system for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, some manufacturers have a need to modify high-electric-density electrolytic cells to zero-gap electrolytic cells. The electrodes of high-electric-density electrolytic cells usually adopt a parallel and closely arranged flat plate structure with an electrode spacing of 5-10mm. After the zero-gap modification, the anode and cathode electrodes are directly close to each other with a spacing of less than 1mm to minimize ohmic losses and increase current.

[0003] Since multiple electrode pairs in a high-electric-density electrolytic cell operate in different positions, different electrode pairs often have performance differences before modification. Therefore, it is necessary to test the electrical performance of multiple electrode pairs in order to identify and solve the problems existing in the electrode pairs during the modification process.

[0004] However, there is currently a lack of dedicated testing equipment after the electrode pairs are disassembled, making it difficult to efficiently obtain single electrode performance data before the modification. Traditional online testing is affected by the overall operating conditions of the electrolytic cell and cannot separate the performance differences of single electrode pairs. If the performance of the electrode pairs cannot be pre-screened, there will still be a bottleneck effect after the modification, thus affecting the overall energy efficiency improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a method and system for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell, which can effectively solve the problems in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] An electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system, comprising:

[0008] The tank body has cathode slots and anode slots on its inner wall that are adapted to the electrode pairs to be tested. The cathode electrode is installed in the cathode slot and the anode electrode is installed in the anode slot. A diaphragm is provided between the cathode slot and the anode slot to divide the tank body into a cathode area and an anode area.

[0009] Two floats are provided, one between the diaphragm and the negative electrode, and the other between the diaphragm and the positive electrode. The floats are partially immersed in the electrolyte and move under the action of buoyancy, gravity and gas generated by electrode electrolysis.

[0010] A base is fixedly connected to the tank and extends a cathode probe and an anode probe. The cathode probe is connected to a float located in the cathode area via a hinge, and the anode probe is connected to a float located in the anode area via a hinge.

[0011] The strain sensing unit includes a first differential strain gauge disposed at the root of the cathode probe and a second differential strain gauge disposed at the root of the anode probe, and acquires the corresponding time-domain strain signal.

[0012] The control unit acquires the time-domain strain signal and performs a performance judgment on the electrode pair to be tested based on the time-domain strain signal.

[0013] Furthermore, the float is at least partially made of an insulating material that is resistant to electrolyte corrosion and has a density less than that of the electrolyte.

[0014] Furthermore, each of the aforementioned hinge components is equipped with an attitude angle acquisition unit to acquire the attitude angle data of the corresponding floating block; the control unit is configured to:

[0015] The attitude angle θ1 of the floating block in the cathode region, the attitude angle θ2 of the floating block in the anode region, and the time-domain strain signals output by the first differential strain gauge and the second differential strain gauge are acquired simultaneously.

[0016] Fourier transforms were performed on the two sets of time-domain strain signals to obtain the vibration spectrum of the cathode region and the vibration spectrum of the anode region within a preset range;

[0017] Extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum of the cathode region. p1 The maximum energy peak frequency f is extracted from the vibration spectrum of the anode region. p2 ;

[0018] An electrolyte circulation abnormality is determined when any of the following conditions are met:

[0019] θ1 is greater than the cathode setting angle and f p1 The migration to lower frequencies is greater than 10%, or θ2 is greater than the anode set angle and f p2 The migration to lower frequencies is greater than 10%;

[0020] |θ1-θ2| is greater than the set angle difference and |f p1 -f p2 | Greater than the first preset difference;

[0021] The cathode setting angle and the anode setting angle are both set according to the initial state of the float being partially immersed in the electrolyte; the setting angle difference is selected within the range of 5° to 10° according to the initial state of the float.

[0022] Furthermore, the step of obtaining the first set difference includes:

[0023] Randomly select N groups of electrode pairs from the same batch that have normal performance, where N is an integer from 5 to 10;

[0024] Each set of electrode pairs is operated under rated conditions, and the maximum energy peak frequency f of the cathode region of each set of electrode pairs is detected synchronously. p1 and the maximum energy peak frequency f in the anode region p2 ;

[0025] Calculate the absolute difference in the peak frequency of the maximum energy for each electrode pair: |Δf| = |f p1 -f p2 |;

[0026] Find the maximum value of all |Δf|, denoted as |Δf|. max ;

[0027] The first set difference is set to k×|Δf| max , where k is a safety factor of 1.5 to 2.0.

[0028] Furthermore, if the calculated result of the first set difference is less than 0.5Hz, then the first set difference is set to 0.5Hz.

[0029] Furthermore, the initial state is:

[0030] The state of the float partially submerged in the electrolyte when the electrolyte is still and no bubbles are generated, the DC power supply output current is 0, and the electrolyte temperature is 25±1℃.

[0031] Furthermore, the current density, electrolyte temperature, and electrolyte concentration under the rated operating conditions are all set according to the actual operating conditions of the electrode pair to be tested.

[0032] Furthermore, the performance evaluation metric is electrode activity, and the control unit is configured as follows:

[0033] The time-domain strain signals output by the first differential strain gauge and the second differential strain gauge are acquired simultaneously.

[0034] Fourier transforms were performed on the two sets of time-domain strain signals to obtain the vibration spectrum of the cathode region and the vibration spectrum of the anode region within a preset range;

[0035] Extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum of the cathode region. p1 Extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum of the anode region. p2 ;

[0036] The electrode activity of the electrode pair under test is determined to be abnormal when any of the following conditions are met:

[0037] f p1 The offset relative to the cathode reference value is greater than the cathode set threshold, or f p2 The offset relative to the anode reference value is greater than the anode set threshold.

[0038] |f p1 -f p2 | Greater than the first preset difference;

[0039] The cathode reference value is the average peak energy frequency of the cathode electrodes in the same batch under rated operating conditions, and the anode reference value is the average peak energy frequency of the anode electrodes in the same batch under rated operating conditions; the cathode setting threshold and the anode setting threshold are both independently selected from 5% to 10%.

[0040] Furthermore, the cathode setting threshold and the anode setting threshold are corrected based on the real-time electrolyte temperature. The original setting threshold is denoted as V0, and the corrected setting threshold value is denoted as V. adj The corrected formula is:

[0041] V adj =V0×[1+0.02×(T-25)];

[0042] Where T is the real-time temperature of the electrolyte, which is a value in Celsius and has no unit.

[0043] A method for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell, employing the electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system described above, includes:

[0044] The electrodes to be tested are installed in the cathode slots and anode slots of the tank, respectively, and electrolyte is injected into the tank.

[0045] Connect the cathode to the negative terminal of the DC power supply and the anode to the positive terminal of the DC power supply to start electrolysis.

[0046] The time-domain strain signals of the cathode region and the anode region are acquired in real time by the first differential strain gauge and the second differential strain gauge;

[0047] The time-domain strain signal is input into the control unit;

[0048] The control unit performs a performance assessment of the electrode pair to be tested based on the time-domain strain signal.

[0049] The technical solution of this invention can achieve the following technical effects:

[0050] By simulating the actual working environment of an electrolytic cell, the electrode pairs to be tested are precisely installed in the appropriate slots of the cell body. The cathode and anode areas are separated by a diaphragm and electrolyte is injected. During electrolysis, time-domain strain signals are collected by differential strain gauges at the base of the probes. The control unit performs precise detection of the electrical performance of a single electrode pair by analyzing the spectrum of the time-domain strain signals, thereby avoiding interference from the overall working conditions in online testing. At the same time, the testing process closely matches the actual working state of the modified electrodes, enabling efficient separation and acquisition of the true performance data of a single electrode pair, and accurate identification of electrode pairs with abnormal performance. This allows for the pre-screening of electrode pairs before the high-electric-density electrolytic cell is converted to zero-gap.

[0051] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0052] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0053] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0054] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0055] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of the electrolytic cell electrical performance testing method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] The following are labels in the attached diagram: 1. Tank body; 11. Cathode slot; 12. Anode slot; 13. Cathode electrode; 14. Anode electrode; 15. Diaphragm; 16. Electrolyte inlet; 2. Float; 3. Base; 31. Cathode probe; 32. Anode probe; 33. Hinge; 34. Attitude angle acquisition device; 4. Strain sensing unit; 41. First differential strain gauge; 42. Second differential strain gauge. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0058] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0059] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system of the present invention includes a tank body 1, floats 2, a base 3, a strain sensing unit 4, and a control unit. The inner wall of the tank body 1 is provided with a cathode slot 11 and an anode slot 12 adapted to the electrode pair to be tested. A cathode electrode 13 is installed in the cathode slot 11, and an anode electrode 14 is installed in the anode slot 12. A diaphragm 15 is provided between the cathode slot 11 and the anode slot 12, dividing the tank body 1 into a cathode region and an anode region. Electrolyte inlets 16 are provided on the walls of the tank body 1 corresponding to both the cathode and anode regions. Two floats 2 are provided, one between the diaphragm 15 and the cathode electrode 13, and the other between the diaphragm 15 and the anode electrode 14. They are partially immersed in the electrolyte and move under the influence of buoyancy, gravity, and the gas generated by electrode electrolysis.

[0060] The base 3 is fixedly connected to the tank 1 and extends out to form a cathode probe 31 and an anode probe 32. The cathode probe 31 is connected to the float 2 in the cathode area via a hinge 33, and the anode probe 32 is connected to the float 2 in the anode area via a hinge 33. The strain sensing unit 4 includes a first differential strain gauge 41 disposed at the root of the cathode probe 31 and a second differential strain gauge 42 disposed at the root of the anode probe 32, and acquires the corresponding time-domain strain signals. The control unit acquires the time-domain strain signals and performs a performance judgment on the electrode pair based on the time-domain strain signals.

[0061] In this embodiment, the tank 1 is used to contain the electrolyte and install the electrode pair to be tested, providing an electrolysis environment. The inner wall of the tank 1 can be made into a smooth surface. The cathode slot 11 and anode slot 12 are fixed by fixing structures such as bolts or adhesives. The cathode electrode 13 and anode electrode 14 are inserted and fixed in the corresponding slots to ensure stable position during testing. The diaphragm 15 can prevent the electrolysis products in the cathode and anode areas from mixing, while allowing electrolyte ions to migrate freely and maintain charge balance. The electrolyte inlet 16 can be realized by drilling holes in the side wall of the tank 1 and connecting pipes, which is used to inject electrolyte into the two areas. The stability and efficiency of the electrolysis process are maintained by the continuous supply and circulation of electrolyte.

[0062] In this embodiment, the fixed connection position between the base 3 and the tank 1 can be located at the edge of the tank 1, outside the electrolyte, or inside the tank 1 and submerged in the electrolyte, all of which are within the protection scope of this invention; Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image only shows the method of immersion in electrolyte.

[0063] As a preferred embodiment, the float 2 may be made at least partially of a lightweight polymer material such as polypropylene or polyethylene, which has a density less than that of the electrolyte, allowing it to be partially immersed in the electrolyte and thus resisting corrosion. The float 2 may be designed in the shape of a cube or a sphere, enabling it to move under the influence of buoyancy, gravity, and gas. For example, when bubbles are generated on the electrode surface and detach, the rising of the bubbles will push the float 2, causing it to undergo a slight displacement or tilt. Its movement reflects the flow of the electrolyte and the generation of bubbles.

[0064] In this embodiment, the electrolyte-resistant material of the float 2 can resist chemical erosion, oxidation, and dissolution in the electrolyte environment, maintaining structural integrity and stable physical properties, ensuring long-term use without damage, and guaranteeing accurate strain signal acquisition; its density is lower than that of the electrolyte, allowing the float 2 to obtain sufficient buoyancy, and the partial immersion method can prevent the top from being affected by the resistance of the electrode liquid, making the movement more sensitive; the insulating material can prevent the float 2 from forming additional conductive paths, not interfering with the electrode current distribution, ensuring normal electrolysis, and protecting the signal integrity of the strain sensing unit 4; as a specific implementation, the shape of the float 2 can be designed as a hollow or solid geometric shape to optimize its floating characteristics in the electrolyte and its response to bubbles.

[0065] The base 3 can be connected to the tank 1 by means of fasteners or welding, and extends into the electrolyte area to form a cathode probe 31 and an anode probe 32. The probes are rod-shaped structures, and the movement of the float 2 is transmitted to the probes through the hinge 33. In a specific implementation, the hinge 33 can be a spherical hinge.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present invention, the differential strain gauge can be a resistance strain gauge connected by a Wheatstone bridge circuit to measure the minute bending or torsional strain of the probe caused by the movement of the float 2. When the float 2 moves due to reasons such as bubble detachment, dynamic strain will be generated at the root of the probe. The strain gauge converts this into an electrical signal, namely a time-domain strain signal. Its amplitude changes with time, reflecting the dynamic change of the stress on the probe. Information related to the frequency of bubble detachment on the electrode surface can be obtained to determine the performance of the electrode pair.

[0067] The control unit can be a controller or an embedded system, which uses time-domain strain signals to determine the activity state of the electrode pair, ensuring detection accuracy. This provides a reliable performance pre-screening method for the zero-gap modification of high-electric-density electrolytic cells and improves the overall energy efficiency after the modification.

[0068] In this embodiment, the diaphragm 15 prevents the gas generated during electrolysis from diffusing from one electrode region to the other, thereby maintaining independent electrolysis environments for the cathode and anode regions and avoiding gas mixing that could lead to safety hazards or affect electrode reaction efficiency. Its ion-permeable property ensures that ions in the electrolyte can migrate freely between the cathode and anode regions, maintaining normal electrolysis and charge balance. The diaphragm 15 has low ion resistance, which helps reduce the ohmic voltage drop of the electrolytic cell, thereby improving electrolysis efficiency and reducing energy loss. For example, ion resistance can be reduced by optimizing the membrane thickness, porosity, or by selecting materials with high ion conductivity. Its electrolyte permeability allows the electrolyte to wet the membrane pores, ensuring unobstructed ion transport paths and preventing localized drying or bubble retention. As an optional material, asbestos, after specific treatment, can achieve the aforementioned gas barrier, ion permeability, low ion resistance, and electrolyte permeability, providing a guarantee for the stable movement of the float 2 and ensuring that the time-domain strain signal collected by the strain sensing unit 4 accurately reflects the actual electrolysis behavior of the electrodes.

[0069] As a preferred embodiment of the above embodiment, each hinge 33 is provided with an attitude angle acquisition device 34 to acquire the attitude angle data of the corresponding float 2; the attitude acquisition device can be a triaxial MEMS accelerometer to acquire the attitude angle data of the corresponding float 2 in real time, reflecting the tilt angle of the float 2 relative to its initial position, and is used to determine the electrolyte circulation status; electrolyte circulation is the flow and renewal process of electrolyte inside the tank 1. Normal electrolyte circulation can promptly remove the gas generated on the electrode surface and maintain the uniformity of electrolyte concentration; in order to accurately determine the electrolyte circulation status, the control unit identifies circulation abnormalities through attitude angle data, and the control unit is configured as follows:

[0070] The system synchronously acquires the attitude angles θ1 and θ2 of the float 2 in the cathode and anode regions, as well as the time-domain strain signals output by the first differential strain gauge 41 and the second differential strain gauge 42. This synchronous acquisition ensures that the system simultaneously captures the tilting state of the float 2 in both the cathode and anode regions of the electrolytic cell, as well as the vibration information experienced by the probe, at the same time point or within a very short time window. The attitude angles θ1 and θ2 reflect the real-time tilting degree of the float 2 in the electrolyte, which is related to the bubble distribution around the float 2 and the electrolyte flow state. The time-domain strain signal directly reflects the minute deformation of the probe caused by bubble detachment or electrolyte disturbance, and its frequency and amplitude contain dynamic information.

[0071] Subsequently, Fourier transforms were performed on the two sets of time-domain strain signals to obtain the vibration spectrum of the cathode region and the vibration spectrum of the anode region within a preset range. The Fourier transform can convert the time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal, and the frequency distribution characteristics of the probe vibration in the cathode region and the anode region can be obtained, i.e., the vibration spectrum. The preset range can be set from 1 to 100 Hz, focusing on the key frequency range related to bubble detachment and electrolyte flow, filtering out irrelevant noise and high-frequency interference. It can be implemented by executing the fast Fourier transform algorithm through a digital signal processor or a general-purpose processor.

[0072] Next, the maximum energy peak frequency f is extracted from the vibration spectrum of the cathode region. p1 And extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum of the anode region. p2 The maximum energy peak frequency corresponds to the main frequency at which bubbles detach from the electrode surface during electrolysis, or the dominant vibrational frequency under specific flow conditions of the electrolyte; extract f p1 and f p2 The core features that can quantify the bubble dynamics behavior in the cathode and anode regions can be obtained by searching for the maximum amplitude or the frequency component of the energy in the Fourier transform results;

[0073] An electrolyte circulation abnormality is determined if any of the following conditions are met:

[0074] Condition (a): θ1 is greater than the cathode setting angle and f p1 The migration to lower frequencies is greater than 10%, or θ2 is greater than the anode set angle and f p2 The migration to lower frequencies is greater than 10%; this condition is used to identify cases of insufficient electrolyte circulation on one side. When the electrolyte circulation on one side is not smooth, bubbles are prone to local accumulation, which increases the buoyancy of float 2 in this area, causing its attitude angle to exceed the set value. At the same time, the accumulation and merging of bubbles will reduce the bubble detachment frequency, which is manifested as a significant migration of the maximum energy peak frequency to the lower frequency direction. The combination of the two can accurately indicate the gas accumulation problem caused by flow stagnation in the gas-liquid outlet area on the fault side.

[0075] Condition (b): |θ1-θ2| is greater than the set angle difference and |f p1 -f p2 | Greater than the first preset difference; This condition is used to identify situations where the circulating flow rate of the cathode and anode regions is unbalanced. When the circulating flow rate of the electrolyte in the cathode and anode regions is unbalanced, the gas-liquid distribution on both sides will be uneven, causing a significant difference in the tilt of the two floats 2, that is, the attitude angle difference |θ1-θ2| will increase and exceed the preset set angle difference; at the same time, due to the difference in the reaction environment on both sides, the dynamic behavior of the bubbles will also separate, causing the maximum energy peak frequency difference |f of the cathode and anode to increase. p1 -f p2| When the value expands and exceeds the preset first set difference, the combined over-limit of the two can indicate that there is an asymmetry or imbalance fault in the electrolyte circulation system;

[0076] When the electrolyte circulation is determined to be normal, the performance of the electrode pair is judged based on the time-domain strain signal.

[0077] The cathode setting angle and the anode setting angle are both set according to the initial state of the float 2, which serves as the benchmark for judging abnormal attitude. In this embodiment, the two are set differently according to the initial state based on the different gases generated on both sides. The setting angle difference is selected within the range of 5° to 10° according to the initial state of the float 2, which allows the system to tolerate a certain degree of normal fluctuations while effectively identifying significant cyclic imbalances.

[0078] In this embodiment, by combining the attitude angle data of float 2 and the vibration spectrum information of probe, two abnormal situations can be identified: gas accumulation caused by insufficient circulation on one side and imbalance of circulation flow between anode and cathode. The change in attitude angle directly reflects the macroscopic change in force on float 2, while the migration or difference in the peak frequency of maximum energy reveals the microscopic change in the dynamics of bubble detachment. The correlation analysis between the two can improve the accuracy and reliability of circulation anomaly diagnosis. Only by confirming that the electrolyte circulation is normal can the performance of the electrode pair be reliably judged based on the time-domain strain signal, avoiding misjudgment caused by circulation anomalies. At the same time, it makes the operation and maintenance of the electrolyzer more intelligent, timely detects and handles potential circulation problems, and ensures the stable and efficient electrolysis process.

[0079] Furthermore, in its implementation process, to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the judgment criteria, a clear and repeatable initial state needs to be set:

[0080] The state of float 2 partially submerged in electrolyte when the electrolyte is still and no bubbles are generated, the DC power supply output current is 0, and the electrolyte temperature is 25±1℃.

[0081] In this embodiment, the initial state is a stable and repeatable reference state reached by the system under specific and controlled conditions, serving as a unified benchmark for subsequent measurements and judgments. This initial state can be set during the initial installation or periodic calibration of the system, or it can be performed as a pre-processing step before each test. The absence of bubbles in the electrolyte indicates that there is no flow inside the electrolyte, nor are there bubbles generated due to electrochemical reactions or other reasons. This can be achieved by stopping the electrolyte circulation pump and allowing the bubbles in the electrolyte to escape naturally and the liquid surface to stabilize. The DC power supply output current is 0 to avoid the generation of gas by electrochemical reactions, which could affect the attitude of float 2. Temperature control at 25±1℃ ensures consistent buoyancy conditions for float 2 and reduces the influence of temperature on electrolyte density and viscosity. This can be achieved through real-time monitoring and adjustment using an external heating and cooling device combined with a temperature sensor. The natural equilibrium position of float 2 at this time serves as the benchmark for attitude angle measurement. Based on the benchmark determined by this initial state, the performance of the electrode pair can be judged by combining the time-domain strain signal, which can eliminate the error introduced by the uncertainty of the initial conditions and more accurately capture the minute changes in electrolyte circulation or electrode activity.

[0082] As a preferred embodiment of the above, electrode performance is judged based on electrode activity, and the control unit determines abnormal electrode activity through time-domain strain signals. The control unit is configured to:

[0083] The time-domain strain signals output by the first and second differential strain gauges are acquired simultaneously; Fourier transforms are performed on the two sets of time-domain strain signals to obtain the cathode-side vibration spectrum and anode-side vibration spectrum within a preset range; the maximum energy peak frequency f is extracted from the cathode-side vibration spectrum. p1 Extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum on the anode side. p2 An activity abnormality is determined if any of the following conditions are met:

[0084] Condition (c): f p1 The offset relative to the cathode reference value is greater than the cathode set threshold, or f p2 The offset relative to the anode reference value is greater than the anode set threshold.

[0085] Condition (d): |f p1 -f p2 | Greater than the first preset difference;

[0086] The cathode reference value is the average peak energy frequency of cathode electrodes 13 in the same batch under rated operating conditions, and the anode reference value is the average peak energy frequency of anode electrodes 14 in the same batch under rated operating conditions; the cathode setting threshold and the anode setting threshold are both independently selected from 5% to 10%.

[0087] In this embodiment, electrode activity directly determines the catalytic efficiency and capacity of the electrolysis reaction, and is related to the energy conversion efficiency and product generation rate of the electrolyzer. It can be indirectly reflected by changes in the frequency of bubble detachment on the electrode surface. Abnormal electrode activity alters the bubble generation and detachment behavior; these changes are transmitted to the probe via the vibration of the float 2, captured by the strain sensing unit 4, and the control unit can determine whether the activity is abnormal through signal processing and comparison. p1 f p2 The peak energy frequencies of the floating blocks 2 in the cathode and anode regions, respectively, are closely related to the bubble detachment frequency. The reference value, used as a guide for normal operation, is obtained by testing electrodes of consistent performance from the same batch under rated conditions, thus eliminating the influence of batch and condition differences. A threshold is set as the judgment boundary for abnormal offset, which can be adjusted within the range of 5%-10% according to the required detection sensitivity. By comparing f... p1 f p2 The difference from the reference value, and the relative difference between the two, can effectively reflect the change in electrode activity. If the peak frequency of any electrode deviates significantly from the reference value of the same batch, it indicates that the catalytic performance of the electrode may have changed. If the peak frequency difference between the anode and cathode is too large, it indicates that there is an asymmetric abnormality in the activity of the electrode pair. This is a diagnostic test of the electrode pair performance under the premise of normal electrolyte circulation.

[0088] Furthermore, different types and batches of electrode pairs have different optimal working conditions and application scenarios. If a general fixed rated working condition is used for testing, the accuracy of the test results will be reduced and the actual working performance of the electrode cannot be reflected. Therefore, as a preferred embodiment of the above, the rated working condition is set as a preset standard testing condition, and its current density, electrolyte temperature and concentration are determined according to the actual working conditions of the electrode pair to be tested.

[0089] In this embodiment, by defining the rated operating condition as a preset standard testing condition, and further clarifying that the current density, electrolyte temperature, and electrolyte concentration under this condition must all be set according to the actual operating conditions of the electrode pair to be tested, it is possible to ensure that the benchmark conditions for electrode activity detection match the actual application scenario of the electrode. When an abnormal electrode activity is detected, the control unit will use the maximum energy peak frequency f of the cathode region float 2 collected under such customized rated operating conditions. p1 The maximum energy peak frequency f of the anode region float 2 p2By comparing the measured values ​​with those obtained from the same batch of electrodes under the same customized rated operating conditions, the obtained benchmark values ​​and measured values ​​are more representative and comparable, avoiding misjudgments caused by mismatched operating conditions. For example, when the electrode pair under test is working in a specific high current density or high temperature environment, the detection system will adjust the rated operating parameters accordingly, so that the changes in the frequency of bubble detachment generated under these specific conditions can be accurately captured and evaluated, thereby more accurately reflecting the catalytic activity of the electrode in actual operation or whether there are problems such as contamination. In this way, the system can more reliably identify subtle changes in electrode performance, providing a precise basis for the maintenance and optimization of the electrolyzer.

[0090] Furthermore, changes in electrolyte temperature affect gas solubility, thereby altering the bubble formation rate and detachment frequency. If fixed cathode and anode thresholds are used to determine activity, when the temperature deviates from the baseline, the bubble detachment frequency of a normal electrode may shift due to temperature fluctuations, leading to a misjudgment of abnormal activity. Conversely, if the electrode activity is indeed abnormal, its frequency shift may be masked by temperature changes, resulting in missed detection. Therefore, the cathode and anode thresholds need to be corrected based on the real-time electrolyte temperature. The correction formula is:

[0091] V adj =V0×[1+0.02×(T-25)];

[0092] Where V0 is the original threshold value, V adj The corrected threshold is given. T is the real-time temperature of the electrolyte, expressed in Celsius, and has no unit.

[0093] In this embodiment, the cathode setting threshold and the anode setting threshold are the boundaries distinguishing between normal and abnormal frequency offsets, and are set based on a large amount of experimental data or experience. The threshold is corrected according to real-time temperature to adapt to temperature changes and ensure accurate detection results under different temperature environments. The correction formula uses 25°C as a reference temperature, adjusts the original threshold through a linear relationship, and uses a temperature correction coefficient of 0.02, which can be optimized based on electrolyte characteristics and experimental data. The real-time electrolyte temperature is acquired by a temperature sensor and used as an input parameter for the correction formula to ensure timely and accurate threshold correction. The control unit acquires the time-domain strain signal and extracts the maximum energy peak frequency f. p1 and f p2 Simultaneously, the real-time temperature T of the electrolyte is acquired; subsequently, the control unit uses a preset correction formula to calculate the original set threshold based on the real-time temperature T, obtaining a set threshold correction value adapted to the current temperature conditions. This correction value is then used in conjunction with f p1 Offset relative to the cathode reference value or f p2The offset relative to the anode reference value is compared to more accurately determine whether the electrode activity is abnormal. In this way, the detection system can eliminate or significantly reduce the interference of electrolyte temperature fluctuations on the accuracy of electrode activity judgment. In specific implementation, the control unit can integrate a temperature acquisition module, which can acquire the temperature T in real time by connecting to the temperature sensor inside the tank 1 or in the electrolyte flow path. The internal software program of the control unit will periodically execute the temperature acquisition and threshold correction logic to ensure that the latest temperature-corrected threshold is used every time the electrode activity is judged.

[0094] Furthermore, in practical applications, when normal electrode pairs from the same batch are operating under rated conditions, the frequency of anode and cathode bubble detachment will naturally fluctuate and vary. If the first set difference does not take into account this normal fluctuation range, it is easy to cause misjudgment. Therefore, as a preferred embodiment of the above, the first set difference needs to be determined based on the detection data of normal electrode pairs from the same batch, including:

[0095] Randomly select N groups of electrode pairs from the same batch that have normal performance, where N is an integer from 5 to 10;

[0096] Each electrode pair was operated under rated conditions, and the maximum peak energy frequency f in the cathode region of each electrode pair was detected simultaneously. p1 and the maximum energy peak frequency f in the anode region p2 ;

[0097] Calculate the absolute difference in the peak frequency of the maximum energy for each electrode pair: |Δf| = |f p1 -f p2 |;

[0098] Find the maximum value of all |Δf|, denoted as |Δf|. max ;

[0099] The first set difference is set to k×|Δf| max , where k is a safety factor of 1.5 to 2.0.

[0100] In some embodiments of the present invention, if the calculated result of the first set difference is less than 0.5Hz, then the first set difference is 0.5Hz.

[0101] Random selection ensures sample unbiasedness; samples from the same batch are guaranteed to have consistent electrode materials, structures, and initial performance; and normal electrode pairs ensure reliable data benchmarks. The range of N is set from 5 to 10, balancing statistical validity with operational convenience and cost-effectiveness. A smaller N value may lead to insufficient sample representativeness, while an excessively large N value increases testing time and resource consumption. Rated operating conditions simulate actual electrode working conditions, and synchronous detection ensures data consistency between the two zones, providing an accurate basis for frequency difference calculation. The maximum energy peak frequency f... p1 and f p2These are the maximum energy peak frequencies extracted from the vibration spectra of the cathode and anode regions, respectively, reflecting the characteristic frequencies of bubble detachment from the electrode surface. By calculating the absolute difference of the maximum energy peak frequencies of each electrode pair, the inherent difference in bubble detachment frequencies between the anode and cathode under normal operating conditions can be quantified, reflecting the microscopic inhomogeneity or dynamic equilibrium state within the electrode pair. By statistically analyzing the maximum values ​​of all |Δf|, the maximum fluctuation range of the anode-cathode frequency difference in a normal electrode pair can be determined, serving as the upper limit for anomaly judgment. The safety factor provides a margin for anomaly judgment, accommodating random errors and measurement uncertainties, and reducing the false alarm rate. During implementation, if the first set difference is less than 0.5Hz, the first set difference is uniformly set to 0.5Hz to avoid the system becoming overly sensitive to noise and small fluctuations due to excessively small fluctuations in the normal frequency difference, increasing the risk of false judgment and ensuring the anti-interference capability and judgment stability of the detection system.

[0102] In this embodiment, by systematically collecting and statistically analyzing multiple normal electrode pairs from the same batch, a statistically significant set difference is constructed, enabling the control unit to more accurately distinguish between normal fluctuations and actual performance degradation when judging abnormal electrode activity, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the electrolytic cell electrical performance detection system.

[0103] A method for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell, comprising:

[0104] The electrode pair to be tested is installed in the cathode slot 11 and anode slot 12 of the tank body 1, and electrolyte is injected into the tank body 1 through the electrolyte inlet 16;

[0105] Connect the cathode 13 to the negative terminal of the DC power supply and the anode 14 to the positive terminal of the DC power supply to start electrolysis.

[0106] The time-domain strain signals of the cathode region and the anode region are acquired in real time by the first differential strain gauge 41 and the second differential strain gauge 42.

[0107] Input the time-domain strain signal into the control unit;

[0108] The control unit performs performance judgment on the electrode pair under test based on the time-domain strain signal.

[0109] Based on the above embodiments, when further adjusting the first attitude angle and the second attitude angle, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the first attitude angle, the second attitude angle, and the time-domain strain signal are input into the control unit;

[0110] The control unit determines the electrolyte circulation state based on the first attitude angle and the second attitude angle;

[0111] If the cycle is determined to be normal, the electrode activity state is determined based on the time-domain strain signal, and the detection conclusion is output.

[0112] This method uses attitude angle data to predict the electrolyte circulation state, avoiding interference from abnormal electrolyte circulation in the assessment of electrode activity and improving detection accuracy. The step-by-step diagnostic mechanism allows users to clearly distinguish between electrolyte flow problems and electrode activity problems, providing guidance for fault diagnosis and maintenance. By utilizing multi-dimensional data collected by the detection system and through data processing and judgment logic, a comprehensive and reliable assessment of the electrolytic cell's electrical performance can be achieved, improving detection efficiency and the confidence level of the results.

[0113] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the application as defined herein, and are to be considered as covering any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of this application and its equivalents, this application intends to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A system for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell, characterized in that, include: The tank body has cathode slots and anode slots on its inner wall that are adapted to the electrode pairs to be tested. The cathode electrode is installed in the cathode slot and the anode electrode is installed in the anode slot. A diaphragm is provided between the cathode slot and the anode slot to divide the tank body into a cathode area and an anode area. Two floats are provided, one between the diaphragm and the negative electrode, and the other between the diaphragm and the positive electrode. The floats are partially immersed in the electrolyte and move under the action of buoyancy, gravity and gas generated by electrode electrolysis. A base is fixedly connected to the tank and extends a cathode probe and an anode probe. The cathode probe is connected to a float located in the cathode area via a hinge, and the anode probe is connected to a float located in the anode area via a hinge. The strain sensing unit includes a first differential strain gauge disposed at the root of the cathode probe and a second differential strain gauge disposed at the root of the anode probe, and acquires the corresponding time-domain strain signal. The control unit acquires the time-domain strain signal and performs a performance judgment on the electrode pair to be tested based on the time-domain strain signal. Each of the aforementioned hinge components is equipped with an attitude angle acquisition unit to acquire the attitude angle data of the corresponding floating block; the control unit is configured to: The attitude angle θ1 of the floating block in the cathode region, the attitude angle θ2 of the floating block in the anode region, and the time-domain strain signals output by the first differential strain gauge and the second differential strain gauge are acquired simultaneously. Fourier transforms were performed on the two sets of time-domain strain signals to obtain the vibration spectrum of the cathode region and the vibration spectrum of the anode region within a preset range; Extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum of the cathode region. p1 The maximum energy peak frequency f is extracted from the vibration spectrum of the anode region. p2 ; An electrolyte circulation abnormality is determined when any of the following conditions are met: θ1 is greater than the cathode setting angle and f p1 The migration to lower frequencies is greater than 10%, or θ2 is greater than the anode set angle and f p2 The migration to lower frequencies is greater than 10%; |θ1-θ2| is greater than the set angle difference and |f p1 -f p2 | Greater than the first preset difference; The cathode setting angle and the anode setting angle are both set according to the initial state of the float being partially immersed in the electrolyte; the setting angle difference is selected within the range of 5° to 10° according to the initial state of the float.

2. The electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The float is at least partially made of an insulating material that is resistant to electrolyte corrosion and has a density less than that of the electrolyte.

3. The electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps for obtaining the first set difference include: Randomly select N groups of electrode pairs from the same batch that have normal performance, where N is an integer from 5 to 10; Each set of electrode pairs is operated under rated conditions, and the maximum energy peak frequency f of the cathode region of each set of electrode pairs is detected synchronously. p1 and the maximum energy peak frequency f in the anode region p2 ; Calculate the absolute difference in the peak frequency of the maximum energy for each electrode pair: |Δf| = |f p1 -f p2 |; Find the maximum value of all |Δf|, denoted as |Δf|. max ; The first set difference is set to k×|Δf| max , where k is a safety factor of 1.5 to 2.

0.

4. The electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system according to claim 3, characterized in that, If the calculated result of the first set difference is less than 0.5Hz, then the first set difference is 0.5Hz.

5. The electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The initial state is: The state of the float partially submerged in the electrolyte when the electrolyte is still and no bubbles are generated, the DC power supply output current is 0, and the electrolyte temperature is 25±1℃.

6. The electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The current density, electrolyte temperature, and electrolyte concentration under the rated operating conditions are all set according to the actual operating conditions of the electrode pair to be tested.

7. A system for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell, characterized in that, include: The tank body has cathode slots and anode slots on its inner wall that are adapted to the electrode pairs to be tested. The cathode electrode is installed in the cathode slot and the anode electrode is installed in the anode slot. A diaphragm is provided between the cathode slot and the anode slot to divide the tank body into a cathode area and an anode area. Two floats are provided, one between the diaphragm and the negative electrode, and the other between the diaphragm and the positive electrode. The floats are partially immersed in the electrolyte and move under the action of buoyancy, gravity and gas generated by electrode electrolysis. A base is fixedly connected to the tank and extends a cathode probe and an anode probe. The cathode probe is connected to a float located in the cathode area via a hinge, and the anode probe is connected to a float located in the anode area via a hinge. The strain sensing unit includes a first differential strain gauge disposed at the root of the cathode probe and a second differential strain gauge disposed at the root of the anode probe, and acquires the corresponding time-domain strain signal. The control unit acquires the time-domain strain signal and performs a performance judgment on the electrode pair to be tested based on the time-domain strain signal. The performance evaluation metric is electrode activity, and the control unit is configured as follows: The time-domain strain signals output by the first differential strain gauge and the second differential strain gauge are acquired simultaneously. Fourier transforms were performed on the two sets of time-domain strain signals to obtain the vibration spectrum of the cathode region and the vibration spectrum of the anode region within a preset range; Extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum of the cathode region. p1 Extract the maximum energy peak frequency f from the vibration spectrum of the anode region. p2 ; The electrode activity of the electrode pair under test is determined to be abnormal when any of the following conditions are met: f p1 The offset relative to the cathode reference value is greater than the cathode set threshold, or f p2 The offset relative to the anode reference value is greater than the anode set threshold. |f p1 -f p2 | Greater than the first preset difference; The cathode reference value is the average peak energy frequency of the cathode electrodes in the same batch under rated operating conditions, and the anode reference value is the average peak energy frequency of the anode electrodes in the same batch under rated operating conditions; the cathode setting threshold and the anode setting threshold are both independently selected from 5% to 10%.

8. The electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The float is at least partially made of an insulating material that is resistant to electrolyte corrosion and has a density less than that of the electrolyte.

9. The electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cathode and anode set thresholds are corrected based on the real-time electrolyte temperature. The original set threshold is denoted as V0, and the corrected set threshold value is denoted as V. adj The corrected formula is: V adj =V0×[1+0.02×(T-25)]; Where T is the real-time temperature of the electrolyte, which is a value in Celsius and has no unit.

10. A method for testing the electrical performance of an electrolytic cell, employing the electrolytic cell electrical performance testing system as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, include: The electrodes to be tested are installed in the cathode slots and anode slots of the tank, respectively, and electrolyte is injected into the tank. Connect the cathode to the negative terminal of the DC power supply and the anode to the positive terminal of the DC power supply to start electrolysis. The time-domain strain signals of the cathode region and the anode region are acquired in real time by the first differential strain gauge and the second differential strain gauge; The time-domain strain signal is input into the control unit; The control unit performs a performance assessment of the electrode pair to be tested based on the time-domain strain signal.

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