Antimony sulfide electrolytic cell

Abstract

The present application relates to non-ferrous metal deep processing equipment technical field, specifically to a kind of antimony sulfide electrolytic cell, including tank body, and with the hopper being communicated with the inside of tank body, and the constant-volume feeder is equipped on the hopper.The present application is by being set up nitrogen seal ring around single material taking port on tank body, cooperate with the material taking assembly consisting of suction pipe, waste pipe, mounting seat, electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder and linkage mechanism, simultaneously drive suction pipe, waste pipe and constant-volume feeder along material taking port axial asynchronous reciprocating sliding by linkage mechanism using electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder, realized the integration linkage of three core operations of constant-volume feeding, waste discharge and pure antimony collection in the same station;Without manually entering tank body to ladle operation, completely solve the core technical bottleneck that the production continuity is destroyed, equipment utilization is low in the prior art must be stopped to discharge material and take material, improve the production efficiency and capacity of electrolytic cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of non-ferrous metal deep processing equipment technology, specifically to an antimony sulfide electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] Wet electrolysis of antimony sulfide is currently the mainstream process for producing high-purity metallic antimony. It boasts advantages such as high product purity, low environmental pollution, and high overall recovery rate, and is widely used in the rare and precious metals smelting industry. During antimony sulfide electrolysis, metallic antimony continuously deposits on the surface of the cathode plate, while anode mud, unreacted antimony sulfide particles, and other scum gradually accumulate on the upper layer of the electrolyte. At the end of the electrolysis cycle, the pure antimony at the cathode must be promptly removed and the upper waste material discharged, while simultaneously replenishing with new antimony sulfide raw materials to maintain continuous production.

[0003] Currently, industrially operating antimony sulfide electrolytic cells generally employ a multi-station independent operation + manual intermittent operation technical solution: multiple independent feeding ports, receiving ports, and waste discharge ports are set at the top of the cell, corresponding to the three independent processes of feeding, receiving pure antimony, and discharging waste, respectively. After one electrolysis cycle is completed, the electrolysis power supply must be cut off to stop the entire electrolysis process. Then, workers sequentially open the covers of each operating port, use long-handled tools to first scoop out the upper layer of scum and waste, then go deep into the bottom of the cell to scrape and scoop out the metallic antimony on the cathode plate, and finally replenish the raw material through an independent feeding device.

[0004] The applicant has discovered through long-term production practice that the existing technology has the following insurmountable core defects: Severe disruption to production continuity: Each material intake and waste discharge requires a 30-60 minute shutdown, resulting in an effective equipment utilization rate of less than 70%, which significantly limits the capacity and production efficiency of the electrolytic cell; moreover, frequent start-ups and shutdowns cause fluctuations in the electrolytic current, affecting the deposition quality of antimony at the cathode and the purity of the product. The work is labor-intensive and carries high safety risks: workers need to work in a highly alkaline, high-temperature environment with the risk of hydrogen sulfide toxic gas leakage for a long time. This not only results in extremely high labor intensity, but also makes them prone to safety accidents such as electrolyte corrosion and poisoning. At the same time, manual scooping operations make it difficult to ensure complete material removal, resulting in a low overall recovery rate of antimony metal. The equipment has a complex structure and a high risk of leakage: the multi-opening design not only increases the structural complexity and manufacturing cost of the tank, but also significantly increases the risk of electrolyte evaporation and toxic gas leakage; multiple independent operating ports require separate sealing devices and nitrogen sealing systems, which further increases the difficulty of equipment maintenance and operating costs.

[0005] The automation level is low and the process is cumbersome: the three processes of feeding, picking and waste disposal are completely independent and require separate operators and control devices, making it impossible to achieve integrated operation; moreover, the accuracy and consistency of manual operation are poor, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale continuous industrial production. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the above shortcomings, this invention provides an antimony sulfide electrolytic cell to solve the problems of low efficiency of manual intermittent operation, interruption of production continuity due to power cut-off, redundant equipment structure, and inability to synchronize material feeding, material handling, and waste discharge in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An antimony sulfide electrolytic cell includes a cell body and a hopper communicating with the inside of the cell body. The hopper is equipped with a constant volume feeder. Specifically, the cell body has a feed port, and a nitrogen sealing ring is provided around the feed port on the cell body. The tank is equipped with a material collection assembly for collecting waste and pure antimony. The material collection assembly includes a suction pipe, a waste discharge pipe, a mounting base, an electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder, and a linkage mechanism. The tank is equipped with a gantry for mounting the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder, and the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder is connected to the linkage mechanism. The mounting base is provided on the gantry frame, and a guide rail is provided on the mounting base along the axial direction of the material inlet. The suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe are installed side by side on the mounting base, and their outer circumferential walls are slidably connected to both sides of the guide rail. The suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe pass through the nitrogen sealing ring. The outer wall of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe at the end away from the feed port is connected to the input end of the constant volume feeder through a linkage mechanism. The input ends of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe extend into the tank through the feed port. The output ends of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe are respectively connected to a negative pressure storage device. The suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe have a preset axial height difference, which allows them to absorb different materials in the electrolyte in layers. Furthermore, when the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder moves up and down, the linkage mechanism drives the suction pipe, the waste discharge pipe, and the constant volume feeder to move asynchronously back and forth along the axial direction of the material inlet. The movement sequence is that the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe first move downward to complete the material intake or waste discharge, and then move upward to reset. After resetting, the constant volume feeder is triggered to feed material.

[0008] Preferably, the linkage mechanism includes a support frame, a connecting rod, an elastic element, a pressure block, and a linkage part; The pressure block is located on the outer circumference of the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder. The pressure block is cylindrical. The support frame is installed on the groove. The middle part of the connecting rod is hinged to the support frame. One end of the connecting rod abuts against the pressure block, and the other end is hinged to the input end of the constant volume feeder. The elastic element is sleeved on the input end of the constant volume feeder. The linkage is mounted on the mounting base, and the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder is connected through the linkage.

[0009] Preferably, the linkage part includes a linkage plate, a spring element, and a clamping element; The linkage plate is U-shaped. One end of the elastic element is connected to the upper end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate, and the other end is connected to the upper end face of the mounting base. Multiple clamping elements are installed on the lower end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate. The ends of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe away from the material inlet are connected to the linkage plate by a clamping element respectively. The elastic component includes a high-pressure spring, a guide pin one, and a guide pin two. The guide pin one is vertically installed on the upper end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate, and the guide pin two is installed on the upper end face of the mounting base and is coaxially arranged with the guide pin. When the guide pin one and the guide pin two abut against each other, the input end of the suction pipe abuts against the cathode plate inside the tank. The clamping component includes a clamping cylinder, an arc rod, clamping rods, and clamping pads. The clamping cylinder is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate, and its output end is hinged to the middle of the arc rod. The two ends of the arc rod are respectively hinged to one end of the two clamping rods. The other ends of the two clamping rods are fixedly connected to clamping pads. The inner wall of the clamping pads is provided with anti-slip rubber pads. The outer circumference of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe is provided with clamping ring grooves corresponding to the shape of the clamping pads. The clamping pads are embedded in the clamping ring grooves. Furthermore, when the piston rod of the clamping cylinder extends, it drives the bow-shaped rod to move towards the center of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe.

[0010] Preferably, a negative pressure head is installed at one end of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe that extend into the tank. The inner cover of the negative pressure head is provided with an inwardly opening ceramic baffle. A cylindrical sliding part is provided at the center of the ceramic baffle. A guide part is provided at the center of the negative pressure head. The guide part is Y-shaped and its two sides are connected to the inner wall of the negative pressure head. The end of the guide part facing the axial direction of the negative pressure head is cylindrical. A countersunk hole corresponding to the cylindrical part of the guide part is opened at the center of the sliding part. A thrust spring connected to the end of the guide part is provided in the countersunk hole.

[0011] Preferably, the preload of the thrust spring in the suction pipe is configured such that when the negative pressure in the suction pipe reaches the preset opening negative pressure value corresponding to the material to be sucked, the ceramic cover in the suction pipe opens inward. The preload of the thrust spring in the waste discharge pipe is configured such that when the negative pressure in the suction pipe reaches the preset opening negative pressure value of the material to be sucked, the ceramic baffle in the suction pipe opens inward.

[0012] Preferably, the output ends of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe are flush, and when the input end of the suction pipe abuts against the cathode plate in the tank, the input end of the waste discharge pipe extends into the tank and is located at 1cm to 2cm above the electrolyte level.

[0013] Preferably, the inner wall of the nitrogen sealing ring and the outer walls of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe together form a central receiving cavity, which is figure-eight shaped; Preferably, a slide valve is provided at one end of the material inlet inside the tank; Preferably, it also includes a controller located next to the tank, the controller being electrically connected to the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder, the clamping cylinder and the slide valve respectively.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention, by opening a single material intake port on the tank and setting a nitrogen sealing ring around it, and cooperating with a material intake assembly consisting of a suction pipe, a waste discharge pipe, a mounting base, an electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder, and a linkage mechanism, utilizes the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder to simultaneously drive the suction pipe, waste discharge pipe, and constant volume feeder to asynchronously reciprocate along the axial direction of the material intake port. This achieves the integrated and coordinated completion of three core operations—constant volume feeding, waste discharge, and pure antimony collection—at the same workstation. It eliminates the need for multiple independent operating ports on the electrolytic cell, avoiding the increased structural complexity and leakage risk associated with multiple openings. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for manual entry into the tank for scooping operations, completely solving the core technical bottleneck of existing technologies that require shutdown for material intake and discharge, which disrupts production continuity and results in low equipment utilization. This significantly improves the production efficiency and capacity of the electrolytic cell. 2. This invention, through a specially designed linkage mechanism and linkage unit, uses only one electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder as a power source to achieve asynchronous coordinated movement between the constant-volume feeder and the two material pipes. It eliminates the need for separate drive devices for the three actions of feeding, suction, and waste discharge, significantly simplifying the overall structure of the equipment and reducing manufacturing costs and daily maintenance difficulties. Simultaneously, the embedded fit between the clamping component and the clamping ring groove on the outer wall of the suction pipe ensures the stability and positioning accuracy of the suction pipe during its lifting and lowering process on the guide rail, avoiding suction position deviations caused by pipe swaying, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of material handling and waste discharge operations. 3. This invention achieves precise stratified selective absorption of upper scum waste and bottom cathode pure antimony by setting negative pressure heads with ceramic baffles and thrust springs with different preloads at the absorption ends of the suction pipe and waste discharge pipe, and configuring the two pipes with different insertion depths; the thrust springs with different preloads ensure that the two pipes will only open automatically when the preset opening negative pressure value of the corresponding material is reached, effectively avoiding cross-contamination of different materials during the absorption process; the ceramic baffles automatically seal by spring force when not in the absorption state, preventing electrolyte and solid materials from accidentally entering the pipe and causing blockage, and significantly improving the purity of cathode antimony products and the total metal recovery rate; 4. This invention utilizes a nitrogen-sealing ring design, where the inner wall and the outer walls of the two suction pipes enclose an 8-shaped central cavity. This creates a continuous and uniform nitrogen sealing barrier at the material inlet. Combined with a slide valve located inside the inlet, this achieves a fully enclosed operation throughout the material intake and waste discharge process. This effectively prevents the volatilization of the highly alkaline sodium sulfide electrolyte and the leakage of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, significantly improving the workshop working environment and reducing electrolyte consumption. Simultaneously, the centralized automated control of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder, clamping cylinder, and slide valve via a controller enables unmanned operation of the entire process, greatly reducing the labor intensity and safety risks for workers. This facilitates integration with upstream and downstream processes to achieve continuous industrial production throughout the entire process. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the antimony sulfide electrolytic cell of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the antimony sulfide electrolytic cell of the present invention from another perspective; Figure 3 This is a side view of the antimony sulfide electrolytic cell of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the waste discharge pipe and the material suction pipe inside the antimony sulfide electrolytic cell of the present invention during material collection; Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of the structure at point A in the middle; Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the state of the linkage plate moving along the guide rail driven by the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder. Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the feeding state of a constant volume feeder driven by an electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the antimony sulfide electrolytic cell clamping component of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a full sectional view of the negative pressure head of the antimony sulfide electrolytic cell of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the negative pressure head of the antimony sulfide electrolytic cell of the present invention during material suction.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Tank; 2. Hopper; 3. Constant volume feeder; 4. Feed port; 5. Nitrogen sealing ring; 6. Central receiving cavity; 8. Gantry frame; 10. Mounting base; 11. Guide rail; 12. Suction pipe; 13. Waste discharge pipe; 14. Clamping ring groove; 15. Negative pressure head; 16. Ceramic cover; 17. Sliding part; 18. Countersunk hole; 19. Guide part; 20. Thrust spring; 21. Electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder; 22. Pressure block; 24. Support frame; 25. Connecting rod; 26. Elastic element; 27. Linkage part; 28. Linkage plate; 30. High pressure spring; 31. Guide pin one; 32. Guide pin two; 33. Clamping part; 34. Clamping cylinder; 35. Bow-shaped rod; 36. Clamping rod; 37. Clamping tile; 38. Anti-slip rubber pad; 41. Controller; 42. Slide valve; 43. Central feed rod. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0021] Please see Figures 1 to 10A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an antimony sulfide electrolytic cell, which mainly includes a cell body 1, a hopper 2 connected to the inside of the cell body 1 and equipped with a constant volume feeder 3, a feed inlet 4 opened on the cell body 1 and a nitrogen sealing ring 5 arranged around the feed inlet 4, a feed assembly for collecting waste and pure antimony, a gantry frame 8 equipped with an electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21, and a controller 41 electrically connected to each actuator.

[0022] Tank 1, serving as the core reaction vessel for the electrolysis of antimony sulfide, employs a composite structure of a strong acid-resistant, heat-insulating ceramic lining and a stainless steel outer shell, ensuring both structural strength and resistance to electrolyte corrosion. Several sets of anode and cathode plates are symmetrically arranged inside Tank 1. Specifically, there are four anode plates arranged in a grid pattern at the top of Tank 1, and three cathode plates arranged close together on the lower end of the inner wall of Tank 1. The anode plates can be made of titanium-based ruthenium-coated material, possessing excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance; the cathode plates are made of pure antimony plates, with polished surfaces to reduce resistance losses during antimony precipitation. The center-to-center distance between adjacent anode plates is set at 15-20 cm, and the vertical distance between the lower end of the anode plate and the upper end of the cathode plate is controlled at 8-12 cm.

[0023] As prior art, hopper 2 is installed above tank 1 to store antimony sulfide concentrate required for the antimony sulfide electrolysis reaction. It precisely delivers a preset dose of raw material into tank 1 via an internally installed constant-volume feeder 3. The constant-volume feeder 3 includes a feed pipe, a metering cylinder, a support rod, a central feed rod 43, an upper sealing cone, and a lower sealing cone. The metering cylinder is fixed to the bottom of hopper 2 and communicates with the interior of hopper 2; one end of the feed pipe is connected to the bottom outlet of the metering cylinder, and the other end extends into the interior of tank 1. The support rod is vertically fixed at the central axis of the metering cylinder, and the central feed rod 43 is movably sleeved inside the support rod, allowing it to slide up and down along the axial direction of the support rod. The upper and lower sealing cones are respectively fixed to the top of the central feed rod 43 and the bottom of the metering cylinder, and their taper matches the conical surfaces of the feed pipe inlet and the bottom outlet of the metering cylinder. The specific working principle of the aforementioned constant-volume feeder 3, being prior art, will not be elaborated further.

[0024] The feed inlet 4 is located on the upper end face of the tank body 1. The feed inlet 4 adopts a flange structure with a DN150 specification. The flange edge is machined with an annular sealing groove and has a built-in high-temperature and acid-alkali resistant fluororubber sealing ring to ensure the connection and sealing with the nitrogen sealing ring 5 set on it. The nitrogen sealing ring 5 is connected to an external gas source. By continuously introducing nitrogen gas, a slightly positive pressure environment is formed in the feed inlet 4 area, which effectively isolates the outside air from entering the interior of the tank body 1 and prevents the raw materials or electrolyte from reacting with oxygen in the air during the antimony sulfide electrolysis process, thus avoiding affecting the purity and quality of the electrolysis products.

[0025] A pneumatic slide gate valve 42 is installed inside the feed port 4. The valve body is made of 316L stainless steel and the valve plate is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, which can effectively resist the corrosion of electrolyte.

[0026] The material handling assembly is used to collect scum waste on the surface of the electrolyte and molten pure antimony adhering to the surface of the cathode plate. Its structure includes a suction pipe 12, a waste discharge pipe 13, a mounting base 10, an electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21, and a linkage mechanism.

[0027] Mounting base 10 is fixed on the gantry frame 8 and located on one side of the hopper 2. A guide rail 11 is provided along the axial direction of the feeding port 4. The suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 are installed side by side on the mounting base 10. The outer circumferential walls of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 respectively form a sliding fit with the two sides of the guide rail 11. The suction pipe 12 is used for negative pressure suction of pure antimony on the cathode plate, and the waste discharge pipe 13 is used for negative pressure suction of floating waste around the anode. Therefore, the output ends of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 are respectively connected to different negative pressure storage systems (not shown in the figure) through flexible high-temperature resistant hoses. The output end of the suction pipe 12 is connected to a temporary storage tank for molten pure antimony. The outer wall of the tank is wrapped with an aluminum silicate insulation layer to maintain the molten state of pure antimony. The output end of the waste discharge pipe 13 is connected to a scum waste collection tank. In this preferred embodiment, the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 are made of high-temperature hard pipes that are resistant to molten pure antimony. The inner wall of the nitrogen sealing ring 5 and the outer walls of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 together form a central receiving cavity 6. The central receiving cavity 6 is figure-eight shaped, which is just right to fit the structure of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 arranged side by side, and can simultaneously form a tight wrap around the outer periphery of the two pipes. The nitrogen sealing ring 5 has a nitrogen inlet port on its side wall. During operation, inert nitrogen gas can be continuously introduced into the central receiving cavity 6 through this port to maintain a slightly positive pressure state inside the cavity. This effectively isolates the outside air from contact between the molten pure antimony sucked by the suction pipe 12 and the scum waste collected by the waste discharge pipe 13. This prevents the molten pure antimony from producing impurities due to oxidation, which would affect the purity of the product. It also avoids the scum waste from adsorbing moisture or other pollutants from the air, which would increase the difficulty of subsequent processing. In addition, the figure-eight shaped chamber design allows the nitrogen gas to be evenly distributed around the two pipes, ensuring that the outer walls of the suction pipe and the waste discharge pipe are adequately protected by inert gas. This avoids dead zones caused by insufficient local nitrogen concentration, further enhancing the anti-oxidation effect on the molten pure antimony and the anti-contamination isolation of the scum waste, ensuring the stability and material purity of the entire negative pressure suction process.

[0028] The suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 are connected to the input end of the constant volume feeder 3 via a linkage mechanism at one end away from the feed port 4, and the other end extends into the tank 1 of the slide valve 42 through the feed port 4. A gantry frame 8 is provided above the tank 1 for mounting the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21. The telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 is connected to the linkage mechanism. When its telescopic rod moves up and down, the linkage mechanism drives the suction pipe 12, the waste discharge pipe 13 and the constant volume feeder 3 to asynchronously reciprocate along the axial direction of the feed port 4, thereby completing the processes of suction, discharge and quantitative feeding in sequence.

[0029] Specifically, the linkage mechanism includes a support frame 24, a connecting rod 25, an elastic element 26, a pressure block 22, and a linkage part. The pressure block 22 is fixedly welded to the outer circumference of the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21. The pressure block 22 is annular and made of high-strength alloy, used to transmit the thrust of the hydraulic cylinder. The support frame 24 is firmly installed on the tank 1, providing a stable support point. The middle part of the connecting rod 25 is connected to the support frame 24 through a hinge shaft, allowing the connecting rod 25 to rotate freely. One end of the connecting rod 25 abuts against the upper side of the pressure block 22, thus moving with the pressure block 22. The other end is hinged to the outer end of the central feed rod 43 of the constant volume feeder 3, realizing power transmission. The elastic element 26 is sleeved on the input end of the constant volume feeder 3, usually a helical spring, used for buffering and reset, ensuring that the feeder can return to its original position after action. In the initial state of implementation, the pressure block 22 is located below the connecting rod 25. When the telescopic rod retracts, the pressure block 22 moves upward and squeezes the connecting rod 25 above, causing the connecting rod 25 to rotate clockwise around the hinge axis. Its other end resists the thrust of the elastic element 26 and pushes the central feeding rod 43 of the constant volume feeder 3 vertically downward to complete the feeding of antimony sulfide concentrate.

[0030] The linkage unit is mounted on the mounting base 10 for the synchronous lifting of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13. The telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 is connected to the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 through the linkage unit. The linkage unit mainly consists of a linkage plate 28, a spring component, and two clamping components 33, which work together to achieve precise control.

[0031] The linkage plate 28 has a U-shaped structure and is made of cast iron plate, providing sufficient rigidity. One end of the elastic element is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the inner wall of the linkage plate 28, and the other end is connected to the upper surface of the mounting base 10, providing an upward elastic force. Two clamping elements 33 are installed side by side on the lower surface of the inner wall of the linkage plate 28. The ends of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 away from the material intake port 4 are each firmly connected to the linkage plate 28 through a clamping element 33, ensuring that the pipes will not fall off during movement.

[0032] The elastic components specifically include a high-pressure spring 30, a guide pin 31, and a guide pin 32. The high-pressure spring 30 is mainly used to provide continuous pressure to ensure that the linkage plate 28 maintains stable contact force and reset function during movement. The guide pin 31 is vertically installed on the upper end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate 28, and the guide pin 32 is correspondingly installed on the upper end face of the mounting base 10 and is coaxially arranged with the guide pin 31, thereby ensuring that the limit displacement of the linkage plate 28 in the vertical direction is consistent.

[0033] During equipment operation, the linkage plate 28 is compressed by the downward movement of the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21. At this time, due to the further extension of the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21, the distance between the pressure block 22 and the end of the connecting rod 25 is further increased. Therefore, when discharging waste and retrieving pure antimony, the constant volume feeder 3 will not be driven to work. Instead, the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12 are driven to move together towards the material inlet 4 along the guide rail 11. When the opposite ends of guide pin 1 31 and guide pin 2 32 abut, the linkage plate 28 reaches its lower limit position. At this time, the input end of the suction pipe 12 just abuts against the cathode plate inside the tank 1, thus preventing the suction pipe 12 from excessively protruding and causing damage or deformation to the cathode plate inside the tank 1. This structure not only ensures the repeatability accuracy of the material retrieval position but also reduces rigid impact through the buffering effect of the elastic component, extending the service life of the components. The entire guiding and limiting mechanism, in conjunction with the high-pressure spring 30, achieves stable and reliable cyclic material retrieval.

[0034] In the automated control process of the electrolytic cell system, the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21, as the core driving component, triggers a series of chain reactions through the retraction of its telescopic rod. Specifically, at the end of the previous production run, after the waste material in the tank 1 and the pure antimony on the cathode plate at the bottom of the tank 1 have been collected, the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 retracts at a uniform speed under the action of the control signal, driving the connected linkage, along with the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12, to disengage from the feed inlet 4. Specifically, under the elastic restoring force of the internal high-pressure spring 30, the linkage plate 28 smoothly resets upward along the guide rail 11 until it returns to its initial preset position. As the linkage plate 28 rises, the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12 connected to it are simultaneously lifted vertically from the feed inlet 4 and completely disengaged, completing the retraction action in one work cycle and preparing for the next operation. This reset action shortens the distance between the pressure block 22 and the end of the connecting rod 25. When the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 stops, the relative position of the pressure block 22 and the connecting rod 25 is fixed under the elastic force of the elastic element 26, and the electrolytic cell 1 immediately enters a stable production state. At this time, the electrolytic reaction between the anode and the cathode continues, and the current is evenly distributed to ensure the efficient completion of metal deposition or chemical conversion.

[0035] After production ceases, the system requires replenishment of raw materials to maintain continuous production. As the distance between the pressure block 22 and the connecting rod 25 further decreases, the pressure block 22 applies a thrust to the connecting rod 25, driving the central feed rod 43 to displace downwards. This displacement mechanically triggers the activation of the constant-volume feeder 3, which precisely measures and releases antimony sulfide raw materials based on a preset volume. Through an internal conveying mechanism, the raw materials are evenly fed into the reaction zone between the anode and cathode in the electrolytic cell, ensuring timely and quantitative supply of raw materials for the electrolytic reaction and avoiding efficiency reduction or product quality fluctuations due to uneven material distribution.

[0036] Simultaneously, the resetting action of the linkage plate 28 drives the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 to move upward synchronously through the clamping member 33. This synchronous design realizes the coordinated operation of raw material conveying and waste discharge, which not only optimizes the spatial layout, but also significantly improves the continuity and stability of the electrolysis process, reduces manual intervention, and improves production efficiency. At the same time, closed-loop control further reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs.

[0037] The clamping component 33, as the core component for pipe fixing, is precisely composed of four parts: a clamping cylinder 34, an arc-shaped rod 35, clamping rods 36, and clamping pads 37. The clamping cylinder 34 is securely mounted to the lower end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate 28 using high-strength bolts, ensuring structural stability during long-term operation. Its output end is connected to the middle of the arc-shaped rod 35 via a hinged joint, allowing for flexible swinging to adapt to different working conditions. Both ends of the arc-shaped rod 35 are hinged to one end of each of the two clamping rods 36, forming a highly efficient lever mechanism. This design converts the linear thrust of the cylinder into the rotational motion of the clamping rods 36, significantly amplifying the force and achieving rapid and powerful clamping action. The other ends of both clamping rods 36 are fixedly connected to clamping pads 37, which are made of wear-resistant alloy steel and have a high-friction coefficient anti-slip rubber pad 38 attached to their inner walls. This rubber pad not only significantly increases friction to prevent pipe slippage but also provides cushioning and shock absorption, protecting the pipe surface from scratches. The outer circumference of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 is precisely machined with clamping ring grooves 14 that match the shape of the clamping tile 37. The groove depth and width are optimized to ensure that the clamping tile 37 can be accurately embedded in the groove, achieving seamless fixation of the pipe and effectively preventing loosening or displacement caused by vibration, pressure fluctuation or temperature change during operation.

[0038] When the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 34 extends, it pushes the respective bow-shaped rods 35 to move towards the center of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13, respectively. Through the lever transmission of the clamping rod 36, the two clamping pads 37 are driven to tighten evenly in the radial direction, thus firmly clamping the pipe. Conversely, when the telescopic rod of the clamping cylinder 34 retracts, the clamping pads 37 quickly release, facilitating quick installation, adjustment, or replacement of the pipe by the operator, improving the maintenance efficiency and reliability of the entire system. The entire clamping component 33 has a compact structure and intuitive operation, suitable for high-precision pipe connection requirements in industrial automation scenarios.

[0039] In antimony sulfide electrolysis, the clamping component 33 can precisely adapt to suction pipes 12 and waste discharge pipes 13 of different diameters. By adjusting the stroke parameters of the clamping cylinder 34, it can meet the fixing requirements of various pipe specifications. When the electrolytic cell undergoes electrolyte replacement or pipe cleaning and maintenance, the rapid clamping and releasing action can shorten auxiliary operation time and improve production efficiency.

[0040] The clamping pad 37 is also equipped with a pressure sensor (not shown in the figure) to monitor the clamping force in real time. When the clamping force exceeds the preset threshold, the system of the tank 1 will automatically adjust the cylinder output to prevent over-clamping from causing pipe deformation. If the clamping force is insufficient, a warning signal will also be issued to ensure that the pipe is always in a reliable fixed state.

[0041] Furthermore, a negative pressure head 15 is installed at the end of both the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 that extend into the tank 1. The inner cover of the negative pressure head 15 is equipped with an inwardly opening ceramic baffle 16. A cylindrical sliding part 17 is located at the center of the ceramic baffle 16, and a guide part 19 is located at the center of the negative pressure head 15. This guide part 19 is Y-shaped, with both sides connected to the inner wall of the negative pressure head 15. The end of the guide part 19 facing the axial direction of the negative pressure head 15 is cylindrical. A countersunk hole 18 corresponding to the cylindrical part of the guide part 19 is opened at the center of the sliding part 17. A thrust spring 20 connected to the end of the guide part 19 is located inside the countersunk hole 18. This structure ensures that the ceramic baffle 16 can slide smoothly along the axial direction under negative pressure, achieving precise opening and closing. The preload of the thrust spring 20 in the suction pipe 12 is configured such that when the negative pressure inside the suction pipe 12 reaches the preset opening negative pressure value corresponding to the material to be sucked, the ceramic baffle 16 opens inward, allowing the material to smoothly enter the pipe. The preload of the thrust spring 20 in the waste discharge pipe 13 is configured such that when the negative pressure inside the waste discharge pipe 13 reaches the preset opening negative pressure value corresponding to the waste to be discharged, the ceramic baffle 16 opens inward, so that the waste can be extracted. The output ends of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 are flush, and when the input end of the suction pipe 12 abuts against the cathode plate in the tank 1, the input end of the waste discharge pipe 13 extends into the tank 1 and is located 2 cm above the electrolyte level. This position is designed to accurately extract the suspended waste deposited at the bottom of the tank, while avoiding the direct extraction of a large amount of electrolyte, which could lead to an imbalance in the electrolysis system. Furthermore, the coordinated operation of the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 is achieved through independent negative pressure control. In this preferred embodiment, the negative pressure inside the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 is consistent, ensuring that the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12 are only opened when they are in the corresponding material layer during the suction process, without interfering with each other. This further improves the automated operation efficiency and material separation accuracy of the electrolytic cell, reduces the control accuracy required for the negative pressure value, reduces the dependence on the hardware performance of the negative pressure control system, and effectively saves equipment procurement and maintenance costs.

[0042] In this embodiment, since both the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 are equipped with negative pressure heads 15, when the negative pressure head 15 of the suction pipe 12 abuts against the cathode plate in the tank 1, the negative pressure head 15 of the waste discharge pipe 13 extends into the tank 1 and is located 2cm above the electrolyte level. Both negative pressure heads 15 are welded to the input ends of the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12, respectively. If a negative pressure head 15 is damaged after prolonged use, it can be removed with an acetylene cutter and a new negative pressure head 15 can be reinstalled by welding. The outer surface of the ceramic cover 16 is coated with an anti-scaling coating, which effectively prevents impurities in the electrolyte from adhering and ensures smooth opening and closing of the cover. The 1cm~2cm liquid level depth setting at the input end of the waste discharge pipe 13 accurately captures suspended waste and aged electrolyte on the upper layer of the tank 1 without interfering with the electrolyte flow near the cathode plate, ensuring the stability of the pure antimony deposition process. In this preferred embodiment, before the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12 perform the suction operation, an external negative pressure generating device simultaneously generates the same negative pressure on the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12. At this point, the negative pressure inside both tubes has not reached their preset opening threshold. The ceramic baffle 16 remains closed to prevent electrolyte from mixing into the tube channel. When the suction tube 12 performs the suction operation, it enters the high-density pure antimony liquid at the bottom of the tank 1 from the low-density waste liquid layer and electrolyte layer. During this process, the external pressure of the low-density waste liquid layer and electrolyte layer on the negative pressure head 15 is insufficient to open the ceramic baffle 15 on the negative pressure head 15 of the suction tube 12, preventing it from being sucked into the tube. This is because the negative pressure inside the suction tube 12, combined with the external pressure, has not yet reached its preset opening threshold. The ceramic baffle 16 remains closed, effectively isolating the mixing of the upper liquid. After the suction tube 12 reaches the high-density pure antimony liquid layer at the bottom of the tank 1, the high-density pure antimony liquid generates a positive pressure from outside the negative pressure head 15, causing the negative pressure inside the suction tube 12 to reach the opening threshold. Under the combined action of internal negative pressure and external positive pressure, the ceramic baffle 16 compresses the thrust spring 20 and opens inward. Molten pure antimony enters the suction pipe 12 with the airflow. As the level of molten pure antimony drops, the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 extends further until the negative pressure head 15 on the suction pipe 12 contacts the cathode plate at the bottom of the tank 1. At this time, the internal negative pressure of the suction pipe 12 remains stable, continuously sucking the pure antimony deposited on the cathode plate into the pipe. At the same time as the suction pipe 12 contacts the surface of the pure antimony and begins to take material, the negative pressure head 15 of the waste discharge pipe 13 also begins to extend into the surface of the electrolyte. When the internal negative pressure of the waste discharge pipe 13, combined with the external pressure immersed in the electrolyte, reaches the standard, its ceramic baffle 16 opens, efficiently discharging the waste electrolyte and scum in the tank 1. This achieves simultaneous control of material suction and waste discharge, reduces the waiting time for single-process operation, and significantly improves the continuous operation efficiency of the electrolytic cell. Synchronous operation can also avoid drastic fluctuations in electrolyte level caused by performing the feeding or waste discharge process separately, maintain the stability of the electrolytic reaction environment in the tank, and further ensure the uniformity of pure antimony deposition and product purity.After the material suction and waste discharge processes are completed, the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 retracts. Under the elastic restoring force of the high-pressure spring 30, the linkage plate 28 presses tightly against the end of the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 and drives the suction pipe 12 and the waste discharge pipe 13 to exit the tank 1 through the material receiving port 4. At this time, the slide valve 42 closes the material receiving port 4, completing the waste discharge and material receiving operation. At the same time, the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 retracts further, shortening the distance between the pressure block 22 and the connecting rod 25 until they abut against each other and further pushing the connecting rod 25 upward, causing the other end of the connecting rod 25 to descend, pushing the central feeding rod 43 of the constant volume feeder 3 to overcome the elastic element 26. The pre-tightening force moves downward, opening the outlet of the constant-volume feeder 3, and evenly feeding the pre-measured antimony sulfide concentrate raw material into the electrolyte between the anode and cathode in the tank 1. This provides precise raw material replenishment for the next round of electrolysis, forming an automated closed-loop operation process of "material intake-waste discharge-material replenishment," effectively reducing the need for manual intervention and improving overall production efficiency and product quality stability. In this preferred embodiment, the elastic element 26 is a spring, specifically a compression spring with a specific stiffness coefficient, sleeved and installed on the central feeder rod 43. Its upper and lower ends respectively abut against the upper end face of the housing of the constant-volume feeder 3 and the end of the connecting rod 25. After replenishment is completed, it can provide a stable reset force for the central feeder rod 43, causing it to quickly return to its original position and close the outlet of the constant-volume feeder 3, effectively avoiding excessive leakage of raw materials or incomplete feeding, and further ensuring the accuracy and stability of the replenishment process. In addition, this synchronous control mechanism can reduce the contact time between the electrolyte and air, further suppressing the oxidation reaction and providing better process conditions for the antimony sulfide electrolysis process.

[0043] An integrated controller 41 is also installed next to the tank 1. This controller 41 is electrically connected to the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21, the clamping cylinder 34, and the slide gate valve 42 via an industrial communication interface. It can receive analog and digital signals from the liquid level sensor and the negative pressure sensor inside the tank 1 in real time. The controller 41 has an embedded programmable logic unit, which can automatically calculate and adjust the extension stroke and speed of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder 21 according to preset process parameters and operating programs, thereby precisely controlling the depth and orientation of the suction pipe 12 in the tank. At the same time, it drives the clamping cylinder 34 to operate in sequence, completing the reliable fixing and smooth release of the waste discharge pipe 13 and the suction pipe 12, ensuring the plate positioning accuracy during the electrolytic deposition process. In addition, the controller 41 coordinates the opening and closing timing of the slide gate valve 42 by dynamically judging the status of the negative pressure system and the process stage, realizing the orderly switching between pure antimony suction, waste discharge, and material replenishment, effectively avoiding media mixing or process interruption. The entire control system forms a closed-loop regulation, significantly improving the automation level, operational stability, and process consistency of the electrolysis process.

[0044] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An antimony sulfide electrolytic cell, comprising a cell body (1) and a hopper (2) communicating with the interior of the cell body (1), wherein the hopper (2) is provided with a constant-volume feeder (3), characterized in that, The tank (1) is provided with a material inlet (4), and a nitrogen sealing ring (5) is provided around the material inlet (4) on the tank (1). The tank (1) is provided with a material collection component for collecting waste and pure antimony. The material collection component includes a suction pipe (12), a waste discharge pipe (13), a mounting base (10), an electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder (21), and a linkage mechanism. The tank (1) is provided with a gantry frame (8) for installing the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder (21). The telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder (21) is connected to the linkage mechanism. The mounting base (10) is mounted on the gantry frame (8). A guide rail (11) is provided on the mounting base (10) along the axial direction of the material inlet (4). The suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) are mounted side by side on the mounting base (10). Their outer circumferential walls are slidably connected to both sides of the guide rail (11). The suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) pass through the nitrogen sealing ring (5). The outer wall of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) away from the feeding port (4) is connected to the input end of the constant volume feeder (3) through a linkage mechanism. The input ends of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) extend into the tank (1) through the feeding port (4). The output ends of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) are respectively connected to a negative pressure storage device. The suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) have a preset axial height difference, which enables them to absorb different materials in the electrolyte in layers. When the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder (21) moves up and down, the linkage mechanism drives the suction pipe (12), the waste discharge pipe (13) and the constant volume feeder (3) to move asynchronously back and forth along the axial direction of the feeding port (4). The movement sequence is that the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) first move downward to complete the material feeding or waste discharge, and then move upward to reset. After the reset, the constant volume feeder (3) is triggered to feed.

2. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage mechanism includes a support frame (24), a connecting rod (25), an elastic element (26), a pressure block (22), and a linkage part; The pressure block (22) is located on the outer circumference of the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder (21). The pressure block (22) is cylindrical. The support frame (24) is installed on the groove (1). The middle part of the connecting rod (25) is hinged to the support frame (24). One end of the connecting rod (25) abuts against the pressure block (22), and the other end is hinged to the input end of the constant volume feeder (3). The elastic element (26) is sleeved on the input end of the constant volume feeder (3). The linkage is installed on the mounting base (10), and the telescopic rod of the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder (21) is connected to the waste discharge pipe (13) and the suction pipe (12) through the linkage.

3. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that, The linkage part includes a linkage plate (28), a spring element, and a clamping element (33). The linkage plate (28) is in a U shape. One end of the elastic member is connected to the upper end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate (28), and the other end is connected to the upper end face of the mounting seat (10). A plurality of clamping members (33) are installed on the lower end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate (28). The ends of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) far from the material taking port (4) are respectively connected to the linkage plate (28) through a clamping member (33). The elastic member includes a high-pressure spring (30), a guide pin one (31), and a guide pin two (32). The guide pin one (31) is vertically installed on the upper end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate (28). The guide pin two (32) is installed on the upper end face of the mounting seat (10) and is coaxially arranged with the guide pin one (31). When the opposite ends of the guide pin one (31) and the guide pin two (32) are in contact, the input end of the suction pipe (12) abuts against the cathode plate inside the tank body (1). The clamping member (33) includes a clamping cylinder (34), an arcuate rod (35), a clamping rod (36), and a clamping tile (37). The clamping cylinder (34) is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the inner wall of the linkage plate (28), and its output end is hinged to the middle of the arcuate rod (35). The two ends of the arcuate rod (35) are respectively hinged to one end of two clamping rods (36). Clamping tiles (37) are fixedly connected to the other ends of the two clamping rods (36). An anti-slip rubber pad (38) is provided on the inner wall of the clamping tile (37). Clamping ring grooves (14) corresponding to the outer shape of the clamping tile (37) are formed on the circumferential outer walls of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13), and the clamping tile (37) is embedded in the clamping ring groove (14). When the piston rod of the clamping cylinder (34) extends, it drives the arcuate rod (35) to move towards the direction close to the centers of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13).

4. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, Negative pressure heads (15) are installed at the ends of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) that extend into the tank body (1). A ceramic retaining cover (16) that opens inward is covered inside the negative pressure head (15). A cylindrical sliding part (17) is provided at the center of the ceramic retaining cover (16). A guiding part (19) is provided at the center of the negative pressure head (15). The guiding part (19) is in a Y shape, and its two sides are connected to the inner wall of the negative pressure head (15). The end of the guiding part (19) facing the axial direction of the negative pressure head (15) is cylindrical. A counter bore (18) corresponding to the cylindrical part of the guiding part (19) is formed at the center of the sliding part (17). A thrust spring (20) connected to the end of the guiding part (19) is provided in the counter bore (18).

5. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pre-tightening elastic force of the thrust spring (20) in the suction pipe (12) is configured such that when the negative pressure in the suction pipe (12) reaches the preset opening negative pressure value corresponding to the material to be sucked, the ceramic retaining cover (16) in the suction pipe (12) opens inward. The preload of the thrust spring (20) in the waste discharge pipe (13) is configured such that when the negative pressure in the waste discharge pipe (13) reaches the preset opening negative pressure value of the material to be absorbed, the ceramic cover (16) in the waste discharge pipe (13) opens inward.

6. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output ends of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) are flush, and when the input end of the suction pipe (12) abuts against the cathode plate in the tank (1), the input end of the waste discharge pipe (13) extends into the tank (1) and is located at 1cm~2cm above the electrolyte level.

7. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the nitrogen sealing ring (5) together with the outer walls of the suction pipe (12) and the waste discharge pipe (13) form a central receiving cavity (6), which is shaped like an 8.

8. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed inlet (4) is equipped with a slide valve (42) at one end inside the tank (1).

9. The antimony sulfide electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a controller (41) located next to the tank (1), which is electrically connected to the electromagnetic hydraulic cylinder (21), the clamping cylinder (34) and the slide valve (42).

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