A device and method for alleviating high temperature of an electrolytic cell

Abstract

The application discloses a device and method for relieving high temperature of an electrolytic cell, which comprises an electrolytic cell, a Venturi tube and a main water channel, the electrolytic cell contains dilute hydrochloric acid electrolyte, the Venturi tube is arranged on the main water channel, a negative pressure end of the Venturi tube is connected with a chlorine outlet of the electrolytic cell through an air pipe, at least one through hole is formed in a cell wall of the electrolytic cell, a one-way valve is connected to the through hole through a joint, and another end of the one-way valve is connected to the main water channel; the one-way valve is made of a material resistant to strong acid and chlorine corrosion, and a ratio of back pressure opening pressure to positive pressure opening pressure of the one-way valve is not less than 10:1. The application utilizes a pressure difference of an existing water channel as a driving force, realizes micro heat exchange between the electrolytic cell and the main water channel through the one-way valve, and effectively reduces the working temperature of the electrolytic cell without affecting electrolyte concentration and electrolysis efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of disinfection equipment technology, specifically to a device and method for alleviating high temperatures in an electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] A hypochlorous acid generator is a disinfection device that produces chlorine gas by electrolyzing dilute hydrochloric acid, and then mixes the chlorine gas with water to generate a hypochlorous acid solution. In existing technology, hypochlorous acid generators typically use a small electrolytic cell with dilute hydrochloric acid as the electrolyte to produce chlorine gas through an electrolytic reaction. The generated chlorine gas is drawn in by the negative pressure created by the Venturi tube in the main water line and mixed with water. The mixture is then transported through pipelines to the mixing chamber, where it is stirred to generate a hypochlorous acid solution.

[0003] In the above structure, since the water in the main water channel does not pass through the electrolytic cell, the Joule heat generated during the operation of the electrolytic cell cannot be dissipated in time, resulting in an internal temperature of 70-80℃. High-temperature operation leads to the following problems: First, shortened electrode lifespan: High temperatures accelerate the corrosion and aging of electrode materials, especially the peeling off of precious metal coatings, reducing electrolysis efficiency and service life; Second, decreased electrolysis efficiency: Excessively high temperatures cause accelerated electrolyte evaporation, unstable concentration changes, and affect the stability of the electrolysis reaction; Third, safety hazards: High-temperature electrolytes and chlorine gas are highly corrosive, and high temperatures accelerate the aging of seals and piping materials, increasing the risk of leakage; Fourth, reduced equipment reliability: Under high-temperature conditions, the lifespan of electronic components and sensors around the electrolytic cell is also affected.

[0004] In existing technologies, the following methods are commonly used to dissipate heat from electrolytic cells: First, increasing the volume of the electrolytic cell to increase the heat dissipation area for natural cooling; however, this solution is not suitable as hypochlorous acid generators typically require miniaturization. Second, adding heat dissipation fins to the outer wall of the electrolytic cell to dissipate heat through air convection; however, the heat dissipation efficiency is limited, making it difficult to reduce the temperature to the ideal range. Third, setting up an independent cooling circulation system; however, this is complex in structure, costly, and requires an additional power unit.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a heat dissipation solution that is simple in structure, requires no additional power, and can effectively reduce the operating temperature of the electrolytic cell. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a device and method for alleviating high temperatures in electrolytic cells. By utilizing the pressure difference of existing water circuits as a driving force, a small amount of heat exchange is achieved between the electrolytic cell and the main water circuit through a one-way valve, effectively reducing the operating temperature of the electrolytic cell without affecting the electrolyte concentration and electrolysis efficiency.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a device for alleviating high temperature in an electrolytic cell, comprising an electrolytic cell, a venturi tube, and a main water circuit. The electrolytic cell contains dilute hydrochloric acid electrolyte. The venturi tube is installed on the main water circuit. The negative pressure end of the venturi tube is connected to the chlorine outlet of the electrolytic cell via a gas pipe. At least one through hole is provided on the wall of the electrolytic cell. The through hole is connected to a one-way valve via a connector. The other end of the one-way valve is connected to the main water circuit. The one-way valve is made of a material resistant to strong acid and chlorine corrosion, and the ratio of the back pressure opening pressure to the positive pressure opening pressure of the one-way valve is not less than 10:1.

[0008] Preferably, the one-way valve is connected to the main water circuit upstream or downstream of the venturi tube. The electrolytic cell has 2-4 through holes on its wall, distributed at different heights, each hole connected to an independent one-way valve. The valve core of the one-way valve is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or perfluoroether rubber (FFKM), and the valve seat is made of ceramic or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The back pressure opening pressure of the one-way valve is 0.3-0.5 MPa, and the positive pressure opening pressure is 0.03-0.05 MPa.

[0009] Preferably, the outer wall of the electrolytic cell is also provided with heat dissipation fins, which are integrally formed with the electrolytic cell or bonded by thermally conductive adhesive. A throttling orifice with a diameter of 0.5–2 mm is provided at the connection between the main water passage and the one-way valve.

[0010] A method for mitigating high temperature in the electrolytic cell of a hypochlorous acid generator includes the following steps: S1: Open at least one through hole in the wall of the electrolytic cell, connect a one-way valve through a connector, and connect the other end of the one-way valve to the main water circuit of the hypochlorous acid generator. S2: The one-way valve is made of a material resistant to strong acid and chlorine corrosion, and the ratio of back pressure opening pressure to positive pressure opening pressure is not less than 10:1. S3: When the water pressure in the main water circuit is higher than the pressure inside the electrolytic cell and the pressure difference exceeds the positive pressure opening pressure of the check valve, a small amount of water in the main water circuit enters the electrolytic cell through the check valve and mixes with the high-temperature electrolyte for heat exchange. S4: When the pressure inside the electrolytic cell is higher than the pressure in the main water circuit and the pressure difference exceeds the back pressure opening pressure of the check valve, a small amount of high-temperature electrolyte in the electrolytic cell enters the main water circuit through the check valve and is carried away by the water flow in the main water circuit. S5: Through the micro-bidirectional exchange driven by the pressure difference mentioned above, the heat in the electrolytic cell is continuously removed, maintaining the temperature of the electrolytic cell within a reasonable range of 40 to 60°C.

[0011] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. High heat dissipation efficiency: The pressure difference in the main water channel drives the micro-exchange between the electrolyte and water, directly carrying heat into the main water channel. The heat dissipation efficiency is much higher than that of air convection heat dissipation, which can reduce the working temperature of the electrolytic cell from 70-80℃ to 40-60℃. 2. No additional power required: It utilizes the pressure of the existing water circuit and the negative pressure of the Venturi tube as the driving force, without the need for additional water pumps or fans, resulting in a simple structure and low cost; 3. Stable and controllable concentration: The high pressure differential ratio design of the one-way valve (back pressure / positive pressure ≥10:1) ensures that liquid exchange only occurs when the pressure difference is large enough, and the amount of liquid exchanged each time is very small (0.5%~5%), which will not significantly affect the electrolyte concentration and ensure stable electrolysis efficiency. 4. High corrosion resistance and reliability: The check valve is made of materials such as PTFE, FFKM, and ceramics that are resistant to strong acids and chlorine corrosion, making it suitable for the harsh working conditions in the electrolytic cell and ensuring a long service life. 5. Flexible installation: The check valve can be connected to the upstream or downstream of the main water circuit, and multiple check valves can be installed at different heights of the electrolytic cell to adapt to different installation spaces and heat dissipation requirements. 6. High safety: The one-way conduction characteristic of the check valve prevents the risk of large-scale electrolyte leakage or water entering the electrolytic cell. Even if the check valve fails, it will not cause serious consequences. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments; Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell structure in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall device structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell structure in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0013] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments. Example

[0014] This embodiment provides a basic device for alleviating high temperatures in electrolytic cells, which is compatible with conventional small household and commercial hypochlorous acid generators. The device is compact in size and meets basic heat dissipation requirements.

[0015] The main body of the device includes an electrolytic cell 1, a Venturi tube 2, a main water circuit 3, and a set of heat exchange components. The electrolytic cell 1 contains a 3%–5% (by mass) dilute hydrochloric acid electrolyte 5. The electrolytic cell 1 is integrally injection molded from corrosion-resistant PP material and has a volume of 80–120 mL. The Venturi tube 2 is fixedly installed in the middle section of the main water circuit. The negative pressure suction end of the Venturi tube 2 is sealed to the chlorine outlet 8 at the top of the electrolytic cell 1 via a corrosion-resistant PVC gas pipe. The negative pressure generated by the operation of the Venturi tube continuously draws out the chlorine gas produced by electrolysis in the electrolytic cell, achieving a mixing reaction between the chlorine gas and the clean water in the water circuit. The structure of the electrolytic cell is as follows: Figure 1 As shown.

[0016] A 3mm diameter through-hole 6 is opened in the middle of the side wall of electrolytic cell 1. An integrated threaded connector is integrated on the outside of the through-hole 6. The connector is connected to a one-way valve 7 through a threaded seal. The outlet of the one-way valve is connected to the main water pipeline downstream of the venturi tube 2. In this embodiment, the valve core of the one-way valve is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the valve seat is made of ceramic, which has extremely strong resistance to dilute hydrochloric acid and chlorine corrosion, and is suitable for the long-term harsh working conditions of the electrolytic cell. The parameters of the one-way valve are strictly matched with the equipment operating conditions. The positive pressure opening pressure is set to 0.03MPa, the back pressure opening pressure is set to 0.3MPa, and the ratio of the back pressure to the positive pressure opening pressure is 10:1, which meets the core parameter requirements.

[0017] Meanwhile, a 1mm diameter throttling orifice is installed at the connection port between the main water circuit and the one-way valve to limit the water flow and prevent excessive water exchange volume from causing fluctuations in electrolyte concentration. Thin heat dissipation fins 4, 2mm thick, are integrally formed on the outer wall of the electrolytic cell and evenly distributed on both sides of the outer wall to assist in air convection heat dissipation, forming a dual heat dissipation structure of "liquid-liquid heat exchange + air heat dissipation".

[0018] The specific operation process of the high-temperature mitigation method based on this device is as follows: When the equipment is working normally, room temperature clean water is introduced into the main water circuit. The normal working pressure of the water circuit is 0.15-0.25 MPa. At this time, the pressure of the main water circuit is much higher than the slightly negative pressure environment inside the electrolytic cell. The pressure difference is greater than the positive pressure opening pressure of the one-way valve of 0.03 MPa. The one-way valve is forward-opening. The room temperature clean water in the main water circuit flows slowly into the electrolytic cell at a small flow rate after being restricted by the throttling orifice. It mixes thoroughly with the high temperature electrolyte of 70-80℃ in the electrolytic cell and quickly absorbs the Joule heat accumulated in the electrolyte to achieve cooling and heat exchange.

[0019] As the electrolysis reaction continues, the temperature of the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell rises, trace amounts of gas accumulate, and the pressure inside the cell gradually increases. When the pressure inside the cell is higher than the pressure in the main water circuit, and the pressure difference exceeds the back pressure opening pressure of 0.3 MPa, the one-way valve opens in the reverse direction, and a trace amount of the high-temperature electrolyte that has absorbed heat in the electrolytic cell is discharged and enters the main water circuit. The heat is quickly carried away by the clean water flowing with the main water circuit.

[0020] By utilizing the pressure fluctuations in the main water circuit and the periodic pressure difference created by the negative pressure suction through the venturi tube, a minute bidirectional exchange of liquid is achieved between the electrolyzer and the main water circuit. The amount of liquid exchanged in a single cycle is only 1% to 3% of the total electrolyte volume in the electrolyzer, which does not change the core electrolyte concentration, ensuring the stable and continuous electrolysis reaction. After continuous heat exchange, the internal operating temperature of the electrolyzer is stably maintained at 50–60℃, completely solving the problem of high-temperature heat accumulation in traditional equipment. Example

[0021] This embodiment provides a high-temperature relief device for electrolytic cells with enhanced heat dissipation, which is compatible with industrial-grade high-flow hypochlorous acid generators. The device has higher operating power and greater heat generation, and adopts a multi-point heat exchange structure to improve the heat dissipation effect.

[0022] Reference Figure 2 The basic structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, except that three through holes 6 (first through hole 61, second through hole 62, and third through hole 63) are evenly opened from top to bottom on the side wall of the electrolytic cell, corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower areas of the electrolytic cell, respectively. Each through hole is independently equipped with a set of one-way valves 7 of the same specification, and the outlets of the three sets of one-way valves are all connected to the main water circuit upstream of the Venturi tube. The one-way valves set at multiple height points can realize the stratified heat exchange of the electrolyte, avoiding the problems of uneven local temperature and severe local heat accumulation in the electrolytic cell.

[0023] This embodiment of the check valve employs a high-end corrosion-resistant configuration. The valve core is made of perfluoroelastomer rubber (FFKM), and the valve seat is made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), offering superior high-temperature and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for 24-hour continuous operation of industrial equipment. The positive pressure opening pressure of the check valve is set to 0.05 MPa, and the back pressure opening pressure is set to 0.5 MPa, maintaining a pressure ratio of 10:1 for precise control of minute heat exchange. The orifice diameter at the main water circuit connection is set to 1.5 mm to accommodate high-flow-rate water circuit heat exchange requirements.

[0024] The heat dissipation fins on the outer wall of the electrolytic cell do not adopt a one-piece molding structure. Instead, 3mm thick aluminum alloy anti-corrosion heat dissipation fins are bonded together with high-temperature resistant thermally conductive silicone. The heat dissipation area is increased by 40% compared to Example 1, which helps to enhance the passive heat dissipation effect.

[0025] Its working principle is the same as that of Example 1. Multiple sets of one-way valves work synchronously with the water pressure difference to complete bidirectional micro-heat exchange, carrying away the high-temperature gas phase heat in the upper part of the electrolytic cell and the high-temperature liquid phase heat in the middle and lower parts, thus greatly improving the heat dissipation efficiency. Tests have shown that this embodiment can stably control the operating temperature of the high-power electrolytic cell at 40-50℃, reduce the electrode corrosion rate by more than 60%, and significantly improve the continuous operating stability of the equipment. Example

[0026] This embodiment is a parameter adaptation embodiment, which optimizes parameters for a small portable hypochlorous acid generator. The water pressure in the equipment is too low, so the parameters of the one-way valve and the size of the throttling orifice are adapted and adjusted.

[0027] The device employs a structure with two through-holes (first through-hole 61 and second through-hole 62) and two sets of independent one-way valves, respectively located in the lower part of the electrolytic cell. The one-way valves are connected to the main water circuit downstream of the venturi tube. The valve core is made of PTFE, and the valve seat is made of ceramic. The positive pressure opening pressure is adjusted to 0.04 MPa, and the back pressure opening pressure is 0.4 MPa, with the pressure ratio strictly maintained at 10:1. The main water circuit throttling orifice diameter is set to 0.5 mm to maximize water exchange and adapt to small-capacity, low-power electrolytic cell conditions. A schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell is shown below. Figure 3 As shown.

[0028] The outer wall of the electrolytic cell retains only miniature, one-piece molded heat dissipation fins, simplifying the structure and reducing the size of the equipment to meet the miniaturization design requirements of portable devices. During operation, the equipment relies on the slight pressure difference of the low-pressure water circuit to complete intermittent micro-heat exchange. The amount of water exchanged in a single cycle is controlled at 0.5% to 2% of the total electrolyte capacity. Without affecting the hypochlorous acid generation efficiency, the temperature of the electrolytic cell is stably controlled at 55 to 60°C, balancing heat dissipation with the requirements of equipment miniaturization and lightweight design. Example

[0029] To verify the technical effect of the present invention, three sets of comparative examples were set up: Comparative example 1 is a traditional hypochlorous acid generator electrolytic cell without heat dissipation structure; Comparative example 2 is an electrolytic cell with only heat dissipation fins added; Comparative example 3 is an electrolytic cell with an independent air-cooling heat dissipation structure added.

[0030] Tests were conducted under the same operating power and operating time conditions: Comparative Example 1: The electrolytic cell operating temperature was stable at 72-78℃, and the electrode coating showed obvious peeling after 300 hours of continuous operation; Comparative Example 2: The electrolytic cell operating temperature was 65-72℃, with weak heat dissipation effect, which could not meet the requirements for long-term stable operation; Comparative Example 3: The temperature could be reduced to 58-65℃, but the equipment structure was complex, noisy, and energy-intensive, increasing the cost by more than 30%.

[0031] The devices in all embodiments of the present invention can stably control the temperature within the optimal working range of 40-60℃, increase the electrode life by more than 2 times, reduce the electrolyte concentration fluctuation error by less than 1%, and require no additional power components. The devices have a simple structure, low cost, no additional energy consumption, and their overall performance is far superior to existing traditional heat dissipation solutions.

[0032] Equipment Assembly and Operating Condition Optimization Description In the actual assembly process, the connection points between the check valve and the electrolytic cell through-hole and the main water circuit are all sealed with corrosion-resistant gaskets to eliminate the risk of electrolyte and water leakage. All pipe joints adopt a compression fitting sealing structure, which is suitable for the long-term vibration and high-temperature working environment of the equipment. When multiple sets of check valves work in parallel, some check valves can be selectively opened according to the actual heat generation power of the equipment, so as to realize adjustable heat dissipation power and adapt to different electrolysis working modes.

[0033] Meanwhile, relying on the 10:1 high and low pressure opening ratio of the one-way valve, the problems of large backflow of clean water and large loss of electrolyte can be completely avoided. The micro-exchange working mode ensures that the pH and concentration of the electrolyte are always in the optimal range for electrolysis, eliminating the need for frequent replenishment and concentration calibration, and greatly reducing equipment operation and maintenance costs.

[0034] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for alleviating high temperature in an electrolytic cell, characterized in that, The device includes an electrolytic cell, a venturi tube, and a main water circuit. The electrolytic cell contains dilute hydrochloric acid electrolyte. The venturi tube is located on the main water circuit. The negative pressure end of the venturi tube is connected to the chlorine outlet of the electrolytic cell via a gas pipe. At least one through hole is provided on the wall of the electrolytic cell. The through hole is connected to a one-way valve via a connector. The other end of the one-way valve is connected to the main water circuit. The one-way valve is made of a material resistant to strong acid and chlorine corrosion, and the ratio of the back pressure opening pressure to the positive pressure opening pressure of the one-way valve is not less than 10:

1.

2. The device for alleviating high temperature in an electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way valve is connected to the main water circuit upstream or downstream of the venturi tube. The electrolytic cell has 2-4 through holes on its wall, distributed at different heights, each hole connected to an independent one-way valve. The valve core of the one-way valve is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroether rubber, and the valve seat is made of ceramic or polyvinylidene fluoride. The back pressure opening pressure of the one-way valve is 0.3-0.5 MPa, and the positive pressure opening pressure is 0.03-0.05 MPa.

3. The device for alleviating high temperature in an electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the electrolytic cell is also provided with heat dissipation fins, which are integrally formed with the electrolytic cell or bonded by thermally conductive adhesive. A throttling orifice is provided at the connection between the main water passage and the one-way valve, and the orifice diameter is 0.5-2mm.

4. A method for alleviating high temperature in the electrolytic cell of a hypochlorous acid generator, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (S1) Open at least one through hole in the wall of the electrolytic cell, connect a one-way valve through a connector, and connect the other end of the one-way valve to the main water circuit of the hypochlorous acid generator. (S2) The one-way valve is made of a material resistant to strong acid and chlorine corrosion, and the ratio of the back pressure opening pressure to the positive pressure opening pressure is not less than 10:

1. (S3) When the water pressure in the main water circuit is higher than the pressure in the electrolytic cell and the pressure difference exceeds the positive pressure opening pressure of the check valve, a small amount of water in the main water circuit enters the electrolytic cell through the check valve and mixes with the high-temperature electrolyte for heat exchange. (S4) When the pressure inside the electrolytic cell is higher than the pressure in the main water circuit and the pressure difference exceeds the back pressure opening pressure of the check valve, a small amount of high-temperature electrolyte in the electrolytic cell enters the main water circuit through the check valve and is carried away by the water flow in the main water circuit. (S5) Through the micro-bidirectional exchange driven by the pressure difference, the heat in the electrolytic cell is continuously removed, and the temperature of the electrolytic cell is maintained in a reasonable range of 40 to 60°C.

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