Fused lithium electrolytic cell capable of fully automatically strengthening internal flow field

Abstract

The utility model discloses a molten lithium electrolytic cell capable of fully automatically strengthening an internal flow field, which comprises an electrolytic cell (1) with a top cover (11), an anode (3) arranged in the electrolytic cell, a cathode (2) arranged around the anode, a feeding device (5) of which the lower part is inserted into an electrolyte (4), and a chlorine gas collecting cover (6) which is sleeved on the upper part of the anode and of which a top end outlet penetrates through the top cover, the partition plate (8) is vertically arranged in the electrolytic bath, the lithium collection chamber (10) is separated by the partition plate, one end of the lithium guide pipe (12) is arranged in the lithium collection chamber, the other end of the lithium guide pipe (12) penetrates out of the electrolytic bath, the flow sensor (14) is arranged on the lithium guide pipe, the discharge valve (121) is arranged on the lithium guide pipe, and the top end of the partition plate is arranged on an electrolytic lithium layer (13). According to the utility model, a temperature flow field and an electrolyte flow field in the electrolytic cell are enhanced through full-automatic continuous feeding, the electrolytic efficiency is improved, electrolytic lithium floating on the electrolyte liquid level overflows to the lithium collecting chamber or is directly collected, so that continuous batch production is realized, and the production efficiency and the purity of metal lithium are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of molten lithium electrolytic cells, in particular to a molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement. Background Art

[0002] The production of lithium by molten salt electrolysis is carried out by melting anhydrous potassium chloride with anhydrous lithium chloride at high temperature. Liquid lithium is precipitated at the cathode and gathered on the surface of the molten salt to be scooped out for casting. The existing electrolytic cell adopts an intermittent operation mode with manual feeding. The electrolyte concentration flow field inside the electrolytic cell is not uniform. The concentration of lithium ions on the cathode surface gradually decreases as the electrolysis proceeds, resulting in a decrease in the electrolysis reaction rate; the temperature field distribution in the electrolytic cell is not uniform, and the intermittently supplemented electrolyte is not conducive to its rapid dissolution and participation in electrolysis due to its low temperature, resulting in low electrolysis efficiency; the metal lithium precipitated on the cathode and the chlorine on the anode undergo electrolysis interference and secondary combination, which requires re-electrolysis, resulting in high energy consumption and affecting the electrolysis efficiency; the use of manual intermittent feeding and manual scooping of lithium has low production efficiency and is only suitable for small-scale production. In addition, the metal lithium is easily oxidized or nitrided during the manual scooping process, resulting in a decrease in purity; in order to meet continuous production, improve the degree of automation and improve the electrolysis efficiency, it is necessary to design and invent an electrolytic cell that is more suitable for the production of lithium by molten salt electrolysis. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to solve the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art and to provide a molten lithium electrolytic cell with a fully automatic internal flow field enhancement, which enhances the electrolyte flow field and temperature flow field inside the electrolytic cell through the automatic control of material inlet and outlet, thereby improving the electrolysis efficiency, production efficiency and purity of electrolytic lithium and meeting the requirements of continuous batch industrial production.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the utility model is as follows:

[0005] A fully automatic molten lithium electrolytic cell with enhanced internal flow field, comprising an electrolytic cell with a top cover, an anode arranged in the electrolytic cell, a cathode arranged around the anode, a feeding device with electrolyte inserted in the lower part, a chlorine gas collecting cover sleeved on the upper part of the anode and with the top outlet penetrating the top cover, a partition vertically arranged in the electrolytic cell, a lithium collecting chamber separated by the partition, a lithium conducting tube with one end arranged in the lithium collecting chamber and the other end passing through the electrolytic cell, a flow sensor arranged on the lithium conducting tube, a discharge valve arranged on the lithium conducting tube, and a controller, wherein the top of the partition is arranged in the electrolytic lithium layer;

[0006] The feeding device is provided with a motor, a spiral scale, a weight sensor, and a speed sensor; the motor, the weight sensor, the speed sensor, and the flow sensor are electrically connected to the controller respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the feeding device includes a silo with a feed valve arranged at the outlet, a motor, a spiral scale, a spiral pusher placed on the spiral scale, a weight sensor arranged on the spiral scale, a speed sensor arranged at the end of the spiral pusher shaft, and a feed pipe with electrolyte inserted at the bottom; the motor is connected to the other end of the spiral pusher shaft, the discharge port of the silo is softly connected to the feed port of the spiral pusher, and the discharge port of the silo is softly connected to the feed port of the feed pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, the molten lithium electrolytic cell is provided with a liquid level interface meter and a sound generator for monitoring the interface between the electrolyte and the electrolytic lithium, and the liquid level interface meter and the sound generator are electrically connected to the controller respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, the molten lithium electrolytic cell is provided with a temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller.

[0010] Furthermore, a magnetic stirrer is arranged in the molten lithium electrolytic cell.

[0011] Furthermore, an insulating base is provided at the bottom of the anode, and the anode is inserted into the insulating base.

[0012] Furthermore, the molten lithium electrolytic cell also includes a bracket for supporting a silo and a base for supporting a spiral scale.

[0013] Furthermore, the electrolytic cell also includes a bracket for supporting the silo and a base for supporting the spiral scale.

[0014] The utility model has at least the following advantages:

[0015] (1) The flow sensor provided in the utility model transmits the flow information of the discharged lithium to the controller, and the speed sensor transmits the rotation speed information to the controller. The controller controls the rotation speed of the screw feeder shaft through the motor to control the feeding amount (W1= W2 / 16.37%; wherein W2 is the weight of the discharged lithium and W1 is the weight of the added lithium chloride). Through fully automated continuous and accurate feeding, the supplemented electrolyte begins to dissolve along the temperature-relatively high cell wall, so that the lithium ion concentration on the cathode surface in the electrolyte is continuously maintained at a concentration suitable for electrolysis, thereby strengthening the temperature flow field and electrolyte flow field in the electrolytic cell and improving the electrolysis efficiency.

[0016] (2) The liquid level interface meter provided in the utility model transmits the height information of the interface between the electrolyte and the electrolytic lithium to the controller. The controller controls the liquid level of the electrolyte to be not higher than a preset value (or the maximum height cannot exceed the top of the partition) according to the height information of the interface. When the liquid level of the electrolyte is higher than the preset value, the controller controls the sounder to sound an alarm to prompt the staff to close the feed valve. The liquid level of the electrolyte is not higher than the partition to prevent the electrolyte from overflowing into the lithium collection chamber and to prevent the lithium from being oxidized when the lithium is scooped out manually, thereby improving the purity of the discharged metallic lithium.

[0017] (3) The controller of the utility model can be a PLC. The fully automatic continuous feeding controlled by the PLC not only strengthens the internal flow field and improves the electrolysis efficiency, but also allows the electrolyte lithium floating on the electrolyte liquid surface to overflow into the lithium collecting chamber to achieve continuous batch production, thereby improving the production efficiency and the purity of metallic lithium.

[0018] (4) The utility model prevents the electrolysis interference between the metallic lithium generated by electrolysis and the chlorine gas generated by electrolysis and the secondary electrolysis, thereby reducing the energy consumption of electrolysis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 AA section view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The content of the utility model is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments of the specification.

[0022] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, a fully automatic molten lithium electrolytic cell for strengthening the internal flow field comprises an electrolytic cell 1 with a top cover 11, an anode 3 arranged in the electrolytic cell, a cathode 2 arranged around the anode, a feeding device 5 with an electrolyte 4 inserted in the lower part, a chlorine gas collecting cover 6 sleeved on the upper part of the anode and with the top outlet penetrating the top cover, a partition 8 vertically arranged in the electrolytic cell, a lithium collecting chamber 10 separated by the partition, a lithium guide tube 12 arranged at one end in the lithium collecting chamber and the other end passing through the electrolytic cell, a flow sensor 14 arranged on the lithium guide tube, a discharge valve 121 arranged on the lithium guide tube, and a controller 9, wherein the controller may be a PLC or a single-chip microcomputer, and the top of the partition is arranged on the electrolytic lithium layer 13;

[0023] The feeding device is provided with a motor 52, a spiral scale 54, a weight sensor 56, and a speed sensor 58; the motor, weight sensor, speed sensor, and flow sensor are electrically connected to the controller respectively, and the flow information of the discharged lithium is transmitted to the controller through the provided flow sensor, and the speed sensor transmits the rotation speed information to the controller. The controller controls the rotation speed of the spiral feeder shaft through the motor to control the feeding amount (W1= W2 / 16.37%; wherein W2 is the weight of the discharged lithium, and W1 is the weight of the added lithium chloride). Through fully automated continuous and accurate feeding, the supplemented electrolyte begins to dissolve along the temperature-relatively high cell wall, so that the lithium ion concentration on the cathode surface in the electrolyte is continuously maintained at a concentration suitable for electrolysis, thereby strengthening the temperature flow field and electrolyte flow field in the electrolytic cell and improving the electrolysis efficiency.

[0024] As a preferred design, the feeding device includes a silo 51 with a feed valve 55 at the outlet, a motor 52, a spiral scale 54, a screw pusher 53 placed on the spiral scale, a weight sensor 56 arranged on the spiral scale, a speed sensor 58 arranged at the end of the screw pusher shaft, and a feed pipe 57 with electrolyte inserted at the bottom; the motor is connected to the other end of the screw pusher shaft, the discharge port of the silo is softly connected to the feed port of the screw pusher, and the discharge port of the silo is softly connected to the feed port of the feed pipe 59, which can compensate for the displacement and stress caused by vibration between the silo and the screw pusher, and between the screw pusher and the feed pipe, so that feeding and feeding are smoother and smoother. The weight sensor 56 passes the information of adding lithium chloride to the controller, and the controller controls the speed of the screw feeder shaft through the motor to control the amount of lithium chloride added.

[0025] Preferably, the molten lithium electrolytic cell is provided with a liquid level interface meter 7 and a sounder for monitoring the interface between the electrolyte and the electrolytic lithium. The liquid level interface meter and the sounder are electrically connected to the controller respectively. The liquid level interface meter transmits the height information of the interface between the electrolyte and the electrolytic lithium to the controller. The controller controls the liquid level of the electrolyte to be not higher than a preset value (or not higher than the top of the partition at most) according to the height information of the interface. When the liquid level of the electrolyte is higher than the preset value, the controller controls the sounder to sound an alarm to prompt the staff to close the feed valve, so as to ensure that the liquid level of the electrolyte is not higher than the partition to avoid the electrolyte overflowing into the lithium collecting chamber and to avoid manual scooping out of the lithium. Lithium is oxidized, which improves the purity of the discharged metallic lithium. A temperature sensor can also be set in the molten lithium electrolytic cell. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller to control the heating temperature in the electrolytic cell. In order to reduce mechanical failures and the electrolysis space in the electrolytic cell, a magnetic stirrer can be set in the molten lithium electrolytic cell. An insulating base 31 can also be set at the bottom of the anode. The anode is inserted into the insulating base for easy installation and disassembly. A support frame and a base 54a of a spiral scale are set on the silo of the molten lithium electrolytic cell to make the feeding device more stable and the feeding smoother. The material of the electrolytic cell, the electrolysis temperature in the cell, and the materials of the cathode and the anode all belong to the current technology.

[0026] When the utility model is used, the feed valve is closed to add materials into the silo, the preset value of the liquid level interface meter is input on the controller, the controller is started, the feed valve and the discharge valve are opened, the motor drives the spiral pusher shaft to rotate to continuously push materials into the electrolytic cell, electrolysis is carried out in the electrolytic cell, and the flow sensor transmits flow information to the controller at the same time. The controller controls the motor speed to control the amount of lithium chloride added, and the lithium chloride begins to dissolve along the temperature-relatively high cell wall, so that the lithium ion concentration on the cathode surface in the electrolyte is continuously maintained at a concentration suitable for electrolysis, and the electrolytic lithium overflows the electrolytic lithium layer to the lithium collecting chamber for collection or ingot casting; but when the electrolyte liquid level height of the liquid level interface meter is higher than the preset value, the controller controls the sounder to emit an alarm sound to prompt the staff to close the feed valve and reopen it when the electrolyte liquid level height is normal.

[0027] The above-described embodiments are merely descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not limitations on the protection scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various equivalent modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by ordinary technicians in this field all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement, characterized in that: The invention comprises an electrolytic cell (1) with a top cover (11), an anode (3) arranged in the electrolytic cell, a cathode (2) arranged around the anode, a feeding device (5) with an electrolyte (4) inserted in the lower part, a chlorine gas collecting cover (6) sleeved on the upper part of the anode and with a top outlet penetrating the top cover, a partition (8) vertically arranged in the electrolytic cell, a lithium collecting chamber (10) separated by the partition, a lithium conducting tube (12) with one end arranged in the lithium collecting chamber and the other end penetrating the electrolytic cell, a flow sensor (14) arranged on the lithium conducting tube, a discharge valve (121) arranged on the lithium conducting tube, and a controller (9), wherein the top end of the partition is arranged on the electrolytic lithium layer (13); The feeding device is provided with a motor (52), a spiral scale (54), a weight sensor (56), and a speed sensor (58); the motor, the weight sensor, the speed sensor, and the flow sensor are electrically connected to the controller respectively.

2. A molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding device comprises a silo (51) with a feed valve (55) at the outlet, a motor (52), a spiral scale (54), a spiral pusher (53) placed on the spiral scale, a weight sensor (56) arranged on the spiral scale, a speed sensor (58) arranged at the end of the spiral pusher shaft, and a feed pipe (57) with electrolyte inserted at the bottom; the motor is connected to the other end of the spiral pusher shaft, the discharge port of the silo is softly connected to the feed port of the spiral pusher, and the discharge port of the silo is softly connected to the feed port of the feed pipe.

3. A molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The molten lithium electrolytic cell is provided with a liquid level interface meter (7) and a sound generator for monitoring the interface between the electrolyte and the electrolytic lithium. The liquid level interface meter and the sound generator are electrically connected to the controller respectively.

4. A molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The molten lithium electrolytic cell is provided with a temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller.

5. A molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement according to claim 1, characterized in that: A magnetic stirrer is arranged in the molten lithium electrolytic cell.

6. A molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement according to claim 1, characterized in that: An insulating base (31) is provided at the bottom of the anode, and the anode is inserted into the insulating base.

7. A molten lithium electrolytic cell with fully automatic internal flow field enhancement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The molten lithium electrolytic cell also includes a bracket for supporting a silo and a base (54a) for supporting a spiral scale.

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