Electrolytic production device for rare earth metal or alloy thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electrolytic production device for rare earth metals or alloys thereof. The electrolysis production device comprises a shell, an insulating layer, a lining layer, an anode and a receiver, the receiver is located in a cavity of the shell, the bottom of the receiver makes contact with the bottom of the shell, the included angle between the side wall of the receiver and the bottom of the shell is larger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees, and the receiver is arranged to receive liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy generated by electrolysis and serves as a cathode; the insulating layer is arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the shell and is in contact with the side wall of the receiver; the lining layer is arranged on the side, away from the shell, of the insulating layer, and the lining layer does not make contact with the receiver; the anode is arranged above the receiver, at least one part of the side wall of the anode is obliquely arranged, the included angle beta between the obliquely arranged side wall part of the anode and the bottom of the shell is smaller than or equal to 10 degrees, and alpha-beta is smaller than or equal to 10 degrees. The electrolysis production device is low in cell voltage and high in current utilization rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an electrolytic production device for rare earth metals or their alloys. Background Art

[0002] At present, rare earth metals are mainly obtained by electrolysis, which uses rare earth oxides as raw materials and fluorides as electrolytes. The above method mainly uses an open-type upper-inserted anode and cathode electrolytic cell, the cell chamber of which is made of graphite material, and the cathode and anode are inserted into the molten salt from the top of the electrolytic cell. During the use of such an electrolytic cell, the pole distance of the cell will gradually increase as the anode is consumed, and the voltage will also increase to a certain extent, resulting in energy waste.

[0003] CN103540961A discloses an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing light rare earth metals or alloys, including a heat-insulating layer. A heat exchange device is arranged inside the inner wall of the electrolytic cell. By forced heat exchange, the electrolyte is solidified on the surface of the inner wall to form an electrolyte crust protective layer. The starting cathode is installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and the electrolyte crust protective layer and the starting cathode constitute the tank chamber of the electrolytic cell. A plurality of graphite anode clamping bolts are clamped on the anode clamp, and the anode clamp is fixed on the lifting device. The anode clamp is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply through the anode busbar. The starting cathode is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply through the conductive plate and then the cathode busbar. The electrolytic cell is not suitable for large-scale production and has high energy consumption.

[0004] CN103614747A discloses a large-scale combined rare earth molten salt electrolytic cell system, including a large-scale combined graphite tank, a graphite anode, a tungsten cathode, a steel protective shell, a metal receiver, a water-cooled furnace cover, and an electrolytic power supply. The large-scale combined graphite tank is a large-scale combined graphite tank with arc surfaces at both ends, which is connected by mortise and tenon joints in blocks. A metal receiver is provided at the bottom of the large-scale combined graphite tank, and the metal receiver is inclined 5 to 10 degrees with the horizontal direction. Each tungsten cathode is connected to the enrichment of an independent electrolytic power supply, and the positive pole of each electrolytic power supply is connected to the water-cooled furnace cover, and each graphite anode is connected to the water-cooled furnace cover. During the use of the electrolytic cell system, the distance between the cathode and cathode will gradually increase, and the voltage will gradually increase, resulting in energy waste. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the utility model is to provide an electrolytic production device for rare earth metals or their alloys, the electrolytic production device has low cell voltage, high current utilization rate, and low anode residual rate. Furthermore, the electrolytic production device can be applied to large-scale industrial production.

[0006] The above object is achieved through the following scheme.

[0007] The utility model provides an electrolytic production device for rare earth metals or their alloys, comprising a shell, an insulating layer, an inner lining layer, an anode and a receiver;

[0008] The shell comprises a shell bottom and a shell side wall, and the shell bottom and the shell side wall enclose a shell cavity;

[0009] The receiver comprises a receiver bottom and a receiver side wall, the receiver is located in the shell cavity, the receiver bottom is in contact with the shell bottom, the angle between the receiver side wall and the shell bottom is α, α is greater than 0° and less than 90°, and the receiver is configured to receive liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy produced by electrolysis and used as a cathode;

[0010] The insulating layer is arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the housing and contacts the side wall of the receiver, and the insulating layer is arranged to prevent the receiver from forming a loop with the housing;

[0011] The inner lining layer is arranged on a side of the insulating layer away from the side wall of the shell, the inner lining layer does not contact the receiver, and the inner lining layer is arranged to prevent the electrolytic raw material from contacting the insulating layer;

[0012] The anode is arranged above the receiver, and at least a part of the side wall of the anode is inclined. The angle between the inclined anode side wall part and the bottom of the shell is β, and |α-β|≤10°.

[0013] According to the electrolysis production device of the utility model, preferably, the electrolysis production device further comprises an anode lifting mechanism, and the anode lifting mechanism is configured to adjust the distance between the anode and the receiver.

[0014] According to the electrolytic production device of the utility model, preferably, the electrolytic production device further comprises a cathode wire, one end of which is connected to the receiver, and the other end of which is used to be connected to the cathode of a power supply.

[0015] According to the electrolytic production device of the utility model, preferably, the projection of the anode on the plane where the bottom of the shell is located falls within the range of the projection of the receiver on the plane where the bottom of the shell is located.

[0016] According to the electrolysis production device of the utility model, preferably, the anode includes a first anode part and a second anode part; the second anode part is connected to the first anode part and is arranged below the first anode part; the second anode part includes a second anode part side wall, the second anode part side wall is inclined, and the angle between the second anode part side wall and the bottom of the shell is β.

[0017] According to the electrolytic production device of the utility model, preferably, 10°<α<50°, |α-β|≤5°.

[0018] According to the electrolytic production device of the utility model, preferably, the receiver contains liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy, and the liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy is used together with the receiver as a cathode.

[0019] According to the electrolysis production device of the utility model, preferably, an end of the lining layer away from the receiver is higher than an end of the insulating layer away from the receiver.

[0020] According to the electrolysis production device of the utility model, preferably, the first anode part includes a first anode part top, a first anode part bottom and a first anode part side wall;

[0021] The top of the first anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square, the side wall of the first anode part is a curved surface or a plane, and the bottom of the first anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square;

[0022] The surface area of ​​the top of the first anode portion is S 1 , the surface area of ​​the bottom of the first anode part is S 2 , then 0.8S 2 ≤S 1 ≤1.2S 2 ;

[0023] The angle between the side wall of the first anode portion and the bottom of the housing is greater than or equal to 80° and less than or equal to 90°;

[0024] The second anode portion further includes a second anode portion top and a second anode portion bottom;

[0025] The top of the second anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square, the side wall of the second anode part is a curved surface or a plane, and the bottom of the second anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square;

[0026] The top of the second anode portion is in contact with the bottom of the first anode portion;

[0027] The surface area of ​​the top of the second anode portion is S 3 , the surface area of ​​the bottom of the second anode portion is S 4 , then 0.8S 2 ≤S 3 ≤1.2S 2 , S 4 <S 3 ;

[0028] The first anode portion and the second anode portion are an integral structure.

[0029] According to the electrolysis production device of the utility model, preferably, the bottom of the receiver is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square, and the side wall of the receiver is a curved surface or a flat surface.

[0030] The structure of the electrolytic production device of the utility model can reduce the cell voltage and improve the current utilization rate. Furthermore, the distance between the anode and the receiver is adjustable, which can reduce the voltage increase caused by the anode loss. According to the preferred technical solution of the utility model, the cathode is powered directly to the receiver, which reduces the structural voltage drop. The electrolytic production device of the utility model can be applied to large-scale industrial production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 The utility model is a schematic structural diagram of an electrolytic production device for rare earth metals or their alloys.

[0032] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0033] 1-housing; 2-insulating layer; 3-lining layer; 41-first anode part; 42-second anode part; 5-receiver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0035] The electrolytic production device of the utility model comprises a shell, an insulating layer, an inner lining layer, an anode and a receiver, and in some embodiments, may further comprise one or more of an anode lifting mechanism and / or a cathode wire.

[0036] <Shell>

[0037] The shell of the utility model includes a shell bottom and a shell side wall. The shell bottom and the shell side wall enclose a shell cavity. The shell is used to contain electrolyte and rare earth metal, and can also keep the electrolyte and rare earth metal warm. Rare earth metal includes rare earth element and alloy containing rare earth element. The shell can be formed of graphite.

[0038] <Receiver>

[0039] The receiver of the utility model comprises a receiver bottom and a receiver side wall. The receiver is located in the housing cavity. The receiver bottom contacts the housing bottom. The receiver is configured to receive liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy produced by electrolysis and used as a cathode. In certain embodiments, the receiver contains liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy, and the liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy and the receiver are used together as a cathode.

[0040] The non-obtuse angle between the receiver side wall and the bottom of the housing is α. α is greater than 0° and less than 90°; preferably, α is greater than 10° and less than 50°; more preferably, α is greater than 15° and less than 45°. The receiver side wall can be a curved surface or a flat surface. In some embodiments, the receiver side wall is a smooth curved surface.

[0041] The receiver bottom can be selected from round, rectangular or square.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the receiver is formed of tungsten or molybdenum. The receiver may be a tungsten or molybdenum crucible.

[0043] The volume of the receiver may be 5 to 2000 cubic decimeters; preferably 20 to 1000 cubic decimeters.

[0044] <Insulation layer and lining layer>

[0045] The insulating layer of the utility model is arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the shell and contacts the side wall of the receiver. Due to the barrier effect of the insulating layer, the side wall of the receiver does not contact the side wall of the shell. A closed cavity is formed between the insulating layer, the side wall of the receiver and the side wall of the shell. During use, the electrolytic raw material does not enter the cavity. The insulating layer is arranged to prevent the receiver from forming a loop with the shell. The insulating layer can be formed by one or more of boron nitride, silicon nitride, nitrided silicon carbide, boron nitride-silicon nitride composite material, and rare earth oxide.

[0046] The inner lining layer of the utility model is arranged at a layer of the insulating layer away from the side wall of the shell. The inner lining layer is in contact with the insulating layer. The inner lining layer does not contact the receiver. The side of the inner lining layer away from the receiver is higher than the insulating layer. The inner lining layer is arranged to prevent the electrolytic raw material from contacting the insulating layer. The inner lining layer can be formed of graphite.

[0047] <Anode>

[0048] The anode of the utility model is arranged above the receiver. The anode is arranged in the shell cavity. At least a part of the side wall of the anode is arranged obliquely. The non-obtuse angle between the inclined anode side wall part and the shell bottom is β. |α-β|≤10°; preferably, |α-β|≤5°; more preferably, |α-β|≤2°. In some embodiments, α=β. The projection of the anode on the plane where the shell bottom is located falls within the range of the projection of the receiver on the plane where the shell bottom is located.

[0049] The anode may include a first anode portion and a second anode portion. The second anode portion is connected to the first anode portion and is disposed below the first anode portion. The first anode portion and the second anode portion may be an integral structure.

[0050] The first anode portion includes a first anode portion top, a first anode portion bottom and a first anode portion sidewall. The first anode portion top is substantially parallel to the first anode portion bottom. The first anode portion top is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square. The first anode portion bottom is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square. The first anode portion sidewall may be a curved surface or a flat surface. In some embodiments, the first anode portion sidewall is a smooth curved surface.

[0051] The surface area of ​​the top of the first anode portion can be denoted as S 1 The surface area of ​​the bottom of the first anode portion can be denoted as S 2 0.8S 2 ≤S 1 ≤1.2S 2 ; Preferably, 0.9S 2 ≤S 1 ≤1.1S 2 More preferably, S 1 and S 2 Basically equal.

[0052] The angle between the side wall of the first anode part and the bottom of the shell can be represented by γ. 80°≤γ≤90°; preferably, 85°≤γ≤90°; more preferably, 88°≤γ≤90°. The side wall of the first anode part is substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the shell.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the first anode portion is a cylinder.

[0054] The second anode portion includes a second anode portion side wall. The second anode portion side wall is inclined. The second anode portion side wall can be a plane or a curved surface. In some embodiments, the second anode portion side wall is a smooth curved surface. The non-obtuse angle between the second anode portion side wall and the bottom of the housing is β. The second anode portion side wall is substantially parallel to the receiver side wall.

[0055] The second anode portion also includes a second anode portion top and a second anode portion bottom. The second anode portion top and the second anode portion bottom are substantially parallel. The second anode portion top is in contact with the first anode portion bottom. The second anode portion top is selected from a circular, rectangular or square shape. The surface area of ​​the second anode portion top can be denoted as S 3 The bottom of the second anode portion is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square. The surface area of ​​the bottom of the second anode portion can be recorded as S 4 . S 3 >S 4 0.8S 2 ≤S 3 ≤1.2S 2 ; Preferably, 0.9S 2 ≤S 3 ≤1.1S2 More preferably, S 2 With S 3 Basically equal.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the second anode portion is a frustum of a cone.

[0057] In certain embodiments, the anode is formed from graphite.

[0058] The volume of the anode may be 0.1 to 10 cubic meters; preferably 0.15 to 8 cubic meters; more preferably 0.2 to 5 cubic meters.

[0059] <Anode lifting mechanism>

[0060] The anode lifting mechanism of the utility model is arranged to adjust the distance between the anode and the receiver.

[0061] The anode lifting mechanism may include an anode holding device and a servo electrolysis drive device. The anode holding device is fixed to the anode. The servo electrolysis drive device is connected to the anode holding device, and drives the anode holding device to move in a vertical direction. A lifting mechanism insulating layer is provided between the anode holding device and the anode. The lifting mechanism insulating layer is used to isolate the electricity introduced into the anode from the anode lifting mechanism.

[0062] <Cathode Lead>

[0063] One end of the cathode wire of the utility model is connected to the receiver, and the other end is used to be connected to the cathode of the power supply. Preferably, one end of the cathode wire is connected to the bottom of the receiver.

[0064] Example 1

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the electrolytic production device of rare earth metals or their alloys in this embodiment includes a shell 1, an insulating layer 2, a lining layer 3, an anode, a receiver 5, an anode lifting mechanism (not shown) and a cathode wire (not shown).

[0066] The shell 1 includes a shell bottom and a shell side wall, and the shell bottom and the shell side wall enclose a shell cavity. The shell 1 is used to contain electrolyte and rare earth metals, and to keep the electrolyte and rare earth metals warm. Rare earth metals include rare earth elements and alloys containing rare earth elements. In this embodiment, the shell 1 is formed of graphite.

[0067] The receiver 5 includes a receiver bottom and a receiver side wall. In the present embodiment, the receiver bottom is circular. The receiver side wall is a smooth curved surface. The receiver 5 is located in the housing cavity. The receiver bottom contacts the housing bottom. The angle between the receiver side wall and the housing bottom is α, and α is 15° in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the receiver 5 is a molybdenum crucible. The volume of the receiver 5 is 900 cubic decimeters.

[0068] The insulating layer 2 is arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the housing and contacts the side wall of the receiver. The side wall of the receiver does not contact the side wall of the housing. A closed cavity is formed between the insulating layer 2, the side wall of the receiver and the side wall of the housing. During use, the electrolytic raw material will not enter the cavity. The insulating layer 2 is used to prevent the receiver 5 from forming a loop with the housing 1. In this embodiment, the insulating layer 2 is formed of boron nitride.

[0069] The lining layer 3 is arranged on the side of the insulating layer 2 away from the side wall of the shell. The lining layer 3 is in contact with the insulating layer 2. The lining layer 3 does not contact the receiver 5. The end of the lining layer 3 away from the receiver 5 is slightly higher than the insulating layer 2. The lining layer 3 blocks the electrolyte from contacting the insulating layer 2. In this embodiment, the lining layer 3 is formed of graphite.

[0070] The anode is arranged in the housing cavity and above the receiver 5. The projection of the anode on the plane where the housing bottom is located falls within the range of the projection of the receiver 5 on the plane where the housing bottom is located.

[0071] The anode includes a first anode portion 41 and a second anode portion 42. The second anode portion 42 is connected to the first anode portion 41. The second anode portion 42 is disposed below the first anode portion 41. The first anode portion 41 and the second anode portion 42 are an integral structure.

[0072] The first anode portion 41 includes a first anode portion top, a first anode portion sidewall, and a first anode portion bottom. In this embodiment, the first anode portion top and the first anode portion bottom are both circular, and the first anode portion sidewall is a smooth curved surface. The surface area of ​​the first anode portion top is S 1 The surface area of ​​the bottom of the first anode portion is represented by S 2 Indicates that S 1 With S 2 The top of the first anode part and the bottom of the first anode part are substantially parallel. The side wall of the first anode part is substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the shell. In this embodiment, the first anode part 41 is a cylinder.

[0073] The second anode portion 42 includes a second anode portion top, a second anode portion sidewall, and a second anode portion bottom. In this embodiment, the second anode portion top and the second anode portion bottom are both circular, the second anode portion sidewall is a smooth curved surface, and the second anode portion top and the second anode portion bottom are substantially parallel. The surface area of ​​the second anode portion top is S 3 The surface area of ​​the bottom of the second anode portion is represented by S 4 The top of the second anode portion contacts the bottom of the first anode portion. 3 With S 2 Basically equal, S 3>S 4 In this embodiment, the second anode portion 42 is a truncated cone. The side wall of the second anode portion is inclined. The angle between the side wall of the second anode portion and the bottom of the housing is β. In this embodiment, β is 15°.

[0074] In this embodiment, the anode is formed of graphite and has a volume of 3 cubic meters.

[0075] One end of the cathode wire is connected to the bottom of the receiver, and the other end of the cathode wire is used to connect to the cathode of the power supply.

[0076] The anode lifting mechanism is connected to the anode. The anode lifting mechanism is used to adjust the distance between the anode and the receiver 5. The anode lifting mechanism may include an anode holding device and a servo motor driving device. The anode holding device is fixed to the anode. The servo motor driving device is connected to the anode holding device, which drives the anode holding device to move in the vertical direction. A lifting mechanism insulating layer is provided between the anode holding device and the anode, and the lifting mechanism insulating layer is used to isolate the electricity introduced into the anode from the anode raising and lowering mechanism.

[0077] Example 2

[0078] Except for the following structure, it is the same as Example 1:

[0079] The angle α between the side wall of the receiver and the bottom of the housing is 30°, and the angle β between the side wall of the second anode part and the bottom of the housing is 30°.

[0080] Example 3

[0081] Except for the following structure, it is the same as Example 1:

[0082] The angle α between the side wall of the receiver and the bottom of the housing is 45°, and the angle β between the side wall of the second anode part and the bottom of the housing is 45°.

[0083] Example 4

[0084] Except for the following structure, it is the same as Example 1:

[0085] The receiver 5 contains liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy, and the liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy and the receiver 5 are used together as a cathode.

[0086] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Without departing from the essential content of the present invention, any deformation, improvement, and substitution that can be thought of by those skilled in the art shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrolytic production device for rare earth metals or their alloys, characterized in that: The electrolytic production device comprises a shell, an insulating layer, a lining layer, an anode and a receiver; The shell comprises a shell bottom and a shell side wall, and the shell bottom and the shell side wall enclose a shell cavity; The receiver comprises a receiver bottom and a receiver side wall, the receiver is located in the shell cavity, the receiver bottom is in contact with the shell bottom, the angle between the receiver side wall and the shell bottom is α, α is greater than 0° and less than 90°, and the receiver is configured to receive liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy produced by electrolysis and used as a cathode; The insulating layer is arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the housing and contacts the side wall of the receiver, and the insulating layer is arranged to prevent the receiver from forming a loop with the housing; The inner lining layer is arranged on a side of the insulating layer away from the side wall of the shell, the inner lining layer does not contact the receiver, and the inner lining layer is arranged to prevent the electrolytic raw material from contacting the insulating layer; The anode is arranged above the receiver, and at least a part of the side wall of the anode is inclined. The angle between the inclined anode side wall part and the bottom of the shell is β, and |α-β|≤10°.

2. The electrolysis production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrolysis production device further comprises an anode lifting mechanism, which is configured to adjust the distance between the anode and the receiver.

3. The electrolysis production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrolysis production device also includes a cathode wire, one end of which is connected to the receiver, and the other end of which is used to be connected to the cathode of a power supply.

4. The electrolysis production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The projection of the anode on the plane where the bottom of the housing is located falls within the range of the projection of the receiver on the plane where the bottom of the housing is located.

5. The electrolysis production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anode includes a first anode part and a second anode part; the second anode part is connected to the first anode part and is arranged below the first anode part; the second anode part includes a second anode part side wall, the second anode part side wall is inclined, and the angle between the second anode part side wall and the bottom of the shell is β.

6. The electrolysis production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 10°＜α＜50°，|α-β|≤5°。 7. The electrolysis production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiver contains liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy, and the liquid rare earth metal or liquid rare earth alloy and the receiver are used together as a cathode.

8. The electrolysis production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A side of the lining layer away from the receiver is higher than a side of the insulating layer away from the receiver.

9. The electrolysis production device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first anode portion includes a first anode portion top, a first anode portion bottom, and a first anode portion sidewall; The top of the first anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square, the side wall of the first anode part is a curved surface or a plane, and the bottom of the first anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square; The surface area of ​​the top of the first anode part is S1, and the surface area of ​​the bottom of the first anode part is S2, then 0.8S2≤S1≤1.2S2; The angle between the side wall of the first anode portion and the bottom of the housing is greater than or equal to 80° and less than or equal to 90°; The second anode portion further includes a second anode portion top and a second anode portion bottom; The top of the second anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square, the side wall of the second anode part is a curved surface or a plane, and the bottom of the second anode part is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square; The top of the second anode portion is in contact with the bottom of the first anode portion; The surface area of ​​the top of the second anode part is S3, and the surface area of ​​the bottom of the second anode part is S4, then 0.8S2≤S3≤1.2S2, S4<S3; The first anode portion and the second anode portion are an integral structure.

10. The electrolysis production device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The bottom of the receiver is selected from a circle, a rectangle or a square, and the side wall of the receiver is a curved surface or a flat surface.

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