Electrolytic bath temperature on-line monitoring device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolytic aluminum production. The electrolytic bath temperature online monitoring device comprises a base, a mechanical arm and a crust breaking temperature measuring assembly, one end of the mechanical arm is arranged on the base, and the other end of the mechanical arm is connected with the crust breaking temperature measuring assembly; the mechanical arm is used for controlling the crust breaking and temperature measuring assembly to conduct crust breaking and temperature measuring operation. The crust breaking and temperature measuring assembly is carried by the mechanical arm to achieve automatic crust breaking and temperature measuring, safety risks such as scalding and gas injury caused by manual operation in dangerous environments such as high temperature and easy gas leakage are avoided, meanwhile, the labor intensity of operators is reduced, operation errors caused by manual fatigue are avoided, and the working efficiency is improved. Therefore, the problems of high labor intensity, high safety risk, low measurement frequency, poor data real-time performance and temperature adjustment lagging existing in manual measurement in traditional electrolytic bath temperature monitoring are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrolytic aluminum production technology, and more specifically, to an online monitoring device for the temperature of an electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] In electrolytic aluminum production, the cryolite-alumina molten salt electrolysis method is the core process. Alumina serves as the electrolyte, and cryolite as the flux, undergoing an electrochemical reaction under the influence of direct current to produce aluminum. Electrolyte temperature is a key parameter affecting the electrolysis process. Studies have shown that, without worsening other process conditions, a 10°C decrease in electrolyte temperature can increase current efficiency by 1–2%. Therefore, maintaining a stable and suitable electrolysis temperature is crucial for improving production efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

[0003] Traditional electrolytic cell temperature monitoring mainly relies on manual measurement, which has significant drawbacks: manual operation is not only labor-intensive and has high safety risks, but also has low measurement frequency and poor data real-time performance, resulting in a lag in electrolyte temperature adjustment. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells, which aims to solve the problems of high labor intensity, high safety risks, low measurement frequency, poor data real-time performance, and delayed temperature adjustment in traditional manual temperature monitoring of electrolytic cells.

[0005] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] An online temperature monitoring device for an electrolytic cell includes: a base, a robotic arm, and a shell-breaking temperature measuring component. One end of the robotic arm is mounted on the base, and the other end of the robotic arm is connected to the shell-breaking temperature measuring component.

[0007] The robotic arm is used to control the shell-breaking and temperature-measuring component to perform shell-breaking and temperature-measuring operations.

[0008] Optionally, the robotic arm includes a support arm, a first rotating mechanism, a second rotating mechanism, a third rotating mechanism, and a fourth rotating mechanism connected in sequence. The support arm is mounted on the base, and the shell-breaking temperature measuring component is mounted on the fourth rotating mechanism.

[0009] Optionally, the first rotating mechanism includes a first driving component and a first rotating arm, the first driving component is disposed on the support arm, and the first rotating arm is rotatably connected to the first driving component;

[0010] The second rotating mechanism includes a second driving component and a second rotating arm. The second driving component is disposed on the first rotating arm, and the second rotating arm is rotatably connected to the second driving component.

[0011] The third rotating mechanism includes a third driving component and a third rotating arm. The third driving component is disposed on the second rotating arm, and the third rotating arm is rotatably connected to the third rotating component.

[0012] The fourth rotating mechanism includes a rotating body and a fourth driving component. The fourth driving component is connected to the third rotating arm, and the rotating body is rotatably connected to the fourth driving component.

[0013] The shell-breaking temperature measuring component is connected to the rotating body.

[0014] Optionally, the second rotating arm is provided with a telescopic arm, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the second rotating arm and the third driving component.

[0015] Optionally, the rotation plane of the first rotating arm is parallel to the rotation plane of the second rotating arm, the rotation plane of the third rotating arm is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the second rotating arm, and the rotation plane of the rotating body is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the third rotating arm.

[0016] Optionally, the first drive component, the second drive component, the third drive component, and the fourth drive component are all servo motors.

[0017] Optionally, the support arm is rotatably connected to the base.

[0018] Optionally, the robotic arm is a six-axis robotic arm structure.

[0019] Optionally, the shell-breaking temperature measuring assembly includes a shell, a telescopic sleeve, and a temperature measuring element. The shell is provided with a receiving cavity corresponding to the telescopic sleeve. The telescopic sleeve is slidably connected to the receiving cavity, and the temperature measuring element is slidably connected to the cavity of the telescopic sleeve.

[0020] Optionally, there are several telescopic sleeves, and each telescopic sleeve is slidably sleeved together in sequence.

[0021] The technical solution of this utility model has at least the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0022] Automated operation replaces manual operation, significantly improving safety and reliability: By using a robotic arm equipped with a shell-breaking and temperature measurement component, automated shell breaking and temperature measurement are achieved, avoiding safety risks such as burns and gas injuries that occur when working manually in hazardous environments such as high temperatures and easily leaking gases. At the same time, it reduces the labor intensity of operators, avoids operational errors caused by human fatigue, and improves the safety and reliability of the electrolytic cell temperature monitoring process.

[0023] High-frequency real-time monitoring enables precise control of electrolysis temperature dynamics: Through the program control of the robotic arm, high-frequency and periodic temperature monitoring is achieved, and electrolyte temperature data is acquired in real time and fed back to the control system. This solves the problem of poor real-time performance of manual measurement data, and provides timely and accurate basis for dynamic adjustment of the electrolytic cell temperature. This ensures that the electrolyte temperature is stable within the high-efficiency production range, helps improve current efficiency, and reduces energy consumption and production costs from the root.

[0024] Integrated structural design improves operational efficiency and measurement accuracy: The integrated design of the robotic arm and the shell-breaking temperature measurement component can precisely control the shell-breaking depth and temperature measurement position, avoiding measurement errors caused by force and angle deviations in manual operation, and ensuring the consistency of temperature measurement points and data accuracy; at the same time, the flexible movement characteristics of the robotic arm can cover the temperature measurement needs of different areas of the electrolytic cell, realizing multi-point, all-round monitoring, and providing data support for the fine control of the electrolysis process.

[0025] Intelligent production adaptation promotes the automation upgrade of the electrolytic aluminum industry: Through the automated control of the robotic arm, the device can be seamlessly connected to the intelligent manufacturing system of the electrolytic cell, and form a closed-loop control with the upper computer data interaction. This lays the hardware foundation for the intelligent and unmanned transformation of electrolytic aluminum production, effectively improves the automation level of the production process, and conforms to the development trend of modern industry towards high efficiency, energy saving and safety. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded structure of the shell-opening temperature measuring component of the online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Icons: 1-Base, 2-Support arm, 3-First drive assembly, 4-First rotating arm, 5-Second drive assembly, 6-Second rotating arm, 7-Telescopic arm, 8-Third drive assembly, 9-Third rotating arm, 10-Rotating body, 11-Fourth drive assembly, 12-Shell-opening temperature measuring assembly, 1201-Shell, 1202-Telescopic sleeve, 1203-Temperature measuring element. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2An online temperature monitoring device for an electrolytic cell includes: a base 1, a robotic arm, and a shell-breaking temperature measurement component 11. One end of the robotic arm is mounted on the base 1, and the other end is connected to the shell-breaking temperature measurement component 11. The robotic arm controls the shell-breaking temperature measurement component 11 to perform shell-breaking and temperature measurement operations. It adopts a six-axis robotic arm structure with a high-precision servo motor at the end, enabling X, Y, and Z-axis translation and pitch / rotation composite motion to accurately locate any temperature measurement point within the electrolytic cell. The robotic arm is covered with a ceramic fiber insulation layer and integrates a water-cooled circulation pipeline to ensure continuous operation in a high-temperature electrolysis environment. It integrates a laser positioner and infrared thermal imaging for dual positioning, and uses a BP neural network algorithm to compensate for coordinate errors. The shell-breaking temperature measurement component 11 breaks up the electrolyte shell and measures the temperature of the electrolytic cell.

[0032] In some embodiments, the robotic arm includes a support arm 2, a first rotating mechanism, a second rotating mechanism, a third rotating mechanism, and a fourth rotating mechanism connected in sequence. The support arm 2 is disposed on the base 1, and the shell-breaking temperature measuring component 11 is disposed on the fourth rotating mechanism.

[0033] The support arm is fixed to the base 1 at its bottom using high-strength bolts or flanges. The base is made of a high-temperature resistant and corrosion-resistant metal alloy (such as stainless steel or nickel-based alloy), and is equipped with shock-absorbing pads at the bottom to reduce the impact of electrolytic cell vibration on the robotic arm. The support arm adopts a hollow truss structure, with integrated water-cooled circulation piping (such as copper or titanium alloy pipes) inside, and is wrapped with multiple layers of ceramic fiber insulation (5-10mm thick) on the outside, providing both rigid support and thermal insulation. The support arm can be designed to be telescopic (e.g., driven by an electric push rod) to achieve vertical lifting and lowering in the Z-axis direction, expanding the temperature measurement range.

[0034] The first rotating mechanism uses a high-precision servo motor, such as a hollow shaft servo motor, paired with a harmonic reducer to achieve 360° horizontal rotation without dead angles. One end of the first rotating mechanism is fixed to the top of the support arm via a flange, and the other end is connected to the second rotating mechanism. The rotation axis is perpendicular to the ground, ensuring that the robotic arm can flexibly adjust its orientation in the horizontal plane.

[0035] The second rotating mechanism is used to realize the pitching motion of the robotic arm in the vertical plane. It uses a servo motor to drive the crank-connecting rod mechanism or directly drive the swing arm. High-temperature bearings, such as ceramic bearings, are installed at the joints, and the surface is sprayed with a high-temperature lubricating coating to reduce wear in high-temperature environments.

[0036] The third rotating mechanism uses a ball screw or linear guide combined with a servo motor to achieve horizontal extension and retraction in the X-axis direction, with a stroke covering the width range of the electrolytic cell.

[0037] The fourth rotating mechanism integrates pitch and rotation degrees of freedom. The pitch degree of freedom is used to tilt the shell-breaking temperature measurement component up and down, adapting to the shell-breaking requirements at different angles. The rotation degree of freedom is used to achieve the circumferential rotation of the shell-breaking temperature measurement component 12, allowing adjustment of the temperature probe direction. A high-resolution encoder, such as an absolute encoder, is mounted at the end of the fourth rotating mechanism, working in conjunction with a servo motor for closed-loop control. It connects to the shell-breaking temperature measurement component 11 via a quick-change interface, supporting rapid disassembly and maintenance. Based on a six-axis kinematic model, the angles of each joint are calculated using an inverse kinematics algorithm. Combined with a laser positioner to obtain the electrolytic cell coordinates and infrared thermal imaging to identify the shell position, a BP neural network algorithm compensates for the positioning error of the robotic arm end effector in real time.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first rotating mechanism includes a first driving assembly 3 and a first rotating arm 4. The first driving assembly 3 is mounted on the support arm 2, and the first rotating arm 4 is rotatably connected to the first driving assembly 3. The first driving assembly 3 employs a high-precision servo motor, such as a hollow shaft servo motor, paired with a harmonic reducer. The first driving assembly 3 is fixed to the top of the support arm 2 by high-strength bolts or a flange structure. One end of the first rotating arm 4 is rotatably connected to the output shaft of the first driving assembly 3 via a key connection or coupling.

[0039] The second rotating mechanism includes a second drive assembly 5 and a second rotating arm 6. The second drive assembly 5 is mounted on the first rotating arm 4, and the second rotating arm 6 is rotatably connected to the second drive assembly 5. The second drive assembly 5 employs a servo motor to drive a crank-connecting rod mechanism or directly drives the swing arm. The second drive assembly 5 is installed at the other end of the first rotating arm 4, and its joints are equipped with high-temperature resistant bearings, such as ceramic bearings, with a high-temperature resistant lubricating coating sprayed onto the bearing surface. One end of the second rotating arm 6 is connected to the output end of the second drive assembly 5 via a revolute joint, enabling the robotic arm to perform pitching movements in the vertical plane.

[0040] The third rotation mechanism includes a third drive assembly 8 and a third rotation arm 9. The third drive assembly 8 is mounted on the second rotation arm 6, and the third rotation arm 9 is rotatably connected to the third rotation assembly 8. The third drive assembly 8 drives the third rotation arm 9 to rotate.

[0041] The fourth rotating mechanism includes a rotating body 10 and a fourth drive assembly 11. The fourth drive assembly 11 is connected to the third rotating arm 9, and the rotating body 10 is rotatably connected to the fourth drive assembly 11. The shell-breaking temperature measuring assembly 12 is connected to the rotating body 10. The fourth drive assembly 11 drives the rotating body 10, and the rotating body 10 drives the shell-breaking temperature measuring assembly 12 to perform a shell-breaking operation. When temperature monitoring is required, the spatial position of the shell-breaking temperature measuring assembly 12 is adjusted by the robotic arm to perform the corresponding temperature measurement.

[0042] In some embodiments, a telescopic arm 7 is provided on the second rotating arm 6, with its two ends connected to the second rotating arm 6 and the third drive assembly 8, respectively. The telescopic arm 7 is designed as a telescopic structure, for example, driven by an electric actuator. Electric actuators offer advantages such as controllable stroke and fast response, allowing the length of the telescopic arm 7 to be adjusted according to actual needs. The two ends of the telescopic arm 7 are connected to the second rotating arm 6 and the third drive assembly 8, respectively, through appropriate connection methods. The connection between one end and the second rotating arm 6 can utilize high-strength bolts or flanges to ensure a robust connection capable of withstanding various forces and torques generated by the robotic arm during movement. The other end is connected to the third drive assembly 8 using the same method to ensure effective force transmission. When the robotic arm needs to perform large-range movement adjustments, the telescopic arm 7 can extend or retract according to a preset program or real-time control commands.

[0043] In some embodiments, the rotation plane of the first rotating arm 4 is parallel to the rotation plane of the second rotating arm 6, the rotation plane of the third rotating arm 9 is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the second rotating arm 6, and the rotation plane of the rotating body 10 is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the third rotating arm 9. This specific rotation plane relationship design makes the movement of the robotic arm more flexible in all directions. The parallel relationship between the first rotating arm 4 and the second rotating arm 6 facilitates the coordinated movement of the robotic arm in the horizontal and vertical planes, enabling smoother adjustment of the robotic arm's orientation and pitch angle. The perpendicular relationship between the third rotating arm 9 and the second rotating arm 6, as well as the perpendicular relationship between the rotating body 10 and the third rotating arm 9, allows the robotic arm to achieve independent and precise motion control in the X, Y, and Z axes. The specific angular relationship between the rotating arms enables the robotic arm to achieve a wider range of motion in three-dimensional space.

[0044] In some embodiments, the support arm 2 is rotatably connected to the base 1. This rotatable connection allows the robotic arm greater flexibility in the horizontal direction. Without moving the base 1, the robotic arm can adjust its working direction by rotating the support arm 2, thereby covering a wider area of ​​the electrolytic cell and meeting the needs of temperature monitoring and shell-breaking operations at different locations, improving the versatility and applicability of the device. In some complex electrolytic cell environments, there may be obstacles or specific workspace limitations. The rotation function of the support arm 2 allows the robotic arm to flexibly avoid obstacles and approach the temperature measurement points or shell-breaking positions within the electrolytic cell at a more suitable angle, improving operational flexibility and success rate, and reducing situations where operations cannot be completed due to space limitations.

[0045] In some embodiments, the shell-breaking temperature measuring assembly 12 includes a shell 1201, a telescopic sleeve 1202, and a temperature measuring element 1203. The shell 1201 is provided with a receiving cavity corresponding to the telescopic sleeve 1202. The telescopic sleeve 1202 is slidably connected to the receiving cavity, and the temperature measuring element 1203 is slidably connected to the cavity of the telescopic sleeve 1202. The shell 1201 can be a shell with a certain space, and its interior is provided with a receiving cavity. The shape and size of the receiving cavity match the telescopic sleeve 1202 to ensure that the telescopic sleeve 1202 can slide smoothly within the receiving cavity. The shell 1201 can be made of a high-temperature resistant and high-strength material, such as stainless steel or ceramic, to adapt to the high-temperature and harsh working environment inside the electrolytic cell. The temperature measuring element 1203 is placed inside the cavity of the telescopic sleeve 1202 and forms a slidable connection with the cavity. The temperature measuring element 1203 can be a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple or a resistance temperature detector (RTD), and its front end is designed to directly contact the electrolyte for temperature measurement. The temperature sensor 1203 is connected to an external display or recording device via wires to transmit the measured temperature data. When a shell-breaking operation is required, the robotic arm controls the shell-breaking temperature sensor assembly 12 to move to a designated position. At this time, the telescopic sleeve 1202 extends or retracts as needed to adjust the position and length of the shell-breaking tool (which can be installed at the front end of the telescopic sleeve 1202) to accommodate electrolyte shells of different thicknesses and positions. After shell-breaking is completed, if temperature measurement is required, the telescopic sleeve 1202 is further adjusted so that the temperature sensor 1203 extends from the cavity of the telescopic sleeve 1202, contacts the electrolyte surface, or inserts into the electrolyte for accurate temperature measurement. After the measurement is completed, the temperature sensor 1203 retracts into the cavity of the telescopic sleeve 1202, and the telescopic sleeve 1202 also retracts into the storage cavity of the housing 1201, awaiting the next operation.

[0046] In some embodiments, there are multiple telescopic sleeves 1202, each of which is sequentially slidably sleeved. To achieve the telescopic movement of the telescopic sleeves 1202, a drive device, such as a small electric push rod or a pneumatic device, can be provided at the end of each telescopic sleeve 1202. These drive devices are coordinated and controlled by a control system. The control system sends commands to each drive device according to the needs of the shell-breaking and temperature measurement operations, controlling the extension or retraction length of the telescopic sleeves 1202. For example, when it is necessary to break up a thick electrolyte shell, the control system commands multiple telescopic sleeves to extend sequentially, increasing the extension length of the shell-breaking tool (installed at the front end of the outermost telescopic sleeve); after the shell-breaking is completed, if temperature measurement is required, the control system commands the telescopic sleeves to adjust so that the temperature measuring element 1203 can accurately reach the measurement position. Multiple telescopic sleeves 1202 that are sequentially slidably sleeved allow for a larger telescopic range of the shell-breaking and temperature measuring assembly 12. When facing electrolyte shells of different thicknesses and locations, the position and length of the shell-breaking tool can be flexibly adjusted, improving the success rate of the shell-breaking operation. For example, for thicker crusts, the shell-breaking tool can have sufficient impact force to break the crust by extending multiple telescopic sleeves in sequence; for crusts in different locations, the shell-breaking tool can also be accurately reached by adjusting the length of the telescopic sleeves.

Claims

1. An online temperature monitoring device for an electrolytic cell, characterized in that, include: The base (1), the robotic arm and the shell-breaking temperature measuring component (11) are provided. One end of the robotic arm is set on the base (1), and the other end of the robotic arm is connected to the shell-breaking temperature measuring component (11). The robotic arm is used to control the shell-breaking and temperature-measuring assembly (11) to perform shell-breaking and temperature-measuring operations.

2. The on-line temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein, The robotic arm includes a support arm (2), a first rotating mechanism, a second rotating mechanism, a third rotating mechanism and a fourth rotating mechanism connected in sequence. The support arm (2) is mounted on the base (1), and the shell-breaking temperature measuring component (11) is mounted on the fourth rotating mechanism.

3. The online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first rotating mechanism includes a first driving component (3) and a first rotating arm (4). The first driving component (3) is disposed on the support arm (2), and the first rotating arm (4) is rotatably connected to the first driving component (3). The second rotating mechanism includes a second driving component (5) and a second rotating arm (6). The second driving component (5) is disposed on the first rotating arm (4), and the second rotating arm (6) is rotatably connected to the second driving component (5). The third rotating mechanism includes a third driving component (8) and a third rotating arm (9). The third driving component (8) is disposed on the second rotating arm (6), and the third rotating arm (9) is rotatably connected to the third rotating component (8). The fourth rotating mechanism includes a rotating body (10) and a fourth driving assembly (11). The fourth driving assembly (11) is connected to the third rotating arm (9), and the rotating body (10) is rotatably connected to the fourth driving assembly (11). The shell-breaking temperature measuring component (12) is connected to the rotating body (10).

4. The online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second rotating arm (6) is provided with a telescopic arm (7), and the two ends of the telescopic arm (7) are respectively connected to the second rotating arm (6) and the third driving component (8).

5. The online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The rotation plane of the first rotating arm (4) is parallel to the rotation plane of the second rotating arm (6), the rotation plane of the third rotating arm (9) is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the second rotating arm (6), and the rotation plane of the rotating body (10) is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the third rotating arm (9).

6. The online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first drive component (3), the second drive component (5), the third drive component (8) and the fourth drive component (11) are all servo motors.

7. The online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells as described in any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that, The support arm (2) is rotatably connected to the base (1).

8. The online temperature monitoring device for electrolytic cells as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The robotic arm is a six-axis robotic arm structure.

9. The on-line electrolyzer temperature monitoring device of claim 1, wherein, The shell-breaking temperature measuring assembly (12) includes a shell (1201), a telescopic sleeve (1202), and a temperature measuring element (1203). The shell (1201) is provided with a receiving cavity corresponding to the telescopic sleeve (1202). The telescopic sleeve (1202) is slidably connected to the receiving cavity, and the temperature measuring element (1203) is slidably connected to the cavity of the telescopic sleeve (1202).

10. The on-line electrolyzer temperature monitoring apparatus of claim 9, wherein, There are several telescopic sleeves (1202), and each telescopic sleeve (1202) is slidably sleeved together in sequence.

Images