Tank width gasket for electrolytic bath for chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis

Abstract

The utility model is suitable for the technical field of electrolytic cells, and particularly relates to a cell width gasket for an electrolytic cell for chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis. The cell width gasket for the chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis electrolytic cell comprises an anode gasket and a cathode gasket, the anode gasket and the cathode gasket are symmetrically distributed and mounted on a unit cell sealing surface of the electrolytic cell, and an ionic membrane is mounted between the anode gasket and the cathode gasket; according to the cell width gasket for the chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis electrolytic cell, the elastic sealing performance of contact between a sealing layer and a flange face can be guaranteed, meanwhile, the good insulation performance is achieved, and when damage occurs in the later period, the cathode sealing layer or the anode sealing layer can be repaired to achieve the reuse purpose; and the coating layer is in direct contact with corrosive electrolyte, so that corrosion is avoided, and the shutdown consequence caused by the substrate in the operation process of the electrolytic cell is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electrolytic cell technology, and in particular relates to a cell width gasket for electrolytic cells used in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis. Background Technology

[0002] The chlor-alkali industry produces chlorine (Cl2), hydrogen (H2), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) by electrolyzing saturated brine (NaCl solution), with the core equipment being the electrolytic cell. In contrast, the alkyl water electrolysis industry produces high-purity hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using an alkaline solution (such as 20-30% KOH), and the core equipment for this process is also the electrolytic cell. Regardless of whether the electrolytic cell is used in the chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis industry, the core equipment is always an alkaline water electrolytic cell.

[0003] Alkaline water electrolyzers are typically composed of dozens to hundreds of electrode plates connected in series. The insulation and sealing between the electrode plates are the key to ensuring the normal operation of the electrolyzer, and the sealing gaskets are the core of the reliable and efficient operation of the alkaline water electrolyzer.

[0004] The sealing gaskets provided in related technologies mostly include anode gaskets and cathode gaskets. The anode gaskets and cathode gaskets are installed and fixed in the unit cell of the electrolytic cell. At the same time, an ion membrane is installed between the anode gaskets and cathode gaskets to distribute brine during the electrolytic cell's operation and complete the electrolytic operation.

[0005] Both the anode and cathode gaskets provided use EPDM rubber as the gasket body. Although compared to using EPDM rubber gaskets as the sealing layer, the gaskets made with this material can maintain insulation and sealing functions while increasing strength, allowing for repeated compression and high reusability, there are also obvious problems and defects. EPDM rubber has poor corrosion resistance. If the sealing layer of the substrate leaks, the highly corrosive electrolyte will leak and come into direct contact with the gasket substrate, causing strong corrosion and ultimately rendering the entire gasket unusable. Moreover, because the substrate made of EPDM rubber has good plasticity and can provide good sealing performance, it is not easy for the electrolyte in the unit cell to pass through sufficient brine smoothly. This prevents optimization of brine distribution during the electrolytic cell's operation, resulting in generally poor electrolytic performance of the entire cell.

[0006] In view of the problems in the background art mentioned above, the present invention aims to provide a tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell used in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell used in the electrolysis of chlor-alkali or alkyl water and a method for producing the same, aiming to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, such as the substrate of the gasket being easily corroded and the overall electrolytic performance of the electrolytic cell being generally poor.

[0008] This invention is achieved by providing a tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell used in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis, the tank width gasket comprising:

[0009] Anode gaskets and cathode gaskets are symmetrically distributed and installed on the sealing surface of the unit cell of the electrolytic cell, and an ion membrane is installed between the anode gaskets and the cathode gaskets.

[0010] The cathode gasket includes a cathode gasket body, which includes a cathode substrate. A waterline groove is formed on one side of the cathode substrate, and waterline protrusions are evenly distributed at the location of the waterline groove. A cathode coating layer is wrapped around the side of the cathode substrate where the waterline groove is formed, and a cathode sealing layer is wrapped around the other side of the cathode substrate. The wrapped cathode coating layer is L-shaped, with one end of the cathode coating layer abutting against the cathode sealing layer away from the flange surface, and the other side of the cathode coating layer abutting against the side of the cathode gasket perpendicular to the flange surface.

[0011] The anode gasket includes an anode gasket body, which includes an anode substrate. One side of the anode substrate is covered with an anode coating layer, and the other side of the anode substrate is covered with an anode sealing layer. The covered anode coating layer is L-shaped, with one end of the anode coating layer abutting against the anode sealing layer away from the flange surface, and the other side of the anode coating layer abutting against the side of the anode substrate perpendicular to the flange surface.

[0012] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the cathode substrate of the anode gasket is made of the same material as the anode substrate of the cathode gasket, which is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet; the cathode sealing layer is made of the same material as the anode sealing layer, which is a tereethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber layer; the cathode coating layer is made of the same material as the anode coating layer, which is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer.

[0013] As a further embodiment of this utility model: a cathode mounting hole is formed on the surface of the cathode pad body, and an anode mounting hole is formed on the surface of the anode pad body.

[0014] As a further embodiment of this utility model: a right-angled toothed waterline is formed between adjacent waterline protrusions evenly distributed inside the waterline groove, the tooth pitch of the right-angled toothed waterline is 0.61 mm, and the waterline depth of the right-angled toothed waterline is 0.4-0.6 mm; the annular waterline protrusion formed on the surface of the anode gasket body is also a right-angled toothed waterline, the tooth pitch of the right-angled toothed waterline is 0.61 mm, and the waterline depth of the right-angled toothed waterline is 0.4-0.6 mm.

[0015] The method for producing the cell width gasket for the electrolytic cell of the above-mentioned chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis includes the following steps:

[0016] S1. First, design the mold. After the mold design is completed, place the raw material for making the substrate, namely polytetrafluoroethylene, into the mold, heat, melt, press, cool and form it to make the substrate.

[0017] S2. Process the surface of the formed substrate by grinding and removing burrs to make the substrate surface flat and smooth.

[0018] S3. After the substrate surface treatment is completed, a coating layer and a sealing layer are applied to the substrate surface. The coating layer uses a double-sided adhesive polytetrafluoroethylene elastic strip, while the sealing layer uses a composite EPDM rubber layer; and

[0019] S4. Finally, the fabricated anode gasket, cathode gasket, and ion membrane are assembled in the unit cell of the electrolytic cell. The anode gasket, ion membrane, and cathode gasket are sealed together by a hydraulic press or tie rod to form the core component of the unit cell of the electrolytic cell. The gasket's covering layer is attached to the surface of the ion membrane, while the gasket's sealing layer, i.e., the composite EPDM rubber layer, is bonded to the sealing surface of the electrolytic cell (i.e., the flange position) with adhesive.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0021] The cell width gasket for chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis has the following advantages compared with currently produced electrolysis cell gaskets:

[0022] This invention replaces the EPDM rubber material used to make the gasket with a PTFE sheet. A waterline groove is formed on one side of the cathode substrate, with uniformly distributed waterline protrusions at the groove location. The cathode substrate is covered with a cathode coating layer on the side forming the waterline groove, and a cathode sealing layer on the other side. The cathode coating layer is L-shaped, with one end abutting against the cathode sealing layer away from the flange face, and the other side abutting against the side of the cathode gasket perpendicular to the flange face. Similarly, an anode substrate is covered with an anode coating layer on one side and an anode sealing layer on the other side. The anode coating layer is L-shaped, with one end abutting against the anode sealing layer away from the flange face, and the other side abutting against the side of the anode substrate perpendicular to the flange face. The sealing layer is made of EPDM rubber, a rubber copolymer, and the coating layer is made of PTFE.

[0023] This design ensures both the elastic sealing between the sealing layer and the flange surface and good insulation performance. Furthermore, in the event of damage, the cathode or anode sealing layer can be repaired for reuse. The coating layer directly contacts the corrosive electrolyte without causing corrosion, ensuring that the electrolytic cell will not experience shutdowns due to substrate issues during operation.

[0024] In addition, right-angled toothed water lines are formed between adjacent water line protrusions that are evenly distributed inside the water line grooves on the surface of the cathode plate, and the annular water line protrusions formed on the surface of the anode pad are also right-angled toothed water lines. In this way, the brine can be passed through the brine by forming right-angled toothed water lines on the substrate surface, thus optimizing the brine distribution in the electrolyzer during the electrolysis process. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell used in the electrolysis of chlor-alkali or alkyl water according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cathode gasket structure for a chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis cell according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a side view of the cathode gasket of an electrolytic cell for chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the anode gasket of an electrolytic cell for chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a side view of the anode gasket of an electrolytic cell for chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis according to the present invention.

[0030] In the figure: 1-Anode gasket, 2-Cathode gasket, 3-Cathode gasket body, 4-Cathode mounting hole, 5-Water line groove, 6-Water line protrusion, 7-Anode gasket body, 8-Anode mounting hole, 9-Annular water line protrusion, 10-Cathode coating layer, 11-Cathode substrate, 12-Cathode sealing layer, 13-Anode coating layer, 14-Anode substrate, 15-Anode sealing layer. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of this utility model, but not all embodiments.

[0032] The components of the present invention embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings can typically be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention.

[0033] Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] Please see Figure 1-5 This utility model provides a technical solution: a tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell used in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis, the tank width gasket comprising:

[0037] Anode gasket 1 and cathode gasket 2 are symmetrically distributed and installed on the sealing surface of the unit cell of the electrolytic cell. An ion membrane is installed between the anode gasket 1 and the cathode gasket 2. The anode gasket 1, the ion membrane and the cathode gasket 2 are locked together by a hydraulic press or a tie rod, so that the anode gasket 1, the ion membrane and the cathode gasket 2 are sealed together to form the core component of the unit cell of the electrolytic cell.

[0038] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 4The cathode gasket 2 includes a cathode gasket body 3, which includes a cathode substrate 11. A waterline groove 5 is formed on one side of the cathode substrate 11, and waterline protrusions 6 are evenly distributed at the location of the waterline groove 5. A cathode coating layer 10 is wrapped around the side of the cathode substrate 11 where the waterline groove 5 is formed, and a cathode sealing layer 12 is wrapped around the other side of the cathode substrate 11. The wrapped cathode coating layer 10 is L-shaped, with one end abutting against the cathode sealing layer 12 away from the flange surface, and the other side abutting against the side of the cathode gasket 2 perpendicular to the flange surface. Because the cathode coating layer 10, wrapped around the outside of the cathode substrate 11, directly contacts the corrosive electrolyte, no corrosion occurs, ensuring that the electrolytic cell will not stop operating due to the cathode gasket 2. The cathode sealing layer 12, located on one side of the cathode substrate 11, directly contacts the flange surface, serving to seal and insulate between the flange and the cathode gasket 2.

[0039] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 5 The anode gasket 1 includes an anode gasket body 7, which includes an anode substrate 14. One side of the anode substrate 14 is covered with an anode coating layer 13, and the other side of the anode substrate 14 is covered with an anode sealing layer 15. The covered anode coating layer 13 is L-shaped, with one end of the anode coating layer 13 abutting against the anode sealing layer 15 away from the flange surface, and the other side of the anode coating layer 13 abutting against the side of the anode substrate 14 perpendicular to the flange surface. By having the anode coating layer 13 covering the outside of the anode substrate 14 directly contact the corrosive electrolyte, corrosion will not occur, ensuring that the electrolytic cell will not stop due to the anode substrate 14 during operation. The anode sealing layer 15 covering the cathode mounting hole 4 of the anode substrate 1 is in direct contact with the flange surface, serving to seal and insulate between the flange and the cathode gasket 2.

[0040] In one embodiment of this utility model, the cathode substrate 11 of the anode gasket 1 is made of the same material as the anode substrate 14 of the cathode gasket 2, both being polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheets; the cathode sealing layer 12 and the anode sealing layer 15 are made of the same material, both being EPDM rubber layers of rubber copolymers; the cathode coating layer 10 and the anode coating layer 13 are made of the same material, both being PTFE layers; the materials of the cathode substrate 11, anode substrate 14, cathode coating layer 10, and anode coating layer 13 are all PTFE, which will not cause corrosion, ensuring that the electrolytic cell will not stop operating due to the anode gasket 1 and cathode gasket 2; and the materials of the cathode sealing layer 12 and the anode sealing layer 15 are both EPDM rubber layers of rubber copolymers, which ensures both elastic sealing with the flange surface and good insulation performance, and allows for repair and reuse of the cathode sealing layer 12 or anode sealing layer 15 in case of damage.

[0041] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 5 In one embodiment of this utility model, the cathode gasket body 3 has a cathode mounting hole 4 on its surface and the anode gasket body 7 has an anode mounting hole 8 on its surface. By opening the cathode mounting hole 4 or the anode mounting hole 8 on the gasket surface, it is convenient to connect and fix the gasket to the flange with bolts, or to lock the anode gasket 1, the cathode gasket 2 and the ion membrane together with a hydraulic press or a tie rod, so that the anode gasket 1, the ion membrane and the cathode gasket 2 are sealed together to form the core component of the unit cell of the electrolytic cell.

[0042] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment of this utility model, right-angled toothed water lines are formed between adjacent water line protrusions 6 uniformly distributed inside the water line groove 5. The tooth pitch of the right-angled toothed water lines is 0.61 mm, and the depth of the right-angled toothed water lines is 0.4-0.6 mm. The annular water line protrusions 9 formed on the surface of the anode pad body 7 are also right-angled toothed water lines. The tooth pitch of the right-angled toothed water lines is 0.61 mm, and the depth of the right-angled toothed water lines is 0.4-0.6 mm. By forming right-angled toothed water lines on the substrate surface, brine can be passed through, optimizing the brine distribution in the electrolyzer during the electrolysis process.

[0043] The method for manufacturing the cell width gasket for the above-mentioned chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis cell includes the following steps:

[0044] S1. First, design the mold. After the mold design is completed, place the raw material for making the substrate, namely polytetrafluoroethylene, into the mold, heat, melt, press, cool and form it to make the substrate.

[0045] S2. Process the surface of the formed substrate by grinding and removing burrs to make the substrate surface flat and smooth.

[0046] S3. After the substrate surface treatment is completed, a coating layer and a sealing layer are applied to the substrate surface. The coating layer uses a double-sided adhesive polytetrafluoroethylene elastic strip, while the sealing layer uses a composite EPDM rubber layer; and

[0047] S4. Finally, the fabricated anode gasket 1, cathode gasket 2, and ion membrane are assembled in the unit cell of the electrolytic cell. The anode gasket 1, ion membrane, and cathode gasket 2 are sealed together by a hydraulic press or tie rod, forming the core component of the unit cell of the electrolytic cell. The gasket's covering layer is attached to the surface of the ion membrane, while the gasket's sealing layer, i.e., the composite EPDM rubber layer, is bonded to the sealing surface of the electrolytic cell (i.e., the flange position) with adhesive.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell used in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis, comprising: An anode gasket (1) and a cathode gasket (2) are provided, wherein the anode gasket (1) and the cathode gasket (2) are symmetrically distributed and installed on the sealing surface of the unit cell of the electrolytic cell, and an ion membrane is installed between the anode gasket (1) and the cathode gasket (2); characterized in that: The cathode gasket (2) includes a cathode gasket body (3), which includes a cathode substrate (11). A water line groove (5) is formed on one side of the cathode substrate (11), and water line protrusions (6) are evenly distributed at the position of the water line groove (5). A cathode coating layer (10) is wrapped around the side of the cathode substrate (11) where the water line groove (5) is formed, and a cathode sealing layer (12) is wrapped around the other side of the cathode substrate (11). The wrapped cathode coating layer (10) is L-shaped, and one end of the cathode coating layer (10) abuts against the cathode sealing layer (12) away from the flange surface, and the other side of the cathode coating layer (10) abuts against the side of the cathode gasket (2) that is vertical to the flange surface. The anode gasket (1) includes an anode gasket body (7), which includes an anode substrate (14). One side of the anode substrate (14) is covered with an anode coating layer (13), and the other side of the anode substrate (14) is covered with an anode sealing layer (15). The covered anode coating layer (13) is L-shaped. One end of the anode coating layer (13) abuts against the anode sealing layer (15) away from the flange surface, and the other side of the anode coating layer (13) abuts against the side of the anode substrate (14) that is vertical to the flange surface.

2. The tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The anode substrate (14) of the anode pad (1) is made of the same material as the cathode substrate (11) of the cathode pad (2), both being polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheets; the cathode sealing layer (12) and the anode sealing layer (15) are made of the same material, both being EPDM rubber layers of rubber copolymers; the cathode coating layer (10) and the anode coating layer (13) are made of the same material, both being PTFE layers.

3. The cell width gasket for an electrolytic cell in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode pad body (3) has a cathode mounting hole (4) on its surface, and the anode pad body (7) has an anode mounting hole (8) on its surface.

4. The tank width gasket for an electrolytic cell in chlor-alkali or alkyl water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Right-angled toothed water lines are formed between adjacent water line protrusions (6) that are evenly distributed inside the water line groove (5). The tooth pitch of the right-angled toothed water lines is 0.61 mm, and the water line depth is 0.4-0.6 mm. The annular water line protrusion (9) formed on the surface of the anode pad body (7) is also a right-angled toothed water line. The tooth pitch of the right-angled toothed water lines is 0.61 mm, and the water line depth is 0.4-0.6 mm.

Images