A continuously operated nickel electrolysis test device
By constructing a continuously operating nickel electrolysis test device, the problem that laboratory devices cannot simulate continuous industrial production was solved, current efficiency and deposition rate were improved, the correlation between experimental data and industrial data was ensured, and the cost and risk of process scale-up were reduced.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JINCHUAN GROUP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing laboratory nickel electrolysis equipment cannot simulate continuous industrial production and suffers from problems such as low current efficiency and low deposition rate.
A continuously operating nickel electrolysis test device was designed, including components such as an electrolytic cell, positive and negative conductive copper busbars, copper rods, diaphragm bags, constant flow pumps, water baths, and electric heating plates. An electrolysis circuit was constructed, and a stable voltage and current were provided through a high-frequency rectifier. Combined with a high-level tank and a storage tank, the electrolyte was circulated to ensure the stability of the electrolysis temperature and liquid volume.
It achieves a high degree of correlation between laboratory conditions and industrial production, provides reliable data support, reduces the cost and risk of process scale-up R&D, and is suitable for nickel electrolysis process optimization and small-scale production.
Smart Images
Figure CN224299396U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of nickel electrolysis technology, specifically to a continuously operating nickel electrolysis test device. Background Technology
[0002] Nickel electrolytic refining and electrowinning technology is the core process for producing high-purity nickel in hydrometallurgy. Early nickel electrolysis technology mainly used the soluble anode electrolysis method, using crude nickel as the anode. Metallic nickel was purified through an electrochemical dissolution-deposition process in a sulfate or chloride electrolyte. However, this process required high anode purity. Since the mid-20th century, with the development of low-grade resources such as laterite nickel ore, insoluble anode electrowinning technology has gradually matured. Nickel-containing solutions are obtained through acid leaching or ammonia leaching, and after deep purification, nickel is directly electrowinning is performed, significantly reducing raw material limitations.
[0003] Currently, industrial-grade nickel electrolysis (deposition) production has achieved continuous operation, but existing laboratory nickel electrolysis (deposition) devices mostly adopt intermittent operation, which cannot simulate the conditions of continuous industrial production, resulting in deviations between experimental data and scale-up production. At the same time, existing laboratory nickel electrolysis (deposition) devices lack an effective electrolyte circulation system, and the concentration polarization phenomenon is serious, affecting current efficiency and deposition rate. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention provides a continuously operating nickel electrolysis test device to solve the problems that current laboratory nickel electrolysis devices cannot simulate industrial continuous production, and have low current efficiency and deposition rate.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A continuously operating nickel electrolysis test apparatus includes an electrolytic cell. A positive electrode conductive copper busbar and a negative electrode conductive copper busbar are symmetrically arranged at the top of the electrolytic cell. A first copper rod and a second copper rod are parallel to each other across the top of the positive and negative electrode conductive copper busbars. An anode is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first copper rod and a cathode is fixedly connected to the bottom of the second copper rod. A diaphragm bag is provided outside the cathode. The positive electrode conductive copper busbar is connected to the positive terminal of a high-frequency rectifier, and the negative electrode conductive copper busbar is connected to the negative terminal of the high-frequency rectifier. A constant flow pump is connected to the diaphragm bag and to a high-level tank. The electrolytic cell is also connected to a storage tank. A first water bath is provided outside the electrolytic cell, and a second water bath is provided outside the high-level tank.
[0007] Furthermore, an insulating gasket is provided at the connection between the positive conductive copper busbar and the second copper rod, and an insulating gasket is provided at the connection between the negative conductive copper busbar and the first copper rod.
[0008] Furthermore, the side wall of the electrolytic cell is provided with an overflow port, and the storage tank and the overflow port are connected.
[0009] Furthermore, a first electric heating plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of the first water bath, a second electric heating plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of the second water bath, and a heightening support is fixedly installed at the bottom of the second electric heating plate.
[0010] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0011] The primary function of the anode and cathode in this invention is to conduct electrons and initiate redox reactions. The high-frequency rectifier provides stable electrolysis voltage and current, while the water bath and heating plate ensure a constant electrolysis temperature. This device fills the gap in simulating the industrial nickel electrolysis environment in the laboratory. By maintaining electrolyte flow through a high-level tank, constant-flow pump, and storage tank, it achieves continuous operation around the clock. It highly replicates the production conditions of industrial nickel electrolysis in a laboratory environment, ensuring a high correlation between pilot-scale data and industrial production conditions. This provides reliable technical support and data for process scale-up, and is suitable for nickel electrolysis process optimization, additive development, and small-scale production trials, significantly reducing the R&D costs and risks of industrial scale-up.
[0012] In this invention, by increasing the elevation of the high-level tank through the heightening support and simultaneously matching the electrolyte flow control of the constant flow pump, the electrolyte in the high-level tank can continuously and stably flow into the diaphragm bag, thereby ensuring that the amount of electrolyte in the electrolytic cell is always kept within the requirements for electrolysis, thus improving the continuity of nickel electrolysis in the electrolytic cell. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall connection of the experimental device of this utility model.
[0014] Figure 2 This is a front view of the electrolytic cell in the experimental apparatus of this utility model.
[0015] Figure 3 This is a left view of the electrolytic cell in the experimental apparatus of this utility model.
[0016] Figure 4 This is a top view of the electrolytic cell in the experimental apparatus of this utility model.
[0017] The meanings of the reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:
[0018] 1. Anode; 2. Cathode; 3. High-frequency rectifier; 4. Electrolytic cell; 5. Diaphragm bag; 6. First water bath; 7. First heating plate; 8. High-level tank; 9. Second water bath; 10. Second heating plate; 11. Constant flow pump; 12. Storage tank; 13. Positive conductive copper busbar; 14. Negative conductive copper busbar; 15. Overflow port; 16. Insulating gasket; 17. First copper rod; 18. Second copper rod; 19. Heightening support. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0020] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a continuously operating nickel electrolysis test device includes an electrolytic cell 4. A positive electrode conductive copper busbar 13 and a negative electrode conductive copper busbar 14 are symmetrically arranged on the top of the electrolytic cell 4. A first copper rod 17 and a second copper rod 18 are parallel to each other across the top of the positive electrode conductive copper busbar 13 and the negative electrode conductive copper busbar 14. An anode 1 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first copper rod 17 within the electrolytic cell 4. A cathode 2 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the second copper rod 18 within the electrolytic cell 4. A diaphragm bag 5 is provided outside the cathode 2. The positive electrode conductive copper busbar 13 is connected to the positive terminal of a high-frequency rectifier 3, and the negative electrode conductive copper busbar 14 is connected to the negative terminal of the high-frequency rectifier 3. A constant flow pump 11 is connected to the diaphragm bag 5. The constant flow pump 11 is connected to a high-level tank 8. The electrolytic cell 4 is also connected to a storage tank 12. A first water bath 6 is provided outside the electrolytic cell 4, and a second water bath 9 is provided outside the high-level tank 8.
[0021] An insulating gasket 16 is provided at the connection between the positive conductive copper busbar 13 and the second copper rod 18, and an insulating gasket 16 is provided at the connection between the negative conductive copper busbar 14 and the first copper rod 17.
[0022] An overflow port 15 is provided on the side wall of the electrolytic cell 4, and the storage tank 12 is connected to the overflow port 15.
[0023] The bottom of the first water bath 6 is fixedly provided with a first electric heating plate 7, the bottom of the second water bath 9 is fixedly provided with a second electric heating plate 10, and the bottom of the second electric heating plate 10 is fixedly provided with a heightening support 19.
[0024] In practical use, the positive conductive copper busbar 13 is connected to the positive terminal of the high-frequency rectifier 3, and the negative conductive copper busbar 14 is connected to the negative terminal of the high-frequency rectifier 3. The first copper rod 17 and the second copper rod 18 are fixedly connected to the anode 1 and the cathode 2 respectively by copper wires. The cathode 2 is covered with a diaphragm bag 5. The cathode 2 and the anode 1 are placed in the electrolytic cell 4. The first copper rod 17 is attached to the positive conductive copper busbar 13 and is separated from the negative conductive copper busbar 14 by an insulating gasket 16. The second copper rod 18 is attached to the negative conductive copper busbar 14 and is separated from the positive conductive copper busbar 13 by an insulating gasket 16, thus forming an electrolytic cell. Further, in the circuit, fresh electrolyte is added to the electrolytic cell 4 and the high-level tank 8, and water is added to the first water bath 6 and the second water bath 9. The first heating plate 7 and the second heating plate 10 are turned on to heat the fresh electrolyte in the high-level tank 8 and the electrolytic cell 4 to 65℃-70℃. Then, the constant flow pump 11 is turned on to send the fresh electrolyte in the high-level tank 8 into the diaphragm bag 5 through the constant flow pump 11, ensuring that the liquid level in the diaphragm bag 5 is higher than the liquid level in the electrolytic cell 4. The fresh electrolyte slowly seeps out through the diaphragm bag 5. The high-frequency rectifier 3 is turned on to carry out electrolysis. At the same time, the excess electrolyte flows out from the overflow port 15 of the electrolytic cell 4 and enters the storage tank 12 for collection.
[0025] The primary function of the anode and cathode in this invention is to conduct electrons and initiate redox reactions. The high-frequency rectifier 3 provides stable electrolysis voltage and current. The first water bath 6, the second water bath 9, the first heating plate 7, and the second heating plate 10 ensure a constant electrolysis temperature. This device fills the gap in simulating the industrial nickel electrolysis environment in the laboratory. The electrolyte flow is maintained by the high-level tank 8, the constant flow pump 11, and the storage tank 12, enabling continuous operation around the clock. It highly replicates the production conditions of industrial nickel electrolysis in the laboratory environment, ensuring a high correlation between pilot-scale data and industrial production conditions. This provides reliable technical support and data for process scale-up, and is suitable for nickel electrolysis process optimization, additive development, and small-scale production trials, significantly reducing the R&D costs and risks of industrial scale-up.
[0026] The electrolytic cell is made of corrosion-resistant material and has conductive copper busbars on both sides at the top. The busbars are 30cm×15cm×25cm in size and have an overflow port at a height of 23cm to ensure that the electrolyte level is 23cm.
[0027] The cathode is made of stainless steel, and the anode is cast from crude nickel metal. The dimensions of the cathode and anode are 18cm×13cm×1.5cm-2cm. The cathode and anode are fixed to copper rods with copper wires. The copper rods of the cathode and anode are in contact with the positive and negative terminals of the conductive copper busbar of the electrolytic cell to form an electrolytic circuit.
[0028] The high-frequency rectifier has an output voltage range of 0V-50V and an output current range of 0V-100A. The high-frequency rectifier can ensure that the electrolysis current and electrolysis voltage are stable and controllable.
[0029] The electrolytic cell and the high-level tank are placed in a water bath. The electrolyte temperature is kept constant by water bath heating. The water bath is made of stainless steel and measures 34cm×20cm×20cm. The electric heating plate is placed below the water bath to heat the water bath. The temperature adjustment range of the electric heating plate is 0℃-300℃.
[0030] The high-level tank is an electrolyte storage device with a volume of 30L; the constant flow pump delivers the electrolyte to the electrolytic cell with a flow rate range of 0.00011ml / min-750ml / min and a working speed of 0.1r / min-150r / min; the storage tank is an overflow electrolyte collection device, where the flowing electrolyte flows out of the electrolytic cell overflow port and into the storage tank, realizing dynamic circulation of the electrolyte.
Claims
1. A continuously operating nickel electrolysis test apparatus, comprising an electrolytic cell (4), characterized in that: The top of the electrolytic cell (4) is symmetrically provided with a positive electrode conductive copper busbar (13) and a negative electrode conductive copper busbar (14). A first copper rod (17) and a second copper rod (18) are arranged parallel across the top of the positive electrode conductive copper busbar (13) and the negative electrode conductive copper busbar (14). The bottom of the first copper rod (17) is fixedly connected to an anode (1) disposed in the electrolytic cell (4). The bottom of the second copper rod (18) is fixedly connected to a cathode (2) disposed in the electrolytic cell (4). The outer side of the cathode (2) is provided with There is a diaphragm bag (5), and the positive electrode conductive copper busbar (13) is connected to the positive electrode of the high frequency rectifier (3), and the negative electrode conductive copper busbar (14) is connected to the negative electrode of the high frequency rectifier (3). The diaphragm bag (5) is connected to a constant flow pump (11), and the constant flow pump (11) is connected to a high-level tank (8). The electrolytic cell (4) is also connected to a storage tank (12). A first water bath (6) is provided on the outside of the electrolytic cell (4), and a second water bath (9) is provided on the outside of the high-level tank (8).
2. The continuously operating nickel electrolysis test apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: An insulating gasket (16) is provided at the connection between the positive conductive copper busbar (13) and the second copper rod (18), and an insulating gasket (16) is provided at the connection between the negative conductive copper busbar (14) and the first copper rod (17).
3. The continuously operating nickel electrolysis test apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall of the electrolytic cell (4) is provided with an overflow port (15), and the storage tank (12) and the overflow port (15) are connected.
4. The continuously operating nickel electrolysis test apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the first water bath (6) is fixedly provided with a first electric heating plate (7), the bottom of the second water bath (9) is fixedly provided with a second electric heating plate (10), and the bottom of the second electric heating plate (10) is fixedly provided with a heightening support (19).