An electrolytic cell
By setting multiple V-shaped grooves and anode mud cones on the bottom plate of the electrolytic cell, the problems of anode mud cleaning and electrolyte short circuit were solved, achieving efficient collection of anode mud and uniform flow of electrolyte, thus improving production efficiency and product quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Cleaning anode mud in existing electrolytic cells is labor-intensive and environmentally unfriendly, and the accumulation of precious metals ties up working capital, affecting corporate profits. Traditional single V-bottom electrolytic cells have electrolyte short-circuit problems, affecting product quality.
An electrolytic cell bottom plate is designed with multiple V-shaped grooves. Anode mud flows into the anode mud cone through the V-shaped grooves. Combined with the V-shaped groove design with a specific included angle, the anode mud accumulation path is shortened, promoting uniform flow of electrolyte and reducing short circuits.
It enables efficient collection and treatment of anode mud, reduces electrolyte short circuits, improves product purity and production efficiency, and reduces labor intensity and capital occupation.
Smart Images
Figure CN224591051U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrometallurgical electrolysis technology, and in particular to an electrolytic cell. Background Technology
[0002] Electrolytic refining is the most common method for refining non-ferrous metals, and the electrolytic cell is an indispensable carrier for electrolytic refining.
[0003] During the electrolytic refining process, anode mud accumulates at the bottom of the electrolytic cell. Currently, in copper smelting enterprises, an anode cycle lasts 20 days, and anode mud can only be cleaned once per cycle, resulting in a prolonged residence time of the mud within the electrolytic cell. Because the anode mud is rich in precious metals such as gold and silver, this accumulation of these metals within the electrolytic cell ties up significant working capital, severely impacting the company's profitability. Furthermore, manual removal of anode mud from the electrolytic cell is labor-intensive, involves a poor working environment, and is time-consuming. Therefore, researching and improving the structure of the electrolytic cell is of great significance.
[0004] Patents CN 107201536A and CN 207738851U feature a settling cone at the bottom of the electrolytic cell to facilitate anode mud collection, and were put into production at an electrolytic plant in Henan, China, but with poor results. Patent CN 103103574A, a utility model, describes a single V-bottom electrolytic cell, which was also used in a copper electrolytic plant in Ningbo, China, but practical experience showed unsatisfactory results, affecting product quality and failing to achieve the expected effects. The main problem is that the total height of the electrolytic cell increases too much, increasing the space between the bottom of the electrode plates and the bottom of the cell, significantly reducing the liquid resistance in the bottom channel, causing a short circuit in the electrolyte circulation within the cell, and resulting in insufficient electrolyte circulation between the electrode plates. A copper electrolysis plant in Ningbo, China, was unable to produce qualified high-purity anode copper during trial production using a single V-bottom electrolytic cell from September to December 2023. After analysis and verification, the plant decided to modify the single V-bottom electrolytic cell into a flat-sloping-bottom one. After the modification, trial production began in August 2025, and qualified high-purity anode copper was successfully produced on the first attempt. Practice has shown that the single V-bottom electrolytic cell has a major process defect due to the large channel area of the electrolyte at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, causing electrolyte short circuit (most of the electrolyte flows out of the electrolytic cell from the bottom, resulting in very little electrolyte flowing through the sides of the electrode). Therefore, the single V-bottom electrolytic cell is not practical because of its large channel area at the bottom. Utility Model Content
[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an electrolytic cell that aims to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background art.
[0006] An electrolytic cell includes a side plate and a bottom plate. The side plate and the bottom plate are connected to form a tank body, which is used to accommodate electrode plates and electrolyte. The bottom plate is provided with a plurality of V-shaped grooves for accommodating anode mud. Adjacent V-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel and extend along the length of the tank body. One end of the bottom plate is provided with an anode mud cone. The bottom of the plurality of V-shaped grooves is smoothly connected to the upper part of the anode mud cone to allow the anode mud to flow into the anode mud cone.
[0007] Furthermore, the number of the V-shaped grooves is two or three.
[0008] Furthermore, the included angle of the V-shaped groove ranges from 50° to 104°.
[0009] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0010] While maintaining a constant tank width, this design, compared to the traditional single V-shaped tank bottom structure, shortens the anode mud accumulation path by arranging multiple V-shaped grooves horizontally in parallel along the bottom plate, making it easier for the mud to concentrate at the bottom of the V-shape. Simultaneously, by utilizing the included angle (i.e., friction angle) parameter of the V-shaped grooves, the distance between the electrode plates and the tank bottom can be effectively shortened, achieving effective control over the overall height of the electrolytic cell. This structural design can suppress the discharge of the bulk electrolyte along the tank bottom, promoting uniform electrolyte flow between the electrode plates, thereby reducing the occurrence of electrolyte short circuits and producing high-purity metals.
[0011] Furthermore, the bottom of the V-shaped groove is formed with a sharp corner or a rounded corner.
[0012] Furthermore, the width of the groove ranges from 1000mm to 1500mm.
[0013] Furthermore, the anode mud cone is in the shape of a quadrangular pyramid, a quadrangular frustum, or a quadrangular prism.
[0014] Furthermore, the bottom of the anode mud cone is provided with an opening that communicates with the outside.
[0015] Furthermore, the connecting hole plug is removed from the opening.
[0016] Furthermore, several support columns are provided on the outer periphery of the bottom of the V-shaped groove. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of the electrolytic cell in the first embodiment of this utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view of the electrolytic cell in the first embodiment of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 3This is a side view of the electrolytic cell in the first embodiment of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 4 This is a side view of the electrolytic cell in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] In the diagram: 1. Side plate; 2. Bottom plate; 21. First V-shaped groove; 22. Second V-shaped groove; 3. Anode mud cone; 31. Opening; 4. Hole plug; 5. Support column. Detailed Implementation
[0022] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more complete description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of this utility model are shown in the drawings. However, this utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this utility model will be more thorough and complete.
[0023] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.
[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Furthermore, the various embodiments of the invention, the features within those embodiments, and the features of the embodiments may be freely combined without obvious conflict or contradiction.
[0025] Example 1
[0026] Please see Figures 1 to 3 An electrolytic cell includes a side plate 1 and a bottom plate 2, which are connected to form a tank body for accommodating electrode plates and electrolyte. An anode mud cone 3 is provided at one end of the tank body. Two first V-shaped grooves 21 are provided on the bottom plate 2 to accommodate anode mud, and the two first V-shaped grooves 21 are arranged in parallel. The first V-shaped grooves 21 extend along the length of the tank body, from one end to the other. The included angle α between the two sidewalls of the first V-shaped groove 21 is 104°, and the bottom of the first V-shaped groove 21 forms a rounded corner with a radius R of 80 mm. Multiple support columns 5 are provided on the outer periphery of the bottom of the first V-shaped groove 21.
[0027] It should be noted that this electrolytic cell features a parallel and symmetrical layout of double V-shaped grooves, coupled with precise control of the 104° opening angle. This design is suitable for the concentration of anode mud particles at the bottom of the cell, reducing the bottom space and enhancing electrolyte turbulence. The rounded corner transition structure at the bottom significantly reduces fluid flow resistance, minimizing the risk of solid particle adhesion and ensuring the cleanliness of the cell interior. It also increases the structural strength of the outer peripheral support column 5 at the bottom of the first V-shaped groove 21, effectively dispersing structural stress and extending the service life of the equipment. The overall structure is compact and highly integrated, balancing the convenience of anode mud collection with the stability of the cell structure, making it suitable for long-term, high-efficiency operation in industrial electrolysis scenarios.
[0028] Taking copper electrolysis as an example, the distance from the lower edge of the electrode plate to the top of the first V-shaped groove 21 is 100mm. An electrolytic cell with double V-shaped grooves at an included angle of 104° is used. The width W of the cell is 1154mm, and the depth H of the first V-shaped groove 21 is 225mm. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte channel at the bottom of the electrolytic cell with double first V-shaped grooves 21 is 245225mm². 2 .
[0029] It is worth mentioning that the distance from the edge of the electrode plate to the wall of the electrolytic cell is relatively smaller than the distance from the lower edge of the electrode plate to the bottom of the electrolytic cell. The electrolyte tends to flow towards the area with relatively low resistance, and more electrolyte flows to the area between the lower edge of the electrode plate and the bottom of the electrolytic cell.
[0030] Specifically, one end of the base plate 2 is provided with an anode mud cone 3. The bottom of the two first V-shaped grooves 21 are smoothly connected to the upper part of the anode mud cone 3, which facilitates the flow of anode mud into the anode mud cone 3. The anode mud cone 3 is a quadrangular pyramid shape. The bottom of the anode mud cone 3 is provided with an opening 31 that communicates with the outside. The connecting plug 4 can be removed from the opening 31. During the metal electrolysis process, some anode mud will flow to the anode mud cone 3 with the electrolyte, and more anode mud will accumulate in the first V-shaped grooves 21. All anode mud is drawn from the first V-shaped grooves 21 into the quadrangular pyramid anode mud cone 3 by a suction device. The structural design of the anode mud cone 3 can realize the efficient and timely collection and treatment of discharged anode mud. The anode mud can be conveniently discharged by pulling out the plug 4, which significantly improves the convenience of anode mud collection and recycling operations.
[0031] This invention, while maintaining a constant tank width, differs from traditional single-V-shaped tank bottom structures by having two first V-shaped grooves 21 arranged horizontally in parallel on the bottom plate 2. The anode mud generated during electrolysis accumulates inside these first V-shaped grooves 21. Simultaneously, by utilizing the included angle (i.e., friction angle) parameter of the first V-shaped grooves 21, the distance between the electrode plates and the tank bottom can be effectively shortened, achieving effective control over the overall height of the electrolytic cell. This structural design can suppress the discharge of the electrolyte along the tank bottom, promoting uniform flow of the electrolyte between the electrode plates, thereby reducing the occurrence of electrolyte short circuits.
[0032] Example 2
[0033] The difference from Example 1 is as follows:
[0034] For details, please refer to Figure 4 The bottom plate 2 is provided with three second V-shaped grooves 22. The bottom of the second V-shaped grooves 22 forms a sharp corner. The three second V-shaped grooves 22 are arranged in parallel to expand the anode mud receiving range. The bottom sharp corner design guides the flow to the apex of the sharp corner along both sides of the second V-shaped grooves 22, reducing flow obstruction, improving the anode mud collection efficiency, and optimizing the space utilization of the tank structure.
[0035] Taking copper electrolysis as an example, the distance from the lower edge of the electrode plate to the top of the second V-shaped groove 22 is 100mm. An electrolytic cell with three second V-shaped grooves 22 each having an included angle of 104° is used. The width W of the cell is 1154mm, and the depth H of the second V-shaped groove 22 is 150mm. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte channel at the bottom of the electrolytic cell with the three second V-shaped grooves 22 is 201950mm². 2 .
[0036] Comparative Example 1
[0037] Taking copper electrolysis as an example, the distance from the edge of the electrode plate to the wall of the electrolytic cell needs to be between 50mm and 80mm to ensure uniform electrolyte flow and prevent the electrode plate from hitting the wall; the distance from the lower edge of the electrode plate to the bottom of the electrolytic cell is 200mm to 400mm, this gap is used for the sedimentation of anode mud. Most current electrolytic cells use a bottom-feeding method where the electrolyte is supplied to the electrode plate at the beginning of the cell to a depth of two-thirds below the liquid surface, and overflows from the end of the cell. The electrolytic cell uses a sloping bottom, therefore, the typical design is that the distance from the electrode plate at the beginning of the cell to the bottom of the electrolytic cell is 200mm, and the distance from the electrode plate at the end of the cell to the bottom of the electrolytic cell is 400mm. With a cell width of 1154mm, the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte channel at the bottom of a typical electrolytic cell is 230800mm². 2 .
[0038] Comparative Example 2
[0039] Taking copper electrolysis as an example, the distance from the lower edge of the electrode plate to the top of the V-shaped groove is 100mm. When using an electrolytic cell with a single V-shaped groove and an included angle of 104° (determined based on the internal friction angle of the anode mud), the width W of the cell is 1154mm, and the depth H of the V-shaped groove is 450mm. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte channel at the bottom of the electrolytic cell with a single V-shaped groove is 375050mm². 2 .
[0040] In summary, the data from Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, Example 1, and Example 2 are summarized in Table 1:
[0041] Table 1
[0042]
[0043]
[0044] Compared to Comparative Example 1, the cross-sectional area of the bottom channel of the single V-shaped trench in Comparative Example 2 is excessively increased, being 1.63 times that of the bottom channel of the sloping bottom. This significantly reduces the liquid resistance of the bottom channel, causing most of the fed electrolyte to flow out of the electrolytic cell via a short circuit from the bottom, resulting in uneven and insufficient electrolyte supply. In contrast, the bottom channel cross-sectional areas of Examples 1 and 2 are closer to those of Comparative Example 1, being 1.06 times and 0.88 times that of the bottom channel of the sloping bottom, respectively. The electric field lines of the double V-shaped trench and triple V-shaped trench designed in this way are more concentrated and uniform, shortening the migration path of the anode mud and suppressing most of the electrolyte from flowing out along the bottom of the cell. This promotes uniform flow of the electrolyte between the plates without causing a short circuit risk.
[0045] It is understood that this invention can be used for the electrolysis of metals such as copper, lead, zinc, nickel and manganese.
[0046] The difference from Example 1 is as follows:
[0047] Taking zinc electrolysis as an example, the angle setting of the first V-shaped groove 21 needs to comprehensively consider factors such as the type of electrolytic metal, the flow rate of the electrolyte, the spatial layout of the bottom of the tank, and the distribution of the electric field between the electrodes. In this embodiment, the distance from the lower edge of the electrode plate to the top of the first V-shaped groove 21 is 100mm. Two first V-shaped grooves 21 are provided on the bottom plate 2, each with an angle of 80°. The width of the tank is 1000mm. The anode mud cone 3 adopts a frustum shape, which is particularly suitable for collecting high-viscosity zinc mud. During the operation of the electrolytic cell, the electric field between the electrodes causes the anode to continuously dissolve and produce anode mud. Most of the zinc mud continues to settle under gravity and flows into the V-shaped groove 21. Due to the use of a relatively low electrolyte flow rate (this is a conventional technical choice in the field of zinc electrolysis, aimed at reducing the impact of fluid disturbance on mud settling), a small portion of the anode mud gathers in the anode mud cone 3, and is finally further concentrated and discharged by a suction device.
[0048] Compared to Example 1, Example 3 differs in the width and angle of the V-shaped groove to satisfy the matching relationship between the properties of different metals being electrolyzed and the V-shaped groove.
[0049] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0050] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the implementation of this utility model, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An electrolytic cell, characterized in that: The device includes a side plate and a bottom plate. The side plate and the bottom plate are connected to form a tank. The tank is used to accommodate the electrode plate and electrolyte. The bottom plate is provided with a plurality of V-shaped grooves for accommodating anode mud. Adjacent V-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel. The V-shaped grooves extend along the length of the tank. One end of the bottom plate is provided with an anode mud cone. The bottom of the plurality of V-shaped grooves is smoothly connected to the upper part of the anode mud cone so that the anode mud flows into the anode mud cone.
2. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of V-shaped grooves is two or three.
3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The included angle of the V-shaped groove ranges from 50° to 104°.
4. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the V-shaped groove forms a sharp corner or a rounded corner.
5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anode mud cone is in the shape of a quadrangular pyramid, a quadrangular frustum, or a quadrangular prism.
6. The electrolytic cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the anode mud cone is provided with an opening that communicates with the outside.
7. The electrolytic cell according to claim 6, characterized in that: The opening is used to disassemble the connecting hole plug.
8. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several support columns are provided on the outer periphery of the bottom of the V-shaped groove.