Device and method for automated cathode cleaning in an electrolysis system

Abstract

Electrolysis device for arrangement in a water container (4), comprising: (a) at least one rotating cathode (120) mounted on an axis (112) and designed to rotate during an electrolysis process; (b) at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) configured to contact a surface of the rotating cathode (120) so that deposits are removed from the rotating cathode (120) during the electrolysis process while the rotating cathode (120) is rotating, wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is pre-tensioned outwards so that a scraping edge (152 a,b) of the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is in contact with the surface of the rotating cathode (120), and wherein the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is constructed with a support extension (156) wherein the curvature of the support extension (156) substantially corresponds to the curvature about the axis (112) and the support extension (156) bears against the surface of the axis (112), thereby providing suitable orientation of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is maintained with the scraping edge (152 a,b); and (c) at least one stationary anode (132) arranged adjacent to the rotating cathode (120).

Description

AREA AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to devices used in the electrolysis of water, and in particular to a water electrolysis device having rotating cathodes and an automated cathode cleaner, as well as a method for automated cathode cleaning.

[0002] The system of the present invention is suitable for use with a water purification and disinfection system for the treatment of water in a substantially closed water circulation system which uses electrolysis to generate free chlorine and other oxidants, such as, but not limited to, ozone (O3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), wherein all the water in the system is exposed to the electrolysis process. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Document DE 32 03 090 A1 discloses a device for cleaning the electrodes of water chlorination and disinfection equipment using a scraper. There is mechanical or hydraulic contact and relative movement between the electrodes and the scraper. As the scraper passes the electrodes, limescale deposits or gas bubbles are removed and transferred to the flowing medium being cleaned. DE 2 238 844 A discloses a chlorination plant that uses an anode and a cathode. KR 10 2008 0 094 345 A discloses an electrolysis device that can remove deposits on the cathode. US 3 825 484 A discloses an electrolytic regenerator suitable for scraping off deposits.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for automated cathode cleaning in an electrolysis system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an electrolysis device according to claim 1 and a method for automated cathode cleaning according to claim 5. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention is described herein by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 a transparent isometric view of a system for the electrolysis of water not belonging to the invention, constructed and ready for operation. Fig. 2 a transparent isometric view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of Fig. 1 is, Fig. 3 A side view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of Fig. 2 is; Fig. 4 A top view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of Fig. 2 is; Fig. 5 A front view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of Fig. 2 is; Fig. 6 a detail A of Fig. 5 is; Fig. 7 a transparent isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a system for the electrolysis of water, constructed and ready for operation according to the teaching of the present invention, shown here with the cleaning elements in an exploded view from the main body; Fig. 8 a detail B of Fig. 7 is; and Fig. 9 an isometric view of a single cleaning element of the embodiment in Fig. 7 is. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0007] The principles and operation of a system for the electrolysis of water with rotating cathodes and an automated cathode cleaner according to the present invention are better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0008] Fig. Figure 1 shows a system 2 for the electrolysis of water, constructed and ready for operation. As is typical in such systems, the container 4 is equipped with an inlet 6 and an outlet 8. It is clear that the electrolysis system can essentially be installed in any container designed to hold water.

[0009] What is not common in such systems is the drive mechanism 10, shown here as a gear reduction assembly, designed for attachment to a drive motor not shown.

[0010] If one now looks at the Fig. 2- Fig. As shown in Figure 6, at least one disk-shaped rotating cathode 20, shown here as a plurality, is attached to the axis 12, which extends from the drive mechanism 10 into the container 4. At least one anode 32, shown here as a plurality, is attached to the stationary frame 30. In this arrangement, the electrons transfer from the rotating cathodes 20 to the adjacent anodes 32 while the rotating cathodes 20 rotate on the axis 12.

[0011] It is evident that the circumference, and thus the surface area, of the rotating cathode disks 20 and the surface area of ​​the anodes 32 can vary depending on the requirements of the respective system. It is also understood that although the figures here depict the anodes 32 as a pair of anodes arranged symmetrically on both sides of the axis 12, this serves only to illustrate a preferred embodiment and is not to be interpreted as a limitation on the arrangement of the anodes 32 and their relationship to the rotating cathodes 20.

[0012] As is common with water electrolysis systems, undesirable deposits form on the surface of the cathodes. Current state-of-the-art systems attempt to solve this problem by constructing the electrodes, the "cathodes" and the "anodes," from the same material and by intermittently reversing the system's polarity, so that the cathodes become anodes and vice versa, and this change is then repeated. There are several disadvantages to this approach, the most significant being the cost. Since the most efficient material for cathodes is platinum or platinum alloys, both electrodes must be made of this expensive material. Furthermore, the cost of the electrical switches used to reverse the system's polarity can be very high, especially in large, high-power systems.

[0013] Another disadvantage is that while the deposits build up more slowly, they eventually form on both electrodes, requiring cleaning when the system is switched off. Such routine maintenance also represents a financial expense and a loss of time.

[0014] System 2 solves these problems by providing stationary cathode cleaning elements 40 that are in contact with the rotating cathodes 20 and remove substantially all deposits while System 2 is in operation and the electrolysis process is running. As explained herein, the stationary cathode cleaning element 40 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided such that it extends from a frame element, shown herein as a frame crossbeam element 42, to a point adjacent to the axis 12 in order to span at least the distance substantially from the axis 12 to the edge of the rotating cathode 20.

[0015] Therefore, in a system having a plurality of rotating cathodes 20, the cathodes 20 are configured as a plurality of spaced-apart rotating cathodes. The stationary cathode cleaning elements 40 are configured as a plurality of stationary cathode cleaning elements, the number of which is equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes 20, such that one of the stationary cathode cleaning elements 40 is arranged in each of the gaps between the rotating cathodes 20 in order to contact a surface of each of the rotating cathodes 20 between which the stationary cathode cleaning element 40 is arranged. Likewise, the stationary anodes 32 are configured as a plurality of stationary anodes, the number of which is equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes 20, such that one of the stationary anodes 32 is located in each of the gaps between the rotating cathodes 20.

[0016] It is evident that the deposits that collect at the bottom of tank 4 can be removed, for example, by rinsing the tank via outlet 18.

[0017] Since the rotating cathodes 20 are kept essentially free of deposits, there is no need to reverse the polarity of system 2; the rotating cathodes 20 can remain cathodes and the stationary anodes 32 can remain anodes. Therefore, only the rotating cathodes 20 need to be made of a more expensive material, such as, but not limited to, platinum. The anode 32 can be made of a less expensive material, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel.

[0018] Since there is no need to reverse the polarity of the system, there is also no need for expensive switches.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of a system 102 for the electrolysis of water, constructed and operational according to the teachings of the present invention, is described in the Fig. 7- Fig. Figure 9 shows that the general operation of this embodiment in the Fig. 7- Fig. 9 is essentially identical to the operation of the embodiment in the Fig. 1- Fig. 6, especially with regard to the work of the stationary anodes 132 and the rotating cathodes 120.

[0020] The Fig. 7- Fig. Nine examples are shown to illustrate variations of some of the elements described above.

[0021] The cathode cleaning elements 140 are most clearly visible as a large number in Fig. 8 and individually in Fig. 9 can be seen.

[0022] As shown here, the multitude of cathode cleaning elements 140 is connected to the frame crossbeam element 142, which in turn is detachably attached to the frame 130 by means of connecting elements 144 and connecting grooves 146.

[0023] As with the cathode cleaning elements 40 described above, a cathode cleaning element 140 is arranged between each of the plurality of rotating cathodes 120, extending from the frame crossbeam element 142 to a point adjacent to the axis 112 in order to bridge at least the distance that extends substantially from the axis 112 to the edge of the rotating cathode 120.

[0024] How best to Fig.As can be seen in Figure 9, the cathode cleaning element 140 is designed as a wiper 150. Wipers 150 are pre-tensioned outwards so that the scraping edges 152a and 152b contact the surfaces of both rotating cathodes 120 between which they are located. It will be readily apparent that the wipers 150 can be designed as a single unit or as a plurality of units that can be provided as a group.

[0025] The cathode cleaning element 140 also includes an axle cleaner, which is shown here as an axle wiper 154 and is designed to engage the surface of the axle 112, which extends between the rotating cathodes 120.

[0026] Arrow 170 indicates the direction of rotation of the rotating cathodes 120, and it will therefore be apparent that the force of this rotation against the cathode cleaning elements 140 would tend to displace the cathode cleaning elements 140 from their aligned position. To prevent such a misalignment, the cathode cleaning elements 140 are equipped with a support extension 156. The curvature of the support extension 156 essentially corresponds to the curvature of the circumference of the axis 112. Therefore, it will be understood that during operation of the system 102, while the rotating cathodes 120 are turning, the support extension 156 rests on the surface of the axis 112, thus maintaining correct alignment of the cathode cleaning elements 140 and the wiper elements 150.

Claims

[1] Electrolysis apparatus for arrangement in a water container (4), comprising: (a) at least one rotating cathode (120) mounted on an axis (112) and designed to rotate during an electrolysis process; (b) at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) configured to contact a surface of the rotating cathode (120) so that deposits are removed from the rotating cathode (120) during the electrolysis process while the rotating cathode (120) is rotating, wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is pre-tensioned outwards so that a scraping edge (152 a,b) of the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is in contact with the surface of the rotating cathode (120), and wherein the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is constructed with a support extension (156) wherein the curvature of the support extension (156) substantially corresponds to the curvature about the axis (112) and the support extension (156) bears against the surface of the axis (112), thereby providing suitable orientation of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is maintained with the scraping edge (152 a,b); and (c) at least one stationary anode (132) arranged adjacent to the rotating cathode (120). [2] Electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein (a) the at least one rotating cathode (120) is designed as a plurality of spaced-apart rotating cathodes; (b) the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is configured as a plurality of stationary cathode cleaning elements, the number of which is equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes (120), such that one of the stationary cathode cleaning elements (140) is located in each gap between the rotating cathodes (120), contacting a surface of each rotating cathode (120) between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged, each stationary cathode cleaning element (140) being pre-tensioned outwards so that the scraping edges (152 a,b) of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) are in contact with the surfaces of the two rotating cathodes (120) between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged; and (c) the at least one stationary anode (132) is designed as a plurality of stationary anodes, the number of which is at least equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes (120), such that one of the stationary anodes (132) is located in each gap between the rotating cathodes (120). [3] Electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged such that it extends from a point adjacent to the axis (112) to at least one edge of the rotating cathode (120). [4] Electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating cathode (120) is essentially designed as a disk. [5] Method for automated cathode cleaning in an electrolysis system having at least one rotating cathode (120) and at least one stationary anode (132), the method comprising: (a) Arranging at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) such that it contacts a surface of the rotating cathode (120), wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is pre-tensioned outwards such that a scraping edge (152 a,b) of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is in contact with the rotating cathode (120), the surfaces of the cathodes (120) being in contact, and wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is constructed with a support extension (156) having a curvature substantially corresponding to the curvature about the axis (112), and wherein the support extension bears against the shaft surface, thereby maintaining a suitable alignment of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) with the rotating cathode (120); (b) Actuation of the electrolysis system, causing the rotating cathode (120) to rotate while an electrolysis process is carried out; (c) Removal of deposits on the rotating cathode (120) using the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) while the cathode (120) is rotating. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one rotating cathode (120) is implemented as a plurality of spaced-apart rotating cathodes and the at least one stationary anode (132) is implemented as a plurality of stationary anodes, such that the provision of at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is implemented as the provision of a plurality of stationary cathode cleaning elements, the number of which is equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes (120), such that at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is located in each gap between the rotating cathodes (120), such that it touches a surface of each rotating cathode (120) between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged, wherein each stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is deflected outwards, wherein the scraping edge (152a,b) of one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is brought into contact with the surface of the two rotating cathodes (120) between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged.

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