Acid Mist Suction Channel Self-Cleaning Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for collecting and removing acid mist from electrolytic cells in metal electrowinning or electrorefining processes often face issues with blocking of the vertical acid mist suction channels due to scaling, leading to increased acid mist in the tankhouse atmosphere, posing health risks to workers and causing equipment corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement that involves covering the open top of the container with a cover to create a space between the electrolyte surface and the cover, using a decontamination system with an acid mist suction channel and a cleaning arrangement that sprays washing fluid downwards into the suction channel's inlet opening to prevent blockage, with a fluid nozzle and pipe located within the suction channel to ensure effective acid mist removal without requiring additional openings in the cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a vertical acid mist suction channel is used to remove acid mist from the electrolytic cell, then acid mist removal efficiency is improved, but the suction channel inlet opening becomes blocked by scaling deposits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacid mist removal efficiencyVSAvoidsuction channel inlet opening畅通性

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction channel inlet opening performs self-cleaning by utilizing the acid mist flow itself to wash away scaling deposits. The upward flow of acid mist through the inlet opening creates a self-cleaning effect that prevents blockage, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the acid mist flow (gas phase) to clean the inlet opening by spraying washing fluid through the inlet opening. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach utilizes the existing gas flow to deliver cleaning fluid, preventing blockage while maintaining the vertical suction channel configuration for effective acid mist removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If the suction channel inlet opening is exposed to prevent blockage, then cleaning access is improved, but the fluid nozzle becomes vulnerable to damage from the cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning accessVSAvoidfluid nozzle protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid nozzle is nested within the suction channel inlet opening, which itself is nested within the cover structure. This nested arrangement protects the fluid nozzle from external damage by the cover while allowing the inlet opening to remain accessible for self-cleaning functions. The suction channel inlet opening acts as a protective housing for the fluid nozzle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If washing fluid is sprayed into the suction channel to prevent blockage, then inlet opening reliability is improved, but the risk of cover hitting the fluid nozzle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinlet opening blockage preventionVSAvoidfluid nozzle vulnerability to cover impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction channel inlet opening is designed to perform preliminary protection of the fluid nozzle by positioning it within the inlet opening structure. This preliminary protective arrangement prevents the cover from directly contacting and damaging the fluid nozzle, while the washing fluid spray continues to prevent blockage of the inlet opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively prevents the blocking of the acid mist suction channel, reducing the risk of acid mist accumulation in the tankhouse and minimizing equipment damage, while ensuring the fluid nozzle remains protected and functional.

Implementation Method 1

suction means for sucking acid mist from the space between the surface of the electrolyte contained in the container and the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

cleaning arrangement for spraying the upwards facing inlet opening of the acid mist suction channel with washing fluid to prevent the upwards facing inlet opening of the acid mist suction channel from being blocked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS9732432B2Method and arrangement for collecting and removal of acid mist from an electrolytic cell

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 OUTOTEC FINDLAND OY

AI summary

A method and an arrangement for collecting and removal of acid mist from an electrolytic cell. The arrangement includes a cover for covering an open top of a container of the electrolytic cell so that a space is formed between a surface of electrolyte contained in the container and the cover, a decontamination system provided with an acid mist suction channel terminating in an upwards facing inlet opening in the space, and a cleaning arrangement for spraying the upwards facing inlet opening with washing fluid. The cleaning arrangement has a fluid nozzle. The fluid nozzle is in the acid mist suction channel. The fluid nozzle is arranged to spray washing fluid at least downwards into the acid mist suction channel.