Sacrificial Electrode Assembly for Replaceable Electrolyser Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sacrificial electrodes in electrolysis systems are difficult to replace due to welding requirements, leading to time-consuming and costly maintenance, and conventional detachable electrodes require modifications to existing nozzles, limiting their applicability.
Innovation Solution
A sacrificial electrode unit with a detachable fastener and disc-shaped gasket that allows easy replacement and maintains electrical connectivity and sealing, compatible with existing nozzles without the need for modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sacrificial electrode is welded to nozzle to prevent electrolytic corrosion, then corrosion protection is improved, but replacement difficulty increases and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial electrode is segmented into a body portion and a flange portion, with the flange portion detachably connected to the nozzle. This segmentation allows the electrode body to remain welded for corrosion protection while the flange can be independently removed for replacement, resolving the contradiction between reliable corrosion protection and ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange portion acts as an intermediary between the welded electrode body and the nozzle. It provides a detachable connection interface that enables easy replacement without affecting the welded connection, thus maintaining both corrosion protection reliability and replacement ease.
2Ease of repair
If detachable sacrificial electrode with O-ring and annular groove is used, then ease of replacement is improved, but device complexity increases due to required nozzle modifications
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the nozzle to accommodate the electrode (as in conventional designs requiring annular grooves), the invention inverts the approach by having the electrode's flange portion provide its own retention mechanism through threading or interference fit with the nozzle's fitting portion, eliminating the need for complex nozzle modifications.
3Loss of time
If conventional detachable electrode is used, then replacement time is reduced, but adaptability decreases as existing nozzles cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The flange portion is designed with a universal fitting portion that can be adapted to various nozzle types through different connection methods (threading, interference fit, etc.). This universal design maintains quick replacement capability while enabling compatibility with existing nozzles, resolving the contradiction between reduced maintenance time and adaptability.
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
Facilitates easy and cost-effective replacement of sacrificial electrodes, ensuring reliable electrical contact and sealing, particularly beneficial for Chlor-alkali electrolysis systems.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element configured to press the flange portion of the sacrificial electrode against the flat end surface of the nozzle by its resilience during compression
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sacrificial electrode unit (10) for an electrolyser, comprising: a tube (12) configured to flow electrolyte; a nozzle (14) configured to flow the electrolyte and having a fitting portion (14A) at an end thereof; a sacrificial electrode (16) having a body portion (16A) extending along an axial direction of the nozzle (14) and a flange portion (16B) protruding from an end of the body portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the nozzle (14); a detachable fastener (17) configured to be tightened with respect to the fitting portion (14A) of the nozzle(14) so that the flange portion (16B) of the sacrificial electrode (16) is detachably retained between the fitting portion (14A) and the fastener (17); and a disc-shaped gasket (18) arranged between the fastener (17) and the fitting portion (14A). The fitting portion (14A) has a flat end surface (14a) perpendicular to the axial direction of the nozzle (14). The flange portion (16B) of the sacrificial electrode (16) is placed on the flat end surface (14a) of the fitting portion (14A) and electrically contacts the flat end surface (14a). The disc-shaped gasket (18) includes an annular groove (18A) to accommodate the flange portion (16B) of the sacrificial electrode (16) and at the same time contacts the flat end surface (14a) of the fitting portion (14A) except for the annular groove (18A) to form a sealing. The sacrificial electrode unit (10) further comprises an elastic element (20) configured to press the flange portion (16B) of the sacrificial electrode (16) against the flat end surface (14a) of the nozzle (14) by its resilience during compression, when the fastener (17) is tightened with respect to the fitting portion (14A) of the nozzle (14).