Improved ion exchange membrane or diaphragm electrolyzer
The major industry electrolytic process of producing chlorine and caustic soda or produce hydrogen and oxygen from salt solution from water carries out in modern electrolyzer, this electrolyzer is made of one group of unit groove usually, the shape of each groove is the upright casing of planar basically, and the size of its major surfaces is up to several square metres.
Each unit groove all longitudinally is divided into two compartments by ion-exchange membrane (for example in chloric alkali electrolysis) or porous diaphragm (for example in the Hydrogen Oxygen electrolysis).Ion-exchange membrane and porous diaphragm are made by suitable polymers, and thin thickness, and this makes it easily because wearing and tearing and the failure mechanism and impaired of shaking.
Wearing and tearing and flutter failure mechanism be owing to, the pressure surge that for example takes place when electrolysate is gas form causes, such as the situation when chlorine-alkali electrolysis (the negative electrode place generates hydrogen, the anode place generates chlorine) and the water electrolysis (the negative electrode place generates hydrogen, anode place generation oxygen).
Extracting gas-liquid mixture from unit groove out is very crucial and easily build-up of pressure fluctuation, this the chances are since be basically gas one be liquid basically one enter delivery channel with alternating, complete more or less layering takes place in result inevitably on the top of unit groove.
In the prior art, once attempted to address this problem by suitable design delivery channel.Specifically:
The discharge nozzle of gas-liquid mixture is formed (KYamaguchi etc., " Modern Chlor-AlkaliTechnology ", VOL.4 by being installed in each unit groove inside or outside downcomer, P.131, Society of Chemical Inndustry, Elsevier, 1990).This device has formed flowing of the membrane type that falls, and has that constant liquid (covering the film that falls of catheter wall) and gas (at middle body, absence of liquid) are mobile in time, has suppressed pressure surge effectively.But, the mandatory circulation that this device need carry out with pump, so energy consumption is big.
According to the United States Patent (USP) 4,839,012 of Dow chemical company, a suitable collector all is equipped with on the top in each groove.This collector is made of a length horizontal duct close with well width, and it links to each other with the delivery channel of gas-liquid mixture.Collector also has suitable hole along whole wall top margin, and the diameter in these holes is enough to be suppressed at the fluctuation that produces in the delivery channel.
European patent 505 945 has been introduced a kind of device that takes out gas-liquid mixture from electrolyzer, comprising two different conduits, so as to extract respectively the higher slice of each unit groove form mainly be gas one mutually and the gaseous product that wherein still contains paucidisperse mainly be liquid one mutually.
Other known devices has all suppressed the pressure surge that takes place in the anode of industrial cell unit groove and the cathodic compartment in all these and the prior art, but can not eliminate certainly.Fluctuation in anode and the cathodic compartment has different frequencies certainly, and their minimum and maximum peak value can not overlap certainly.As a result, in the worst case cymomotive force can add and, thereby on the ion-exchange membrane of anode separately and cathodic compartment or porous diaphragm the tangible pressure-difference fluctuation of generation.This pressure-difference fluctuation causes film or membranous periodicity deflection, and mainly is that (this place exists geometrical shape irregular, as the periphery place of point and rib at close seal washer (it has constituted point of fixity, the maximum flexural strength district) or near electrode edge.May take place owing to damage tired or that wearing and tearing cause.
Main purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the damage to ion-exchange membrane or porous diaphragm that is caused by the pressure surge in negative electrode and the anodal compartment fully.When these pressure surges are owing to extracting liquid-gas mixture produce from electrolyzer, the present invention is realizing optimal reliability aspect the operation lifetime of ion-exchange membrane or porous diaphragm, if particularly combine with the prior art device of two delivery channels of liquid phase when using with comprising downcomer, built-in porous collector and be used for extracting out respectively gas phase.
According to the present invention, a band all is equipped with in the neighboring area of each unit groove of electrolyzer, its position can cover the edge of one of two electrodes, thereby has avoided direct contact the at ion-exchange membrane or porous diaphragm and any irregularly shaped (for example Jian rib or angle).Specifically, this band has protected film or barrier film to exempt from because the wearing and tearing that vibration caused that pressure-difference fluctuation produces effectively.
For realizing optimum operation, the width of this band must be enough to cover enough parts of seal washer and a part of peripheral plane of electrode.This band must preferably have thin thickness, avoiding forming step, otherwise can hinder the even compression of packing ring, and to film or the membranous complete dangerous discontinuity that causes.
This band can be made by corrosion resistant metal or alloy, is perhaps preferably made by inert material, to reduce manufacturing cost.
Preferably scribble binding agent on the one side of band,, and during operation it is maintained fixed so that more easily locate band at the fitting recess period of the day from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.Settle a suitable packing ring of width that is pressed on the band by another electrode in each unit groove can make this become easier.Obtain two incidental benefits thus, that is, prevent the damage that causes owing to fatigue and seal up film or membranous all neighboring areas.Therefore, if in such seal area, may produce such as defectives such as hole, cracks, just avoided mixing of the negative electrode that contains in two compartments of each unit groove and anodolyte, thereby also prevented the infringement relevant with the unit groove structure erosion with electrolysate debase.In addition, band be pressed to by packing ring prevented effectively on the surface of supporting electrode band and film or every between form the hole (Pockets) of gaseous product.These air pockets may be dangerous for the film or the barrier film of some type.
Referring now to accompanying drawing the present invention is described, wherein:
Fig. 1 is half unitary frontview of a unit groove in the prior art electrolyzer.
Fig. 2 be half unit of Fig. 1 along A-A ' planar cross-sectional view, it combines with the similar cross section of second half-cell, constitutes the cross section of unit groove.
Fig. 3 and 4 similar to Fig. 2 two cross sections in addition that draw, representative electrode are wherein distinguished with film or barrier film and are directly contacted (zero stand-off) and two kinds of unit grooves of be separated from each other (certain interval).In a kind of situation in back (Fig. 4), one of electrode is near the periphery nib, and it can be fixed thereon with welding process.
Fig. 5 and 6 comprises the Fig. 3 of apparatus of the present invention and the cross-sectional view of 4 unit groove.
The present invention relates to a kind of ion-exchange membrane or porous diaphragm that is intended to avoid using in the electrolyzer may be along the device of electrode perimeter zone formation local defect (even especially under the situation that has little pressure surge).
In the following description, for simplicity, what relate to is chlorine-alkali electrolysis, particularly embrane method chlorine-alkali electrolysis, and it is most important industrial electrolysis process certainly.But, the present invention obviously also is applicable to the salt electrolysis (for example vitriol) of water electrolysis, achloride effectively, and in general be applicable in ion-exchange membrane or porous diaphragm electrolyzer are housed, carry out and be any electrochemical process of feature to form gaseous product.
In order to understand the present invention better, structure and operation that industrial chlorine-basic ion embrane method, electrolyzer are discussed earlier may be favourable.The unit groove that these electrolyzers Chang Youyi group is arranged by so-called filter press type is formed.Each unit groove all is the plane box shape, and longitudinally tunicle is divided into cathodic compartment and the anodal compartment that contains negative electrode (negative polarity) and anode (straight polarity).Sun level and cathode often are made of multihole device (for example screen cloth, perforated sheet material, porous sheet), just have the plane in the hole of different shapes and different size, and purpose is to promote the release of gaseous product bubble in the liquid electrolyte.This multihole device is made of conduction and corrosion-resistant material, common negative electrode carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel or their alloy, and anode is then used titanium.
This multihole device also scribbles electro-catalytic coating, operating voltage is remained on fully low level.
Fig. 1 is the frontview of a compartment of a unit groove, wherein major parts by with all the other figure in identical reference number sign.Specifically, 1 representative is essentially the compartment of tray shape, and the plane nib all around of perimeter gasket 3, the electrode that 4 representatives are made of screen cloth, punching sheet material or porous sheet are supported in 2 representatives, 5 representatives link to each other with electrode 4, are used for guaranteeing the supporting mass that is electrically connected with the compartment end wall.
Fig. 2 is the cross-sectional view of the compartment of Fig. 1 along plane A-A ', and the combined formation in cross section of it and similar compartment is essentially the planar casing, and this casing constitutes a typical unit groove of embrane method filter-press cell.Among Fig. 2 except that the parts that Fig. 1 has illustrated, same parts of second compartment that also drawn (representing) and ion-exchange membrane 11 with reference number 6,7,8,9 and 10.Usually keep the pressure ratio anodal compartment (1 among Fig. 2) of cathodic compartment (6 among Fig. 2) slightly high.Because this pressure reduction, film 11 keeps abutting against on the anode (electrode 4 among Fig. 2).If the peripheral part bending of this electrode, then film can form not supported bending, and it is in the periphery and the space between the packing ring 3 of electrode 4.Fig. 2 has represented the internal structure of a unit groove, and wherein electrode 4 and 9 separates certain clearance, usually several millimeters scope (being called " limited gap " in the common technology term).
Fig. 3 is the cross section with unit groove of " zero stand-off " type configuration, and electrode wherein contacts with film.Specifically, except the parts that previous two figure have been illustrated, 13 representatives and film 11 electrodes in contact that are pressed on another electrode 4.Electrode 13 is pressed on the film 11 with an elastic element 12 that is inserted in the conduction between electrode 13 and screen cloth, punching sheet or the porous chips 9.In this type of groove, screen cloth, punching sheet or porous chips 9 play distributing switch, and the molectron that keeps being made of elastic element 12 and electrode 13 as rigid structure is under the pressure.The elastic element 12 that draws of signal can be made of a series of coils among Fig. 3, or makes the shape (see italian patent 1,193,893 or United States Patent (USP) 4,444,632) of the wire bed course that interweaves.
Fig. 4 is the cross section about one of limited clearance type unit groove different embodiment.In this case, the neighboring area that is pressed on the electrode 4 on the film 11 is not crooked, but is laid on the nib 2, and electrode 4 can link to each other with nib 2 by welding.Film 11 is also supported in its neighboring area better, compares with 3 embodiment with Fig. 2, and bending reduces greatly.
Under the electrolytic situation of chlorine-alkali, the feasible unit groove (for example, make anodal compartment with titanium, stainless steel or nickel and alloy thereof are made cathodic compartment) that must adopt special material to constitute of the ionogen of highly aggressive.Suitable membrane is a perfluor type ion-exchange membrane, for example the Nafion film made of E.I.Du Pont Company or the Flemion film of Japanese Asahi glass company or the film of respective type.
Packing ring (8 among Fig. 2,3,4) on negative electrode one side is made by EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Terpolymer) type rubber, and the packing ring (in Fig. 2,3,4 3) of anode on one side must be by more expensive material, and for example Viton or EPDM (ethene-propylene diene the is a monomer) rubber that scribbles corrosion resistant material (as tetrafluoroethylene) film are made.During operation, ionogen (being respectively salt solution and caustic soda) is sent into the bottom of anode and cathodic compartment through suitable inlet tube (not drawing among the figure), and the mixture of ionogen and gaseous product (chlorine in the anodal compartment and the hydrogen in the cathodic compartment) then uses suitable device (not drawing among the figure) to extract out as previously mentioned.
As what discussed, these devices can suppress the pressure surge that must produce from gas-liquid mixture that the anode of each unit groove and cathodic compartment are extracted out significantly delivery channel.But when the fluctuation of remnants was in opposite phase occasionally, the condition after this improvement may remain dangerous for the ion-exchange membrane of fragility.Under this situation, pressure difference may be enough to bring out the obvious periodic deflection of film, particularly along the neighboring area near packing ring.The amplitude of this periodicity deflection is also relevant with the geometrical shape of the electrode edge of support membrane, usually is relevant with anode, and it can be the type of drawing among Fig. 2 or Fig. 4.Because this periodic deflection, film may or damage owing to fatigue.For reducing this danger, the electrode surface of support membrane (4 among Fig. 1,2,3 and 4) must be not coarse (for example fully flat porous metal sheet), and its peripheral part is carefully flattened.Must be noted that the zero stand-off of drawing among Fig. 3 is configured as the further provide protection that film provides the fluctuation of anti-residual pressure, compare with limited gap configuration and fix more firmly because be pressed in film between two electrodes 4 and 13.
Be drawn in the present invention shown in Fig. 5 and be applicable to limited clearance type electrolyzer, Fig. 6 then is applicable to the zero stand-off configuration.
Fig. 5 two features of the present invention that drawn, that is, and band 14 and compare the packing ring 15 that width strengthens with the packing ring 8 (Fig. 2,3 and 4) of prior art groove.
Band 14 must have enough width to press the plane peripheral part of the electrode 4 on it and the part of respective gasket 3 to cover film.Band 14 plays supporting mass, and it has avoided the deflection of film in the discontinuity zone between electrode 4 and packing ring 3.This width is between 10 to 30mm.Should avoid width excessive, can be used for electrolytic film freely surface because it increases useless cost and has limited.On the other hand, width too the young pathbreaker can not cover discontinuity zone between electrode edge and the packing ring safely.About thickness, its scope generally is to 0.5mm from 0.05.The too little meeting of thickness dies down band, can not fully support the film of peripheral discontinuity zone.Thickness too greatly also should be avoided because its hinders the even compression of packing ring, and can since in adhesive electrodes that part of the sharp-pointed edge of formation damage film.
About the constituent material of band, desired character is that enough electrolyte-resistants and physical strength are arranged.In chlorine-alkali electrolysis, can use titanium as metallic substance, perhaps preferably use perfluorochemical (for example tetrafluoroethylene), because its price is low.
For ease of assembling, band of the present invention should post adhensive membrane on the one side that will be pressed in electrode.This binding agent is electrolyte-resistant preferably, so that keep the band stationkeeping during checking internal components with possible fluting during operation.
About first purpose, that is, keep band stationkeeping during operation, also can reach with second parts of the present invention (that is the packing ring of, widening).
As shown in Figure 5, packing ring 15 relative bands 14 are at the other side of film.For example, in chlorine-alkali electrolyzer, the pressure of cathodic compartment is usually than anodal compartment height, and band 14 is positioned on the anodal compartment, stick on the plane peripheral part and a part of anode gasket 3 of anode 4, packing ring 3 is made by Viton or the EPDM rubber that scribbles the (per) fluoropolymer film.
The packing ring of widening 15 is positioned at cathodic compartment, is made by EPDM rubber.
Fig. 5 shows that also the packing ring of widening 15 is stretched out by nib 7, so that a part of plane of coated electrode 9 (being negative electrode often in chlorine-alkali electrolyzer).
If the thickness of the packing ring of widening 15 is suitable bigger than the gap between electrode 9 and the film 11, and if electrode 4 enough rigidity are arranged, then obvious packing ring 15 will be compressed, this can be pressed on film 11 and band 14 on the plane peripheral part of electrode 4 again.
Fig. 6 signal another embodiment of the present invention in the unit groove of shown electrolyzer with zero stand-off configuration of having drawn as Fig. 3.In this situation, the packing ring of widening 15 is through suitably moulding, so that can regulate electrode 13 and elastic element 12 gradually, thereby the packing ring that will widen is pressed on film 11 and the band 14, and contact pressure that need not be excessive.
Band of the present invention and the washer combinations use of widening have been guaranteed following advantage:
Even-band is fixed on the binding agent that supports on the electrode removed by ionogen, also can keep band during prolonged operation, to be in the tram.
-eliminate the fluctuation of the ion-exchange membrane between the packing ring be clipped in band and widen fully.
-seal up band effectively and the packing ring widened between the edge.
As a result, during the assembling electrolyzer,, the defective (smooth inadequately, cusped edge) of electrode perimeter and the possible damage that produces be not included in the interior ionogen of negative electrode and anodal compartment and any obvious mixing of gaseous product because can not causing.
At the particular condition of chlorine-alkali electrolyzer, above-mentioned sealing means the formation and the migration of caustic soda in titanium matter anodal compartment of hydrogen-chloroformate mixture of having avoided potentially dangerous, and this migration means the oxygen concn in serious corrosion and the increase institute preparing chlorine gas.
In addition, this sealing has also avoided forming the air pocket of stagnation between film of the present invention and band.This result is in the situation particularly important of chlorine-alkali electrolyzer, and above-mentioned at that time air pocket will be the chlorine cave.Chlorine and ion-exchange membrane, even perfluor type film, Long contact time in fact also can cause major injury (T.Yamashita etc., Modern Chlor-AlkaliTechnology, Vol.4, P.109, society of Chemical Industry, Elsevier, 1990).
About the separately position of band with the packing ring of widening, embodiment preferred obviously is that the inner edge (at ionogen on one side) that makes two elements overlaps.This embodiment preferred is difficult to realize.The experience of accumulation shows that not exclusively the condition that overlaps also is complete acceptable.The mutual alignment that not exclusively overlaps the packing ring that means band and widen can make band or the packing ring widened stretches out several millimeters on one side at ionogen.
Be also noted that; as another the accessory advantage in chlorine-alkali electrolysis, the band of the present invention anode gasket that adequately protected, thus this packing ring can be made by EPDM type rubber simply; and, so just reduced production cost without any need for the perfluorinated polymers protective membrane.
When band was used in combination with the packing ring of widening, effectiveness of the present invention makes that film is not subject to any damage under the prolonged operation became possibility, and simultaneously, the electrolyzer that is made of unit groove need not to eliminate in the prior art or the device of surge suppressing.
More than discuss and clearly illustrated that the distinguished characteristics of the present invention and some embodiment preferred.But, under the situation that does not depart from the scope of the invention that limits by following claims, can do further change.