CN113330145A

CN113330145A - Single-pole type electrolytic device

Info

Publication number: CN113330145A
Application number: CN202080009406.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高波宏幸; 那须勇作
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental and Chemical Engineering Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental and Chemical Engineering Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-23
Filing date: 2020-01-22
Publication date: 2021-08-31
Also published as: KR102579989B1; JP6569144B1; KR20210103514A; WO2020153395A1; JP2020117759A

Abstract

A single-pole electrolysis apparatus having: an outer cylinder having a rectangular inner peripheral surface formed by a pair of first surfaces parallel to each other and a pair of second surfaces orthogonal to the first surfaces; a first metal frame to which a plurality of first electrode plates are connected; a second metal frame to which a plurality of second electrode plates are connected; and insulating spacers disposed between the first electrode plates and the second electrode plates, the plurality of first electrode plates and the plurality of second electrode plates being disposed in parallel with the first surface and alternately disposed, respectively, wherein in the cross section, the first electrode plate is disposed as an electrode plate closest to the first surface, both ends of the first electrode plate are disposed in contact with the pair of second surfaces, respectively, and both ends of the second electrode plate are disposed apart from the pair of second surfaces, respectively.

Description

Single-pole type electrolytic device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a single-pole type electrolytic device.

The present application claims priority based on japanese application patent No. 2019-009392, filed on japanese application at 23.1.2019, and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

In the past, a flow-type single-pole electrolytic device has been developed, which is a type in which a liquid to be electrolyzed flows inside an electrolytic device.

For example, patent document 1 describes an electric power supply type seawater electrolysis apparatus including: an electrolytic cell; a lower tank arranged at the lower part of the electrolytic tank and provided with an inflow port for seawater; and an upper tank disposed above the electrolytic tank and forming an outlet for the seawater.

Patent document 2 describes an electrolysis unit including a water passage tube having a cylindrical shape, and a 1 st electrode and a 2 nd electrode each having a positive electrode on one side and a negative electrode on the other side. The 1 st electrodes are fixed to the water pipe via an annular support plate. The plurality of 2 nd electrodes are fixed to the water passage pipe from the side opposite to the 1 st electrode via a support plate different from the 1 st electrode.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2000-234192

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2006-263679

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

In such a single-pole electrolytic device, scale (fine solid matter that adheres to the scale) adheres to the electrodes. In general, the scale adheres to either the anode or the cathode depending on the type of the liquid to be electrolyzed, and is likely to accumulate with the passage of time. The electrolytic performance of the portion of the electrode surface where scale deposits may be reduced.

When the scale deposits, the adjacent electrodes, that is, the anode and the cathode may be finally filled with the scale. If the space between the anode and the cathode is filled with scale, the liquid to be electrolyzed cannot flow into the electrode surface on which the scale is deposited. Therefore, the electrolytic performance may be further lowered. Further, the anode and the cathode may be short-circuited by the scale.

Therefore, it is necessary to stop the operation of the monopolar electrolytic device and perform maintenance work such as cleaning for removing scale and replacing the electrode. However, if the frequency of the operation is high, the operation rate of the monopolar electrolytic device is lowered, and on the other hand, the cost required for the operation is increased.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a single-pole electrolysis apparatus capable of reducing the frequency of these operations and reducing the cost while maintaining good electrolysis performance without stopping the operation of the single-pole electrolysis apparatus for a long time by suppressing the deposition of scale during the operation of the single-pole electrolysis apparatus.

Means for solving the technical problem

The single-pole electrolysis apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an insulating outer cylinder having a rectangular inner peripheral surface formed by a pair of first surfaces parallel to each other and a pair of second surfaces orthogonal to the first surfaces in a cross section perpendicular to a central axis; a first metal frame having a plurality of first electrode plates in a rectangular plate shape, which are connected in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals and fixed to one end of the outer tube; a second metal frame having a plurality of rectangular plate-like second electrode plates that are parallel to each other and connected at the predetermined interval, and that is fixed to the other end of the outer tube; and an insulating spacer disposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, wherein the first electrode plates and the second electrode plates are disposed in parallel with the first surfaces and alternately disposed inside the inner peripheral surface, respectively, and in the cross section, the first electrode plate is disposed as an electrode plate closest to each of the pair of first surfaces, both ends of the first electrode plate are disposed in contact with the pair of second surfaces, respectively, and both ends of the second electrode plate are disposed apart from the pair of second surfaces, respectively, and electrolyzes a liquid flowing into the inner peripheral surface from the one end and flowing out from the other end.

According to this configuration, the first electrode plate on which scale is less likely to be deposited is disposed on the electrode plate closest to each of the pair of first surfaces of the outer cylinder, and the second electrode plate on which scale is more likely to be deposited is not disposed. And, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are different in size. In a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, the first electrode plate is disposed such that both ends thereof are in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder. On the other hand, the second electrode plate is disposed with both ends thereof spaced from the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder.

Therefore, the liquid to be electrolyzed can be made to flow through the space partitioned by the adjacent two first electrode plates and the outer cylinder, in which the scale is hard to accumulate. As a result, the adhesion and growth of scale are inhibited in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface where the flow rate of the liquid is likely to decrease.

In the separated portion, the liquid can flow from one electrode surface of the second electrode plate on which scale is likely to be deposited toward the other electrode surface, in other words, from the front surface side to the back surface side of the electrode plate, or from the back surface side to the front surface side. Thus, the liquid flow is disturbed and the liquid is stirred. The agitation of the liquid is further enhanced by the spacer. Further, the scale attached to the second electrode plate is peeled off by stirring the liquid, and the growth of the scale is inhibited.

Effects of the invention

According to the single-pole electrolytic device of the present invention, the adhesion and growth of scale are inhibited. Therefore, the deposition of scale during operation can be suppressed, and the electrolytic performance can be maintained satisfactorily without stopping the operation of the monopolar electrolytic device for a long time. Moreover, the frequency of maintenance work can be reduced to reduce the cost.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the central axis of a single-pole electrolytic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the single-pole electrolytic apparatus of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in the single-pole electrolytic apparatus of fig. 2, and is a sectional view taken along a direction orthogonal to fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a plurality of second electrode plates fixed to the second metal frame of fig. 1 and spacers fixed to the second electrode plates.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a fluid flow around the spacer of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where scale deposits on the second electrode plate in the monopolar electrolytic device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a reference view for comparison with fig. 6, and is a schematic view for explaining a state of scale deposition in a case where both ends of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are arranged in contact with the outer cylinder.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a system in which a plurality of the single-pole electrolytic devices of FIG. 1 are combined.

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating a modification of the spacer, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 9.

The monopolar electrolytic device 1 of the present embodiment can be used as an inorganic electrolytic synthesis device such as a marine organism adhesion prevention device for electrolyzing seawater or the like, or an organic electrolytic synthesis device for electrolyzing a predetermined liquid such as urea-containing water in order to synthesize ADCA (azodicarbonamide) or the like. That is, the single-pole electrolytic device 1 can be used even if the liquid to be electrolyzed is any liquid.

Here, an example of use as a marine organism adhesion preventing device, which is one type of inorganic electrolytic synthesis device, is shown. In the case of use in the marine organism adhesion prevention device, seawater or brine is supplied to the monopolar electrolytic device 1 as the liquid W to be electrolyzed. At this time, since the first electrode plate 61 described later is an anode plate, a positive potential (+ potential) is applied. And, the second electrode plate 62 is a cathode plate, and thus a negative potential (-potential) is applied. In addition, when the single-electrode type electrolytic apparatus 1 is used as an organic electrolytic synthesis apparatus for electrolyzing a predetermined liquid such as urea-containing water, a negative potential (-potential) is applied since the first electrode plate 61 described later is a cathode plate. And, the second electrode plate 62 is an anode plate, and thus a positive potential (+ potential) is applied. That is, potentials of opposite polarities to each other are applied to the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 by the power supply. In any case, the scale is hard to adhere to the first electrode plate 61 and easy to adhere to the second electrode plate 62. Therefore, scale is easily deposited on the second electrode plate 62.

The single-pole type electrolytic apparatus 1 can be used as a vertical type electrolytic apparatus in which the electrolytic bath main body 4 is vertically installed and the liquid W flows in the vertical direction inside the electrolytic bath main body 4, a horizontal type electrolytic apparatus in which the electrolytic bath main body 4 is horizontally installed and the liquid W flows in the horizontal direction inside the electrolytic bath main body 4, or an electrolytic apparatus in which the electrolytic bath main body 4 is inclined at an angle between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction and the liquid W flows in the inclined direction inside the electrolytic bath main body 4. Here, for convenience of explanation, the electrolytic cell body 4 of the single-pole electrolytic apparatus 1 is provided in the vertical direction Dv, that is, a vertical electrolytic apparatus in which the center axis O of the outer cylinder 41 coincides with the vertical direction Dv will be described.

Of course, the single-pole electrolytic device 1 may be provided with the central axis O inclined from the vertical direction Dv according to the application.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a monopolar electrolytic device 1 parallel to the central axis O and perpendicular to the electrode surfaces of the electrode plates (first electrode plate 61, second electrode plate 62). As shown in fig. 1, the single-pole electrolytic apparatus 1 includes a first metal frame 51, a second metal frame 52, an electrolytic bath main body 4, a first nozzle 2, a second nozzle 3, a plurality of conductive strips 53, a spacer 70, and a power source (not shown). The first metal frame 51 fixes the plurality of first electrode plates 61. The second metal frame 52 fixes the plurality of second electrode plates 62. The electrolytic cell main body 4 accommodates a plurality of first electrode plates 61 and a plurality of second electrode plates 62. The first nozzle 2 is fixed in a state of being air-tightly sandwiched between the first metal frame 51 and one end of the electrolytic cell main body 4. The second nozzle 3 is fixed in a state of holding the second metal frame 52 between the other end of the electrolytic cell main body 4 in an airtight manner. A plurality of conductive bars 53 are fixed to the first metal frame 51 and the second metal frame 52, respectively. The spacer 70 is interposed between the adjacent first electrode plate 61 and second electrode plate 62 so that the first electrode plate 61 and second electrode plate 62 do not contact each other and are short-circuited in the electrolytic cell main body 4. The power supply is electrically connected to the conductive strip 53, and applies potentials of opposite polarities to each other to the first metal frame 51 and the second metal frame 52.

As will be described later with reference to fig. 8, when a plurality of single-pole electrolyzers 1 are electrically connected and used, the conductive strip 53 is not bent, and thus the operability can be improved. A bendable wire may also be used instead of the conductive strip 53.

In fig. 1, the first nozzle 2 serves as an inlet for allowing the liquid W to flow into the electrolytic cell main body 4. The first nozzle 2 is disposed below the electrolytic cell main body 4 in the vertical direction Dv. A pipe (not shown) having a circular cross section for supplying the liquid W is connected to an end portion below the first nozzle 2 in the vertical direction Dv. The cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the first nozzle 2 as viewed in the vertical direction Dv changes from a circular shape to a rectangular shape having an area larger than the circular shape as going upward from below in the vertical direction Dv. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the first nozzle 2 in the vertical direction Dv is a circular shape when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the first nozzle 2 in the vertical direction Dv is rectangular when viewed from the vertical direction Dv.

In fig. 1, the second nozzle 3 serves as an outlet port for discharging the liquid W from the electrolytic cell main body 4. The second nozzle 3 is disposed above the electrolytic cell main body 4 in the vertical direction Dv. A pipe (not shown) having a circular cross section for discharging the liquid W is connected to an upper end of the second nozzle 3 in the vertical direction Dv. The cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the second nozzle 3 as viewed in the vertical direction Dv changes from a circular shape to a rectangular shape having an area larger than the circular shape as it goes from above to below in the vertical direction Dv. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the second nozzle 3 in the vertical direction Dv is a circular shape when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the second nozzle 3 in the vertical direction Dv is rectangular when viewed from the vertical direction Dv.

The second nozzle 3 may also have the same shape and the same dimensions as the first nozzle 2.

The first nozzle 2 and the second nozzle 3 have inner circumferential surfaces that allow the liquid W supplied from a normal pipe (a cylindrical pipe) to smoothly flow into the electrolytic cell main body 4 having a rectangular cylindrical inner circumferential surface and to smoothly discharge from the electrolytic cell main body 4 to the normal pipe.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in fig. 1 (a view of a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction Dv in line II-II). As shown in FIG. 2, the outer cylinder 41 of the electrolyzer body 4 has a rectangular (square or angular) inner peripheral surface. As shown in fig. 1, the outer cylinder 41 is disposed such that the openings of one end and the other end face in the vertical direction Dv. The outer shape of the outer cylinder 41 is a rectangular cylinder as shown in fig. 1 and 2, but the outer shape may be any shape such as a cylindrical shape or a square cylinder as long as the inner peripheral surface has the above-described rectangular shape.

The first nozzle 2 and the second nozzle 3 are detachably and airtightly fixed to the outer cylinder 41 via the first metal frame 51 or the second metal frame 52 by fixing members such as bolts. The liquid W flows into the inside of the electrolytic cell body 4, i.e., the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 41, from below the electrolytic cell body 4 in the vertical direction Dv, i.e., from the first nozzle 2. Then, the liquid W flows upward in the vertical direction Dv inside the electrolytic cell main body 4, and flows out from the second nozzle 3 to the outside. While the liquid W passes through the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 41, the liquid W is electrolyzed by the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 disposed inside the inner circumferential surface.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 41 is formed by a pair of first surfaces 411 parallel to each other and a pair of second surfaces 412 parallel to each other. In fig. 2, a direction along the surface of the first surface 411 (a direction parallel to the surface of the first surface 411) is defined as a first direction D1. A direction along the surface of the second surface 412 (a direction parallel to the surface of the second surface 412) is set as a second direction D2.

The outer cylinder 41 may be formed by combining a member having a first surface and a member having a second surface, that is, separate members, or may be integrally molded with a mold frame or the like. The outer cylinder 41 is made of a material having high insulation properties such as plastic resin.

In addition, the expression "parallel" or "the same" used in this description means not only strictly parallel or the same but also includes substantially parallel or the same concept, and allows a tolerance in design or a manufacturing error.

The first metal frame 51 is fixed to one end of the outer cylinder 41 in the vertical direction Dv. In fig. 1, the first metal frame 51 is disposed so that the lower end of the outer tube 41 in the vertical direction Dv is sandwiched between the outer tube 41 and the first nozzle 2.

The second metal frame 52 is fixed to the other end of the outer cylinder 41 in the vertical direction Dv. In fig. 1, the second metal frame 52 is disposed so that the upper end of the outer tube 41 in the vertical direction Dv is sandwiched between the outer tube 41 and the second nozzle 3.

The shape of the first metal frame 51 and the second metal frame 52 may be any shape such as a ring shape having an opening or a U shape as long as the electrode plates disposed correspondingly to each other can be fixed by welding or the like without substantially interfering with the flow of the liquid W. Here, the outer shape of the outer cylinder 41 is a rectangular cylinder. Therefore, the first metal frame 51 and the second metal frame 52 are described as being rectangular ring-shaped. In order not to obstruct the flow of the liquid W, it is preferable that the openings of the rectangular ring-shaped first metal frame 51 and the second metal frame 52 have the same or larger area than the rectangular cross-sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 41.

The first electrode plate 61 is a unipolar electrode plate in which only one of the anode and the cathode is formed on one electrode plate. The second electrode plate 62 is a unipolar electrode plate having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate 61. In the case where the liquid W is seawater (or brine), the first electrode plate 61 is an anode plate, and the second electrode plate 62 is a cathode plate.

The first electrode plate 61 includes a first electrode main body 611 and a first electrode tab portion 612. The first electrode plate 61 is fixed to the first metal frame 51 by welding or the like of the first lug portion 612. The second electrode plate 62 includes a second electrode main body 621 and a second electrode tab portion 622. The second electrode plate 62 fixes the second tab portion 622 to the second metal frame 52 by welding or the like. The first electrode body 611 and the second electrode body 621 are each rectangular plate-shaped. As shown in fig. 2, the electrode surface is arranged in parallel with the first surface 411.

The first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 have corresponding tab portions (a first tab portion 612 and a second tab portion 622) in shape. Therefore, although not strictly rectangular, it is substantially rectangular in overall view, and is therefore expressed as "rectangular plate-like".

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the first electrode main body 611 has a rectangular plate shape whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction Dv and whose lateral direction is the first direction D1. The length of the first electrode body 611 in the first direction D1 is a length in which the first electrode body 611 is not bent and both ends thereof are in contact with the second surface 412 of the outer tube 41.

From the viewpoint of improving the electrolytic performance, it is preferable that the electrode surface of the first electrode main body 611 and the electrode surface of the second electrode main body 621 overlap each other as much as possible in the second direction D2. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view III-III of fig. 2 (a view of a plane parallel to the vertical direction Dv in III-III). As shown in fig. 3, the length of the first electrode body 611 in the vertical direction Dv may be set to, for example, a length from the vicinity of the upper end of the first metal frame 51 to the vicinity of the lower end of the second metal frame 52.

The second electrode main body 621 has a rectangular plate shape whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction Dv and whose lateral direction is the first direction D1. The length of the second electrode main body 621 in the first direction D1 is a length whose both ends do not contact the second surface 412 of the outer tube 41, i.e., a length separated from the second surface 412 by a predetermined distance.

Similarly to the first electrode main body 611, the length of the second electrode main body 621 in the vertical direction Dv may be set to a length from the vicinity of the upper end of the first metal frame 51 to the vicinity of the lower end of the second metal frame 52, for example, from the viewpoint of improving the electrolytic performance.

When the plurality of first electrode plates 61 fixed to the first metal frame 51 and the plurality of second electrode plates 62 fixed to the second metal frame 52 are accommodated inside the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 41, two electrode plates adjacent to the second electrode plates 62 are always the first electrode plates 61. Therefore, the first electrode plate 61, the second electrode plate 62, and the first electrode plates 61, … … are alternately arranged one after another in order in the second direction D2. The interval between the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 in the second direction D2 may be about 5mm to 20 mm.

Further, as the electrode plate disposed closest to each of the pair of first surfaces 411, a first electrode plate 61 on which scale is hard to deposit is disposed, and a second electrode plate 62 on which scale is easy to deposit is not disposed. That is, of the electrode plates disposed inside the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 41, the electrode plates disposed at both ends in the second direction D2 become the first electrode plates 61.

As shown in fig. 2, the first electrode plates 61 disposed at both ends may be disposed in contact with the pair of first surfaces 411, respectively. When the first electrode plate 61 fixed to the first metal frame 51 is inserted into the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 41, an insulating plate made of an insulating material such as plastic resin may be disposed between the inner circumferential surface (the first surface 411 or the second surface 412) of the outer tube 41 and the first electrode plate 61 so that the first electrode plate 61 is smoothly inserted without being damaged. At this time, the insulating plate inserted into the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 41 together with the first electrode plate 61 is accommodated in the outer tube 41 as it is in contact with the inner circumferential surface. Therefore, the phrase "the first electrode plate 61 is disposed in contact with" the inner circumferential surface (the first surface 411 or the second surface 412) of the outer tube 41 includes a case where the first electrode plate is disposed in indirect contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 41. That is, when the insulating plate is present between the inner peripheral surface and the first electrode plate 61, the first electrode plate 61 may be understood to be "disposed in contact with" the first surface 411 or the second surface 412. In explaining the technical solution, it should be understood in accordance with the present definition.

According to the above configuration, the first electrode plate 61 on which scale is less likely to be deposited is disposed as the electrode plate disposed closest to each of the pair of first surfaces 411 of the outer cylinder 41, and the second electrode plate 62 on which scale is more likely to be deposited is not disposed. Both ends of the first electrode plate 61 in the first direction D1 are disposed in contact with the pair of second surfaces 412 of the outer cylinder 41. Therefore, the liquid W flowing in from the inlet flows into each of the spaces partitioned by the adjacent two first electrode plates 61 and the outer cylinder. Therefore, the flow velocity of the liquid W can be made uniform in all the spaces, as compared with the case where both ends of the first electrode plate 61 in the first direction D1 are arranged without contacting the pair of second surfaces 412 of the outer cylinder 41 (that is, the case where the spaces are not formed). As a result, the electrolytic performance in each of the spaces can be made uniform, and the effect of peeling off scale from the liquid W, which will be described later, can be made uniform. In addition, the adhesion of scale is suppressed in the vicinity of the portion where the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 41 and the first electrode plate 61 are in contact, where the flow rate of the liquid W is likely to decrease.

The first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 are different in size. In a cross section perpendicular to the center axis, the first electrode plate 61 is disposed such that both ends thereof are in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 41. On the other hand, the second electrode plate 62 is disposed so that both ends thereof are spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 41 (for example, about 2mm to 10 mm). Therefore, the liquid W to be electrolyzed can flow through the divided portion. That is, the liquid W can flow in from one electrode surface of the second electrode plate 62 to the other electrode surface, in other words, from the front surface side to the back surface side of the electrode plate, or from the back surface side to the front surface side. Therefore, the liquid W is not rectified but is turbulent, and the liquid W is stirred. By stirring the liquid W, scale adhering to the second electrode plate 62 is peeled off, and the growth of scale is inhibited.

The spacer 70 is formed of a material having high insulation (for example, a rubber material, plastic resin). As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the spacer 70 is disposed between the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 in the second direction D2 so that the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 do not contact each other and are electrically short-circuited. The spacer 70 is provided on the electrode surface of the second electrode plate 62 except for the divided portion. The spacer 70A provided at the divided portion will be described later as a modified example.

The spacer 70 is formed in a shape to enhance agitation of the liquid W by the structure and arrangement of the electrode plates. The shape of the spacer 70 may be any shape as long as it enhances stirring of the liquid W. The shape of the spacer 70 may be, for example, a circle, a triangle (one of the three vertices is disposed below the other two vertices in the vertical direction Dv), or a quadrangle (one of the four vertices is disposed below the other three vertices in the vertical direction Dv) when viewed from the second direction D2. In addition, in order not to damage the electrode plate when viewed from the first direction D1, the electrode plate is preferably rounded, for example, semicircular.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the plurality of second electrode plates 62 fixed to the second metal frame 52 and the spacers 70 fixed to the second electrode plates 62. Here, the spacer is formed in a spherical shape with the second electrode plate 62 interposed therebetween. Specifically, a spacer mounting hole 63 is opened to penetrate the electrode surface of the second electrode plate 62. Two spacers 70 having a hemispherical shape are fitted through the holes and fixed to the second electrode plate 62.

The liquid flow around the spacer of fig. 4 is shown in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 5, the liquid W flowing upward from below in the vertical direction Dv hits the spacer 70, and a flow in the first direction D1 is generated. This further enhances the stirring of the liquid W by the structure and arrangement of the electrode plates described above. As a result, the scale adhered to the second electrode plate 62 is more effectively peeled off, and the growth of the scale is inhibited.

The spacer 70 is exaggeratedly shown in fig. 1 to 4, but the size of the vertical direction Dv and the first direction D1 may be about 5mm to 20 mm. Since the size of the electrode plate main body (the first electrode main body 611 and the second electrode main body 621) of the rectangular plate-shaped electrode plate is generally about 100mm to 300mm in the first direction D1 and about 300mm to 1500mm in the vertical direction Dv, the area of the electrode plate main body is extremely large compared to the size of the spacer 70. Therefore, the plurality of spacers 70 are arranged to such an extent that the electrolysis performance of the monopolar electrolysis device 1 is not affected. Here, the two spacers 70 are disposed above and below the vertical direction Dv at the center portion of the second electrode plate 62 in the first direction D1, but the number may be increased or decreased as appropriate depending on the size of the electrode plate.

Fig. 6 shows a case where the scale S is deposited on the second electrode plate 62. In the monopolar electrolytic device 1, the scale S is more likely to adhere to the second electrode plate 62 having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate 61 than to the first electrode plate 61 due to the influence of the electric field. The adhered scale S tends to accumulate around the second electrode main body 621 of the second electrode plate 62 with the passage of time. However, as described above, the electrode closest to the first surface 411 is the first electrode plate 61, and both ends of the first electrode plate 61 contact the second surface 412 of the outer cylinder 41. On the other hand, both ends of the second electrode plate 62 are not in contact with the second surface 412 and are separated from the second surface 412 by a predetermined distance. Therefore, in fig. 6, a small space surrounded by two first electrode plates 61 adjacent to the second electrode plate 62 and the outer cylinder 41 is formed. When the liquid W flows upward from below in the vertical direction Dv in the small space, the liquid W is stirred. As a result, the scale S can be peeled off from the surface of the second electrode plate 62 to which the scale easily adheres. Therefore, the adhesion or growth of the scale S on the second electrode plate 62 can be inhibited. Therefore, the scale S can be prevented from being deposited on the second electrode plate 62, and the deposited scale S can be prevented from contacting the first electrode plate 61.

For comparison, fig. 7 shows a case where the scale S is deposited when not only the first electrode plate but also both ends of the second electrode plate are disposed in contact with the second surface. In electrolysis, the electrolysis efficiency is determined by the current density. Therefore, it is considered that the electrolytic efficiency is improved by enlarging the area of the second electrode plate to be the same as the first electrode plate. However, the scale S adheres to the second electrode plate 62 due to the influence of the electric field, and tends to accumulate at a portion (corner or corner portion) where the second electrode plate and the outer cylinder are in contact with each other, where the flow rate of the liquid W is relatively low. Therefore, even if the liquid is stirred by the spacer, the scale S adhering to the portion is difficult to be peeled off. Therefore, the adhered scale S grows and continues to be deposited, and may eventually contact the first electrode plate.

Thus, in the present embodiment, it is also important to dispose the end surface of the second electrode main body 621 facing the first direction D1 away from the second surface 412.

In the single-pole electrolytic device 1 of the present embodiment, the frequency of maintenance work such as cleaning can be suppressed by the above configuration, and the device can be used stably for a long period of time.

In the second direction D2, the electrode surface of the first electrode main body 611 disposed closest to the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 41 and facing the first surface 411 does not contribute to electrolysis. Therefore, the electrode surface may not be coated with a catalyst for electrolysis in order to reduce the production cost. At this time, among the plurality of first electrode plates 61, the first electrode plate 61 disposed closest to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 41 becomes an electrode plate coated with a single-sided coating layer of the catalyst only on one side of the electrode surface.

Fig. 8 shows a system in which a plurality of the single-pole electrolytic devices 1 of fig. 1 are combined. For convenience of explanation, fig. 8 shows a system in which three single-pole electrolytic devices 1 are combined, but a system in which two or more single-pole electrolytic devices 1 are combined may be used.

Of the three single-pole electrolyzers 1 of FIG. 8, the two single-pole electrolyzers 1 at both ends have the same configuration as that of FIG. 1. On the other hand, the central single-pole electrolyzer 1 is arranged in a manner that the arrangement of FIG. 1 is reversed vertically and horizontally.

The first metal frame 51 of the central single-pole electrolysis unit 1 is therefore connected to the second metal frame 52 of the adjacent single-pole electrolysis unit 1 via the conducting strip 53. The second metal frame 52 of the central single-pole electrolytic device 1 is connected to the first metal frame 51 of the adjacent other single-pole electrolytic device 1 via a conductive strip 53.

By performing the connection in this manner, the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 of all the connected monopolar electrolytic devices 1 can be applied with potentials of opposite polarities by only one power supply. Therefore, a system using a plurality of single-pole electrolyzers 1 can be constructed at low cost.

The central single-pole electrolyzer 1 is arranged in a manner that the arrangement of FIG. 1 is reversed vertically and horizontally. Therefore, unlike the other adjacent single-pole electrolytic device 1, the second nozzle 3 serves as an inlet of the liquid W, and the first nozzle 2 serves as an outlet of the liquid W.

In this system, the accumulation of scale during operation can be suppressed, and therefore, the electrolysis performance can be maintained well without stopping the operation of the system for a long time. Moreover, the frequency of maintenance work can be reduced, and thus the cost can be reduced.

(modification example)

Fig. 9 shows a spacer 70A as a modified example of the spacer. Fig. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to fig. 2. Fig. 1 shows the position of the spacer 70A in the vertical direction Dv by a dotted line. In the present modification, only the separator 70A is different from the separator 70 of the above-described single-pole electrolytic device 1, and the other structure is the same as that of the single-pole electrolytic device 1. Therefore, the description of the same structure and the same operation and effect will be omitted. The spacer 70A is formed of a material having high insulation (e.g., a rubber material, such as plastic resin) as in the case of the spacer 70. The spacer 70A is provided between the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 in the second direction D2 so that the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 do not contact each other and are electrically short-circuited.

As shown in fig. 1 and 9, the spacers 70A are disposed at both ends of the second electrode main body 621 in the first direction D1. The spacer 70A has a C-shaped cross section when viewed in the vertical direction Dv, and as if a groove is formed on the inner side so as to hold the end portion of the second electrode main body 621 therebetween. The spacer 70A is exaggeratedly shown in fig. 1 and 7, but the size of the vertical direction Dv and the first direction D1 may be about 5 to 20 mm.

As shown in fig. 1, the spacers 70A are disposed at both ends of the second electrode main body 621 in the vertical direction Dv. That is, the spacers 70A are disposed near the four corners of the second electrode main body 621, respectively.

By disposing the spacer 70A in this manner, a space communicating in the vertical direction Dv is formed at the center of the first direction D1 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. Therefore, when the cleaning operation is performed, the scrapers 9 having a width corresponding to the interval between the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 in the second direction D2 can be pressed into the space between the first electrode plate 61 and the second electrode plate 62 from the vertical direction Dv. As a result, the scale S can be physically removed easily. This makes it possible to remove the scale S more easily and inexpensively than cleaning by chemical washing (acid washing).

In addition, the spacers 70A are fixed to the portions where the both ends of the second electrode plate 62 are separated from the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 41 in the vicinity of the four corners of the second electrode main body 621 where the spacers 70A are arranged. However, the spacer 70A is extremely small compared to the size of the second electrode main body 621. Therefore, when the second electrode main body 621 is viewed in the vertical direction Dv, the divided portion occupies most of the space, and the portion where the spacer 70A fills the divided portion can be said to be negligible. Therefore, the above-described effect produced by disposing both ends of the second electrode plate 62 so as to be separated from the outer cylinder 41 can be enjoyed as it is. Further, since the spacer 70A changes the flow of the liquid W flowing through the divided portion, the stirring of the liquid W can be enhanced as in the spacer 70.

The single-pole electrolytic device 1 may include both the spacer 70 and the spacer 70A according to the specifications.

The embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the structure can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Industrial applicability

According to the single-pole electrolysis device of the present invention, since adhesion and growth of scale are inhibited, deposition of scale during operation can be suppressed, electrolysis performance can be maintained well without stopping the operation of the single-pole electrolysis device for a long time, and the frequency of maintenance work can be reduced to reduce expenses.

Description of the symbols

1-monopolar type electrolysis device, W-liquid, 2-first nozzle, 3-second nozzle, 4-electrolysis bath main body, 41-outer cylinder, 411-first surface, 412-second surface, O-central axis, D1-first direction, D2-second direction, 51-first metal frame, 52-second metal frame, 53-conductive strip, 61-first electrode plate, 611-first electrode main body, 612-first electrode lug, 62-second electrode plate, 621-second electrode main body, 622-second electrode lug, 63-spacer mounting hole, 70A-spacer, S-scale, 9-scraper, Dv-vertical direction.

Claims

1. A single-pole electrolysis apparatus, comprising:

an insulating outer cylinder having a rectangular inner peripheral surface formed by a pair of first surfaces parallel to each other and a pair of second surfaces orthogonal to the first surfaces in a cross section perpendicular to a central axis;

a first metal frame having a plurality of first electrode plates in a rectangular plate shape, which are connected in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals and fixed to one end of the outer tube;

a second metal frame having a plurality of rectangular plate-like second electrode plates that are parallel to each other and connected at the predetermined interval, and that is fixed to the other end of the outer tube; and

an insulating spacer disposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate,

the plurality of first electrode plates and the plurality of second electrode plates are parallel to the first surface and are alternately arranged inside the inner circumferential surface,

in the cross section, the first electrode plate is disposed as an electrode plate closest to each of the pair of first faces, both ends of the first electrode plate are disposed in contact with the pair of second faces, respectively, and both ends of the second electrode plate are disposed apart from the pair of second faces, respectively,

electrolyzing the liquid flowing into the inner peripheral surface from the one end portion and flowing out from the other end portion.

2. The monopolar electrolytic device of claim 1,

the spacers are fixed to a center portion, an end portion, or both end portions of the second electrode plate in a cross section perpendicular to the center axis, and are provided only on a part of an electrode surface of the second electrode plate in a cross section parallel to the center axis.

3. The monopolar electrolytic device of claim 2,

the spacer has any one of a hemispherical shape, a circular shape, a triangular shape, and a quadrangular shape, and stirs the liquid flowing into the inner peripheral surface to suppress the deposition of scale on the second electrode plate.

4. The single-pole electrolysis apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a first nozzle and a second nozzle, wherein in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, an inner peripheral surface of one end portion is rectangular, an inner peripheral surface of the other end portion is circular,

the one end portion of the first nozzle is connected with the outer cylinder via the first metal frame,

the one end portion of the second nozzle is connected with the outer cylinder via the second metal frame,

in a cross section perpendicular to the center axis, the inner peripheral surface is formed to gradually change from the circular shape to the rectangular shape as approaching the outer cylinder from outside the center axis.

5. The monopolar electrolytic device of any one of claims 1 to 4,

the liquid is seawater or brine,

the first electrode plate is an anode plate,

the second electrode plate is a cathode plate.

6. The monopolar electrolytic device of any one of claims 1 to 4,

the liquid is water containing urea and the liquid is water containing urea,

the first electrode plate is a cathode plate,

the second electrode plate is an anode plate.