CN116445987A

CN116445987A - Rare earth molten salt electrolysis system and method

Info

Publication number: CN116445987A
Application number: CN202310208240.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘玉宝; 张全军; 黄海涛; 薛飞; 孔钦可; 孙硕怡; 冯和云
Original assignee: Baotou Rare Earth Research Institute
Current assignee: Baotou Rare Earth Research Institute
Priority date: 2023-03-07
Filing date: 2023-03-07
Publication date: 2023-07-18

Abstract

The invention discloses a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system and a method, wherein the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system comprises a rare earth molten salt electrolysis device, a base, a liquid guide pipe and a rare earth metal ingot casting device; the base is provided in a plurality; the bases are arranged in parallel; each base is provided with a plurality of accommodating grooves; the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device is arranged in a plurality of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis devices; the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device comprises an electrolysis bath body and a tubular cathode; one part of the tubular cathode extends into the electrolytic bath body, and the other part of the tubular cathode is positioned outside the electrolytic bath body; the tubular cathode has a hollow structure; at least one part of the electrolytic bath body is arranged in the accommodating groove; the liquid guiding tube is provided with a plurality of liquid guiding tubes; the liquid guide pipe is respectively communicated with the tubular cathode and the rare earth metal ingot casting device and is used for guiding liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis into the rare earth metal ingot casting device; the rare earth ingot casting apparatus is configured to form a plurality of ingot casting chambers. The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system can improve the electrolysis efficiency.

Description

Rare earth molten salt electrolysis system and method

Technical Field

The invention relates to a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system and a rare earth molten salt electrolysis method.

Background

In the smelting process of rare earth metals, a rare earth molten salt electrolysis process is often adopted. The rare earth compound (rare earth metal chloride or fluoride) is melted at high temperature, and under the action of current, metal cations are subjected to electron formation to obtain metal, and chloride ions or fluoride ions lose electrons to form gas. And taking out the electrolysis product from the crucible, and transferring the electrolysis product into an ingot casting chamber for ingot casting. Typically, crucible tongs are used to remove the crucible. The method has complex operation and poor safety. In addition, the rare earth molten salt is insufficiently melted due to the non-uniformity of rare earth molten salt feeding, and the electrolysis efficiency is low. The model of the metal ingot obtained by the existing ingot room is fixed, and the requirement of customers on model number diversity cannot be met.

CN113337851a discloses a large-size cathode rare earth molten salt electrolytic cell, which comprises an anode conductive plate, an anode, a cathode, a receiver and a cell body lining, wherein the cell body is provided with a leakage-proof layer, an inner protective layer, a heat-insulating layer and an outer protective layer; wherein the electrolytic cell is open. CN215799953U discloses a rare earth praseodymium neodymium molten salt electrolysis reaction device, which comprises an agitating device, wherein the agitating device comprises an agitating body and a power mechanism, the agitating body is cylindrical, the upper end and the lower end are open, the inside is hollow, and a cathode rod is allowed to pass through; the external surface of the stirring body is provided with a stirring part for stirring the electrolyte, and the stirring body is driven by a power mechanism to rotate around the internal cathode rod. The stirring device is sleeved outside the cathode rod to slowly rotate so as to drive the electrolyte to slowly flow. CN103834969a discloses a molten salt electrolysis device comprising an electrolytic cell, electrodes, spacers, connecting rings, and a collecting tower. The electrolytic tank comprises a tank body and a tank body opening, wherein the isolation piece is connected with the tank body opening, the isolation piece is used for conducting and closing the tank body opening, the connecting ring is positioned on the isolation piece, the connecting ring is in sealing connection with the isolation piece, a first vacuumizing interface is arranged on the connecting ring, the collecting tower is of a hollow structure, one end of the collecting tower is opened, the other end of the collecting tower is closed, the collecting tower is positioned on the connecting ring, the opening edge of the collecting tower is tightly attached to the connecting ring, and the first vacuumizing interface is conducted with the opening of the collecting tower. The above electrolysis apparatus is still a single furnace.

CN103436920a discloses a device and method for discharging rare earth metal from high-temperature molten salt electrolysis, the device comprises a vacuum liquid storage bag with a metal liquid outlet, one end of the vacuum liquid storage bag is communicated with a siphon pipe inserted into the molten salt electrolysis tank, the other end is communicated with a vacuum buffer tank through a metal corrugated pipe, and the vacuum buffer tank is connected with a vacuum pump. This patent document transfers the molten metal in the electrolytic cell by siphoning. CN104741534a discloses an adjustable casting forming die, which consists of arc-shaped water-cooled tank components which are uniformly distributed on the circumference and are 2 or 3 integral times, and an adjusting water-cooled block and an insulating pad which are clamped between every two arc-shaped water-cooled tank components. The diameter of the forming die body is adjustable so as to meet the casting and casting requirements of roll shafts with more specifications.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system that can improve electrolysis efficiency. In addition, the system of the invention can form ingots with different specifications. Another object of the invention is to provide a method of rare earth molten salt electrolysis.

The invention achieves the aim through the following technical scheme.

In one aspect, the invention provides a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system, comprising a rare earth molten salt electrolysis device, a base, a liquid guide tube and a rare earth metal ingot casting device;

The base is arranged in a plurality; the bases are arranged in parallel; each base is provided with a plurality of accommodating grooves;

the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device is arranged in a plurality of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis devices; the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device comprises an electrolysis bath body and a tubular cathode; one part of the tubular cathode extends into the electrolytic cell body, and the other part of the tubular cathode is positioned outside the electrolytic cell body; the tubular cathode has a hollow structure and is used for guiding out liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis; at least a part of the electrolytic tank body is arranged in the accommodating tank;

the liquid guide tube is multiple; the liquid guide pipe is respectively communicated with the tubular cathode and the rare earth metal ingot casting device and is used for guiding liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis into the rare earth metal ingot casting device;

the rare earth metal ingot casting device is arranged to be capable of forming a plurality of ingot casting chambers for forming ingots from liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis.

According to the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of the present invention, preferably, each base is provided with a plurality of accommodation grooves uniformly along the length direction thereof; the central axes of the plurality of accommodating grooves are positioned in the same plane; each liquid guide pipe is communicated with tubular cathodes of a plurality of rare earth molten salt electrolysis devices positioned on the same base; the ingot casting chamber comprises a transverse ingot casting chamber and/or a longitudinal ingot casting chamber.

According to the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system, preferably, the electrolytic tank body is formed by enclosing a tank-shaped graphite anode, a furnace bottom and an upper end cover; the furnace bottom is arranged opposite to the upper end cover, and the furnace bottom is positioned below; the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device also comprises a separation sleeve and a collecting tank; the separation sleeve is arranged between the tubular cathode and the groove-shaped graphite anode, so that the accommodating space is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber; the space between the separation sleeve and the groove-shaped graphite anode is a first chamber, and the space between the separation sleeve and the tubular cathode is a second chamber; fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber; the first chamber is used for containing rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed; the top of the separation sleeve is fixed on the upper end cover, and the distance L between the bottom of the separation sleeve and the furnace bottom is greater than the distance M between the tubular cathode and the furnace bottom; the collecting tank is arranged on the furnace bottom, is positioned between the separation sleeve and the tubular cathode and is used for collecting liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis; the height H of the collecting groove is larger than the distance L between the bottom of the separation sleeve and the furnace bottom.

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to the invention preferably further comprises a blanking unit and a rotating mechanism; the plurality of rotating mechanisms are arranged, and each rotating mechanism comprises a chain wheel and a chain; the chain wheel is arranged on the upper end cover; the sprocket is configured to enable rotation of the upper end cap by rotation; a plurality of sprockets on the same base are arranged to rotate by the transmission of the chain; the blanking unit is arranged on the upper end cover, communicated with the first cavity and used for adding the metal rare earth salt to be electrolyzed into the first cavity.

According to the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system, preferably, the upper end cover is provided with a first air port and a second air port; the first air port is positioned above the first chamber, and the second air port is positioned above the second chamber; the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system further comprises an adapter unit; the adapter unit comprises an air guide sleeve, a sealing cover, a connecting pipe, an adapter pipe, a first connector and a second connector; the air guide sleeve and the sealing cover are both arranged to be sleeved on the tubular cathode and positioned outside the electrolytic tank body; the sealing cover, the air guide sleeve and the tubular cathode are arranged to form an air guide cavity; the air guide sleeve is arranged to be rotatable around the tubular cathode; the connecting pipe is communicated with the air guide cavity, and is also communicated with the first cavity and the second cavity through a first air port and a second air port respectively; the switching pipe is arranged on the sealing cover and is communicated with the air guide cavity; the first connector and the second connector are arranged on the transfer tube and are far away from the air guide cavity.

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to the present invention preferably further comprises an exhaust pipe and a booster pipe; the exhaust pipe is communicated with the switching pipe through a first joint and is used for exhausting gas; the pressurizing pipe is communicated with the switching pipe through a second joint and is used for introducing inert gas.

According to the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system, preferably, the rare earth metal ingot casting device comprises an ingot casting groove body, a longitudinal separation assembly and a transmission assembly; the ingot groove body is formed by enclosing a first fixed plate, a second fixed plate, a side plate, a discharging door, a bottom plate and an upper cover plate, and an accommodating space is formed inside the ingot groove body; the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate are oppositely arranged; the side plate and the discharging door are oppositely arranged; the bottom plate and the upper cover plate are oppositely arranged; the discharging door is arranged to be capable of being opened or closed; the ingot groove body is communicated with the liquid guide pipe; the side plate is provided with at least one strip-shaped side plate opening along the height direction; the longitudinal separation assembly includes a longitudinal separation plate; the longitudinal separation plate is matched with the side plate opening and is arranged to be capable of moving into the accommodating space so that the accommodating space forms a plurality of longitudinal ingot casting chambers; the transmission assembly is configured to control movement of the longitudinal splitter plate.

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to the invention preferably further comprises a transverse partition assembly and a vertical drive assembly; the bottom plate is provided with at least one strip-shaped bottom plate opening along the width direction; the transverse partition assembly includes a transverse partition plate; the transverse partition plate is matched with the bottom plate opening and is arranged to be capable of moving upwards so that the accommodating space forms at least one transverse ingot casting cavity; the vertical driving assembly is arranged to control the transverse partition plate to move up and down.

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to the invention, preferably, the longitudinal separation assembly further comprises an assembly seat; the assembly seat is vertically connected with the longitudinal separation plate; the two sides of the assembly seat are respectively provided with a first assembly seat connecting hole and a second assembly seat connecting hole; the transmission assembly is further arranged to control the movement of the outfeed door so that the outfeed door is opened or closed; extension parts are respectively arranged on two sides of the discharging door; the two extension parts are respectively provided with a first discharging door connecting hole and a second discharging door connecting hole; the transmission assembly comprises a clutch sleeve, a locking bolt and two first screw rods and second screw rods which are arranged in parallel; the clutch sleeve is respectively arranged in the first assembly seat connecting hole, the second assembly seat connecting hole, the first discharging door connecting hole and the second discharging door connecting hole; an internal thread is arranged in the clutch sleeve; the internal threads of the clutch sleeve are matched with the external threads of the first screw rod and the second screw rod; the first screw rod sequentially penetrates through the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the first assembly seat and the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the first discharging door, and the second screw rod sequentially penetrates through the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the second assembly seat and the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the second discharging door; the first lead screw and the second lead screw are respectively positioned at two sides of the ingot groove body; the locking bolts are respectively arranged on two sides of the assembly seat and two sides of the extension part, and are arranged to be capable of being abutted against the clutch sleeve and used for fastening the clutch sleeve.

On the other hand, the invention also provides a method for carrying out rare earth molten salt electrolysis by adopting the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system, which comprises the following steps:

step 1, adding rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed into a first cavity to form molten rare earth salt in a molten state;

step 2, electrolyzing the molten rare earth salt in a molten state, wherein rare earth metal cations form liquid rare earth metal at a tubular cathode, and anions form gas at the peripheral wall of the first chamber;

step 3, gradually driving the liquid rare earth metal in the first chamber into the second chamber along with the pressure increase of the first chamber, and controlling the pressure of the first chamber through the exhaust of the first chamber to prevent the gas in the first chamber from entering the second chamber;

step 4, after the electrolysis is carried out for a preset time, vacuumizing a rare earth metal ingot casting device, and pumping liquid rare earth metal of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device into the rare earth metal ingot casting device through a tubular cathode and a liquid guide tube; according to the requirement, adjusting the rare earth metal ingot casting device to form a plurality of ingot casting chambers;

stopping pumping the liquid rare earth metal when the amount of the liquid rare earth metal in the rare earth metal ingot casting device reaches a preset value;

Removing the formed ingots as the liquid rare earth metal is cooled and forms one or more ingots within the ingot cavity;

and 5, exhausting the gas in the first chamber so that the pressure of the first chamber is not higher than the external pressure.

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system can improve the electrolysis efficiency and process cast ingots of different types according to different requirements. In addition, the invention can improve the purity of the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis. According to the preferred technical scheme of the invention, the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis can be directly led into the rare earth metal ingot casting device through the combination of the tubular cathode, the liquid guide tube and the rare earth metal ingot casting device, so that the method is safe, convenient and high in efficiency. According to the invention, the upper end cover and the rotating mechanism are arranged to enable the feeding to be more uniform.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a portion of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the relative positions of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis device and a susceptor.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an axial structural sectional view of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial schematic view of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the tubular cathode of the present invention connected to a filter cartridge.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of another spacer sleeve according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of a rare earth ingot casting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the relative positions of the first lead screw, the lock bolt and the clutch sleeve.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the longitudinal separator plate of the present invention merely embedded in the side plate opening.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a longitudinal divider plate forming a receiving space into a plurality of longitudinal ingot chambers.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural view of another rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of one mode of use of the rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged schematic view of the transverse partition assembly and vertical drive assembly of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a schematic view of one mode of use of yet another rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention.

The reference numerals are explained as follows:

100-rare earth molten salt electrolysis device; 101-groove-shaped graphite anode, 102-furnace bottom, 103-upper end cover, 104-partition sleeve, 105-collecting tank, 111-tubular cathode, 112-connecting piece, 113-insulating piece, 114-wire, 120-adapter unit, 121-gas guide sleeve, 122-sealing cover, 123-connecting pipe, 124-adapter pipe, 125-first connector, 126-second connector, 127-first gas port, 128-second gas port, 130-blanking unit, 131-blanking hopper, 132-intercepting pipe, 133-discharging pipe, 134-blanking control valve and 135-cover;

200-catheter;

300-exhaust pipe;

400-pressurizing pipe;

500-rare earth metal ingot casting devices, 511-a first fixing plate, 512-a second fixing plate, 513-a side plate, 514-a discharge door, 515-a bottom plate and 516-an upper cover plate; 5161-observation window, 5162-liquid inlet connector, 5163-vacuum connector, 5164-fixed support, 520-longitudinal partition component, 521-longitudinal partition board, 522-assembly seat, 530-transmission component, 531-first lead screw, 532-second lead screw, 533-driving wheel, 534-locking bolt, 535-clutch sleeve, 540-transverse partition component, 541-transverse partition board, 542-transverse support board, 543-connection board, 550-vertical driving component, 560-support frame, 570-blanking frame, 580-cooling tank, 591-pressure pump, 592-vacuum equipment;

600-rotating mechanism, 601-sprocket;

700-base, 710-working channel.

Detailed Description

The invention will be further described with reference to the drawings and the specific embodiments, but the scope of the invention is not limited thereto.

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system comprises a rare earth molten salt electrolysis device, a liquid guide pipe, an exhaust pipe, a pressurizing pipe, a rare earth metal ingot casting device, a rotating mechanism and a base. The following is a detailed description.

< base >

The number of the bases is plural. The bases are arranged in parallel. A plurality of accommodating grooves are formed in each base. The holding tank is used for holding an electrolytic tank body of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device. An operation channel is formed between the adjacent bases. Thus, the operation personnel can operate each rare earth molten salt electrolysis device independently or perform maintenance operation.

In a preferred embodiment, each base is uniformly provided with a plurality of receiving grooves along its length; the central axes of the plurality of accommodating grooves are positioned in the same plane. Thus being beneficial to the simultaneous operation of a plurality of rare earth molten salt electrolysis devices and improving the electrolysis efficiency.

< rare-earth molten salt electrolyzer >

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis device is multiple. Each rare earth molten salt electrolysis device comprises a groove-shaped graphite anode, a furnace bottom, an upper end cover, a separation sleeve, a collecting groove, a tubular cathode, a wire, an adapter unit and a blanking unit. Optionally, a connector and an insulator are also included. The following is a detailed description.

Grooved graphite anode, furnace bottom and upper end cover

In the invention, the grooved graphite anode has a hollow cylinder structure. The hollow cylinder structure is provided with an accommodating space. The two ends of the accommodating space are provided with openings, namely an upper opening and a lower opening. The furnace bottom is arranged at the lower opening and is used for closing the lower opening. The upper end cover is arranged at the upper opening and is used for closing the upper opening. The cell-shaped graphite anode, the furnace bottom and the upper end cover are enclosed to form an electrolytic cell body. This makes it possible to form a space for accommodating the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed. In the present invention, at least a part of the electrolytic cell body is placed in the accommodation groove of the base.

In certain embodiments, the upper end cap is configured to be rotatable. This facilitates the uniform addition of the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed into the body of the electrolyzer.

In certain embodiments, the upper end cap is provided with a first gas port and a second gas port. The first air port is positioned above the first chamber. The second port is located above the second chamber. The first gas port and the second gas port are both located on the same side of the tubular cathode.

Tubular cathode and filter cartridge

One part of the tubular cathode extends into the electrolytic cell body, and the other part is positioned outside the electrolytic cell body. In certain embodiments, the bottom of the tubular cathode extends to near the furnace floor. The tubular cathode has a hollow structure for guiding out the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis. The tubular cathode of the present invention may be used as both cathode and electrolyte product, i.e. liquid RE metal, may be led out through its middle structure.

In certain preferred embodiments, a filter cartridge is provided at the bottom of the tubular cathode. The filter cartridge is used for filtering the electrolysis product, so that the purity of the electrolysis product is further improved.

Separation sleeve and collecting tank

The separation sleeve is arranged between the tubular cathode and the groove-shaped graphite anode, so that the accommodating space is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber. The space between the separating sleeve and the grooved graphite anode is a first chamber. The space between the separator sleeve and the tubular cathode is a second chamber. The first chamber is in fluid communication with the second chamber. I.e. a channel is formed between the bottom of the spacer sleeve and the furnace floor. The first chamber is for containing a rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed. The top of the separation sleeve is fixed on the upper end cover, and the distance L between the bottom of the separation sleeve and the furnace bottom is greater than the distance M between the tubular cathode and the furnace bottom.

In the initial electrolysis, molten rare earth metal salt in a molten state is positioned in a second chamber and a first chamber, and the second chamber and the first chamber form a structure similar to a communicating vessel. As electrolysis proceeds, metal cations gradually enter the second chamber and form metal at the tubular cathode, anions enter the first chamber, and gas is formed at the grooved graphite anode.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the central axis of the tubular cathode and the central axis of the separator sleeve are both coincident with the central axis of the grooved graphite anode.

In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional areas of the spacer sleeves are equal from top to bottom.

In other embodiments, the spacer sleeve is an inverted frustoconical structure. The cross-sectional area of the material increases gradually from top to bottom. The outer peripheral surface of the separation sleeve is provided with a plurality of bulges. The plurality of protrusions are spirally distributed along the outer peripheral surface of the separation sleeve. The bulges are strip-shaped. For example, the outer contour of the protrusion may be rectangular or parallelogram shaped. The separation sleeve with the structure can enable the rare earth metal salt to settle along the peripheral wall of the separation sleeve, delay the settlement speed, enable the bulges on the separation sleeve to play a role of disturbance, improve the mixing efficiency of the rare earth metal salt, and further improve the melting rate of the rare earth metal salt.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a collection trough. The collecting tank is used for collecting liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis and is arranged on the furnace bottom. The collection trough is disposed between the separator sleeve and the tubular cathode. The height H of the collecting tank is larger than the distance L between the bottom of the separation sleeve and the furnace bottom. The tubular cathode extends into the lower part of the collecting tank. This ensures that the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis is collected in the collection tank. When the liquid rare earth metal in the collecting tank is collected fully, pumping operation can be performed, and the liquid rare earth metal is led out from the hollow structure of the tubular cathode.

The above arrangement can avoid the mixing of the non-electrolyzed rare earth metal salt into the electrolysis product (namely, liquid rare earth metal), thereby ensuring the high purity of the electrolysis product. In addition, the extracted electrolysis product has no residual rare earth metal salt, thereby improving the purity of the electrolysis product.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the central axis of the collecting tank coincides with the central axis of the tubular cathode.

In the present invention, the electrolysis product (i.e., liquid rare earth metal) resulting from the electrolysis is collected in the second chamber, and the gas resulting from the electrolysis is collected in the first chamber. As electrolysis proceeds, the liquid level in the first chamber gradually decreases and the liquid level in the second chamber gradually increases. When the channel communicated with the lower parts of the first chamber and the second chamber is also liquid rare earth metal, or when the liquid rare earth metal in the container for collecting the metal is full, the liquid rare earth metal can be led out through the tubular cathode and the liquid guide tube in sequence by vacuumizing.

In the invention, in the process of pumping the electrolysis product (namely liquid rare earth metal), the gas in the first cavity is gradually discharged through the first pipe body, so that the phenomenon that the quality is influenced due to the fact that the non-electrolyzed rare earth metal molten salt is mixed into the liquid rare earth metal is avoided. And when the pressure in the first cavity is not higher than the external pressure, throwing the rare earth metal molten salt into the first cavity, and adjusting the pressure of the second cavity by introducing inert gas in the throwing process of the rare earth metal molten salt, so that the pressure of the second cavity is higher than the pressure of the first cavity, and further, the phenomenon that the non-electrolyzed rare earth metal molten salt is mixed into the second cavity is avoided. In the process of discharging liquid rare earth metal and throwing rare earth metal fused salt, the two steps do not influence the electrolytic process. Thus, the purity of the electrolytic product can be improved, and the electrolytic efficiency can be improved.

Discharging unit

The blanking unit is arranged on the upper end cover. The blanking unit is communicated with the first chamber and is used for adding rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed into the first chamber.

The blanking unit comprises a material placing hopper, a cutoff pipe, a material discharging pipe, a blanking control valve and a cover body. The material placing hopper, the intercepting pipe and the material discharging pipe are sequentially connected from top to bottom. The outlet end of the discharging pipe is communicated with the first chamber. The cover body is arranged on the placing hopper. The blanking control valve is arranged at the cut-off pipe and used for controlling feeding.

In the invention, the upper end cover rotates to drive the blanking unit to rotate, and the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed enters the first cavity through the blanking unit and is uniformly distributed at the upper part of the first cavity along the circumferential direction of the first cavity, and the rare earth metal salt is melted to form a liquid state along with the sedimentation of the rare earth metal salt.

Adapter unit

The adapter unit comprises an air guide sleeve, a sealing cover, a connecting pipe, an adapter pipe, a first connector and a second connector. This is advantageous for the buffering when exhausting or introducing inert gas, and makes the overall structure more compact.

The air guide sleeve and the sealing cover can be sleeved on the tubular cathode and positioned outside the electrolytic tank body. An air guide cavity can be formed among the sealing cover, the air guide sleeve and the tubular cathode. The air guiding cavity is preferably of annular structure. In certain embodiments, the air guide sleeve comprises a bottom wall and a side wall, wherein a sleeve hole is formed in the center of the bottom wall, the shape of the sleeve hole is matched with the outline of the tubular cathode, and the side wall is vertically arranged on the bottom wall along the circumferential direction of the bottom wall. The air guide sleeve can rotate around the tubular cathode. The sealing cover is fixedly connected with the tubular cathode.

The connecting pipe is used for communicating the air guide cavity with the electrolytic tank body. Specifically, the connecting pipe is horizontally arranged, and one end of the connecting pipe is arranged on the air guide sleeve and communicated with the air guide cavity. The connecting pipe is communicated with the first chamber through the first air port. The connecting pipe is communicated with the second chamber through the second air port.

The switching pipe is arranged on the sealing cover and is communicated with the air guide cavity. The first connector and the second connector are arranged on the transfer tube and are far away from the air guide cavity. In certain specific embodiments, the adapter tube comprises a first connection portion, a transition portion, and a second connection portion that are sequentially connected; the first connecting part is connected with the sealing cover; one end of the transition part is in arc connection with the first connecting part, and the other end of the transition part is in arc connection with the second connecting part; the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged in parallel and perpendicular to the transition portion. The transition portion is disposed substantially horizontally. The second connecting part is provided with a first connector for exhausting gas and a second connector for introducing gas.

Connector, insulator and wire

One end of the insulating member is connected with the top end of the tubular cathode, and the other end is connected with the connecting member. The provision of the insulating member allows the catheter to be in a non-conductive state, thereby improving safety. One end of the connecting piece far away from the insulating piece is connected with the liquid guiding tube. The catheter is communicated with the tubular cathode through the connecting piece and the insulating piece in sequence.

The tubular cathode is connected with the negative electrode of the power supply through a lead. The part of the lead wire connected with the tubular cathode is positioned between the sealing cover and the insulating piece. The wires connected to each tubular cathode are independently connected to the negative electrode of the power source.

< exhaust pipe and pressure-increasing pipe >

The exhaust pipe is communicated with the switching pipe through a first joint and is used for exhausting gas. The exhaust pipe is communicated with the first chamber and the second chamber respectively. The first joint of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis mechanism in the same base can be connected with the same exhaust pipe.

The pressurizing pipe is communicated with the switching pipe through a second joint and is used for introducing inert gas. The pressurizing pipe is communicated with the first chamber and the second chamber respectively. The second joint of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis mechanism in the same base can be connected with the same pressurizing pipe.

< catheter >

The tubular cathode is communicated with the ingot groove body of the rare earth metal ingot casting device through a liquid guide pipe. The liquid guiding tube has a plurality of liquid guiding tubes. The liquid guide tube is used for guiding the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis into the rare earth metal ingot casting device.

In certain embodiments, the catheter is in communication with the tubular cathode via a connector, an insulator, in turn. The number of catheters may be the same as the number of bases. Each liquid guide pipe is communicated with tubular cathodes of a plurality of rare earth molten salt electrolysis devices positioned on the same base.

< Transmission mechanism >

The transmission mechanism of the invention comprises a chain wheel and a chain. The sprocket is arranged on the upper end cover. Specifically, a sprocket is provided on each upper end cap. The central axis of the sprocket coincides with the central axis of the tubular cathode. Multiple sprockets on the same base can be rotated by the transmission of the same piece of chain. Rotation of the sprocket rotates the upper end cap. The upper end cover rotates to drive the blanking unit to rotate. This facilitates the uniform addition of the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed into the first chamber of the body of the electrolyzer.

In the invention, when the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed is required to be uniformly thrown into the first cavity, the chain is driven to act, so that the chain drives each upper end cover to rotate through the chain wheel, the blanking unit also rotates along with the chain, the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed enters the first cavity through the blanking unit, and the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed is uniformly distributed on the upper part of the first cavity along the circumferential direction of the first cavity.

< rare-earth Metal ingot casting device >

In certain embodiments, the rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention comprises an ingot well body, a longitudinal separation assembly, and a drive assembly. This may form a plurality of longitudinal ingot chambers. In other embodiments, the rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention comprises an ingot well body, a longitudinal divider assembly, a transmission assembly, a transverse divider assembly, and a vertical drive assembly. This may form the longitudinal ingot chamber or the transverse ingot chamber separately, or may form both the longitudinal ingot chamber and the transverse ingot chamber. Optionally, the rare earth metal ingot casting device further comprises a supporting frame, a blanking frame, a cooling tank, vacuum equipment and a pressure pump. The following is a detailed description.

Ingot casting groove body

The ingot groove body is formed by enclosing a first fixing plate, a second fixing plate, a side plate, a discharging door, a bottom plate and an upper cover plate, and an accommodating space is formed inside the ingot groove body. The first fixing plate and the second fixing plate are oppositely arranged. The side plate and the discharging door are arranged oppositely. The bottom plate and the upper cover plate are oppositely arranged.

The discharge gate is arranged to be openable and closable for discharging the formed ingot. The inside of the discharging door is of a hollow structure, and cooling liquid can be introduced. Specifically, the discharging door is provided with a cooling liquid inlet and a cooling liquid outlet. Thus, a cooling type discharging door can be formed, so that the temperature is reduced, and liquid rare earth metal is formed into an ingot more quickly.

In certain embodiments, the two sides of the discharge door are respectively provided with an extension part; the two extension parts are respectively provided with a first discharging door connecting hole and a second discharging door connecting hole.

In certain embodiments, the side panels are provided with at least one strip-shaped side panel opening along their height. According to one embodiment of the invention, only one strip-shaped side plate opening is arranged on the side plate, and is positioned in the middle of the side plate. In other embodiments, the base plate is provided with at least one strip-shaped base plate opening along its width. This facilitates the separation of multiple ingot chambers. In still other embodiments, the side panels are provided with at least one strip-shaped side panel opening along their height direction and the bottom panel is provided with at least one strip-shaped bottom panel opening along its width direction.

An observation window, a liquid inlet connector and a vacuum connector are arranged on the upper cover plate. The liquid inlet joint is positioned in the middle of the upper cover plate and is used for introducing rare earth metal. The liquid guide pipe is communicated with the ingot casting groove body through the liquid inlet joint. The edge that vacuum joint is close to the upper cover plate sets up, is favorable to evacuating the accommodation space of ingot groove body. The vacuum connector may be connected to a vacuum tube. The vacuum equipment vacuumizes the ingot groove body through the vacuum tube, and then the liquid rare earth metal in the liquid guide tube is led into the ingot groove body. The observation window is far away from the vacuum joint, so that the observation is convenient.

Support frame and blanking frame

The support frame is arranged below the ingot groove body. Is used for supporting the ingot groove body. The structure of the support frame is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a frame structure.

The blanking frame is arranged close to the discharging door. This facilitates the removal of the ingot. The labor intensity can be reduced. The blanking frame can comprise two inclined surface parts with different inclined angles which are connected in sequence. The inclined angle of the inclined surface part connected with the discharging door is larger, and the inclined angle of the inclined surface part far away from the discharging door is smaller. This provides cushioning for the ingot.

Longitudinal partition assembly and transmission assembly

In the present invention, the longitudinal partition member includes a longitudinal partition plate and a fitting seat.

The longitudinal partition plate is matched with the side plate opening and is arranged to be capable of moving into the accommodating space so that the accommodating space forms a plurality of longitudinal ingot casting chambers. The longitudinal divider panel can be inserted into the side panel opening. Therefore, the tightness of the ingot casting cavity can be maintained, and the leakage of liquid rare earth metal in the ingot casting cavity is avoided.

The assembly seat is vertically connected with the longitudinal separation plate. The two sides of the assembly seat are respectively provided with a first assembly seat connecting hole and a second assembly seat connecting hole. In certain embodiments, the mount comprises a first connecting arm, a middle portion, and a second connecting arm that are connected in sequence. The middle part is vertically connected with the longitudinal partition plate. The first assembly seat connecting hole is formed in one end, far away from the middle portion, of the first connecting arm. The second assembly seat connecting hole is arranged at one end of the second connecting arm far away from the middle part.

In the invention, the inside of the longitudinal partition plate is of a hollow structure, and can be filled with cooling liquid. The middle part of the assembly seat is provided with a cooling liquid inlet and a cooling liquid outlet which are respectively communicated with the inside of the longitudinal partition plate. Thus being beneficial to forming a cooling type longitudinal partition plate and cooling liquid rare earth metal to accelerate the speed of forming cast ingots.

In the present invention, the transmission assembly is configured to control movement of the longitudinal splitter plate. In certain embodiments, the drive assembly is further configured to control the movement of the outfeed gate such that the outfeed gate is either open or closed.

The transmission assembly comprises a first lead screw, a second lead screw, a clutch sleeve, a locking bolt and a transmission wheel.

The clutch sleeve is respectively arranged in the first assembly seat connecting hole, the second assembly seat connecting hole, the first discharging door connecting hole and the second discharging door connecting hole. An internal thread is arranged in the clutch sleeve.

The first screw rod and the second screw rod are arranged in parallel. The first screw rod is arranged to sequentially penetrate through the first assembly seat connecting hole and the first discharging door connecting hole. The second screw rod sequentially penetrates through the second assembly seat connecting hole and the second discharging door connecting hole. The first lead screw and the second lead screw are respectively positioned at two sides of the ingot groove body.

In certain embodiments, the external threads of the first lead screw and the second lead screw mate with the internal threads of the clutch sleeve. The first screw rod is arranged to sequentially pass through the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the first assembly seat and the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the first discharging door, and the second screw rod is arranged to sequentially pass through the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the second assembly seat and the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the second discharging door. The first lead screw and the second lead screw are respectively positioned at two sides of the ingot groove body.

The locking bolts are multiple. The plurality of locking bolts are respectively arranged on two sides of the assembly seat and two sides of the extension part and are arranged to be capable of abutting against the clutch sleeve for fastening the clutch sleeve.

When the locking bolt is screwed, the end part of the locking bolt is abutted to the peripheral wall of the clutch sleeve, so that the clutch sleeve is fixed with the assembly seat or the discharging door, the first screw rod and the second screw rod are driven to rotate, and the longitudinal separation plate or the discharging door moves along the axial direction of the first screw rod and the second screw rod. When the locking bolt is unscrewed, the locking bolt is separated from the clutch sleeve, so that the clutch sleeve rotates along with the rotation of the first screw rod and the second screw rod, and the longitudinal separation plate or the discharge door is not driven to axially move.

The two driving wheels are respectively sleeved on the first screw rod and the second screw rod and used for driving the first screw rod and the second screw rod to rotate. The two driving wheels are synchronously driven, so that the two lead screws synchronously rotate, and the stability of the movement of the longitudinal partition plate or the discharge door is ensured.

Transverse partition assembly and vertical driving assembly

In the present invention, the vertical drive assembly includes a vertical drive and a stationary support. The fixed support is arranged at the two side edge positions of the upper cover plate along the width direction. The fixed support is used for fixing the vertical driving piece. The vertical driving piece is vertically arranged and is arranged to control the transverse division plate to move up and down. The vertical driving piece can stretch out and draw back from top to bottom, and can be a telescopic electric cylinder. The vertical driving piece can control the depth of the transverse partition plate extending into the accommodating space to be different, so that cast ingots with different thicknesses are formed (after liquid rare earth metal enters the accommodating space, the liquid level height of the cast ingots is not higher than the upper end face of the transverse partition plate).

In the present invention, the lateral separation assembly includes a lateral separation plate and a connection base. The transverse partition plate is matched with the opening of the bottom plate and is arranged to move upwards so that the accommodating space forms at least one transverse ingot casting cavity. This facilitates the formation of a lateral ingot chamber. The transverse divider plate can be inserted into the floor opening. Therefore, the tightness of the ingot casting cavity can be maintained, and the leakage of liquid rare earth metal in the ingot casting cavity is avoided.

In the invention, the inside of the transverse partition plate is hollow and is provided with cooling liquid. This facilitates the formation of cooled transverse partition plates.

The transverse division plate is arranged on the connecting base.

In certain embodiments, the connection base includes only the transverse support plate. The transverse supporting plate is arranged along the width direction of the ingot groove body. The transverse division plate is arranged on the transverse support plate. The transverse support plate can be more than one. One end of a vertical driving piece of the vertical driving assembly is connected with the transverse supporting plate, and the other end of the vertical driving piece is connected with the fixed support.

In other embodiments, the connection mount comprises a transverse support plate and a connection plate. The number of the transverse supporting plates is more than two. The connecting plates are two, and are respectively connected with the transverse supporting plates. The end of the connecting plate is connected with the end of the transverse supporting plate. One end of each of the two vertical driving pieces is fixed on the connecting plate, and the other end of each of the two vertical driving pieces is connected with the fixed support.

Cooling tank, vacuum equipment and pressure pump

The cooling tank can cool down, cooling liquid is arranged in the cooling tank, and the cooling liquid in the cooling tank circulates in the discharging door, the longitudinal partition plate and the transverse partition plate through the pressure pump so as to form a cooling discharging door, a cooling longitudinal partition plate and a cooling transverse partition plate. Thus being beneficial to rapid cooling of the cast ingot.

The vacuum equipment is connected with the vacuum joint through a vacuum tube, so that the liquid rare earth metal is led out from the tubular cathode through vacuumizing, and then enters the ingot groove body through the liquid guide tube.

< electrolytic method >

The invention also provides a method for carrying out rare earth molten salt electrolysis by adopting the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system, which comprises the following steps:

and step 1, adding rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed into the first cavity to form molten rare earth salt in a molten state. The rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed can be heated to form molten rare earth salt in a molten state.

And 2, electrolyzing the molten rare earth salt in a molten state, wherein rare earth metal cations form liquid rare earth metal at the tubular cathode, and anions form gas at the peripheral wall of the first chamber. At the tubular cathode, the rare earth metal cations gain electrons, forming a liquid rare earth metal. At the peripheral wall of the first chamber, anions (e.g., chloride or fluoride) lose electrons to form a gas.

And 3, gradually driving the liquid rare earth metal in the first chamber into the second chamber along with the pressure increase of the first chamber, and controlling the pressure of the first chamber through the exhaust of the first chamber to prevent the gas in the first chamber from entering the second chamber.

And 4, after the electrolysis is carried out for a preset time, vacuumizing the rare earth metal ingot casting device, and pumping the liquid rare earth metal of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device into the rare earth metal ingot casting device through the tubular cathode by the liquid guide tube. And adjusting the rare earth metal ingot casting device according to the requirement to form a plurality of ingot casting chambers. Stopping pumping the liquid rare earth metal when the amount of the liquid rare earth metal in the rare earth metal ingot casting device reaches a preset value; these formed ingots are removed as the liquid rare earth metal is cooled and forms one or more ingots within the ingot cavity.

Step 5 may be performed simultaneously during the pumping of the liquid rare earth metal.

In the process of sucking the liquid rare earth metal, the gas in the first cavity is gradually discharged through the exhaust pipe, so that the phenomenon that the quality is affected due to the fact that the non-electrolyzed rare earth molten salt is mixed into the liquid rare earth metal is avoided. When the pressure in the first chamber is not higher than the external pressure, the rare earth molten salt is added into the first chamber, and the pressure of the second chamber can be adjusted through the pressurizing pipe in the feeding process, so that the pressure of the second chamber is higher than the pressure of the first chamber, and the phenomenon that the non-electrolyzed rare earth molten salt is mixed into the first chamber is avoided. The invention does not influence the electrolytic process in the sucking process of liquid rare earth metal and the feeding process of rare earth molten salt.

Example 1

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a portion of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of the invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the relative positions of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis device and a susceptor. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an axial structural sectional view of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial schematic view of fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of a rare earth ingot casting apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the relative positions of the first lead screw, the lock bolt and the clutch sleeve. Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the longitudinal separator plate of the present invention merely embedded in the side plate opening. Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a longitudinal divider plate forming a receiving space into a plurality of longitudinal ingot chambers.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of the present embodiment includes a rare earth molten salt electrolysis device 100, a catheter 200, an exhaust pipe 300, a booster pipe 400, a rare earth metal ingot casting device 500, a rotating mechanism 600, and a base 700.

The number of pedestals 700 is plural. The plurality of pedestals 700 are disposed in parallel. A plurality of receiving grooves are provided on each of the bases 700. Specifically, each base 700 is uniformly provided with a plurality of receiving grooves along its length direction; the central axes of the plurality of accommodating grooves are positioned in the same plane. A working channel 710 is formed between adjacent susceptors 700.

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus 100 is plural. At least a portion of the cell body of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device 100 is located within the receiving tank of the base 700.

As shown in fig. 2 to 5, each rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus 100 includes a trough-shaped graphite anode 101, a furnace bottom 102, an upper end cover 103, a separation sleeve 104, a collecting trough 105, a tubular cathode 111, a connecting member 112, an insulating member 113, a wire 114, an adapter unit 120, and a blanking unit 130.

The trough-shaped graphite anode 101, the furnace bottom 102 and the upper end cover 103 enclose a synthetic electrolytic cell body. Specifically, the grooved graphite anode 101 has an accommodation space having openings at both ends thereof, an upper opening and a lower opening, respectively. The furnace bottom 102 is disposed at the lower opening for closing the lower opening. The upper end cover 103 is disposed at the upper opening for closing the upper opening. The upper end cover 103 can rotate under the drive of the rotating mechanism 600.

The tubular cathode 111 is arranged vertically, and a part of the tubular cathode extends into the electrolytic cell body and is close to the furnace bottom 102; the other part is positioned outside the electrolytic tank body. The tubular cathode 111 has a hollow structure for guiding out the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis.

As shown in fig. 5, a partition sleeve 104 is provided between the tubular cathode 111 and the grooved graphite anode 101, thereby dividing the accommodation space into a first chamber and a second chamber. The space between the spacer 104 and the grooved graphite anode 101 is a first chamber. The space between the spacer 104 and the tubular cathode 111 is a second chamber. The first chamber is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The first chamber is for containing a rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed. The top of the spacer 104 is fixed to the upper end cover 103, and the distance L between the bottom of the spacer 104 and the furnace bottom 102 is greater than the distance M between the tubular cathode 111 and the furnace bottom 102.

A collection tank 105 is provided on the furnace bottom 102, between the spacer 104 and the tubular cathode 111, for collecting the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis. The height H of the collection trough 105 is greater than the distance L between the bottom of the spacer sleeve 104 and the furnace floor 102. The tubular cathode 111 extends into the lower part of the collection tank 105.

As shown in fig. 4 to 5, the discharging unit 130 is disposed on the upper end cover 103 and is in communication with the first chamber, for adding the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed into the first chamber. Specifically, the discharging unit 130 includes a hopper 131, a cutoff pipe 132, a discharging pipe 133, a discharging control valve 134, and a cover 135. The hopper 131, the cutoff tube 132 and the discharge tube 133 are connected in this order from top to bottom. The outlet end of the discharge pipe 133 communicates with the first chamber. The cover 135 is disposed on the hopper 131. The blanking control valve 134 is disposed at the cutoff tube 132.

As shown in fig. 5, the upper end cap 103 is provided with a first gas port 127 and a second gas port 128. The first air port 127 is located above the first chamber. The second port 128 is located above the second chamber.

As shown in fig. 3 to 6, the adaptor unit 120 includes an air guide sleeve 121, a sealing cover 122, a connection pipe 123, an adaptor pipe 124, a first joint 125, and a second joint 126.

The gas guide sleeve 121 and the sealing cover 122 can be sleeved on the tubular cathode 111 and positioned outside the electrolytic tank body. A gas guide chamber 129 can be formed between the seal cap 122, the gas guide sleeve 121 and the tubular cathode 111. The air guide sleeve 121 is rotatable around the tubular cathode 111. The connecting pipe 123 connects the gas guide chamber 129 with the cell body. Specifically, the connection pipe 123 is horizontally disposed, and one end thereof is disposed on the air guide sleeve 121, and the connection pipe 123 is also respectively communicated with the first chamber and the second chamber through the first air port 127 and the second air port 128. The transfer tube 124 is disposed on the sealing cap 122 and communicates with the air guide chamber 129. The first connector 125 and the second connector 126 are disposed on the transfer tube 124 and are remote from the air guide chamber 129.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the exhaust pipe 300 communicates with the transfer pipe 124 through the first joint 125 for exhausting gas. The pressurizing pipe 400 is communicated with the transfer pipe 124 through the second joint 126 for introducing inert gas.

One end of the insulating member 113 is connected to the top end of the tubular cathode 111, and the other end is connected to the connecting member 112. The end of the connector 112 remote from the insulator 113 is connected to the catheter 200. The tubular cathode 111 is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply via a wire 114. The portion where the lead 114 is connected to the tubular cathode 111 is located between the seal cap 122 and the insulating member 113.

The number of catheters 200 is multiple. The catheter 200 is in communication with the tubular cathode 111 via the connector 112 and the insulator 113 in turn. Specifically, each of the liquid guide tubes 200 communicates with the tubular cathodes 111 of the plurality of rare earth molten salt electrolysis devices 100 located on the same base 700.

The liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis may be introduced into the rare earth metal ingot casting device 500 through the hollow structure of the tubular cathode 111, the catheter 200 in this order.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the rotation mechanism 600 includes a sprocket 601 and a chain (not shown). Sprocket 601 is disposed on upper end cap 103. Multiple sprockets 601 on the same base 700 are rotated by a transmission through the same piece of chain. Rotation of sprocket 601 causes rotation of upper end cap 103. The rotation of the upper end cover 103 drives the blanking unit 130 to rotate, which is beneficial to uniformly adding the rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed into the first chamber of the electrolytic tank body.

As shown in fig. 1 and 9, a rare earth ingot casting device 500 is in communication with the catheter 200 for forming an ingot of the received liquid rare earth metal. Rare earth ingot device 500 is capable of forming a plurality of ingot chambers. In this embodiment, the plurality of ingot chambers is a plurality of longitudinal ingot chambers. The rare earth ingot casting apparatus 500 of the present embodiment includes an ingot groove body 510, a longitudinal partition member 520, a transmission member 530, a support frame 560, a blanking frame 570, a cooling groove 580, a pressure pump 591, and a vacuum device 592.

As shown in fig. 9, 11 and 12, the ingot groove body 510 is enclosed by a first fixing plate 511, a second fixing plate 512, a side plate 513, a discharge door 514, a bottom plate 515 and an upper cover plate 516, and an accommodating space is formed inside. The first fixing plate 511 and the second fixing plate 512 are disposed opposite to each other and are parallel to each other. The side plate 513 and the discharge door 514 are disposed opposite to each other and parallel to each other. The bottom plate 515 and the upper cover plate 516 are disposed opposite to each other and parallel to each other.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the side plate 513 is provided with at least one strip-shaped side plate opening in the height direction thereof. In this embodiment, only one strip-shaped side plate opening is provided near the middle of the side plate 513.

The longitudinal partition assembly 520 includes a longitudinal partition plate 521 and a mounting seat 522. The longitudinal divider plate 521 mates with the side plate opening. As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the longitudinal partition 521 may be inserted into the side plate opening and may be movable into the accommodating space such that the accommodating space forms a plurality of longitudinal ingot chambers.

When the longitudinal partition plate 521 is fitted into the side plate opening and does not move into the accommodating space, the longitudinal partition plate 521 may close the side plate opening (fig. 11). When the longitudinal partition 521 moves into the accommodation space and abuts against the discharge gate 514, the accommodation space can be made to form a plurality of longitudinal ingot chambers (fig. 12). In this embodiment, two longitudinal ingot chambers are formed.

The first mount connection hole and the second mount connection hole are provided at both sides of the mount 522, respectively. Specifically, the mount 522 includes a first connecting arm, an intermediate portion, and a second connecting arm that are sequentially connected. The longitudinal partition 521 is vertically connected to the middle portion of the mount 522. The first assembly seat connecting hole is formed in one end, far away from the middle portion, of the first connecting arm. The second assembly seat connecting hole is arranged at one end of the second connecting arm far away from the middle part.

Extension portions are respectively arranged on two sides of the discharging door 514. The two extension parts are respectively provided with a first discharging door connecting hole and a second discharging door connecting hole.

The drive assembly 530 is capable of controlling movement of the longitudinal splitter plate 521. The drive assembly 530 is also capable of controlling movement of the outfeed door 514 such that the outfeed door 514 is opened or closed. The transmission assembly 530 includes a first lead screw 531, a second lead screw 532, a drive wheel 533, a clutch sleeve 535, and a lock bolt 534.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the clutch case 535 is disposed in the first mount pad connecting hole, the second mount pad connecting hole, the first discharge door connecting hole, and the second discharge door connecting hole, respectively. The clutch housing 535 is internally threaded. The internal threads of the clutch sleeve 535 mate with the external threads of the first lead screw 531 and the second lead screw 532.

The first screw 531 and the second screw 532 are disposed in parallel and are located at both sides of the ingot groove body 510, respectively. The first screw 531 sequentially passes through the clutch housing 535 in the first fitting seat connection hole and the clutch housing 535 in the first discharge door connection hole. The second screw 532 sequentially passes through the clutch housing 535 in the second fitting seat connection hole and the clutch housing 535 in the second discharge door connection hole.

The two driving wheels 533 are respectively sleeved on the first screw 531 and the second screw 532, and can drive the first screw 531 and the second screw 532 to rotate. The first and second screws 531, 532 are provided with stops near the transmission wheel 533 for preventing the longitudinal partition 521 from moving away from the side plate 513.

As shown in fig. 10, lock bolts 534 are provided on both sides of the fitting seat 522 and both sides of the extension portion of the discharge door 514, respectively, and can abut the clutch cover 535 for fastening the clutch cover 535.

When the locking bolt 534 is screwed, the end of the locking bolt 534 abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the clutch sleeve 535, so that the clutch sleeve 512 is fixed with the assembling seat 522 or the discharging door 514, and the first screw 531 and the second screw 532 are driven to rotate, so that the longitudinal partition plate 521 or the discharging door 514 moves along the axial direction of the first screw 531 and the second screw 532.

When the lock bolt 534 is unscrewed, the lock bolt 534 is separated from the clutch jacket 535. Thus, as the first lead screw 531 and the second lead screw 532 rotate, the clutch sleeve 535 also rotates therewith, and thus does not drive the longitudinal divider plate 521 or the outfeed gate 514 to move axially.

The discharge door 514 and the longitudinal partition 521 are hollow and can be filled with a coolant. Specifically, the discharge gate 514 is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. The middle portion of the mount 522 is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, which communicate with the inside of the longitudinal partition plate 521, respectively. All of the coolant inlets and outlets may be connected with pipes. The cooling tank 580 can be cooled down, and the cooling liquid in the cooling tank 580 is circulated in the discharge door 514 and the longitudinal partition 521 by the pressure pump 591 to form a cooled discharge door and a cooled longitudinal partition. Thus being beneficial to rapid cooling of the cast ingot.

The support frame 560 is disposed below the ingot groove body 510 and is used for supporting the ingot groove body 510. The blanking frame 570 is disposed adjacent to the outfeed gate 514.

As shown in fig. 9, the upper cover plate 516 is provided with an observation window 5161, a liquid inlet joint 5162 and a vacuum joint 5163. The liquid inlet connection 5162 is located in the middle of the upper cover 5161, and is connected to the catheter 200, and may be filled with liquid rare earth metal. A vacuum connection 5163 is provided near the edge of the upper cover plate 516, and the vacuum connection 5163 may be connected to a vacuum device 592 via a vacuum tube, such that a vacuum is applied to facilitate the removal of liquid rare earth metal from the tubular cathode 111 and into the ingot well body 510 via the catheter 200. The viewing window 5161 is remote from the vacuum fitting 5163.

Example 2

The procedure was as in example 1, except for the following structure:

fig. 7 is a schematic view of the tubular cathode of the present invention connected to a filter cartridge. As shown in fig. 7, the rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus 100 further includes a filter cartridge 115. A filter cartridge 115 is provided at the bottom of the tubular cathode 111 for filtering the liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis.

Example 3

The procedure was as in example 2, except for the following structure:

fig. 8 is a schematic view of another spacer sleeve according to the present invention. As shown in fig. 8, the separation sleeve 104 of the rare earth molten salt electrolysis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has an inverted truncated cone-shaped structure, the cross-sectional area of which gradually increases from top to bottom. A plurality of protrusions 1041 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the spacer 104. The plurality of protrusions 1041 are spirally distributed along the outer circumferential surface of the spacer 104. The protrusion 1041 is stripe-shaped.

Example 4

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural view of another rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a schematic view of one mode of use of the rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 15 is an enlarged schematic view of the transverse partition assembly and vertical drive assembly of the present invention.

The difference from example 1 is that the rare earth ingot casting apparatus 500 of this example is different. As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the rare earth ingot casting apparatus 500 of the present embodiment includes the structure and arrangement of the rare earth ingot casting apparatus 500 of embodiment 1, and further includes a lateral divider assembly 540 and a vertical drive assembly 550.

The bottom plate 515 is provided with at least one bar-shaped bottom plate opening in the width direction thereof. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 515 is provided with two bar-shaped bottom plate openings along the width direction thereof. The floor openings are arranged in parallel.

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, the lateral separation assembly 540 includes a lateral separation plate 541 and a connection base. The connection base includes a transverse support plate 542 and a connection plate 543.

The transverse support plates 542 are two in number and arranged in parallel. The transverse support plate 542 is located in the space formed between the ingot well body and the support frame 560. The number of the connecting plates 543 is two, and the two connecting plates are arranged in parallel. One end of the connection plate 543 is fixed to one of the lateral support plates 542, and the other end is fixed to the other lateral support plate 542. The end of the connection plate 543 is connected to the end of the lateral support plate 542.

The transverse partition plates 541 are two, and are respectively disposed on the transverse support plates 542. As shown in fig. 14, the lateral partition plate 541 is matched to the bottom plate opening, can be fitted into the bottom plate opening, and can be moved upward so that the accommodation space forms at least one lateral ingot chamber.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 14, one usage mode of the rare earth ingot casting device 500 is to divide the accommodating space by only using the transverse dividing plate 541, so as to form three transverse ingot casting chambers.

The inside of the lateral support plate 542 and the inside of the lateral partition plate 541 are hollow, and are configured to be able to pass coolant. The lateral support plate 542 is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet.

The vertical driving assembly 550 can control the up and down movement of the lateral partition plate 541. The vertical drive assembly 550 includes a vertical drive, a stationary support 5164. The fixing support 5164 is provided at both side edge positions of the upper cover 516 in the width direction thereof. The number of the vertical driving parts is two, one ends of the two vertical driving parts are respectively fixed near the middle parts of the two connecting plates 543, and the other ends of the two vertical driving parts are respectively connected with the two fixing supports 5164. The vertical driving member can be extended and contracted up and down, thereby driving the transverse partition plate 541 to move up and down. The vertical drive may be a telescopic electric cylinder.

Example 5

Fig. 16 is a schematic view of one mode of use of yet another rare earth ingot casting apparatus of the present invention. This embodiment differs from embodiment 4 in that the rare earth ingot casting apparatus 500 is different. Specifically, the connection plate 543 is not provided in the present embodiment, and the vertical driving member is directly provided on the lateral support plate 542. Only the rare earth ingot casting apparatus 500 will be described in detail below.

The rare earth ingot casting apparatus 500 of the present embodiment includes an ingot groove body 510, a longitudinal partition assembly 520, a transmission assembly 530, a transverse partition assembly 540, a vertical drive assembly 550, a support frame 560, a blanking frame 570, a cooling tank 580, a pressure pump 591, and a vacuum apparatus 592.

The ingot groove body 510 is formed by enclosing a first fixing plate 511, a second fixing plate 512, a side plate 513, a discharging door 514, a bottom plate 515 and an upper cover plate 516, and an accommodating space is formed inside. The first fixing plate 511 and the second fixing plate 512 are disposed opposite to each other and are parallel to each other. The side plate 513 and the discharge door 514 are disposed opposite to each other and parallel to each other. The bottom plate 515 and the upper cover plate 516 are disposed opposite to each other and parallel to each other.

As shown in fig. 16, the side plate 513 is provided with at least one strip-shaped side plate opening in the height direction thereof. In this embodiment, only one strip-shaped side plate opening is provided near the middle of the side plate 513.

The longitudinal partition assembly 520 includes a longitudinal partition plate 521 and a mounting seat 522. The longitudinal divider plate 521 mates with the side plate opening. The longitudinal divider plate 521 may be inserted into the side plate opening and may be movable into the receiving space such that the receiving space forms a plurality of longitudinal ingot chambers.

When the longitudinal partition plate 521 is fitted into the side plate opening and does not move into the accommodating space, the longitudinal partition plate 521 may close the side plate opening (fig. 11). When the longitudinal partition plate 521 moves into the accommodation space and abuts against one lateral partition plate 541, the accommodation space can be made to form two longitudinal ingot chambers and one lateral ingot chamber at the same time (fig. 16).

The clutch sleeve 535 is respectively arranged in the first assembly seat connecting hole, the second assembly seat connecting hole, the first discharging door connecting hole and the second discharging door connecting hole. The clutch housing 535 is internally threaded. The internal threads of the clutch sleeve 535 mate with the external threads of the first lead screw 531 and the second lead screw 532.

The two driving wheels 533 are respectively sleeved on the first screw 531 and the second screw 532, and can drive the first screw 531 and the second screw 532 to rotate.

Lock bolts 534 are provided on both sides of the fitting seat 522 and on both sides of the extension of the discharge door 514, respectively, and can abut the clutch housing 535 for tightening the clutch housing 535.

The discharge door 514 and the longitudinal partition 521 are hollow and can be filled with a coolant. Specifically, the discharge gate 514 is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. The middle portion of the mount 522 is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, which communicate with the inside of the longitudinal partition plate 521, respectively.

The upper cover plate 516 is provided with an observation window 5161, a liquid inlet connector 5162 and a vacuum connector 5163. The liquid inlet connection 5162 is located in the middle of the upper cover 5161, and is connected to the catheter 200, and may be filled with liquid rare earth metal. A vacuum connection 5163 is provided near the edge of the upper cover plate 516, and the vacuum connection 5163 is connected to a vacuum device 592 for drawing a vacuum to facilitate the delivery of liquid rare earth metal from the tubular cathode 111 and into the ingot well body 510 via the catheter 200. The viewing window 5161 is remote from the vacuum fitting 5163.

The bottom plate 515 is provided with at least one bar-shaped bottom plate opening in the width direction thereof. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 515 is provided with a bar-shaped bottom plate opening along the width direction thereof.

As shown in fig. 16, the transverse partition assembly 540 includes a transverse partition plate 541 and a connection base. The connection base includes only a transverse support plate 542.

The transverse support plate 542 is located in the space formed between the ingot well body and the support frame 560. The lateral dividing plate is disposed on the lateral support plate 542. The transverse partition plate 541 is matched to the floor opening, can be inserted into the floor opening, and can be moved upward so that the accommodation space forms at least one transverse ingot chamber.

The inside of the lateral support plate 542 and the inside of the lateral partition plate 541 are hollow, and can be filled with a coolant. The lateral support plate 542 is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet.

All of the coolant inlets and outlets may be connected with pipes. The cooling tank 580 can cool down, and a cooling liquid is formed therein. The cooling liquid of the cooling tank 580 is circulated inside the discharge gate 514, the longitudinal partition plate 521, and the transverse partition plate 541 by the pressure pump 591 to form a cooled discharge gate, a cooled longitudinal partition plate, and a cooled transverse partition plate. So as to be beneficial to rapid cooling of the cast ingot.

The vertical driving assembly 550 can control the up and down movement of the lateral partition plate 541. The vertical drive assembly 550 includes a vertical drive and a stationary support 5164. The fixing support 5164 is provided at both side edge positions of the upper cover 516 in the width direction thereof. In this embodiment, four fixing supports 5164 are uniformly disposed on the upper cover 516. The four vertical driving pieces are provided, one ends of the four vertical driving pieces are respectively fixed at two ends of the two transverse supporting plates 542, and the other ends of the four vertical driving pieces are respectively connected with the four fixing supports 5164. The vertical driving member can be extended and contracted up and down, thereby driving the transverse partition plate 541 to move up and down.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 16, a longitudinal partition plate 521 and a transverse partition plate 541 are used to partition the accommodating space at the same time, so as to form three ingot casting chambers, namely, two longitudinal ingot casting chambers and one transverse ingot casting chamber.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and any modifications, improvements, substitutions, and the like, which may occur to those skilled in the art, fall within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system is characterized by comprising a rare earth molten salt electrolysis device, a base, a liquid guide tube and a rare earth metal ingot casting device;

2. The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of claim 1, wherein:

each base is uniformly provided with a plurality of accommodating grooves along the length direction; the central axes of the plurality of accommodating grooves are positioned in the same plane;

each liquid guide pipe is communicated with tubular cathodes of a plurality of rare earth molten salt electrolysis devices positioned on the same base;

the ingot casting chamber comprises a transverse ingot casting chamber and/or a longitudinal ingot casting chamber.

3. The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of claim 2, wherein:

the electrolytic tank body is formed by enclosing a tank-shaped graphite anode, a furnace bottom and an upper end cover; the furnace bottom is arranged opposite to the upper end cover, and the furnace bottom is positioned below;

the rare earth molten salt electrolysis device also comprises a separation sleeve and a collecting tank;

the separation sleeve is arranged between the tubular cathode and the groove-shaped graphite anode, so that the accommodating space is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber; the space between the separation sleeve and the groove-shaped graphite anode is a first chamber, and the space between the separation sleeve and the tubular cathode is a second chamber; fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber; the first chamber is used for containing rare earth metal salt to be electrolyzed;

The top of the separation sleeve is fixed on the upper end cover, and the distance L between the bottom of the separation sleeve and the furnace bottom is greater than the distance M between the tubular cathode and the furnace bottom;

the collecting tank is arranged on the furnace bottom, is positioned between the separation sleeve and the tubular cathode and is used for collecting liquid rare earth metal obtained by electrolysis; the height H of the collecting groove is larger than the distance L between the bottom of the separation sleeve and the furnace bottom.

4. A rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to claim 3, further comprising a blanking unit and a rotating mechanism;

the plurality of rotating mechanisms are arranged, and each rotating mechanism comprises a chain wheel and a chain; the chain wheel is arranged on the upper end cover; the sprocket is configured to enable rotation of the upper end cap by rotation; a plurality of sprockets on the same base are arranged to rotate by the transmission of the chain;

the blanking unit is arranged on the upper end cover, communicated with the first cavity and used for adding the metal rare earth salt to be electrolyzed into the first cavity.

5. A rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to claim 3, wherein:

the upper end cover is provided with a first air port and a second air port; the first air port is positioned above the first chamber, and the second air port is positioned above the second chamber;

The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system further comprises an adapter unit; the adapter unit comprises an air guide sleeve, a sealing cover, a connecting pipe, an adapter pipe, a first connector and a second connector; the air guide sleeve and the sealing cover are both arranged to be sleeved on the tubular cathode and positioned outside the electrolytic tank body; the sealing cover, the air guide sleeve and the tubular cathode are arranged to form an air guide cavity; the air guide sleeve is arranged to be rotatable around the tubular cathode;

the connecting pipe is communicated with the air guide cavity, and is also communicated with the first cavity and the second cavity through a first air port and a second air port respectively;

the switching pipe is arranged on the sealing cover and is communicated with the air guide cavity;

the first connector and the second connector are arranged on the transfer tube and are far away from the air guide cavity.

6. The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of claim 5, further comprising an exhaust pipe and a booster pipe;

the exhaust pipe is communicated with the switching pipe through a first joint and is used for exhausting gas; the pressurizing pipe is communicated with the switching pipe through a second joint and is used for introducing inert gas.

7. A rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to claim 3, wherein the rare earth ingot casting apparatus comprises an ingot tank body, a longitudinal separation assembly and a transmission assembly; the ingot groove body is formed by enclosing a first fixed plate, a second fixed plate, a side plate, a discharging door, a bottom plate and an upper cover plate, and an accommodating space is formed inside the ingot groove body; the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate are oppositely arranged; the side plate and the discharging door are oppositely arranged; the bottom plate and the upper cover plate are oppositely arranged; the discharging door is arranged to be capable of being opened or closed; the ingot groove body is communicated with the liquid guide pipe;

the side plate is provided with at least one strip-shaped side plate opening along the height direction;

the longitudinal separation assembly includes a longitudinal separation plate; the longitudinal separation plate is matched with the side plate opening and is arranged to be capable of moving into the accommodating space so that the accommodating space forms a plurality of longitudinal ingot casting chambers;

the transmission assembly is configured to control movement of the longitudinal splitter plate.

8. The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of claim 7, further comprising a transverse divider assembly and a vertical drive assembly;

The bottom plate is provided with at least one strip-shaped bottom plate opening along the width direction;

the transverse partition assembly includes a transverse partition plate; the transverse partition plate is matched with the bottom plate opening and is arranged to be capable of moving upwards so that the accommodating space forms at least one transverse ingot casting cavity;

the vertical driving assembly is arranged to control the transverse partition plate to move up and down.

9. The rare earth molten salt electrolysis system of claim 7, wherein:

the longitudinal separation assembly further comprises an assembly seat; the assembly seat is vertically connected with the longitudinal separation plate; the two sides of the assembly seat are respectively provided with a first assembly seat connecting hole and a second assembly seat connecting hole;

the transmission assembly is further arranged to control the movement of the outfeed door so that the outfeed door is opened or closed; extension parts are respectively arranged on two sides of the discharging door; the two extension parts are respectively provided with a first discharging door connecting hole and a second discharging door connecting hole;

the transmission assembly comprises a clutch sleeve, a locking bolt and two first screw rods and second screw rods which are arranged in parallel;

the clutch sleeve is respectively arranged in the first assembly seat connecting hole, the second assembly seat connecting hole, the first discharging door connecting hole and the second discharging door connecting hole; an internal thread is arranged in the clutch sleeve; the internal threads of the clutch sleeve are matched with the external threads of the first screw rod and the second screw rod;

The first screw rod sequentially penetrates through the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the first assembly seat and the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the first discharging door, and the second screw rod sequentially penetrates through the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the second assembly seat and the clutch sleeve in the connecting hole of the second discharging door; the first lead screw and the second lead screw are respectively positioned at two sides of the ingot groove body;

the locking bolts are respectively arranged on two sides of the assembly seat and two sides of the extension part, and are arranged to be capable of being abutted against the clutch sleeve and used for fastening the clutch sleeve.

10. A method for rare earth molten salt electrolysis using the rare earth molten salt electrolysis system according to any one of claims 3 to 9, comprising the steps of: