JP2003313690A - Ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell which has the inside electrolytic solution adequately circulated, and has high electrolysis efficiency and great rigidity. <P>SOLUTION: The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell comprises a tabular partition of an anode chamber and a tabular partition of a cathode chamber, which are joined; and a tabular electrode holding member that has belt-shaped joints for joining the member to at least one partition, and projecting line parts for joining an electrode between the adjacent joints, forms an ascending flow path for a fluid in the electrode chamber in a space of an electrode surface side of the electrode holding member, and forms a descending flow path for a fluid from which a gas has been separated at the top of the electrode chamber, in a space of the opposite side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, and more particularly to a bipolar filter press type ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bipolar electrode press type ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell is a multi-layered electrolytic cell unit in which an anode chamber partition wall and a cathode chamber partition wall are mechanically and electrically joined together through an ion exchange membrane. Is used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a conventional ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. FIG. 8A is a view seen from the anode chamber side of the electrolytic cell unit of the bipolar electrode type ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell.
8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 8A. The anode chamber partition wall 54 and the cathode chamber partition wall 55, which form the anode chamber 52 and the cathode chamber 53 of the unit electrolytic cell 51, have anode ribs 56 at predetermined intervals,
And a cathode rib 57 are joined, and an anode 58 is attached to the anode rib 56. Further, the cathode rib 57 includes
A cathode 59 is attached.

Since the ion-exchange membrane electrolyzer has a height of 1 m or more in the vertical direction and a width of 2 m or more in the horizontal direction, it is necessary to efficiently perform electrolysis. It is required to reduce the concentration distribution of the electrolytic solution in the electrode chamber. In order to reduce the concentration distribution in the electrode chamber, there is a method to circulate the electrolytic solution by disposing a pump for circulating the electrolytic solution outside, but the internal circulation is performed by utilizing the buoyancy of gas generated by electrolysis. Is a method that does not require a circulation pump. It has been proposed to arrange a member for internal circulation in the electrode chamber in order to smoothly promote internal circulation. However, disposing a member for internal circulation in the electrode chamber separately from the anode rib and the cathode rib requires a large number of members necessary for the configuration of the electrolytic cell, and the performance of internal circulation is insufficient.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell having another conventional structure. FIG. 9 (A) is a view seen from the anode chamber side of the unit electrolytic cell of the bipolar electrode type ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, and FIG. 9 (B) is a perspective view of the partition plate. The electrolytic cell shown in FIG. 9 is a bipolar ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-9774. The anode chamber partition wall 54 and the cathode chamber partition wall that form the anode chamber 52 and the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell unit 51 are formed with irregularities of the same shape, and the anode chamber partition wall 54 and the cathode chamber partition wall are engaged with each other by the irregularities and integrated. The gas-liquid mixed-phase fluid of the gas generated in the electrode and the electrolytic solution rises along the concave portion 60, and the electrolytic solution flows between the electrolytic solution circulation path forming member 61 and the anode chamber partition wall 54 provided in the electrode chamber. The internal circulation is performed in the electrolytic cell by descending. In this electrolytic cell, since the electrolytic solution circulation path is a space formed between the electrolytic solution circulation path forming member and the uneven partition wall, there is room for improvement in terms of circulation of the electrolytic solution.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides good internal circulation of an electrolytic solution utilizing a descending flow after rising gas generated in an anode chamber and a cathode chamber and separating the gas in an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell having good electrolysis efficiency and high rigidity.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which a flat anode chamber partition wall and a flat cathode chamber partition wall are joined, and at least one of the partition walls is a strip-shaped joining portion. A plate-shaped electrode holding member having a ridge formed by joining electrodes and connecting electrodes is formed between adjacent joining portions, and the space on the electrode surface side of the electrode holding member is a fluid inside the electrode chamber. Can be solved by an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which a space is formed on the opposite side and a space on the opposite side is formed on the upper part of the electrode chamber where a descending flow path of the electrolytic solution in which gas is separated is formed. As described above, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention is formed by joining strip-shaped joints between the partition walls to the respective flat partition walls that partition the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, and Since a plate-shaped electrode holding member provided with a ridge portion to which electrodes are joined is formed between the electrode holding members, the electrode holding member acts as a structural member of the unit electrolytic cell holding the electrodes and enhances the rigidity of the electrolytic cell. Since the circulation path of the electrolytic solution is arranged over the entire surface of the electrode chamber, the electrolytic solution can be more sufficiently circulated in the electrode chamber to enhance the electrolysis efficiency.

Further, in the above-mentioned ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, a plurality of anode holding members are integrally formed, and adjacent anode holding members are joined by a common joining portion. The above-mentioned ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell is configured such that the joint between the electrode holding member and the ridge are joined by one plane. It is the above-mentioned ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which the ridge portion of the electrode holding member is formed on a surface parallel to the partition wall of the electrode chamber. Further, either the anode holding member or the cathode holding member is the above-mentioned ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which a spring member is formed. The springy member
The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell is composed of a flexible member having at least three ridges protruding between the adjacent joints and on the side opposite to the joint with the partition wall. Since the electrode holding member is formed of a spring-like member in this way, it is easy to adjust the distance between the electrodes facing each other to a predetermined size, so that the ion exchange with good electrolysis characteristics is possible. A membrane electrolyzer can be provided.

The above-mentioned ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell is one in which an electrode is joined to the ridge portion of the ridge portion which has the largest displacement when pressed. The ridge having the largest displacement is the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell formed by cutting out a part of the ridge. When the electrode comes into contact with the ridge adjacent to the joint, the ridge protection member that maximizes the opening angle of the ridge with the largest displacement is connected to the ridge with the largest displacement. The above-mentioned ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell is the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which movement of the electrode is restricted by the ridge adjacent to the joint when the electrode joined to the ridge having the largest displacement is pressed toward the partition wall.

In this way, the electrodes are joined to the ridges and the distance between the opposing electrodes is set to a predetermined value by providing the ridges with a member for limiting the opening angle. In addition, the opening angle of the ridge can be limited and the large deformation can be prevented even when pressure is applied from the counter electrode chamber side due to pressure fluctuation.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention comprises:
The partition walls for partitioning the anode chamber and the cathode chamber are each made into a flat plate shape, and each flat plate partition wall is joined by forming a band-shaped joint between the partition walls, and an electrode is joined between the adjacent joints. Since the plate-shaped electrode holding member provided with the ridges is provided, the electrode holding member acts as a structural member of the unit electrolytic cell that holds the electrode, enhances the rigidity of the electrolytic cell, and the electrolytic solution circulation path Since it is arranged over the entire surface of the electrode chamber, the electrolytic solution is circulated more sufficiently in the electrode chamber to enhance the electrolysis efficiency.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is a view for explaining a cross section of an ion-exchange membrane electrolyzer in which a plurality of electrolyzer units are stacked, and FIG. 1 (B) is a view of the electrolyzer unit viewed from the anode chamber side. . In addition, a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1B is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell 1 is assembled by arranging a gasket 4 on the flange surface 3 of a plurality of bipolar electrode type electrolytic cell units 2 and stacking the gaskets 4 with an ion exchange membrane 5 interposed therebetween. And the cathode chamber unit 2A having only the cathode chamber side at one end
And an anode chamber unit 2B having only the anode chamber side at the other end. Anode chamber 6 of electrolyzer unit 2
An anode 15 is arranged in the space at a distance from the partition wall 8 of the anode chamber. A cathode 20 is arranged in the cathode chamber 7 at a distance from the cathode chamber partition wall 9, and the cathode chamber 7 is formed between the cathode chamber side partition wall 9 and the ion exchange membrane 5.

Anode chamber side gas-liquid separation chamber 30 and cathode chamber side gas-liquid separation chamber 3 are provided above the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7, respectively.
7 is provided. The bipolar electrode unit 2 of the ion-exchange membrane electrolyzer is composed of an anode chamber 6 and a cathode chamber 7, and the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7 are a flat anode chamber partition wall 8 and a cathode chamber, respectively. The partition wall 9 is integrally joined electrically and mechanically.

An anode holding member 10 is joined to the anode chamber partition wall 8 by forming a band-shaped joining portion 11, and the anode chamber partition wall 8 and the anode holding member 10 are tightly joined at the band-shaped joining portion 11. ing. Even if they are not joined together by continuous welded portions, the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8 are brought into close contact with each other by joining them with a large number of spot welded portions 12 in a state where they are in close contact with each other, and both are electrically conductive. The space formed between the connection, the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8 may be separated from the space on the opposite side. Between the adjoining strip-shaped joints 11 of the anode holding member 10, a ridge 13 is formed.
Is formed, and the ridge portion 13 and the strip-shaped joint portion 11 are connected by a flat portion 14. Further, the anode 15 is joined to the convex portion 13 at a plurality of points, and the anode 15 is held and an electrolysis current is supplied to the anode 15.

It is sufficient for the ridge portion 13 to have a width capable of joining the electrode to the top portion, and even if the ridge portion is formed by bending a metal plate with corners. The electrode holding member may be a flat surface parallel to the partition. The anode holding member may be made as a separate member, or a plurality of members may be made by press forming, or all the anode holding members arranged in the partition walls of the anode chamber may be formed as a single metal plate. It may be manufactured by Also,
When the joining portion 11 and the convex portion 13 are joined by the flat portion 14, the cross-sectional shape becomes a truss type, and the rigidity of the anode chamber made of a thin plate can be increased.

In the space formed by the anode holding member 10, the anode chamber partition wall 8 and the adjacent strip-shaped joint portion 11,
The anolyte circulation passage 16 is formed, and the gas-liquid mixed fluid that has risen in the space on the anode 15 surface side of the anode holding member 10 is separated into gas and liquid in the upper part of the anode chamber. To do. Further, the other parts descend in the anolyte circulation passage 16 and flow out into the space on the anode surface side in the lower part of the anolyte chamber, and are supplied from the anolyte supply pipe 17 provided in the electrolytic cell unit to provide the anolyte ejection port 18 Is mixed with the anolyte sprayed into the anode chamber and undergoes electrolysis at the anode 15.

On the other hand, in the cathode chamber 7, as shown in FIG. 1C, a cathode 20 is attached to a cathode holding member 21 joined to the cathode chamber partition wall 9, and the cathode chamber partition wall 9 and the cathode holding member 2 are attached.
A catholyte circulation passage 22 is formed between the first and second electrodes. The cathode holding member 21 joined to the cathode chamber partition wall 9 is a spring member, and the cathode holding member 21 has a left-right symmetric sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the catholyte circulation passage 22. The strip-shaped joints 24 on both sides of the protrusion 23 to which the cathode 20 is attached are joined to the cathode chamber partition walls 9, and the joint-side protrusions 25 are provided adjacent to the joint 24. The ridges 23 to which 20 is attached project more toward the opposite surface side than the joint-side ridges 25 on both sides. Further, since it is a spring member, it is possible to maintain the gap between the cathode 20 and the ion exchange membrane surface at a predetermined size.

In the ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention, partition walls for partitioning the anode chamber and the cathode chamber are formed into flat plates, and strip-shaped joints are formed between the partition walls to adjoin each other. Since the plate-shaped electrode holding member provided with the convex streak to which the electrode is joined is provided between the joining portions, the circulation path of the electrolytic solution can be arranged over the entire surface of the partition wall. It is possible to provide an electrolytic cell having a large rigidity that allows sufficient circulation. Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, it is preferable to provide a joining portion 24 with the cathode holding member 21 on the cathode chamber dividing wall 9 on the back side of the joining portion 11 with the anode chamber partition wall 8 and the anode holding member 10. . This is preferable because it makes it possible to shorten the current-carrying path from the anode side to the cathode side.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an example of the electrolytic solution circulating mechanism of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention. Figure 2 (A)
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 1A, and is a diagram for explaining a gas-liquid separation chamber provided in the upper part of the electrolytic cell. An anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30 is provided above the electrolysis region of the anode chamber, and the electrolysis region and the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber are provided on the anode-side partition wall 8 side of the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30. A partition side passage 31 communicating with 30 is provided. A first partitioning member 32 having an L-shaped cross section that partially separates the inside of the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30 into upper and lower parts is arranged, and the first partitioning member means a height in the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber. A second partition member 33 having an L-shaped cross section that extends from different positions from the partition wall side and partially separates the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30 into upper and lower parts is arranged. Communication paths 34 are formed between the members 33 in the vertical direction.

The gas-liquid mixed phase fluid containing bubbles generated by electrolysis rises in the space formed between the anode holding member 10 and the anode 15, and flows from the partition side passage 31 and the communication passage 34 to the anode side gas-liquid. The electrolytic solution that has flowed into the separation chamber 30 and separated the generated gas goes over the upper end portion of the anode holding member and descends through the anolyte circulation passage 16 formed by the partition wall of the anode chamber and the anode holding member to below the anode chamber. .

The first partition member 32 and the second partition member 33 provided in the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30 may also serve as a part of the anode chamber frame body that constitutes the structure of the anode chamber. By providing the partition plate 35 inside the side gas-liquid separation chamber 30 and joining the partition plate 35 to the first partition member 32 and the second partition member 33 which also serve as the anode chamber frame,
When the unit electrolytic cells are stacked to assemble the electrolytic cells, the unit electrolytic cells can be prevented from being deformed by the load, and the electrolytic cell can have a high rigidity.

Further, in the upper part of the electrolysis area of the cathode chamber,
The cathode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 37 is provided, and the gas-liquid mixed-phase fluid that has risen in the space formed by the cathode 20 and the cathode holding member 21 separates the gas and then separates the cathode holding member 21 and the cathode chamber partition wall 9. Catholyte circulation passage 2 formed by
0 descends below the cathode chamber. By providing a part of the cathode chamber frame 38 that constitutes the structure of the cathode chamber also inside the cathode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 37, and by providing partition plates 39 on the cathode chamber frame 38 at predetermined intervals, It is possible to prevent the chamber frame 38 from being deformed due to a load when the electrolysis cells are stacked, so that the electrolysis cell can have a high rigidity.

FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the cross section in a C line, and is a figure explaining the circulation mechanism of the electrolytic solution of the lower part of an electrolysis tank. Further, a descending liquid jet 40 is provided in the anode holding member 10 in the lower part of the electrolytic cell, and the anolyte formed by the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8 by separating the gas in the gas-liquid separation chamber. Circulation passage 12
The anolyte that has descended from the anolyte is ejected from the effluent jet 40 into the electrode chamber, and is ejected from the anolyte jet 18 into the anode chamber through the anolyte supply passage 41 provided at the bottom of the anolyte chamber connected to the anolyte supply pipe. The anolyte is mixed therewith and undergoes electrolysis on the surface of the anode 11.

Similarly, in the lower portion of the cathode chamber, the catholyte liquid which has descended from the opening in the lower portion of the cathode holding member 21 is jetted, and the catholyte liquid outlet 43 is connected through the catholyte liquid supply passage 42 connected to the catholyte liquid supply pipe. The cathode 20 is electrolyzed together with the catholyte solution which is ejected from the cathode into the cathode chamber. Further, at the lower part of the electrolytic cell unit 2, there is provided an electrolytic cell frame body 44 which holds the mechanical structure of the electrolytic cell and maintains the rigidity of the electrolytic cell.

In the above description, in the anode chamber, which is easily affected by the bubbles in the electrode chamber and the concentration distribution of the electrolyte solution, the gas-liquid separation performance which is more excellent in the gas-liquid separation performance and the electrolyte circulation performance. Although the example of providing the chamber has been described, the cathode-side gas-liquid separation chamber may also be provided with a gas-liquid separation chamber having the same structure as the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining another embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a view of the electrolytic cell unit viewed from the anode chamber side. In addition, FIG.
3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The electrolytic cell unit 2 is composed of an anode chamber 6 and a cathode chamber 7. In the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7, a flat plate-shaped anode chamber partition 8 and a cathode chamber partition 9 are electrically and mechanically respectively. Joined and integrated. An anode holding member 10 is joined to the anode chamber partition wall 8 by forming a band-shaped joining portion 11. The anode chamber partition wall 8 and the anode holding member 10 are intimately bonded to each other at the band-shaped bonding portion 11. Anode holding member 1
0 is a vertical portion 10A connected to the joint portion 11 and a horizontal portion 10 parallel to the anode chamber partition wall 8 that intersects the vertical portion at a right angle.
And the ridge portion 1 in the lateral portion 10B.
3, the anode 15 is joined to the ridge 13 at a plurality of points, and the anode 15 is held through the anode holding member 10 and an electrolysis current is applied to the anode 15.

It is sufficient for the ridge portion 13 to have a width that allows the electrode to be joined to the top portion, and is formed when the metal plate is processed into a mountain shape as shown in FIG. 3 (B). It may be a top portion or a top portion having a flat shape. The anode chamber partition wall 8 and the anode holding member 10 are
The anolyte circulation passage 16 is formed by the band-shaped joint. In the anode holding member 10 having the shape shown in FIG. 3, it is easy to adjust the cross-sectional area of the anolyte circulation passage 16 by changing the height or the angle of the vertical portion 10A that is continuous with the joining portion. The cross-sectional area of the anolyte circulation passage 16 in the cross-sectional area of the chamber can be set to any ratio.

Further, by uniformly joining the flat plate-shaped anode chamber partition wall 8 to the anode holding member 10 and joining the anode 15 to the convex portion 13 of the anode holding member 10, the circulation in the anode chamber is made uniform. In addition to the above, an electrolytic cell having high strength can be provided. The electrolyte solution in which the gas-liquid mixed fluid that has risen in the space on the anode 15 surface side of the anode holding member 10 is gas-liquid separated in the upper part of the anode chamber descends in the anolyte circulation passage 16, and in the lower part of the electrode chamber, It flows out into the space, is supplied from the anolyte supply pipe 17 provided in the electrolytic cell, and undergoes electrolysis at the anode 15 together with the anolyte sprayed from the anolyte spray outlet 18 into the electrode chamber.

In the cathode chamber 7, the cathode 20 is attached to the cathode holding member 21 joined to the cathode chamber partition wall 9 as in the case shown in FIG. 1B, and the cathode chamber partition wall 9 and the cathode holding member 21 are attached. And a catholyte circulation passage 22 is formed therebetween. The cathode holding member 21 joined to the cathode chamber partition wall 9 is a spring-like member, and the cross-sectional view of the cathode holding member 21 taken along a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the catholyte circulation passage 22 is symmetrical. The strip-shaped joints 24 on both sides of the protrusion 23 to which the cathode 20 is attached are joined to the cathode chamber partition walls 9, and the joint-side protrusions 25 are provided adjacent to the joint 24. The ridges 23 to which the 20 are attached project more largely toward the counter electrode side than the ridges 25 on both sides, and serve to keep the distance between the cathode 20 and the ion exchange membrane surface small.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining another example of the electrolytic solution circulating mechanism of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention. Figure 4 (A)
3A is a diagram illustrating a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 3A and is a diagram illustrating another example of the gas-liquid separation chamber provided in the upper part of the electrolytic cell. An anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30 is provided above the electrolysis region of the anode chamber, and the electrolysis region and the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber are provided on the anode-side partition wall 8 side of the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30. A partition member 36 having a partition wall side passage 31 communicating with 30 and joined to a member extending from the anode surface side to form the wall surface of the partition wall side passage 31 for vertically separating the inside of the anode side gas-liquid separation chamber 30. Have

The gas-liquid mixed phase fluid containing bubbles generated by electrolysis rises in the space formed between the anode holding member 10 and the anode 15, and flows from the partition side passage 31 to the anode side gas-liquid separation chamber 30. The electrolyte solution that has flowed in and has separated the generated gas goes over the upper end portion of the anode holding member and descends below the anode chamber through the anolyte circulation passage 16 formed by the partition wall of the anode chamber and the anode holding member.

Partitioning member 3 provided in the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30
Reference numeral 6 may also serve as a part of the anode chamber frame that constitutes the structure of the anode chamber. Further, a partition plate 35 is provided inside the anode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 30, and the partition plate 35 is used as the anode chamber frame. By joining to the partitioning member 36 that also serves as a body, when the unit electrolytic cells are stacked and the electrolytic cells are assembled, deformation due to the load of the unit electrolytic cells can be prevented, and the electrolytic cell having high rigidity can be obtained.

Further, in the upper part of the electrolysis area of the cathode chamber,
A cathode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 37 is provided, and the gas-liquid mixed-phase fluid that has risen in the space formed by the cathode 20 and the cathode holding member 21 is separated by gas and then separated by the cathode holding member 21 and the cathode chamber partition wall 9. The formed catholyte circulation passage 22 descends below the cathode chamber. By providing a part of the cathode chamber frame 38 that constitutes the structure of the cathode chamber also inside the cathode-side gas-liquid separation chamber 37, and by providing partition plates 39 on the cathode chamber frame 38 at predetermined intervals, It is possible to prevent the chamber frame 38 from being deformed due to a load when the electrolysis cells are stacked, so that the electrolysis cell can have a high rigidity.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (B) for explaining the cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. 3 (A), the descending liquid ejection port is formed in the anode holding member 10 at the bottom of the electrolytic cell. 40 is provided, and the anolyte is separated from the gas in the gas-liquid separation chamber, and descends through the anolyte circulation passage 16 formed by the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8. Anolyte supply passage 41 which is jetted out to the bottom of the electrolytic cell
Is mixed with the anolyte supplied from the anolyte and ejected from the anolyte ejection port 18 into the anode chamber, and undergoes electrolysis at the anode 15.

Similarly, in the lower part of the cathode chamber 7, the catholyte which descends from the opening in the lower part of the cathode holding member 21 is jetted, and is supplied through the catholyte supply passage 42 to be discharged from the catholyte outlet 43 through the catholyte chamber. The cathode 20 undergoes electrolysis along with the catholyte solution that jets out. Further, in the lower part of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell 1, the mechanical structure of the electrolytic cell is held,
It has an electrolytic cell frame body 44 that maintains the rigidity of the electrolytic cell.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining another embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a view of the electrolytic cell unit viewed from the anode chamber side. In addition, FIG.
5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. Bipolar type electrolyzer unit 2 of ion exchange membrane electrolyzer
Is composed of an anode chamber 6 and a cathode chamber 7. In the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7, flat plate-shaped anode chamber partition walls 8 and cathode chamber partition walls 9 are electrically and mechanically joined and integrated, respectively. There is.

An anode holding member 10 is joined to the anode chamber partition wall 8 by forming a band-shaped joining portion 11, and the anode chamber partition wall 8 and the anode holding member 10 are tightly joined at the band-shaped joining portion 11. ing. Both need not be welded and joined by continuous welded portions. That is, the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8 are brought into close contact with each other by joining them with a large number of spot welded portions 12 in a state where they are in close contact with each other, and the conductive connection between them and the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8 are formed. The space to be separated is separated from the space on the opposite side.

A ridge portion 13 is formed between the adjacent strip-shaped joint portions 11 of the anode holding member 10, and the ridge portion 13 and the strip-shaped joint portion 11 are connected by a flat portion 14. In addition, the anode 15 is joined to the convex portion 13 at a plurality of points so that the anode 15 is held and electrolysis current is applied to the anode.

It is sufficient for the ridge 13 to have a width capable of joining the electrode to the top, and even if the ridge 13 is formed by bending a metal plate into a triangular shape. Alternatively, it may be a ridge having a surface parallel to the partition wall. The anode holding member may be made as a separate member, or a plurality of members may be made by press molding, or all the anode holding members arranged in the partition walls of the anode chamber may be pressed on a single metal plate. It may be manufactured by molding.

Further, the cathode holding member 21 of the cathode chamber 7 is flexible in that at least three ridges projecting to the side opposite to the joint with the partition wall are formed between the adjacent joints 24. Of the ridges, the electrode is joined to the ridge 23 having the largest amount of displacement when pressed in the cathode chamber partition wall direction, and the joint-side ridge 25 is the joint. What is 24 and 90
The angle is close to degrees.

As a result, even when the pressure on the cathode chamber side is lowered for some reason during the operation of the electrolytic cell, and the ion exchange membrane is pressed from the anode chamber side to the cathode side, the cathode 20 is less than the convex portion 23. The convex portion 25 having the small amount of displacement is also held, so that it is possible to prevent the cathode 20 or the cathode holding member 21 from being irrecoverably deformed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the behavior of the cathode at the time of pressing shown in FIG. When the pressure on the anode chamber side becomes larger than the pressure on the cathode chamber side during abnormal pressure during operation of the electrolytic cell,
By the pressure acting on the cathode surface by the ion exchange membrane,
Although the cathode holding member 21 is displaced toward the cathode chamber partition wall 9 side, the ridge portion having the largest amount of displacement toward the cathode chamber partition wall side among the ridge portions protruding toward the side opposite to the cathode chamber partition wall 9 of the cathode holding member 21. Two
Since the cathode 20 is joined to No. 3, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), when the cathode 20 is pressed to the cathode chamber partition wall 9 side by the pressing force F, the joining portions located on both sides of the joining portion are joined. Since the side ridge portion 25 has a small displacement amount when pressed, the opening angle θ of the ridge portion to which the cathode is joined becomes large, and the cathode 20 is displaced toward the cathode chamber partition wall 9 side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the height and displacement of the joint-side convex strip 25, the displacement of the convex strip 23 to which the cathode 20 is joined, and the convex strip to which the cathode is joined. Recessed portions 26 formed on both sides of the projection portion and projecting toward the cathode chamber partition wall side
Of the pressure applied to the cathode by adjusting the size of the cathode surface so that the tip of the groove 26 contacts the cathode chamber partition wall 9 at the same time when the cathode surface contacts the joint side projection 25. Can be distributed at multiple contact points.

In order to make the amount of displacement of the ridge portion in which the cathode is joined to the cathode holding member larger than that of the other portion of the cathode holding member when the pressing is performed, a part of the ridge portion 23, Alternatively, it can be realized by a method such as reducing the total thickness, or forming a laterally long hole 27 along the convex direction as shown in the perspective view of the cathode holding member in FIG.

As a result, when pressed, the ridge portion becomes deformed toward the cathode partition wall due to a large opening angle θ due to a relatively small pressure. The cathode mounted on the ridge that is displaced by a small pressing force does not damage the ion exchange membrane by pressing the ion exchange membrane surface with a large pressure even when it is placed close to the cathode surface during normal operation of the electrolytic cell. There is no fear of exerting any influence, and stable driving is possible.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining another embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a view of the electrolytic cell unit viewed from the anode chamber side. In addition, FIG. 7 (B)
7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. Bipolar type electrolyzer unit 2 of ion exchange membrane electrolyzer
Is composed of an anode chamber 6 and a cathode chamber 7. In the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7, flat plate-shaped anode chamber partition walls 8 and cathode chamber partition walls 9 are electrically and mechanically joined and integrated, respectively. There is.

An anode holding member 10 is joined to the anode chamber partition wall 8 by forming a band-shaped joining portion 11, and the anode chamber partition wall 8 and the anode holding member 10 are tightly joined at the band-shaped joining portion 11. ing. Even if both are not welded and joined by a linear welded portion, the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8 are brought into close contact by joining them at a large number of spot welded portions 12 in a state where they are in close contact with each other. It suffices that the space formed between the conductive connection and the anode holding member 10 and the anode chamber partition wall 8 is separated from the space on the opposite side. A ridge portion 13 is formed between the adjacent strip-shaped joint portions 11 of the anode holding member 10, and the ridge portion 13 and the strip-shaped joint portion 11 are connected by a flat portion 14. Further, the anode 15 is joined to the convex portion 13 at a plurality of points, and the anode 15 is held and an electrolytic current is supplied to the anode.

In addition, the cathode holding member 21 of the cathode chamber 7 is flexible in that at least three ridges protruding toward the side opposite to the side where the partition is joined are formed between the adjacent joints 24. Of the ridges, the ridge 23 having the largest amount of displacement when pressed in the cathode chamber partition wall direction is provided with a horizontally elongated opening in the direction of the ridge. Form, ridge 2
The displacement of No. 3 is increased and the ridge protection member 28 is arranged. By providing the ridge protection member 28, the thickness of the ridge 23 is thinned in order to increase the displacement amount of the cathode holding member 21, or by providing the opening along the ridge, It is possible to prevent the welding position of the cathode 20 from being uncertain to 23.

Further, the opening angle θ of the ridge protection member 28 is
It is preferable to set the maximum opening angle of the ridge portion in which the cathode contacts the joint-side ridge portion 25. By doing this,
Even when the ridge portion is opened by being pressed, the ridge portion is prevented from being largely deformed. In addition, the ridge protection member is made of a material that is thicker and has a higher rigidity than the cathode holding member, so that the ridge protection is prevented from being greatly deformed when an abnormally large pressure is applied to the cathode. However, the action of preventing the deformation of the cathode can be increased.

The angle formed by the surface connecting the joint portion 24 and the joint-side convex stripe portion 25 with the cathode chamber partition wall is 90 degrees or more, 100 degrees.
It is preferable that the degree of deformation is less than or equal to 5 degrees, whereby the joint-side ridge 25 can reduce the deformation of the cathode holding member when the cathode is pressed, and the cathode 20 or the cathode holding member 21 is difficult to recover. Can be prevented.

The ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention comprises a stack of a plurality of bipolar electrode type electrolytic cell units having the above-mentioned anode chamber and cathode chamber, and the cathode side end portion having only the cathode chamber at both ends. It can be produced by stacking an electrolytic cell and an electrolytic cell on the anode side having only an anode chamber.

Thin film-forming metals such as titanium, tantalum, zirconium or alloys thereof can be used for the partition walls of the anode chamber of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention. As the anode, it is possible to use an anode in which a thin film-forming metal such as titanium, tantalum, or zirconium or an alloy thereof is coated with a platinum group metal or an electrocatalyst material containing an oxide of the platinum group metal. .

Further, nickel, a nickel alloy or the like can be used for the partition wall of the cathode chamber, and for the cathode, nickel, a porous body of nickel alloy, a reticulated body, an expanded metal, or these as a substrate is used on the surface. It is possible to use a material having a hydrogen overvoltage reduced by forming a coating of an electrode catalyst substance such as a platinum group metal-containing layer, a Raney nickel-containing layer, an activated carbon-containing nickel layer. Moreover, the same material as the cathode chamber partition wall can be used for the catholyte circulation passage forming member.

The anode holding member and the cathode holding member can be manufactured by using the same material as the anode chamber partition wall and the cathode chamber partition wall, respectively. A partition wall, a cathode chamber, or one bonded to a partition wall, or a plurality of anode holding members, cathode holding members, or all anode holding members and cathode holding members are integrally formed by press molding to form the anode chamber partition wall and the cathode chamber, respectively. You may join to a partition.

When the ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention is used for electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide, for example, electrolysis of saline solution, saturated saline solution is supplied to the anode chamber, and the cathode chamber is provided. Water or a dilute aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide is supplied, electrolysis is performed at a predetermined decomposition rate, and then the product is taken out from the electrolytic cell. Also, in the electrolysis of saline with an ion-exchange membrane electrolyzer, the pressure in the cathode chamber is kept higher than the pressure in the anode chamber for electrolysis, and the ion-exchange membrane is operated in close contact with the anode. However, since the cathode holding member is a spring member and the cathode is joined to the ridge portion having a large displacement, the cathode can be electrolyzed by bringing it closer to the ion exchange membrane surface by a predetermined distance. You can

According to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention,
Since the flat plate-shaped anode chamber partition wall and the cathode chamber partition wall are bonded to each other by forming a band-shaped bonding portion, and a plate-shaped electrode holding member having a ridge portion that bonds electrodes between adjacent bonding portions is provided, The space on the electrode surface side of the electrode holding member forms the ascending flow path of the fluid in the electrode chamber, and the space on the partition wall side forms the descending passage of the fluid in the electrode chamber over the entire surface of the electrode chamber, so that the electrolyte circulation is efficient. Since the electrode holding member is arranged on the entire surface, it is possible to obtain an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell having high rigidity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electrolytic solution circulation mechanism of an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the electrolytic solution circulation mechanism of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the behavior of the cathode at the time of pressing shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell having another conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Ion exchange membrane electrolyzer, 2 ... Electrolyte unit, 2A ...
Cathode chamber unit, 2B ... Anode chamber unit, 3 ... Flange surface, 4 ... Gasket, 5 ... Ion exchange membrane, 6 ... Anode chamber,
7 ... Cathode chamber, 8 ... Anode chamber partition wall, 9 ... Cathode chamber partition wall, 10 ...
Anode holding member, 10A ... longitudinal part, 10B ... lateral part,
11 ... Joined portion, 12 ... Spot welded portion, 13 ... Ridge portion,
14 ... Planar part, 15 ... Anode, 16 ... Anolyte circulation passage, 1
7 ... Anolyte supply pipe, 18 ... Anolyte ejection port, 19 ... Anolyte discharge port, 20 ... Cathode, 21 ... Cathode holding member, 22 ... Catholyte circulation passage, 23 ... Convex section, 24 ... Joining section, 25 ... Joining portion side convex strip portion, 26 ... Recessed strip portion, 27 ... Horizontally elongated hole, 28 ... Convex strip portion protecting member, 30 ... Anode chamber side gas-liquid separation chamber, 31 ... Partition side passage, 32 ... First partition member , 33 ... Second partition member, 3
4 ... communication passage, 35 ... partition plate, 36 ... partition member, 37 ...
Cathode chamber side gas-liquid separation chamber, 38 ... Cathode chamber frame, 39 ... Partition plate, 40 ... Descending liquid ejection port, 41 ... Anolyte supply passage, 42
... Cathode supply passage, 43 ... Cathode outlet, 44 ... Electrolyte frame, F ... Pressing force, θ ... Open angle

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masakazu Kameda             24-6 Higashi Takasaki, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture             Zinnia's Okayama Office F-term (reference) 4K021 AB01 BA03 CA02 CA03 CA10                       CA11 DB01 DB04 DB12 DB15                       DB21 DB49 DB53

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. In an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, a flat anode chamber partition wall and a flat cathode chamber partition wall are joined together, and at least one partition wall is joined by forming a band-shaped joining portion,
A plate-shaped electrode holding member provided with a ridge portion to which electrodes are joined is provided between the adjacent joining portions, and the space on the electrode surface side of the electrode holding member forms an ascending flow path of fluid in the electrode chamber. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell is characterized in that a space on the opposite side thereof forms a descending flow path of an electrolytic solution in which gas is separated in an upper part of the electrode chamber. 2. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the joint portion of the electrode holding member and the ridge portion are connected to each other by one plane. 3. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the ridge portion of the electrode holding member is formed on a surface parallel to the electrode chamber partition wall. 4. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein one of the anode holding member and the cathode holding member is formed of a spring member. 5. The elastic member is made of a flexible member in which at least three ridges projecting to the side opposite to the joint side with the partition wall are formed between adjacent joint portions. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 4, wherein 6. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an electrode is joined to the ridge portion of the ridge portion that has the largest displacement when pressed. 7. The ridge having the largest amount of displacement is formed by cutting out a part thereof.
The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell described. 8. When the electrode comes into contact with the ridge adjacent to the joint, the ridge protection member having the maximum opening angle as the opening angle of the ridge having the largest displacement is the protrusion having the largest displacement. The ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell is connected to the strip portion. 9. A structure having a structure in which the movement of the electrode is restricted by the ridge portion adjacent to the joint when the electrode joined to the ridge portion having the largest displacement amount is pressed toward the partition wall side. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 8.