JP3770551B2 - Ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND 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]
[Prior art]
Bipolar filter press type ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, represented by the electrolytic cell used for the electrolysis of saline solution, conducts electrolysis by passing a high current density current in the electrode chamber partitioned by the ion exchange membrane. A large amount of gas is generated in the cathode chamber and the anode chamber.
When the bubbles are separated from the electrolyte containing the gas generated in the electrode chamber as bubbles, the pressure in the electrode chamber fluctuates greatly, which may adversely affect the operation of the electrolytic cell or deteriorate the ion exchange membrane. there were.
For this reason, there has been a demand for an electrolytic cell capable of quickly separating a gas from an electrolytic solution containing bubbles generated in the electrode chamber.
In order to solve such a problem, an electrolytic cell has been proposed in which gas-liquid separation means is provided above the filter press type electrolytic cell to smoothly separate the gas in the electrode chamber.
[0003]
For example, a gas-liquid separation chamber is provided in the upper part of the electrode chamber, and the upper part of the electrode chamber and the gas-liquid separation chamber are coupled with an opening having a small cross-sectional area, or a bowl-like one is provided in the upper part, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-100286 and the like are known which perform gas-liquid separation and discharge from the side surface of the electrolytic cell.
[0004]
However, in these cases, measures against pressure fluctuations in the electrolytic cell are not yet sufficient, or there is a gas retention part on the surface of the ion exchange membrane located in the upper part of the electrode chamber during operation or stop of the electrolytic cell. There was a problem that the ion exchange membrane formed and facing the gas retention portion deteriorated early.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention enables smooth separation of gas from the electrolyte containing bubbles generated in the electrode chamber, and the pressure fluctuation in the electrode chamber is small so that the ion exchange membrane is not adversely affected and efficient electric An object of the present invention is to provide an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell capable of being decomposed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode exchange chamber electrolytic cell in which an electrode chamber is formed by partitioning an electrode arranged at a distance from a partition plate by an ion exchange membrane, and an electrolyte solution circulation member in the electrode chamber is attached to the partition plate. An electrolytic solution descending flow path is formed in the space between the partition plates, and a gas-liquid separating means is provided on the back surface of the flange surface when the adjacent electrolytic cell units above the electrode chamber are stacked. A collision plate formed of a member that cannot be passed through by fluid and that extends from the position of different heights on the partition plate side and the back surface side of the flange surface toward the opposing surface is provided with an opening to the opposing surface. However, the problem can be solved by an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell constituted by an electrolytic cell unit in which a gas passage formed in the upper part of the gas-liquid separating means and a communication path communicating with the electrode chamber is provided on the partition plate side.
[0007]
Further, the collision plate extending from the partition plate side toward the central portion is joined to the partition plate via a communication path forming member that forms a communication path, and a portion that contacts the wall surface of the collision plate of the communication path forming member In the above, the opening extending from the lower end portion of the communication path forming member to the upper end portion of the wall surface of the collision plate, and the upper portion above the upper end portion of the collision plate is spaced from the partition plate. It is an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell.
[0008]
In addition, the surface of the collision plate on the partition plate side is joined to the partition plate by a strip-shaped joint portion arranged between the partition plate and extending in the vertical direction, and between the adjacent joint portions. It is the said ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell joined to the back surface of the communicating path of the communicating path formation member which formed the communicating path by space between the partition plates.
The collision plate is the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell combined with a holding member disposed at a distance from the back surface of the flange portion and the partition plate.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention is provided with gas-liquid separation means located on the flange portion on the surface opposite to the partition plate in the upper portion of the electrode chamber. The gas region is not formed, and the raised gas-liquid mixed fluid is reflected after the collision with the collision plate where the fluid cannot pass and the flow path is changed, so that the electrolyte solution provided in the electrode chamber Introduced to the downflow channel side, the air bubbles quickly flow into the gas region above the gas-liquid separation means through the communication path formed between the partition plates, so that stable electrolysis can be performed efficiently. It becomes.
In addition, since the collision plate is disposed on the back surface of the flange portion, the collision plate or the holding member provided on the collision plate is deformed by the pressing force applied to the laminated surface of the electrolytic cell when the unit electrolytic cell is assembled. It does not occur and stable operation is possible.
[0010]
The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the electrolytic cell of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (A) is a diagram for explaining a cross section of an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which a plurality of electrolytic cell units are laminated, FIG. 1 (B) is a plan view seen from the anode side of the electrolytic cell unit, and FIG. 1 (C) is a cross-sectional view for explaining gas-liquid separation means.
As shown in FIG. 1A, an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell 1 is assembled by laminating a plurality of bipolar electrode cell units 2 with an ion exchange membrane 3 interposed therebetween.
In the electrolytic cell unit 2, an anode 5 is disposed at a distance from the anode chamber partition plate 4, and an anode chamber 6 is formed.
A cathode 8 is disposed at a distance from the cathode chamber partition plate 7, and a cathode chamber 9 is formed between the cathode chamber side partition plate 7 and the ion exchange membrane 3.
Further, an anode chamber side gas / liquid separation means 20 and a cathode chamber side gas / liquid separation means 40 are provided above the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 9, respectively.
[0011]
The anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 9 are respectively provided with an anolyte circulation member 10 and a catholyte circulation member 11 that form a descending flow path in order to cause internal circulation of the electrolytic solution. By the catholyte circulation member 11. An anolyte descending channel 12 and a catholyte descending channel 13 are formed between the anode chamber partition plate 4 and the cathode chamber partition plate 7, respectively.
Further, an anode supply pipe 14 is attached to the anode chamber 6 of the electrolytic cell unit 2, and an anode side discharge pipe 15 for discharging the anolyte and gas having a reduced concentration is attached to the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20. It has been.
[0012]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20 is disposed on the upper portion of the anode chamber 6, one wall surface is coupled to the extension of the anode chamber partition plate 4, and the other surface. 1 forms a flange surface 21 that is laminated with gaskets through adjacent electrolytic cell units when the electrolytic cell is assembled by laminating a plurality of electrolytic cell units. As shown in FIG. Are laminated with a gasket 16 disposed therebetween. A first impingement plate 22 formed of an L-shaped plate material that does not allow fluid to pass through is joined to the back surface of the flange surface 21 facing the anode partition plate 4 of the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20 by a band-shaped joint. The other end extends into the gas-liquid separation means.
[0013]
Further, above the first collision plate 22, a second collision plate 23 formed from an L-shaped plate material that does not transmit fluid extends from the anode chamber partition plate 4 side. Further, the anode side communication path forming member 24 disposed on the anode chamber partition plate 4 side forms a communication path 26 that communicates the gas region 25 of the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means and the inside of the anode chamber 6.
[0014]
Bubbles generated in the anode chamber 6 rise in the region between the anolyte circulating member 10 and the anode 5 due to the buoyancy of the gas, and are provided inside the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20 above the anode chamber. The flow path is changed by colliding with the collision plate 22 and flows into the anolyte descending flow path 12, and gas from the gas-liquid separation means is opened from the communication passage 26 opened in the area between the anode chamber partition plate 4. Gas-liquid separation is performed by flowing into the region 25. A part of the anolyte that has flowed upward through the opening with the surface facing the second collision plate 23 forms a liquid surface 27 with the anolyte that has risen through the communication path 26.
The cathode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 40 is provided on the cathode chamber side, and fluid does not pass through the back surface of the cathode-side flange surface 41 facing the anode partition plate 7 of the cathode-side gas-liquid separation means 40. A cathode-side first collision plate 42 formed of a letter-shaped plate material is joined by a band-shaped joint, and the other end extends into the gas-liquid separation means.
[0015]
A second collision plate 43 formed of an L-shaped plate material that does not allow fluid to pass extends from the cathode chamber partition plate 7 side above the first collision plate 42 on the cathode side. The cathode chamber communication path forming member 44 arranged on the cathode chamber partition plate 7 side forms a communication path 46 that communicates the gas region 45 of the cathode side gas-liquid separation means with the inside of the cathode chamber 9.
The bubbles generated in the cathode chamber 9 rise in the region between the catholyte circulation member 11 and the cathode 8 by gas buoyancy, and are provided in the cathode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 40 above the anode chamber. Colliding with the first impact plate 42 on the side, the flow path is changed downward, flows into the catholyte descending flow path 13, and air flows from the communication path 46 opened to the area between the cathode partition plate 7. It flows into the gas region 45 of the liquid separation means. A part of the liquid flows upward through the opening of the second collision plate 43 to form a liquid surface 47.
[0016]
In the above description, the electrolytic cell provided with gas-liquid separation means in both the anode chamber and the cathode chamber has been described. However, in the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the saline solution, the anode chamber is greatly influenced by the generated chlorine. Only gas-liquid separation means may be provided.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the gas-liquid separating means, and is a perspective view with a part cut away.
The anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20 is disposed in the upper part of the anode chamber 6, one wall surface is coupled to the extension of the anode chamber partition plate 4, and the other surface is formed by laminating a plurality of electrolytic cell units. When the tank is assembled, a flange surface 21 is formed which is laminated with an adjacent electrolytic cell unit via a gasket.
The rear surface of the flange surface 21 facing the anode partition plate 4 of the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20 is an L-shaped plate material that does not transmit fluid and extends in the width direction of the electrolytic cell unit. 22 are joined by a belt-like joint, the joint is formed airtight, and the other end extends into the gas-liquid separation means.
[0018]
Further, an upper part of the first collision plate 22 is made of an L-shaped plate that does not allow fluid to pass through, and a second collision plate 23 extending in the width direction of the electrolytic cell unit is attached to the anode chamber partition plate 4 side. It has been. Further, the anode side communication path forming member 24 arranged on the anode chamber partition plate 4 side forms a communication path 26 that communicates the gas region 25 of the anode chamber gas-liquid separation means with the inside of the anode chamber 6.
[0019]
Bubbles generated in the anode chamber 6 rise in the region between the anolyte circulation member 10 and the anode 5 by forming a rising flow 17 by gas buoyancy, collide with the first collision plate 22 and flow downward. The path 18 is changed to flow into the anolyte descending flow path 12 to form a residence part 19 rich in gas-liquid mixed phase fluid bubbles. Gas-liquid mixed phase fluid flows into the gas region 25 of the gas-liquid separation means from the communication passage 26 opened in the region between the anode chamber partition plate 4 and gas-liquid separation is performed. 12 is lowered to form a circulation. A part flows into the upper part through the openings of the first collision plate 22 and the second collision plate 23.
[0020]
A holding member 30 is joined between the first collision plate 22 and the second collision plate 23 with a space therebetween, and electrolysis is performed by a pressing force applied to the stacked surface of the electrolytic cell when the electrolytic cell units are stacked. The tank is prevented from being deformed, and an electrolytic cell having high rigidity is formed.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the gas-liquid separation means.
FIG. 3A is a view for explaining a cross section of the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means, and FIG. 3B is a view of the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means seen from the partition plate side.
The anode chamber-side gas-liquid separation means 20 allows fluid to permeate the back surface of the flange surface 21 that is stacked via a gasket with an adjacent electrolytic cell unit when a plurality of electrolytic cell units are stacked and the electrolytic cell is assembled. The first collision plate 22 extending in the width direction of the electrolytic cell unit is joined by a belt-like joining portion, the joining portion is formed in an airtight manner, and the other end is gas-liquid separated. Extends inside the means.
[0022]
Further, an upper part of the first collision plate 22 is made of an L-shaped plate that does not allow fluid to pass through, and a second collision plate 23 extending in the width direction of the electrolytic cell unit is attached to the anode chamber partition plate 4 side. It has been.
The first collision plate 22 and the second collision plate 23 are joined to the holding member 30. An anode side communication path forming member 24 is disposed between the second collision plate 23 and the anode side partition plate 4 and is integrally joined.
[0023]
The lower end portion of the anode-side communication path forming member 24 is disposed so that the lower end portion thereof substantially coincides with the second collision plate 23, and an opening having a length corresponding to the height h1 of the second collision plate 23. A portion 31 is formed, and the lower end portion of the opening 31 has an open portion 32. The upper end portion of the opening 31 substantially coincides with the upper end portion of the second collision plate 23.
And the deflection | deviation part 33 located above the upper end part of an opening part bends along the upper surface of the 2nd collision board 23 on the opposite side to a partition plate so that a communicating path may be formed between partition plates. Furthermore, it is bent upward at a right angle.
[0024]
As a result, when the second collision plate 23 and the anode side communication path forming member 24 are joined together with the anode chamber partition plate 4, the communication path 26 through the opening 32 and the opening 31 is spaced. In addition, since the second collision plate 23 and the anode chamber partition plate can be integrated with each other in the flat plate portion 34, when assembling the electrolytic cell by stacking a plurality of electrolytic cell units, from the flange surface Even if pressed, each part of the electrolytic cell unit including the communication passage 26 is not deformed.
[0025]
In the above description, an example in which the lower end portion of the anode side communication path forming member 24 has an open portion and the lower end portion coincides with the lower end portion of the second collision plate has been described. When the lower end portion of the second collision plate is open, the lower end portion may be located above the lower end portion of the second collision plate, and a part of the opening portion may be the second collision plate. In the case where the lower end portion exists below the lower end portion, the lower end portion may not have an open portion.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a reference example of the gas-liquid separation means, and is a perspective view with a part cut away.
The anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20 is disposed in the upper part of the anode chamber 6, one wall surface is coupled to the extension of the anode chamber partition plate 4, and the other surface is formed by laminating a plurality of electrolytic cell units. When the tank is assembled, a flange surface 21 is formed which is laminated with an adjacent electrolytic cell unit via a gasket.
The back surface of the flange surface 21 facing the anode partition plate 4 of the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means 20 is a J-shaped plate material that does not allow fluid to pass through, and is joined to the back surface of the flange surface 21 by a strip-shaped contact portion. A collision plate 22A is attached.
[0027]
The collision plate 22A covers the cross section of the electrode chamber horizontally, and is joined to the anode chamber partition plate 4 via the communication path forming member 24A. The communication path forming member 24A is joined to the anode chamber partition plate 4 by a plurality of strip-shaped joint portions 35 extending in the vertical direction of the electrolytic cell unit, and between the adjacent joint portions, between the partition plates. A communication path 26 is formed by providing a gap.
[0028]
Moreover, the holding part 30 is provided in the junction part 35, and when the electrolytic cell unit is laminated | stacked, the deformation | transformation by the pressure added to a flange surface is prevented. By making the holding member 30 and the joint portion 35 have the same width, it is possible to prevent the electrolyte from flowing from the joint portion 35 into the gas region of the gas-liquid separation means.
The collision plate is not limited to the J-shape, and a U-shaped member can be used. However, if the fixing characteristics with the holding member to be mounted in order to prevent deformation in the gas-liquid separation chamber, etc., the U-shaped The J-shape is preferable to the shape. If it is J-shaped, the engagement and fixing properties of the holding member will be better.
[0029]
In addition, as the communication path forming member, a concave portion and a convex portion may be provided as long as the member has good joining and fixing properties with the collision plate and the holding member and can maintain a predetermined interval between the barrier plate and the partition plate. The provided member and the comb-shaped member which cut out the board | plate material with constant thickness can be mentioned. In addition, as described above, the communication path is not formed in the entire width direction of the gas-liquid separation means with one or a small number of members, but plate-like bodies having a predetermined thickness and width are arranged at intervals. Although it is possible, it is not realistic to manufacture a large electrolytic cell unit with high accuracy.
[0030]
Further, in the present invention, the anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means can use the same titanium or titanium alloy as the anode chamber partition, and the cathode side gas-liquid separation means can be a metal material such as nickel and its alloys, stainless steel, etc. Can be produced.
In locations where it is necessary to prevent leakage of liquids and gases, each member must be welded in a linear fashion, but there must be a gap in locations where it is not necessary to strictly prevent fluid entry. You may weld in dot shape.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
In the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell of the present invention, the gas-liquid mixed phase flow rising in the polar chamber collides with a collision plate provided in the gas-liquid separation means and is forced to flow toward the opening of the descending passage in the electrode chamber. Is circulated in the electrode chamber from the descending flow path, and quickly moves from the communication path between the gas-liquid separating means and the partition plate to the gas region. For this reason, the stay part of the generated gas does not occur on the surface of the ion exchange membrane in the electrode chamber, and the ion exchange membrane is not adversely affected. In addition, the gas-liquid mixed phase flow passes through a narrow passage, resulting in a bubble flow in which small bubbles are dispersed. The gas-liquid separation is performed smoothly, the discharge speed from the electrode chamber is increased, and pressure fluctuations in the electrode chamber do not occur. Stable operation at high current density.
Furthermore, a highly rigid electrolytic cell can be obtained by the collision plate and holding member provided in the gas-liquid separation means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an embodiment of an electrolytic cell of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a gas-liquid separation unit.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the gas-liquid separation means.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a reference example of gas-liquid separation means.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, 2 ... Electrolytic cell unit, 3 ... Ion exchange membrane, 4 ... Anode chamber partition plate, 5 ... Anode, 6 ... Anode chamber, 7 ... Cathode chamber partition plate, 8 ... Cathode, 9 ... Cathode Chamber 10, anolyte circulating member 11, catholyte circulating member 12, anolyte descending channel 13, catholyte descending channel 14, anode supply tube 15, anode side discharge tube 16, gasket 17 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Upward flow, 18 ... Flow path, 19 ... Retention part, 20 ... Anode chamber side gas-liquid separation means, 21 ... Flange surface, 22 ... First collision plate, 22A ... Collision plate, 23 ... Second collision plate, 24 ... anode side communication path forming member, 24A ... communication path forming member, 25 ... gas region, 26 ... communication path, 27 ... liquid level, 30 ... holding member, h1 ... height of second collision plate, 31 ... Opening part, 32 ... Opening part, 33 ... Deflection part, 34 ... Flat plate part, 35 ... Joint part, h1 ... Height of the second collision plate, 40 Cathode chamber side gas-liquid separation means, 41 ... cathode side flange surface, 42 ... first collision plate, 43 ... second collision plate, 44 ... cathode chamber communication channel forming member, 45 ... gas region, 46 ... communication channel 47 ... Liquid level

Claims (2)

  In an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which an electrode chamber is formed by partitioning an electrode arranged at a distance from a partition plate with an ion exchange membrane, a circulating member for electrolyte solution in the electrode chamber is attached to the partition plate and An electrolytic solution descending flow path is formed in the space, and gas-liquid separation means is provided on the back surface of the flange surface when the adjacent electrolytic cell units at the upper part of the electrode chamber are stacked. A collision plate formed from a member that cannot be passed by a fluid, extending from a position at a different height on the back side of the surface to the facing surface, is provided with an opening to the facing surface, and a gas-liquid separating means An ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell comprising an electrolytic cell unit in which a gas passage formed in an upper part of the gas chamber and a communication passage communicating with the electrode chamber are provided on the partition plate side.   The collision plate extending from the partition plate side toward the central portion is joined to the partition plate via a communication path forming member that forms a communication path, and at the portion of the communication path forming member that contacts the wall surface of the collision plate. And having an opening extending from the lower end portion of the communication path forming member to the upper end portion of the wall surface of the collision plate, and the upper portion of the collision plate is spaced from the partition plate. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell according to claim 1.

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