JPS63216989A - Bonding hermetical sealing-tentering means and assembly of electrolytic cell, electrolytic cell assembly and hermetical sealing-tentering method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a combination sealing and tentering means for an electrolytic cell.
nation 5eal and tenterlng
m5an11).

Back-type electrolyzers, i.e. IPs that use a membrane interposed between a pair of adjacent electrode frame members, typically have another independent IP interposed between the membrane and the electrode frame member. A sealing means, for example a sket, is used to provide an air-tight and electrolyte-tight seal to the electrolytic cell.

In addition to the sealing means, the electrolytic cell typically has a separate tentering diviee (71).
) is used to place the membrane flat between at least two flat surfaces that are counterbalanced to opposing anodes and cathodes. Several problems exist with respect to membranes placed between the electrode frames of an electrolytic cell becoming uneven or wrinkling during operation of the electrolytic cell. For example, a wrinkled membrane can reduce electrolyte circulation or trap air bubbles between the electrolyte and the membrane,
As a result, the resistance of the electrolyte in the space between the electrodes may increase non-uniformly and the vertical current distribution may become irregular.

This increases the current consumption and relatively increases the operating costs of the electrolyzer. This may also result in membrane leakage, thus damaging the external structure of the cell and causing loss of cell efficiency.

Methods of tentering membranes and sealing backside cells have gained increasing importance in flat plate or filter press cells using several repeating units of membrane and electrode frame. .

Conventional methods of full widthning and sealing the electrolytic cell have involved the use of separate scales and tenter equipment. One method of tentering the membrane involves holding the membrane between the cell frames by hand and stretching the membrane as the cell frames are compressed together. The slot of the electrolytic tank is
In this case it is glued to one of the electrode frames.

In another method, the frame, membrane and gasket of the electrolyzer are assembled in a horizontal position to ensure a flat alignment of the membrane and gasket (!j), and then the assembled electrolyzer #f is erected in an upright position for operation. In other methods, the components of the electrolytic cell are assembled together after gluing the membrane and gasket to the cathode or anode frame.

The above approach is time consuming and the steps are complex;
This is unsatisfactory because it requires expense for the equipment and impairs safety for workers. Therefore, in order to reduce the complexity of assembly of the electrolytic cell components, it would be desirable to provide a suitable means for sealing the electrolytic cell and tenting the electrolytic separator/IFlator. .

In one aspect, the invention resides in a combined sealing-tenting means for an electrolytic cell, the sealing-tenting means for an electrolytic cell comprising a substantially solid member, the substantially solid member comprising: , a first contactable with one side of the separator of the electrolytic cell.
defining a shoulder portion having a generally flat surface, a second non-uniform surface capable of contacting the at least one electrode frame member of the electrolytic cell, and an inner surface capable of contacting an outer surface of the at least one electrode frame member of the electrolytic cell; a periphery, said solid member providing a fluid-tight seal and flanking a safety plate between at least two adjacent electrode frame members.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention resides in a combined electrolytic cell seal-tenter assembly comprising: (a) one side of a separator of the electrolytic cell; A first sealing-tenting means (here said Wc1 sealing-) contactable to at least one electrode frame member;
The tentering means comprises a substantially solid member, the substantially solid member having a first generally planar surface contactable with the separator and a second non-uniform surface contactable with the at least one electrode frame member. (b) having a periphery defining a shoulder portion having a surface and an inner surface capable of contacting an outer surface of the at least one electrode frame member;
) second sealing-tenting means contactable with the other side of the separator of the electrolytic cell and at least another electrode frame member, wherein said second sealing-tenting means comprises a substantially solid member; The substantially solid member includes a first generally planar surface that is in contact with the armature, a non-uniform surface that is in contact with at least the other electrode frame member, and a first substantially flat surface that is in contact with the at least one other electrode frame member. and (C) said No. 1 and 8J2.
sealing - fastener means securing the tentering means together;
All features include:

Yet another aspect of the invention is an electrolytic cell assembly including the combined sealing and tentering means described above.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of sealing and tentering an electrolytic cell using the combined sealing and tentering means described above.

The invention may be better understood by reference to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. The same reference numerals are used in all of the drawings to indicate similar components.

Figure 1~! The sealing-tenting means shown in FIG. 8 includes a pair of mating sealing-tenting means, generally designated by the numeral (10), and a fastener such as a pin (20)'lr. Sealing-tenting means are used in electrolytic cells, such as chlor-alkali cells using a seven-layer reactor (30), used for the production of chlorine and alkali metal hydroxides. Flat plate and filter press type electrolytic cells are suitably used.

More preferably, the invention will now be described with reference to filter press electrolysers, which can be -polar or bipolar. Filter press type electrolyzers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,742 and U.S. Pat.
No. 1,779.

With particular reference to Figure 1 and Figure Wc2, the 1
Pairs of sealing-tenting means (10) are shown, with a separator (30 mm) interposed between the pair of sealing-tenting means (10). Fixing the means (10) and the separator (30).

Another embodiment of the sealing-tenting means is shown in FIGS. 1-8. The sealing-tenting means (10) comprises a substantially solid body which has a fourth substantially flat surface (l1m) which can come into contact with the separator (30), a lateral face (43
) a second non-uniform surface (llb) which can contact one of the electrode frame members in the housing or (44), and an interface (llb);
2) has a shoulder portion (lie) having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of the electrode frame member forming the electrode frame member;

``substantially fulfilling objects''
solid boat ) J means that the object is porous or can contain other materials embedded within it. In the present invention, a non-uniform surface (1
lb) is a series of ridges (li
d) or can be in the form of grooves (11).

In the WXz diagram, a ridge (lid) or groove (lie
) is shown to have a substantially triangular cross section, but it can have any cross-sectional shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a ridge or groove can be of generally rectangular cross section, or as shown in FIG. lld) or groove (li)
e) may have a substantially semicircular cross section.

Various other forms of lids or grooves (11)
1 can be used as needed.

The sealing-tenting means (10) can be gaskets of various materials. For example, the sketches are made from materials that are physically and chemically stable when in contact with the electrolyte and electrolysis products present in the chlor-alkali electrolyzer. For example, in the production of chlorine and caustics, the gasket must, of course, be substantially inert to acids, prine, chlorine, hydrogen and caustics. Additionally, the gasket is preferably non-conductive. Furthermore, the sket should be constructed from a material that has high volume resistivity and good sealing properties after compressing it. Examples of suitable materials that can be used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to:
Neorene, tutyl rubber, ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM), chlorinated polyethylene (CP
E) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTF'E)
) Material R, for example, Teflon (T@flon) (E.

I, duPont do Nemours & C
company) product name]. The durometer of these materials can range from 40 to 80 A.

Figure 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the sealing-tenting means (10) comprises a reinforcing or stiffening material (14) embedded within the solid body.

Although not shown, the stiffening material may optionally be
It can be used with any of the sealing-tenting means (IO) of FIGS. The purpose of the stiffening material is to minimize local compression and to stiffen the four lateral sealing means against extension.

The stiffening material may be any material which is inert to the sket material, such as aromatic polyamide fibers, e.g. E.

I, duPont dINemours & Co.
[trade name] polyester, nylon or cloth foil. The stiffening material can also be a screen of metal, for example titanium. The stiffening material can be of any shape or form when viewed in cross section. Good! The seal seals the cloth foil material - the tentering means (
10) Embed in the enriched object.

Sealing-tenting means (10) having a multilayer structure are included within the scope of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the sealing-tenting means (10) can be of two-layer construction. For example, the first layer (50) and the second layer can be made from different materials or the same material, and can have different hardnesses or the same hardness. For example, the first layer (
50) can be made from CPE with a hardness of 40 Shore A, and the second layer can be made from EPDM with a total hardness of 80 Shore A.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the separator (3)
0) and two sealing-tenting means (10) located between frames (41) and (42).

For purposes of illustration, frame (41)? It is called the 7-node (anode) frame (41) and the frame (42) is called the cathode (yin'!@) frame (42). The separator (30) is interposed between the two seals - tentering means (10), while the two seals containing the seven-fold seal (30) e.
The tentering means (10) are interposed between the lateral surfaces (43) and (44) of the frames (41) and (42), respectively.

Sealing - Improperity of width adjustment means - Table i! ff(1l b )t
i, electrode frames (41) and (42), respectively;
lateral faces (43) and (44), and the generally flat wall (lla) of the sealing-tenting means contacts the center plate (30). The uneven surfaces (llb) of each pair of sealing-tenting means (10) are essentially opposite to each other with a separator (30) interposed between the generally planar surfaces (lla) of the sealing-tenting means (10). face. The shoulder portion (llc) of the sealing-tenting means (10) is connected to the frame (41
)! ? and the other surface of (42) to form an interface (12
) to form.

Fasteners C20) Fasten the two sealing-tenting means and membrane (30) together using, for example, pins, bolts, cams, clips, teeth or clamps. In this embodiment a pin (20) is used.

7 and 8 show other embodiments of the invention,
Here the sealing-shoulder part (lla) of the tentering means (10)'
ji defining a periphery intermittently spaced apart and integral with the solid body of the sealing-tenting means (10) at the periphery, the sealing surface of the sealing-tenting means (10) being in contact with the frame member; I will provide a.

The separator (30) used in the present invention can be a diaphragm or a membrane. Ion exchange membranes in filter press electrolysers are particularly advantageous according to the invention. Preferably, a flexible separator is used which is substantially impermeable to the hydrodynamic flow of the electrolyte and the passage of gaseous products produced during electrolysis and which has ion exchange properties.

Frames (41)b and (42) are made from typical materials of construction that are resistant to corrosion by electrolytes and electrolysis products. Frames (41) and (42) are
Any shape used in a typical electrolyzer, e.g.
They can be rectangular pars, C- or U-shaped grooves, cylindrical tubes, oval tubes, and I- or H-shaped. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the frame member is single-shaped.

A pair of sealing-tenting means (10) are attached to the frame (41) of the electrolytic cell in order to achieve a fluid-tight, i.e. gas-tight and liquid-tight seal between adjacent frame members (41) and (42). and (42), such that the lid is interposed between frames (41) and (42), respectively.
42) to support the lateral faces (43) and (44) only at the point of contact. The membrane (30) is interposed between and in contact with the solid bodies of the sealing-tendering means (10), such that the opposite side of the membrane (30) lies on the flat surface (l1m) of the sealing-tenting means (10). ). A compressive force is applied to the cell frame, for example using a hydraulic ram, to compress the sealing-tendering means together with the membrane. When compressed, the lid deforms slightly (this is not shown in the drawing). The nominal compressive stress can typically range from 345 to 13.800 kPa. Preferably 345-4.100 kPa,
More preferably, it is 345 to 1.40.0 kPa.

However, the lowest stress required to achieve the desired joint tightness is desirable for material durability.

One advantage of the sealing-tenting assembly of the present invention over conventional sealing means is that the seal-tenting means with an unrestricted surface provides a better interfacial seal than the sealing means with a flat surface. This means that it can be obtained with low nominal compressive stress. It has been discovered that when using the sealing-tenting means of the present invention, there is less compressive stress on the membrane unless the ridges of the sealing-tenting means are fully compressed.

It was discovered that the inherent oozing of the gasket material was significantly reduced. Such features can increase the expected service life of the membrane.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cut away, partially exploded perspective view of a corner of the cell assembly showing the combination of adjacent filter press cell frames, membranes and sealing-tenting means according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cell assembly of FIG. 1 showing the bonding sealing-tenting means located between two adjacent cell frames; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a portion of an electrolytic cell assembly with combined sealing and tentering means. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a portion of an electrolytic cell assembly with combined sealing and tentering means. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a portion of an electrolytic cell assembly with combined sealing and tentering means. Figure Ir6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention showing a portion of an electrolytic cell assembly with combined sealing and tentering means. FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway of a corner of the cell assembly showing another embodiment of the invention and the adjacent filter press cell frame, membrane and bonding sealing-tenting means according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cell assembly of FIG. 7 showing the bonding sealing-tenting means located between two adjacent cell frames; 10... Joining and sealing - tentering means: 11 &... Substantially flat surface; 11b... Second uneven surface: 11C... Mold portion; 11d... Ridge; 11e... Groove; 12...
・Interface; 14... Reinforced or stiffened material; 20... Pin, fastener; 30... Nananoya rater: 41.4
2...Frame member: 43.44-...Horizontal surface; 50
...First layer; 60...Second layer. Margin F below! G, 1 FIG, 4

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A joint sealing and tentering means for an electrolytic cell, comprising a substantially solid member, said substantially solid member comprising:
a first generally planar surface adapted to contact one side of a separator of the electrolytic cell; a second non-uniform surface adapted to contact at least one electrode frame member of the electrolytic cell;
and a periphery defining a shoulder portion having an inner surface adapted to contact an outer surface of at least one electrode frame member of the electrolytic cell, said solid member providing a fluid-tight seal and having at least two Combined sealing and tentering means for the electrolytic cell, characterized in that the separator is tentered between adjacent electrode frame members. 2. The sealing and tentering means of claim 1, wherein the second non-uniform surface is a series of ridges having a generally triangular, rectangular or hemispherical cross section. 3. comprising a stiffening material embedded within the solid member;
3. Sealing and tentering means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said stiffening material comprises a synthetic resin material, a sheet or screen of metal or a cloth foil material. 4. The sealing and tentering means of claim 3, wherein said stiffening material is made of ethylene propylene diene or chlorinated polyethylene. 5. A combined sealing-tenting assembly for an electrolytic cell, comprising: (a) a first member adapted to contact one side of a separator of the electrolytic cell and at least one electrode frame member;
Sealing-tenting means, wherein said first sealing-tenting means comprises a substantially solid member, said substantially solid member comprising a first generally flat member in contact with the separator. a periphery defining a shoulder portion having a surface, a second non-uniform surface adapted to contact the at least one electrode frame member, and an inner surface adapted to contact the outer surface of the at least one electrode frame member; (b) second sealing-tenting means in contact with the other side of the separator of the electrolytic cell and other electrode frame members, wherein said second sealing-tenting means is substantially full; a first substantially planar surface adapted to contact the separator; a second non-uniform surface adapted to contact at least another electrode frame member; and (c) a periphery defining a shoulder portion having an inner surface adapted to contact an outer surface of at least another electrode frame member; Said combined seal-tenting assembly comprising fastener means adapted to secure together. 6. an anode frame, a cathode frame, a separator interposed between the anode frame and the cathode frame, a first sealing and tentering means interposed between one side of the separator and the anode frame (
wherein said first sealing-tenting means comprises a substantially solid member, said substantially solid member contacting said separator, said first generally planar surface contacting said anode frame; a periphery defining a shoulder portion having a second non-uniform surface and an inner surface contacting an outer surface of the anode frame, the solid member providing a fluid-tight seal and at least two adjacent (The separator shall be widened between the electrode frame members)
, a second sealing-tenting means interposed between the other side of the separator and the cathode frame (wherein the second
the sealing-tenting means comprises a substantially solid member;
The substantially solid member has a shoulder portion having a first generally flat surface in contact with the separator, a second non-uniform surface in contact with the cathode frame, and an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of the cathode frame. an electrolytic cell assembly having a defining periphery, the solid member providing a fluid-tight seal and tenting a separator between at least two adjacent electrode frame members. 7. Said separator is a membrane and includes said first and second sealing-tenting means and fastener means for securing said separator together.
Electrolyzer assembly as described in Section. 8. (a) interposing a separator between an anode frame and a cathode frame of the electrolytic cell; (b) interposing a first sealing and tentering means between one side of the separator and the anode frame; and said first sealing and tentering means comprises a substantially solid member, said substantially solid member having a first generally planar surface in contact with said separator, a first substantially flat surface in contact with said anode frame. 2 non-uniform surfaces and a periphery defining a shoulder portion having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of the anode frame, the solid member providing a fluid-tight seal and connecting at least two adjacent electrodes. (c) a second sealing-tenting means is interposed between the other side of the separator and the cathode frame (wherein the second sealing-width The ejection means comprises a substantially solid member, the substantially solid member having a first generally planar surface in contact with the separator, a second non-uniform surface in contact with the cathode frame, and a cathode frame. a periphery defining a shoulder portion having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of the frame, said solid member providing a fluid-tight seal and spacing a separator between at least two adjacent electrode frame members; ); and (d) applying a compressive force to said frame. 9. The method of claim 8, including said first and second sealing-tenting means and a plurality of fastener means securing said membranes together.