RU214599U1 - Flow electrolyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

Refers to flow electrolyzers for periodic production, storage and dispensing of sodium hypochlorite solution with a concentration of chlorine equivalent of 6-8 g/l, medium-capacity plants designed for water disinfection in water supply and sanitation systems. It can be used in areas of natural disasters, military conflicts, as well as for water supply systems of small and medium-sized settlements. The technical result consists in simplifying the design of the cell. The flow cell (Fig. 1) contains a vertical cylindrical body (1), equipped with flanges (2), (3) with fixing rings (8), (9) from below and from above and closed with covers (4), (5) with central holes equipped with branch pipes at the bottom of the inlet (6) and at the top of the outlet (7) of the electrolyte. Inside the housing (1) there is a cartridge formed by four flat vertical pairwise identical walls (10), (11) and (12), (13) fastened together in the form of a rectangle. In the central part along the height of the cartridge in the grooves (14) of the plates (10) and (11) there are rectangular plates (15) of monopolar and bipolar titanium and ruthenium-coated electrodes, above and below which identical guide plates (16) with U-shaped cutouts are installed , facing the roofs (4) and (5). Two extreme polarities of one polarity and one middle of another polarity of the electrode plate (15) are monopolar electrodes, and all other electrode plates (15) evenly spaced between them are bipolar electrodes. Four segment inserts (21), (22), (23), (24) are installed in the space between the outer side surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the housing (1), which prevent the electrolyte from passing outside the cartridge with electrode plates (15). Above the lower electrolyte inlet (6) on the bottom cover (4) there is a distributor for the electrolyte flow into the cartridge, for example, in the form of a flat plate (25). In this case, the vertical cylindrical body (1) with flanges (2), (3), covers (4), (5) with nozzles (6), (7), cartridge walls (10), (11), (12), (13), segment inserts (21), (22), (23), (24), plate (25), guide plates (16) and all fasteners inside the housing (1) are made of electrically insulating and chemically resistant to the electrolyte material, such as polyethylene, polyamide, etc. 1 z.p. f-ly, 12 ill.

Description

The claimed technical solution relates to flow electrolyzers for the production of sodium hypochlorite of medium-capacity plants designed for water disinfection in water supply and sanitation systems. It can be used in installations for periodic production, storage and distribution of sodium hypochlorite solution to the consumer, for example, in the area of natural disasters, military conflicts, as well as for water supply systems of small and medium-sized settlements.

It is known to use a flow cell in the "Installation for obtaining a solution of a salt of oxyacid of chlorine" according to the author's certificate of the USSR: SU 783363 A1 from 11/30/1980, IPC C25B 9/00 - [1]. The plant contains a flow electrolyzer and a storage tank, while the electrolyzer is sealed, located outside the storage tank and connected to it by circulation pipelines. The installation may contain several cells. At the same time, in the figure shown in analogue [1], the flow cell is made in a cylindrical, vertically mounted housing, inside which a set of electrodes in the form of rectangular vertical plates is installed. The flow electrolyzer analog [1] in its general design is similar to the claimed technical solution.

The disadvantage of the known analogue [1] is that the arrangement of the installation and the cell is not worked out in detail, its practical implementation is multivariate.

It is known to use a flow electrolyzer for treating water with sodium hypochlorite according to the patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2100483 C1 dated 12/27/1997, IPC S25V 1/34, S25V 9/00, "A method for treating water with sodium hypochlorite and a flow electrolyzer for producing sodium hypochlorite" - [2 ]. A flow electrolyzer analogous to [2] includes a container with inlet and outlet pipes and chambers for input and output of solutions, and mono- and bipolar plate electrodes placed in the container between these chambers, installed vertically and parallel to each other. Plate electrodes are connected according to a bipolar circuit with a current supply to the extreme electrodes, the interelectrode gap is 1-3 mm. With gaps less than 1 mm, the hydraulic resistance in the interelectrode space will be too large for the sodium chloride solution to flow through these gaps, and with gaps above the specified limit, the electrolysis process is inefficient, since most of the energy applied to the electrodes will be consumed not for electrolysis, but for heating a sodium chloride solution. In the process of electrolysis, hydrogen in the form of bubbles rises up in the interelectrode gaps, dragging the sodium chloride solution with it, increasing its flow rate in the interelectrode gaps.

The disadvantage of the flow electrolyzer analogous to [2] is the relatively slow flow rate of the sodium chloride solution through the gaps of the electrodes, which leads to the fact that during the electrolysis of hard water, a precipitate forms on the electrodes - cathodes, leading to an increase in the voltage on the electrolyzer and a deterioration in the hydrodynamics of the process.

It is known to use a flow cell to produce sodium hypochlorite according to the utility model patent of the Russian Federation: RU 126695 U1 dated 10.04.2013, IPC C01B 11/06, "Installation for the production of sodium hypochlorite" - [3]. The installation [3] contains an electrolyzer, a container for an electrolyte solution supplied to the electrolyzer, and for a solution containing sodium hypochlorite coming from the electrolyzer, as well as a supply - drain path, in the form of circulation pipelines with an installed pump. Due to the forced movement of the liquid through the cell in the recirculation mode, intensive mixing of the electrolyte is provided, which improves the conditions for the electrochemical process with a more complete conversion of the initial salt, as well as reducing the time spent on obtaining a solution of the target product with a given concentration.

The disadvantage of the flow cell analog [3] is that the design of its flow cell is not worked out in detail, and therefore its practical implementation is difficult.

It is known to use titanium electrodes (cathodes and anodes) with ruthenium oxide coating in a flow cell according to the patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2139956 C1 dated 10/20/1999, IPC S25V 1/26, S01V 11/06, "Installation for producing hypochlorite solutions by electrolysis" - [4], which significantly increases the reliability of the flow cell of the installation for the electrolysis of hard water, as well as the service life of such electrodes. The plant [4] contains an electrolyzer body with inlet and outlet pipelines, a gas outlet pipe, and monopolar titanium electrodes with ruthenium oxide coating, which, during the electrolysis of hard water, ensures the removal of sediment without stopping the plant by reversing the current.

The disadvantage of a flow electrolyzer analogous to [4] is that the design of monopolar electrodes shown in its graphic materials is made of a rod, and, therefore, with a low surface area of the electrodes, which requires a significant increase in the operating time of the sodium hypochlorite solution. In addition, as a disadvantage, is the use of only one monopolar electrodes without the use of bipolar electrodes, which greatly increases the requirements for the direct current source of the cell.

A well-known design of a vertically located flow cell with a cylindrical body and end caps according to the author's certificate of the USSR: SU 1793008 A1 dated 02/07/1993, IPC S25V 9/00, "An electrolyzer for producing sodium hypochlorite" - [5], in which bipolar and monopolar electrodes in the form of flat rectangular vertical plates, dielectric spacers, inlet (bottom) and outlet (top) branch pipes for the electrolyte solution.

The disadvantage of the known analogue [5] is the complexity of its design, in which the dielectric spacer is made in the form of a cylinder located coaxially to the central rod and the outer cylinder, also made of a dielectric material, the electrodes are located radially in the grooves of the body, spacer, central rod and end caps. In addition, with a radial arrangement of the electrodes, it is impossible to make the interelectrode space between them with the same gap, which leads to uneven wear of the electrodes from the side of a smaller gap, and, therefore, reduces the reliability and durability of the structure (reduces the resource of the cell itself).

Known designs of flow electrolyzers, which use a package design of electrodes pulled together through sealing figured gaskets, in the electrodes themselves there are holes for the flow of an electrolyte solution in their interelectrode space, for example, along:

- USSR author's certificate: SU 429020 A1 dated 05/25/1974, IPC S25V 1/26, S25V 11/02, "Bipolar electrolyzer for obtaining an alkali metal hypochlorite solution" - [6];

- patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2199610 C2 dated 27.02.2003, IPC C25V 1/00, C25V 9/20, "Device for electrolysis" - [7];

- patent for the invention of Germany: DE 2919527 A1 dated 11/20/1980, IPC C25B 1/26, C25B 9/18, "Elektrolyseur zur Gewinnung von Nattriumhypochlorit" - (Electrolyzer for the production of sodium hypochlorite) - [8].

Common disadvantages of known analogues [6], [7] and [8] are that:

- firstly, during compression, the sealing gaskets change their thickness, which changes the given value of the interelectrode distance;

- secondly, the low reliability of operation of such electrolyzers, since over time, electrolyte leakage is possible due to a violation of the tightness of the sealing gaskets;

- thirdly, when sorting the plate electrodes of such electrolyzers (during their maintenance), it is necessary to replace the gaskets, which increases the operating costs.

A well-known pot cell with rectangular flat electrodes according to a UK patent: GB 1411928 (A) dated 10/29/1975, IPC C02F 1/467, C25B 1/26, C25B 9/00, Production of hypochlorite by electrolysis of sea water "- ( A device for the production of hypochlorite by electrolysis of sea water) - [9]. The device [9] contains an alternating array of vertical monopolar anodes and cathodes in the form of flat rectangular plates located in a sealed box-shaped case formed by flat rectangular plates, the bottom and top of the case has inlet and outlet pipes for the electrolyte solution, respectively. Each anode, for example a dimensionally stable expanded titanium mesh coated with a Pt group metal (oxide), is in contact at one end with a vertical electrical distributor adjacent to one side wall. Each cathode, such as steel, nickel or titanium, at one end contacts a vertical electrical collector adjacent to the opposite side wall.

The disadvantage of the known analogue [9] is the complexity of the design of its sealed box-shaped housing formed by flat rectangular plates, and, consequently, low manufacturability in the manufacture of the known device. At the same time, in the presence of flat parts of the body, the internal working pressure of the electrolyte in the electrolyzer is significantly reduced, which narrows the scope of its application. Additionally, the disadvantage is the use of only one monopolar electrodes without the use of bipolar electrodes, which greatly increases the requirements for the direct current source of the cell.

Also known is the design of a vertical located cell according to the author's certificate of the USSR: SU 733521 A3 dated 05/05/1980, IPC S25V 9/06, S25V 1/26, "Vertical diaphragmless bipolar electrolyzer" - [10]. The device [10] consists of a vertical electrolytic cell with a box-shaped rectangular body with one upper flanged cover and bottom, with side inlet located at the bottom of the body and outlet pipes for the electrolyte solution located at the top of the body, as well as horizontal partitions with holes located inside the body along the height , on which electrode plates are fixed on both sides with one end. Extreme partitions are placed from the cover and from the bottom at a distance, the partitions are made of non-conductive material, and the holes are equidistant from each other, and the other ends of the electrodes are passed through the holes of the next partition and fixed on the partition next in height.

The disadvantage of analog [10], as well as analog [9], is the presence of a box-shaped rectangular body formed by flat rectangular plates, and, therefore, the disadvantage is low manufacturability in its manufacture, and the internal working pressure of the electrolyte in the electrolyzer is significantly reduced, which narrows the area its application. In addition, the rectangular cases of analogues [10], as well as analogues [9], are made of metal, which significantly reduces the electrical safety during the operation of such electrolyzers. Additionally, the disadvantage of analogue [10] is the complexity of the design of the separating dielectric partitions located along its height and for installing the electrode plates.

The prototype of the claimed technical solution is a flow electrolyzer according to the USSR author's certificate: SU 968102 A1 dated 10/23/1982, IPC C25V 1/34 called "Bipolar filter press electrolyzer for the production of alkali metal hypochlorite" - [11]. A flow electrolyzer [11] contains a vertical cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating material with a lower branch pipe for supplying an electrolyte solution and an upper branch pipe for electrolyte outlet, two side monopolar electrodes of one potential and one central monopolar electrode of another potential installed inside the housing, on both sides of the central monopolar electrode between two monopolar electrodes. electrodes are installed on the same number of bipolar electrodes with the same interelectrode gaps. Additionally, according to the invention formula of the prototype [11], the bipolar filter-press electrolyzer for producing alkali metal hypochlorite includes two round end monopolar electrodes, with round bipolar electrodes placed between them, in which one hole is made, located diametrically opposite to the hole of the other electrode, insulating gaskets, clamping plates and current leads. The electrolyzer is equipped with an additional central monopolar electrode with two current leads made in the form of dowels placed diametrically opposite and on different sides relative to each other, and the polarity of the end monopolar electrodes is the same and opposite to the polarity of the central multipolar electrode, while insulating sealing gaskets are grooves into which electrodes are placed. The cell can be additionally provided with insulating bushings, the length of the bushings exceeding the distance from the central monopolar electrode to the end monopolar electrodes. The keys can be additionally equipped with pressure sealing nuts made of insulating material.

The disadvantages of the prototype [11] are:

- the fact that the lower and upper electrodes are not isolated from the outside of the cell, which significantly reduces the electrical safety of the operation of such a device;

- the fact that through the electrodes made in round plate electrodes (one hole each and located opposite each other), the electrolyte will flow, washing the latter with a stream limited in width, not covering the entire surface of the electrodes (that is, there is an uneven flow of electrolyte over the entire surface of the round electrode), which greatly reduces the efficiency of the cell as a whole, as a result, leads to the formation of salt deposits, and requires frequent washing with acid;

- the difficulty (difficulty) of disassembling and assembling the cell itself of such a complex design (when replacing or servicing electrodes), which makes it necessary to completely disconnect the cell from the installation and then completely disassemble the cell.

The above disadvantages of analogs and prototypes set the task of creating a flow electrolyzer that is simple in design and manufacturing technology, convenient and safe to operate with improved performance properties and easy to maintain for a mobile installation of full factory readiness of medium productivity to obtain a sodium hypochlorite solution (GPCHN) with chlorine equivalent concentration 6-8 g/l.

The essence of the claimed technical solution lies in the fact that the flow cell contains a vertical cylindrical body with a lower electrolyte solution supply pipe and an electrolyte outlet upper pipe, two side monopolar electrodes of one potential and one central monopolar electrode of another potential are installed inside the housing, on both sides of the central monopolar electrode between two monopolar electrodes, the same number of bipolar electrodes with the same interelectrode gaps are installed.

At the same time, the vertical cylindrical body is provided with flanges at the bottom and at the top and is closed with lids with central holes, equipped with electrolyte inlet (bottom) and outlet (top) nozzles, respectively,

inside the case there are monopolar and bipolar titanium and coated with metal (oxide) of the Pt group - platinoids (for example, ruthenium), electrodes in the form of rectangular plates installed vertically in a removable cartridge, the cartridge is formed by four flat vertical electrodes fastened together in the form of a rectangle (in plan). walls (with longitudinal grooves and protrusions along their vertical edges for mutual fixation into a rectangle (square)), two of which have vertical grooves on their inner surfaces for installing (fixing) electrodes,

four segment inserts are installed in the space between the outer side surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the housing, preventing the electrolyte from passing outside the cartridge with electrodes,

four segment inserts and a cartridge are equal in height to the distance between the covers, the electrodes are installed in the middle part of the cartridge, and below and above the electrodes identical guide plates directing the electrolyte flow to the electrodes are installed, and the installed guide plates on the sides of the lower and upper covers have U-shaped cutouts ,

between the lower part of the cartridge and the bottom cover with the electrolyte supply pipe, in the space of the U-shaped cutouts of the guide plates, there is an electrolyte flow distributor into the cartridge,

at the same time, the vertical cylindrical body with flanges, the bottom and top covers with branch pipes, four flat vertical walls of the cartridge, four segment inserts, an electrolyte flow distributor, identical guide plates directing the electrolyte flow to the electrodes and all fasteners inside the body are made of electrically insulating and a material that is chemically resistant to the electrolyte (for example, polyethylene, polyamide, etc.).

The electrolyte flow distributor can be made in the form of a plate that completely covers the central opening of the bottom cover with an electrolyte supply pipe, and the flow distributor plate is fixedly attached by fasteners to the bottom cover with a gap allowing the flow of electrolyte flow that has changed direction.

The technical result consists in simplifying the design of the cell.

At the same time, the design of a flow electrolyzer is known according to a patent for the invention of Great Britain: GB 2068016 (A) dated 08/05/1981, IPC C25B 1/26, C25B 9/17, "Electrolytic production of sodium hypochlorite)) - [12]. Analogue [12] also contains a tubular-type electrolyzer (with a cylindrical body) with two covers, which are fastened with flanges.

The disadvantages of analogue [12] are as follows:

a) the body and flange covers of the electrolyzers of the installation are made of metal, which significantly reduces the electrical safety during the operation of such electrolyzers;

b) the body and flange covers of electrolyzers made of metal (if it is not titanium, which leads to high cost), will be highly corroded, which will greatly reduce the service life of the electrolyzer, and if they are coated with a layer of protective substance (for example, paint), then these are additional material costs;

c) electrolyzers have a working horizontal arrangement, which causes the presence of additional gas fittings to remove hydrogen from each electrolyzer (horizontal arrangement and operation of electrolyzers leads to accumulation of hydrogen in its upper part and difficulties in its removal from the electrolyzer);

d) the difficulty of ensuring a uniform flow of electrolyte in the interelectrode space of the cell, which leads to uneven wear of the electrodes and the deposition of salts on them;

e) complex design of the cartridge and its electrodes.

The design of a flow electrolyzer is known according to a patent for an invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2349682 C2 dated 03/20/2009, IPC S25V 9/06, S25V 9/18, "An electrolysis plant for the production of sodium hypochlorite" - [13], containing several electrolytic cells, an electrode module consisting of monopolar and bipolar plate electrodes. It also contains a metering pump for supplying sodium chloride solution to the first electrolyzer, the output of which is connected to the inlet of the second electrolyzer, the output of the second electrolyzer is connected to the inlet of the next electrolyzer, and the output of the last electrolyzer is connected to a reservoir for storing the resulting sodium hypochlorite, which is equipped with a pipe for ejecting hydrogen into the atmosphere and a branch pipe for supplying sodium hypochlorite for water disinfection. The water supply unit for dilution is additionally connected to the pipeline for supplying the initial sodium chloride solution to the first electrolyzer and to the pipeline installed between the outlet of the electrolysis products from the first electrolyzer and their entry into the second electrolyzer. The number of monopolar and bipolar electrodes in the second cell is greater than in the first, and the distance between the electrodes, respectively, is smaller.

Also known is the design of a flow electrolyzer according to the author's certificate of the USSR: SU 1507871 A1 dated 09/15/1989, IPC S25V 1/26, "An electrolyzer for the production of sodium hypochlorite" - [14], containing a housing, end monopolar electrodes with anode and cathode elements, connected between themselves and the tie rods. In this case, the electrodes are made in the form of combs, and the tie rods are placed at the junction of the anode and cathode elements of each comb bipolar electrode.

The disadvantages of analogues [13] and [14] coincide with the disadvantages c), d) and e) of analogue [12], namely, that the cell operates in a horizontal position, in which there are difficulties in removing hydrogen and difficulties in ensuring a uniform flow of electrolyte in the interelectrode space of the cell, and also the cell has a complex cartridge design for the placement of electrodes in it.

The well-known design of the flow cell according to the patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2031980 C1 dated 03/27/1995, IPC S25V 9/00, "Electrolysis plant" - [15], contains a power source with semiconductor rectifier devices, a flow cell with one or more electrolysis cells, the body of which has inlet and outlet pipes, and its outer side walls are monopolar electrodes, while the semiconductor rectifying devices are attached to the body of the electrolyzer and arranged in such a way that they are cooled by air, as well as by the liquid medium supplied to the electrolyzer or circulating in it. In this case, the external and internal monopolar electrodes, external electrodes of negative or positive polarity can be fastened together with conductive mounting bolts or studs, and the internal monopolar electrodes are connected to one or more current-carrying terminals, which are located outside the cell body or in a sealed through hole made in one of the walls of the electrically non-conductive interelectrode insert.

The disadvantages of a flow electrolyzer similar to [15] are that its left and right monopolar electrodes are not isolated from the outside of the electrolyzer, which significantly reduces the electrical safety of operation of such a device. In addition, the design of the flow electrolyzer presented in the graphic materials of the analog [15] has the difficulty of disassembling and assembling it, when replacing or servicing the electrodes.

The restrictive features of the present claimed utility model claims describe the well-known construction of a flow cell in the general joint features of the prototype and the claimed device.

The distinctive features of the formula of an independent item of the utility model solve the task of simplifying the design of the electrolytic cell due to the fact that:

The task of simplifying the design of the cell is solved by the fact that the design of the claimed cell includes parts of a simple geometric shape made of available and cheap materials, for example, polyethylene and / or polyamide, which are in contact with the electrolyte solution, and thus additional protection of these parts from chemical and electrochemical harmful effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and common salt (NaCl) solutions. At the same time, from the simplification of the design of the claimed device, an increase in the manufacturability of its manufacture directly follows, due to the fact that simple parts of the device design are easier and more technologically advanced to manufacture.

In view of the fact that the design of the claimed cell is made of simple structural electrically insulating materials (for example, polyethylene and / or polyamide), then all external parts of the claimed cell are electrically insulated - they are not under electrical voltage, and, therefore, do not pose a danger to maintenance personnel, which additionally leads to an increase in the operational safety of the claimed cell.

In view of the fact that in the simple design of the claimed electrolyzer, electrodes made of rectangular titanium plates coated with ruthenium are installed with equal gaps and are evenly flowed around by the electrolyte flow, which guarantees their uniform wear (failure) and minimizes the formation of salt deposits on the surface of the electrodes, which further improves the operational properties of the electrolytic cell. In this case, the hydrogen formed during electrolysis rises up along with the flow of the electrolyte solution and enters the electrolyte container, from where it is released into the environment, for example, by purging the electrolyte container with air.

In view of the fact that all the electrodes are the same (identical) and are assembled into one collapsible cartridge, which is easily removed from the electrolyser when one top cover is removed, the convenience of maintenance for replacing the electrolyzer electrodes is further improved.

Distinctive features of the dependent item of the utility model also provide a solution to the claimed technical result, namely the simplification of the design, so the electrolyte flow distributor is made in the form of a plate, and further increase the ease of maintenance for replacing the electrolyzer electrodes, since the electrolyte flow distributor does not need to be dismantled when replacing the electrodes.

The essence of the claimed technical solution is further illustrated by graphic materials:

In FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal vertical section (B-B) of the claimed technical solution.

In FIG. 2 - callout A in Fig. 1 with an enlarged image of the bottom cover with an electrolyte supply pipe and an electrolyte flow distributor.

In FIG. 3 is a top view of the complete electrolytic cell - on its top cover.

In FIG. 4 - drawing of the cell, side view indicating its sections (B-B and C-C).

In FIG. 5 is a top view of the cell with the top cover removed.

In FIG. 6 is a top view of an empty cartridge - without installed electrodes and guide plates.

In FIG. 7 is a side view of the cell cartridge, where 7 a) is a side view of the wall with vertical grooves for installing electrodes and 7 b) is a view from the side of the wall without vertical grooves.

In FIG. 8 is a vertical section of the G-G cell (according to Fig. 5) without the bottom and top covers.

In FIG. 9 is a drawing of a 3-D model of the claimed flow cell.

In FIG. 10 is a diagram of connecting the claimed electrolyzer to an installation for obtaining a solution of GPCHN, as an example of the development of a connection diagram similar to [1].

In FIG. 11 is a photograph of the manufactured cell mounted on a base, side and top view.

In FIG. 12 - photograph of the manufactured electrolytic cell, mounted on a base above the circulation pump, - side view.

In FIG. 1-9 graphic materials are indicated by positions:

1 - cylindrical body, in the form of a pipe segment; 2 and 3 - respectively, the lower and upper flanges attached (welded) to the ends of the tubular body (1); 4 and 5 - respectively, the lower and upper covers of the cell; 6 and 7 - respectively, the lower and upper branch pipes for supplying and discharging electrolyte; 8 and 9 - lower and upper fixing rings, respectively, for connecting flanges (2) and (3) with covers (4) and (5); 10 and 11 - identical flat walls with vertical grooves (14); 12 and 13 - identical flat walls for connection with walls (10) and (11) to form a cartridge; 14 - vertical grooves made in the walls (10) and (11) for installing electrodes (15) in them; 15 - rectangular plates of monopolar and bipolar titanium and ruthenium-coated electrodes; 16 - guide plates directing the flow of electrolyte to the plates (15) of the electrodes; 17 - current lead of the central monopolar electrode (15); 18 - electric box of the current lead (17) of the central monopolar electrode (15); 19 - two current leads of the extreme monopolar electrodes (15); 20 - two electric boxes of current leads (19) of two extreme monopolar electrodes (15); 21, 22, 23 and 24 - segment inserts that prevent the passage of electrolyte outside the cartridge with electrodes (15); 25 - electrolyte flow distributor plate into the cartridge.

In addition, in the drawings in FIG. 11 introduced abbreviations Ek. 1 - Eq. 3, denoting electrical cables connecting the elements of the switchboard (38) of manual control (or the automated control panel) with the corresponding elements of the functional diagram of the installation for obtaining GPCHN - to demonstrate the connection of the claimed flow electrolyzer and its operation. The designations in figures 10, 11 and 12 are as follows: 26 - declared electrolyzer assembly; 27 - liquid pump for electrolyte; 28 - container, which can be made sealed, for example, with a removable lid; 29 and 30 - inlet and outlet valves of the pump (27); 31 and 32 - shut-off valves, respectively, for taking electrolyte samples before and after the electrolyzer (26); 33 - shut-off valve for draining the finished solution of GPCHN; 34 - shut-off valve for supplying NaCl solution and/or water to the container (28); 35 and 36, respectively, the inlet and outlet air lines of the tank (28) for purging it from hydrogen; 37 - blower (pressure fan) to remove into the atmosphere the hydrogen formed in the process of electrolysis, transferred by the flow of electrolyte into the container (28); 38 - electric power board for powering the installation; 39 - electrical switchboard with manual control or with an automated control system; 40 - electrolyzer power supply (26); 41 - hydrogen gas analyzer; 42 - sensor (sensitive sensor) of the hydrogen gas analyzer.

The flow cell (Fig. 1) contains a vertical cylindrical body (1), equipped with flanges (2) and (3) from below and from above and closed with covers (4) and (5), respectively, with central holes, equipped respectively with branch pipes from the bottom of the supply (6) and on top of the outlet (7) of the electrolyte. Covers (4) and (5) are attached to flanges (2) and (3) through sealing gaskets with detachable bolted connections (not indicated by positions in the figures). At the same time, respectively, the lower (2) and upper (3) flanges are additionally equipped with fastening rings (8) and (9), which can be made of any material, for example, steel (stainless), and solve the problem of reliable fastening of covers, with small diameter flanges (2) and (3). Inside the cylindrical body (1) there is a cartridge formed by four flat vertical pairwise identical walls (10), (11) and (12), (13) fastened together in the form of a rectangle (in plan - top view) - shown in Fig. 6 and FIG. 7. In this case, respectively, the walls (10) and (11) of the wall vertically on their inner surface have grooves (14), as well as longitudinal grooves for connection with the protrusions of the walls (12), (13) without grooves (14), for mutual fixing into a rectangle (square) with screws, which, like the vertical grooves and protrusions, are not numbered in the figures. In the central part along the height of the grooves (14) of the plates (10) and (11), rectangular plates (15) of monopolar and bipolar titanium and ruthenium-coated electrodes are installed. Above and below the plates (15) of the electrodes, identical guide plates (16) are installed to direct the electrolyte flow to the electrodes, so that the U-shaped cutouts in them respectively face the roofs (4) and (5). Two extreme polarities of one polarity and one middle of another polarity of the electrode plate (15) are monopolar electrodes, and all other electrode plates (15) evenly spaced between them are bipolar electrodes. Four segment inserts (21), (22) and (23), (24), which prevent the electrolyte from passing outside the cartridge with electrode plates (15). Moreover, the segment inserts are identical in pairs (21), (22) and (23), (24) in the case of the cartridge being rectangular in cross section, or the segment inserts (21), (22), (23), (24) are all the same in the case of execution of the cartridge in cross section (in plan) in the form of a square. Four segment inserts (21), (22), (23), (24) and cartridge walls (10), (11), (12), (13) are equal in height to the distance between covers (4) and (5) - fig. 8. Plates (15) of the electrodes are installed in the middle part of the cartridge (Fig. 1 and Fig. 8), and below and above the electrodes, identical guide plates (16) directing the electrolyte flow to the electrodes are installed, with the installed guide plates (16) on the sides of the lower (4) and top (5) covers have U-shaped cutouts. Between the lower part of the cartridge and the bottom cover with the electrolyte supply pipe in the space of the U-shaped cutouts of the lower guide plates (16) located under the plates (15) of the electrodes, there is an electrolyte flow distributor into the cartridge, which can be made, for example, in the form of a flat plate (25). The flat plate (25) completely covers the central opening of the bottom cover (4) with the electrolyte supply pipe (6), while the plate (25) of the flow distributor is fixedly attached by fasteners to the bottom cover (6) with a gap allowing the flow of electrolyte flow that has changed direction. Vertical cylindrical body (1) with flanges (2) and (3), lower (4) and upper (5) covers with nozzles (6) and (7), four flat vertical walls of the cartridge (10), (11), ( 12), (13), four segment inserts (21), (22), (23), (24), an electrolyte flow distributor (25) directing the electrolyte flow to the electrodes, identical guide plates (16) and all fasteners (which not numbered in the figures), located inside the housing (1), are made of an electrically insulating and chemically resistant material to the electrolyte, for example, polyethylene, polyamide, etc. On the presented - Fig. 9 in the drawing of a 3-D model of a flow cell, on its lower mounting ring (8) of the cover (4) there are through holes (not numbered in the figure), which are necessary for vertical fastening of the cell on a frame base, as shown in Fig. 11 and FIG. 12 - photographs of the manufactured electrolyzer installed on a frame base.

The figure 11 shows the connection diagram of the claimed electrolyzer in the installation for obtaining a solution of GPCHN, as an example of the development of a connection diagram similar to [1] and which explains the principle of operation of the claimed technical solution. The electrolytic cell (26) assembled in FIG. 11 is schematically looped through pipelines through the liquid pump (27) of the electrolyte with a container (28), in which a sodium chloride solution (NaCl) was initially prepared, which, during operation in a flow cell, is converted into a solution of HPCHN (NaOCl). The pump (27), in turn, is connected through shut-off valves (29) and (30) installed respectively at its inlet and outlet. And the cell itself (26) before the inlet fitting (6) and after the outlet fitting (7) is equipped with branch pipes with shut-off valves (31) and (32), respectively, for taking electrolyte samples before and after the electrolyzer (26). The container (28), in turn, is equipped with a branch pipe with a shut-off valve (33) for draining the finished HPCHN solution, a branch pipe with a shut-off valve (34) for supplying NaCl and/or water solution to the container (28), as well as air inlets (35 ) and an outlet (36) line for purging the container (28) with air from the blower (37) to remove hydrogen formed during the electrolysis process into the atmosphere, for example, through a rain shield. In this case, the container (28) can be made hermetic, for example, with a removable lid. The installation for obtaining the HPCHN solution must also contain an electric power board (38), a switchboard (39) with or without a control system, and for the electrolyzer (26) a power source (40), which can be a power rectifier, and must also be equipped with a gas analyzer hydrogen (41) with a hydrogen sensor (42).

The main characteristics of the claimed electrolyzer

Works claimed flow electrolyzer to obtain GPCN as follows. Through the electrolyzer (26) connected to the installation (according to Fig. 11) for the production of HPCHN, an electrolyte solution (NaCl solution) is pumped from the tank (28) using a circulating electric pump (27), after which the electric power supply of the electrolyzer (26) is turned on. At the same time, the process of HPCHN production begins to occur, in which a NaOCl solution is obtained in an aqueous solution of NaCl. The power supply (40) provides electricity to the electrolysis process at a constant current of 100 A and a voltage of up to 130 V. The voltage between the working electrodes (15) of the flow electrolyzer (26), as it has been established in practice, can vary from 102 to 87 V depending on the concentration sodium hypochlorite in the system. During the electrolysis of the brine and the production of HPCHN in the flow cell (26), water decomposes into oxygen and hydrogen. Oxygen oxidizes the salt, forming HPCHN. Pure hydrogen, together with the HPCHN solution, enters the tank (28), mixes with the air coming from the blower (37) - "pressure fan" and is removed through the line (36) into the atmosphere outside the installation. The process continues until the concentration of HPCHN in terms of active chlorine reaches the required value of 6-8 grams/liter in terms of active chlorine. Ensuring the required concentration of sodium hypochlorite is ensured by the recirculation of the salt solution through the cell during its operation. The duration of the recirculation cycle with the operating time of the GPCR is determined according to the technological map of the installation. Next, the electrolytic cell (26) is switched off from the power supply and the electric pump (27) is stopped, after which the finished HPCHN solution is dispensed (drained) to the consumer through the shut-off valve (33).

When hydrogen appears in the atmosphere near the installation with the electrolyzer (26), a two-level hydrogen gas analyzer (41) with a hydrogen sensor (42) is activated, for example, a hydrogen gas analyzer of the IGS-98 series. When the first threshold of hydrogen concentration is reached, a sound and light signal is given to the plant operator, and when the second level is reached, a control signal is additionally given to the switchboard (39) to stop the plant.

The claimed device solves the tasks of creating a flow electrolyzer that is simple in design and manufacturing technology, convenient and safe in operation with improved performance properties and easy maintenance. The electrolyzer can be used both in a stationary and a mobile installation of medium productivity to obtain a solution of HPCHN with a concentration of chlorine equivalent of 6-8 g/l.

In addition, from the above, additional advantages of the claimed technical device follow:

- the hydrogen formed during the electrolysis leaves the electrolyzer together with the electrolyte flow through the upper branch pipe, which excludes the accumulation of hydrogen in the device and guarantees its fire and explosion safety;

- the use in the design of the claimed device parts of a simple geometric shape from available and cheap materials greatly simplifies the technological processes of its manufacture, which reduces the cost of production of the cell;

- the use in the design of the claimed device of parts made of electrically insulating and chemically resistant to the electrolyte material, such as polyethylene, polyamide, etc., greatly extends the service life of the cell, and also provides electrical insulation of its external parts from electrical voltage, which increases the operational safety of the cell.

Based on the foregoing, the claimed device called "flow electrolyzer" has all the criteria of a utility model, since the set of restrictive and distinctive features of the utility model formula is new (such a set is unknown at this level of technology development) for such installations, and, therefore, meets the criterion "novelty".

The "flow electrolyzer" has been manufactured, tested and its widespread use does not present any structural, technical and technological difficulties, which implies compliance with the "industrial applicability" criterion.

The declared "flow electrolyzer" can be used in installations of full factory readiness, which in turn can be used in areas of natural disasters, military conflicts, as well as for water supply systems of small and medium-sized settlements during periodic production, storage and issuance of a GPCHN solution to the consumer for water disinfection in water supply and sanitation systems.

Literature

1. USSR author's certificate: SU 783363 A1 dated 11/30/1980, IPC S25V 1/26, S25V 9/00, "Installation for obtaining a solution of chlorine oxyacid salt".

2. Patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2100483 C1 dated 12/27/1997, IPC S25V 1/34, S25V 9/00, "Method of water treatment with sodium hypochlorite and a flow electrolyzer to obtain sodium hypochlorite".

3. Utility model patent of the Russian Federation: RU 126695 U1 dated 04/10/2013, IPC С01В 11/06, "Installation for the production of sodium hypochlorite".

4. Patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2139956 C1 dated 10/20/1999, IPC S25V 1/26, S01V 11/06, "Installation for the production of hypochlorite solutions by electrolysis."

5. Author's certificate of the USSR: SU 1793008 A1 dated 02/07/1993, IPC S25V 9/00, "Electrolyzer for the production of sodium hypochlorite".

6. Author's certificate of the USSR: SU 429020 A1 dated 05/25/1974, IPC S25V 1/26, S25V 11/02, "Bipolar electrolyzer for obtaining an alkali metal hypochlorite solution".

7. Patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2199610 C2 dated February 27, 2003, IPC S25V 1/00, S25V 9/20, “Electrolysis device”.

8. German invention patent: DE 2919527 A1 dated 11/20/1980, IPC C25B 1/26, C25B 9/18, "Production of hypochlorite by electrolysis of sea water".

9. UK patent: GB 1411928 (A) dated 10/29/1975, IPC C02F 1/467, C25B 1/26, C25B 9/00, "Production of hypochlorite by electrolysis of sea water".

10. Author's certificate of the USSR: SU 733521 A3 dated 05/05/1980, IPC S25V 9/06, S25V 1/26, "Vertical diaphragmless bipolar electrolyzer".

11. USSR author's certificate: SU 968102 A1 dated 10/23/1982, IPC S25V 1/34, "Bipolar filter press electrolyzer for the production of alkali metal hypochlorite" - prototype.

12. Patent for the invention of Great Britain: GB 2068016 (A) dated 08/05/1981, IPC C25B 1/26, C25B 9/17, "Electrolytic production of sodium hypochlorite".

13. Patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2349682 C2 dated 03/20/2009, IPC S25V 9/06, S25V 9/18, "Electrolysis plant for the production of sodium hypochlorite".

14. Author's certificate of the USSR: SU 1507871 A1 dated 09/15/1989, IPC S25V 1/26, "Electrolyzer for the production of sodium hypochlorite".

15. Patent for the invention of the Russian Federation: RU 2031980 C1 dated March 27, 1995, IPC C25V 9/00, “Electrolysis plant”.

Claims (2)

1. A flow cell containing a vertical cylindrical body with a lower electrolyte solution supply pipe and an electrolyte outlet upper pipe, two side monopolar electrodes of one potential and one central monopolar electrode of another potential installed inside the housing, on both sides of the central monopolar electrode between two monopolar electrodes are installed along the same number of bipolar electrodes with the same interelectrode gaps, characterized in that the vertical cylindrical body is provided with flanges at the bottom and top and is closed with covers with central holes, equipped with electrolyte inlet and outlet pipes, respectively, inside the body there are monopolar and bipolar titanium and metal-plated groups of Pt - platinoids , electrodes in the form of rectangular plates installed vertically in a removable cartridge, the cartridge is formed by four flat vertical plates fastened together in the form of a rectangle walls, two of which have vertical grooves on their inner surfaces for installing electrodes, four segment inserts are installed in the space between the outer side surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the housing, preventing the passage of electrolyte outside the cartridge with electrodes, four segment inserts and the cartridge are equal in height the distance between the covers, the electrodes are installed in the middle part of the cartridge, and below and above the electrodes, identical guide plates are installed to direct the electrolyte flow to the electrodes, and the installed guide plates on the sides of the bottom and top covers have U-shaped cutouts, between the bottom of the cartridge and the bottom cover with an electrolyte supply pipe in the space of the U-shaped cutouts of the guide plates, a distributor of the electrolyte flow into the cartridge is installed, while a vertical cylindrical body with flanges, lower and upper covers with pipes, four flat vertical walls of the cartridge, four segment inserts, an electrolyte flow distributor, identical guide plates directing the electrolyte flow to the electrodes, and all fasteners inside the housing are made of an electrically insulating and chemically resistant material to the electrolyte. 2. The flow cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrolyte flow distributor is made in the form of a plate that completely covers the central opening of the bottom cover with an electrolyte supply pipe, and the flow distributor plate is fixedly attached by fasteners to the bottom cover with a gap that allows the flow of the changed direction electrolyte flow.

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