Abstract:
The disclosure relates to an electrochemical treatment of liquids and production of gases. Increased operating efficiency of an electrochemical device is achieved through the combination of measures: (1) sealing of the device on an element-by-element basis; (2) transfer of the liquid and gaseous phase interface into a passive extension of an anode chamber; (3) utilization of a tubular cathode as an inner wall and a cylindrical anode with an external coating as an outer wall; (4) positioning of channels and determining their dimensions so as to maintain helicity of electrolyte movement combined with the increase of the production output; (5) positioning and design of terminals, which provide for the reduction of their heating; and (6) ability of the device to operate under the conditions, when its longitudinal axis deviates from the vertical line by an angle of γ≦85° and under pumping conditions.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosure relates to chemical technologies, particularly concerning the issues of electrochemical treatment of liquids and getting of gases that may be used to purify and disinfect water and to produce anolytes and catholytes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure is used for the synthesis of disinfecting, sterilizing, detergent, extracting, pH- and ORP-correcting solutions; for electrochemical treatment of organic and inorganic liquids; under conditions of stationary, as well as mobile plants. 
         [0003]    As regards the technical design and employed components, one solution is an electrochemical processing device described in Russian Federation patent RU 2104961. However, the processing device disclosed therein has a number of shortcomings. For example, the device does not have sufficient:reliability, resulting from the use of multiple-part assembled bushings that are sealed between themselves and with electrodes only by the axial force from torqued clamping nuts. It has limited output due to the use of rod-type electrodes, presence of electric contact on the thread and, especially, necessity to use for the input into the electrode chambers and for the output from the electrodes to the channels, the diameter of which does not exceed the size of clearance between the electrodes and the diaphragm. There is also a difficulty of operation experienced, caused by the requirement to position the device inside the apparatus in such a way that its longitudinal axis is vertical. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a two-chamber coaxial electrolyser device, showing a cathode chamber. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an anode chamber of the two-chamber electrolyser device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an assembly drawing of the two-chamber coaxial electrolyser device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates a monolithic dielectric cap (for output)  2  with the indication of a passive extension  9  of the cathode chamber, passive extension  10  of the anode chamber, a diagonal wall  22 , and output channels  25  from the cathode chamber and  23  from the anode chamber, as well as the dimensions and mutual position of the cap&#39;s structural elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates an anode  5  with a terminal  13 , welded by a welding seam  26 , with thread  29  and a chamfer  21  for the sealing of the anode—cap joint, with an outer coating  14  for the protection of the apparatus from the device&#39;s electrochemical corrosion danger, with a chamfer  30  on the inner surface of the anode. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a drawing of an original cathode  4  with terminal  12 , made integral with the cathode from the same tube stock. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  illustrates an original flange  15 , involved in the sealing of the cathode—cap joint. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  contains the various options of the positioning of the device with respect to a vertical line, depending on its location in the apparatus or on the operating condition of the apparatus as a whole. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
       [0012]    The technical result obtained during implementation of the disclosure is improved reliability, performance and applicability of the two-chamber coaxial electrolyser device. To achieve this technical result, the two-chamber electrolyser ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) is assembled from two tubular electrodes, an outer one serving as an anode  5  and an inner one as the cathode  4 . A tubular diaphragm  6  is placed between the two. All three components are positioned coaxially with the use of original monolithic dielectric caps  2  and  3 —one of the caps  3  is used for an input of electrolyte and the second one  2  for discharge of electrolysis products. Sealing of the joints anode—cap and anode chamber—cathode chamber is implemented by through standard rubber O-rings  18  and  17 . The joint cathode—cap is sealed with the use of a unique flange  15 , standard rubber O-ring  16  and standard screws  19 . The monolithic cap ( FIG. 4 ) has an internal transverse wall  22 , on both sides of which cylindrical extensions  10  and  9  of the anode and diaphragm are arranged. These extensions make both the anode and cathode chambers longer and give an opportunity to introduce electrolyte and draw out electrolysis products with higher efficiency, as now the diameters of the input channels  20  and  24  and output channels  23  and  25  are not restricted by the clearance between the electrode and the diaphragm. The anode and cathode chambers that have been extended this way provide for the possibility of optimal mutual positioning of the input and output channels and in relation to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis, taking into account the input of electrolyte and the output of electrolysis products, and also improve the removal of gases from the active zones of electrodes. 
         [0013]    The following features have been introduced in the design of the two-chamber coaxial electrolyser device: a tubular cathode ( FIG. 6 ); a cathode current conductor  12  made as an integral part of the cathode from the same tube stock; and a welding seam  26  made along the whole perimeter of the anode&#39;s current conductor  13 . The current conductors of the anode and cathode are located in predetermined places, which are optimal as regards their cooling by the introduced electrolytes—all this is meant to reduce the heating of the device and its components, i.e to provide dependable conditions for the work of the device at high currents and, consequently, to improve the production output of the electrolysis process. 
       Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0014]    In order to optimise the technology used for the production of the device size range used to serve the apparatus with different outputs and to maintain optimal electrolysis process conditions in the devices, the relation between the part sizes in the same device complies with the following formula: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               La 
               + 
               30 
             
             ≤ 
             Ld 
             ≤ 
             
               Lk 
               - 
               30 
             
           
         
       
       
         
           and 
         
       
       
         
           
             
               0.50 
               ≤ 
               
                 Sa 
                 Sk 
               
               ≤ 
               2.0 
               ≤ 
             
             , 
             wherein 
           
         
       
     
         [0015]    La—length of anode, mm; 
         [0016]    Ld—length of diaphragm, mm; 
         [0017]    Lk—length of cathode, mm; 
         [0018]    Sa—anode chamber cross-section area, mm 2 ; 
         [0019]    Sk—cathode chamber cross-section area, mm 2 . 
         [0020]    At the same time, the absolute values of the part dimensions remain within the following limits: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Part 
                 Diameter, mm 
                 Length, mm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Cathode 4 
                 18 . . . 92 
                 110 . . . 350  
               
               
                   
                 Diaphragm 6 
                 22 . . . 98 
                 80 . . . 320 
               
               
                   
                 Anode 5 
                  30 . . . 102 
                 50 . . . 290 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]    The two-chamber coaxial electrolyser device includes the cylindrical tubular anode  5  that has thread  29  and a chamfer  21  at each end for its connection with caps  2  and  3  by means of threads  29 , and for sealing of the anode—cap joints with the use of standard O-rings  18  placed in grooves  28 . This kind of design simplifies assembly of the device and increases its dependability as each joint between parts is checked individually during the assembly. 
         [0022]    The anode  5  has a terminal  13 , welded onto the outer cylindrical surface of the anode by weld seam  26 , which continues along the whole perimeter of terminal  13  on anode  5 , i.e the surface of electric contact is more extensive, the ohmic resistance and heating level are lower, which allows the device to operate at high currents improving the device&#39;s performance. 
         [0023]    Chamfer  30  is made on the inner cylindrical surface at the ends of the anode  5  in order to diffuse the concentrated electric current at the cathode-facing edges and, thus, to raise the service life of the device. 
         [0024]    The anode has protective coatings: the inner cylindrical surface is coated with a special compound that protects the anode&#39;s active part from the electrochemical corrosion, the outer cylindrical surface, being the outer casing of the device, is coated with a non-detachable water proofing and electric insulation coating  14  to protect the apparatus in case of the penetrating electrochemical damage of the anode&#39;s  5  active section. 
         [0025]    The cathode  4  is made from a tube stock integral with terminal  12  and it is positioned in the device in such a way as to fix the part of the cathode  4  next to terminal  12  in the input cap  3  in order to cool down terminal  12  by the input flow of electrolyte. The cathode—cap joints are fixed and sealed through the compression in the stack and around the cathode of standard O-rings  16  with the use of original flange  15  and standard screws  19 . Such special design and position of the cathode reduces the heating of terminal  12  and increases the device&#39;s production output, also simplifying the assembly of the device and increasing its dependability. 
         [0026]    Putting the tubular cathode  4  in the position of the internal wall and the tubular anode  5  in the position of the outer wall of the device has improved the performance and dependability of the device through the relative reduction of the tubular electrode&#39;s weight as compared to a rod-type device. Further, the positioning of the tubular anode  5  also provides the additional possibility of increasing the device&#39;s dimensions as well as through the leak-tightness of the device, maintained with the use of the protective outer coating  14  of the anode and also through the relative reduction of the current density on the definitely greater area of the anode as compared to the smaller opposite area of the cathode. 
         [0027]    The design of the cap  3  intended for input provides for the simplified arrangement of the helical movement of the electrolyte, because channels  20  and  24  introduce the electrolyte into the extensions  10  and  9  of the anode and cathode chambers, which allows replacement of the tangential positioning of the outer generating line of the input channels relative to the cylindrical surfaces of the anode  5  and diaphragm  6  with such positioning of input channels, when their longitudinal axes are displaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the device within the range that is not difficult to produce. 
         [0028]    The design of the cap  2  intended for output provides for the reduction of the hydraulic friction during the outflow of the electrolysis products due to the fact that the longitudinal axes of the output channels  23  and  25  are displaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the device and positioned along the helical flow of the electrolysis products. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the positions of channels  20 ,  23 ,  24  and  25  relative to each other, which provide for the helical movement of the electrolyte and reduction of the device&#39;s hydraulic friction. 
         [0030]    Input channels  20 —into the anode chamber, and  24 —into the cathode chamber, are positioned in cap  3  with a displacement to opposite sides relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis. Output channels  23 —from the anode chamber, and  25 —from the cathode chamber, are positioned in cap  2  with a displacement to opposite sides relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis. Channel  20  for the input into the anode chamber in cap  3  and channel  23  for the output from the anode chamber in cap  2  are displaced to opposite sides relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis. Channel  24  for the input into the cathode chamber in cap  3  and channel  25  for the output from the cathode chamber in cap  2  are displaced to opposite sides relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis. 
         [0031]    The distance N 1a  from the device&#39;s longitudinal axis to the longitudinal axis of the channel  20  for the input into the anode chamber  7  and the distance N 1c  from the device&#39;s longitudinal axis to the longitudinal axis of the channel  24  for the input into the cathode chamber  8  comply with the following formula: 
         [0000]      0.5  D 1 a≦N 1 a≦ 0.5 ( Dpa 1− D 1 a ), 
         [0000]      and 
         [0000]      0.5  D 1 k≦N 1 k≦ 0.5 ( Dpk 1− D 1 k ), wherein   D1a—diameter of channel  20  for the input into anode chamber  7 , mm;   Dpa1—diameter of extension  10  of anode chamber  7  in input cap  3 , mm;   D1k—diameter of channel  24  for the input into cathode chamber  8 , mm;   Dpk1—diameter of extension  9  of cathode chamber  8  in input cap  3 , mm.     
         [0036]    Distance N2a from the device&#39;s longitudinal axis to the longitudinal axis of the channel  23  for the output from the anode chamber  7  and the distance N2k from the device&#39;s longitudinal axis to the longitudinal axis of the channel  25  for the output from the cathode chamber  8  comply with the following formula: 
         [0000]      0.5  D 2 a≦N 2 a≦ 0.5 ( Dpa 2− D 2 a ) 
         [0000]      and 
         [0000]      0.5  D 2 k≦N 2 k≦ 0.5 ( Dpk 2− D 2 k ), wherein   D2a—diameter of channel  23  for the output from anode chamber  7 , mm;   Dpa2—diameter of extension  10  of anode chamber  7  in output cap  2 , mm;   D2k—diameter of channel  25  for the output from cathode chamber  8 , mm;   Dpk2—diameter of extension  9  of cathode chamber  8  in output cap  2 , mm.     
         [0041]    The introduction into the design of the caps  2  and  3  of the extensions  10  and  9  of the electrode chambers has made it possible to optimise the determination of the cross-section areas (diameters) of the input channels  20  and  24  and output channels  23  and  25  as well as their longitudinal axes&#39; inclination in relation to the cap base plane irrespective of the size of clearance between the diaphragm and electrodes. 
         [0042]    The optimal geometrical dimensions of caps  3  and  2  and their parts are as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Inclination of channel 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter of 
                 Cap height, 
                 in relation to the base 
               
               
                 Part 
                 channels, mm 
                 mm 
                 plane, deg 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Cap 3 
                 4 . . . 12 
                 35 . . . 80 
                 0 . . . 5 
               
               
                 for input 
               
               
                 Cap 2 
                 6 . . . 24 
                  40 . . . 100 
                  0 . . . 45 
               
               
                 for output 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0043]    The cylindrical extensions  10  of the anode chamber are situated between the outer cylindrical surface of the diaphragm and the cylindrical surfaces of the anode extensions in the caps, while lengthwise they are situated between the groove  28  for the O-ring  18  and the caps&#39; internal diagonal wall  22 , which separates the anode chamber  7  from the cathode chamber  8 , while their geometrical dimensions comply with the following formula: 
         [0000]      ( Ddn+ 2)≦ Dpa≦Dav,  wherein   Ddn—diaphragm&#39;s outer diameter, mm;   Dpa—anode&#39;s extension diameter, mm;   Dav—anode&#39;s inner diameter, mm;     
         [0000]      and  D 1 a≦L 1 pa≦D 1 a+ 4, 
         [0000]      and  D 2 a≦L 2 pa≦D 2 a+ 24, wherein   L1pa—length of the anode extension in the input cap, mm;   D1a—diameter of the channel for the input of electrolyte into the anode chamber, mm;   L2pa—length of the anode extension in the output cap, mm;   D2a—diameter of the channel for the output of electrolysis products from the anode chamber, mm.     
         [0051]    The cylindrical extensions of the diaphragm are situated inside caps between the cap&#39;s internal diagonal wall  22  and the internal plane  27  with an opening for the cathode. The geometrical dimensions of the extensions comply with the following formula: 
         [0000]      ( Dkn+ 2)≦ Dpk ≦( Ddn+ 2), wherein   Dkn—cathode&#39;s outer diameter, mm   Dpk—diaphragm extension diameter, mm   Ddn—diaphragm&#39;s outer diameter, mm     
         [0000]      and  D 1 k≦L 1 pk≦D 1 k+ 4, 
         [0000]      and  D 2 k≦L 2 pk≦D 2 k+ 24, wherein   L1pk—length of the diaphragm extension in the input cap, mm;   D1k—diameter of the channel for the input of electrolyte into the cathode chamber, mm;   L2pk—length of the diaphragm extension in the output cap, mm;   D2k—diameter of the channel for the output of electrolysis products from the cathode chamber, mm.     
         [0059]    The dependences between the diameters of the input and output channels comply with the following formula: 
         [0000]      D2k≧D2a&gt;D1k, 
         [0000]      and 
         [0000]      D1a≧D1k 
         [0060]    The distance Lov from the centre of the output channel  24  to the internal diagonal wall  22  complies with the following formula: 
         [0000]      0.5  D 2 a≦Lov≦ 0.5  D 2 a+ 3, wherein 
         [0061]    D2a—diameter of the channel for the output from the anode chamber, mm. 
         [0062]    The passive extension  10  of the anode chamber in the monolithic dielectric cap  2  and the position of the channels  25  for the output from the anode chamber increase the device&#39;s dependability, because the interface between liquid and gaseous phases is transferred into the galvanically indestructible part of the anode chamber, i.e into its extension in the cap. 
         [0063]    In order to simplify the technology of the production of caps  3  and  2 , the longitudinal axes of channel  20  and channel  24  are positioned with the same angle a of the inclination to the base of cap  3 , while the longitudinal axes of channel  23  and channel  25  are positioned with the same angle β of the inclination to the base of cap  2 . 
         [0064]    In order to optimise the relation between the device&#39;s hydraulic friction and the electrolysis process effectiveness, the angle values α and β are set within the following ranges: 
         [0000]      0°≦α&lt;5° 
         [0000]      0°≦β&lt;45° 
         [0065]    The combination of the device&#39;s structural features: the displacement of the longitudinal axes of channels  20  and  24  in relation to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis and the extensions  9  and  10  of electrode chambers, allow to position the device in the apparatus with the deviation of the longitudinal axis from the vertical line at a rate of up to 85° and operate the apparatus under pumping conditions. 
         [0066]    The flow of electrolyte through the device is arranged as follows: 
         [0000]    a) moving along the cylindrical channel  24 , inclined in relation to the cap base plane with an angle of α, the longitudinal axis of the channel being displaced relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis, the electrolyte enters the passive extension  9  of the cathode chamber  8  in the input cap  3  obtaining helical direction of movement; enters the cathode chamber  8  formed by the outer surface of the cathode  4  and the inner surface of the diaphragm  6 , while the cathode chamber is separated from the anode one by the standard O-rings  17  in the caps  2  and  3 ; moves into the extension  9  of the cathode chamber in the output cap  2 ; along the cylindrical channel  25  for the output from the cathode chamber, while the longitudinal axis of the channel  25  is displaced relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis and inclined with an angle of β in relation to the plane of the output cap  2  in accordance with the helical movement of the electrolyte; and
 
b) moving along the cylindrical channel  20 , the longitudinal axis of which is inclined with an angle of α in relation to the base plane of the input cap  3  and displaced relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis to the side opposite to the displacement of the axis of the channel  24 , the electrolyte enters the passive extension  10  of the anode chamber obtaining the helical direction of movement; enters the anode chamber  7  formed by the inner cylindrical surface of the anode and the outer surface of the diaphragm; into the extension  10  of the anode chamber in the output cap  2 ; through the opening of the channel  23 , positioned taking into account the phase interface displacement; along the channel  23 , the longitudinal axis of which is displaced relative to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis and inclined with an angle of β in relation to the plane of the output cap  2  in accordance with the helical movement of the electrolyte.