WO2008061546A1

WO2008061546A1 - Generator cell and electrochemical generator having the generator cell

Info

Publication number: WO2008061546A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/011165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kurt Schneider
Original assignee: Biostel Schweiz Ag
Priority date: 2006-11-22
Filing date: 2006-11-22
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: DE202007004181U1

Abstract

The electrodiaphragmalysis cell (1) has an interior (10) and having a semipermeable membrane (11) which divides the interior (10) into a first chamber (10'), or a first sub-space (10') and a second chamber (10'), or a second sub-space (10'). A cathode (12) is arranged in the first chamber (10') and an anode (13) in the second chamber (10'). The two electrodes (12, 13) each have an electrical connection (12'; 13'). And each of the two chambers (10', 10') has an entry orifice (20, 30) for the slightly salt-containing and lime-free water and an outlet orifice (14; 14') for the acid or the lye. The cathode (12) and the anode (13) are fabricated from metal, preferably from titanium or pure titanium. The anode (13) is coated so as to be acid resistant.

Description

Biostel Switzerland AG, Schufelistrasse 8, CH-8863 Buttikon SZ

Generator cell and electrochemical generator with the generator cell

The invention relates to an electro-diaphragm cell (EDPZ) according to the preamble of independent claim 1 and to an electro-hydraulic generator with one or more such electro-diaphragm cell.

Such electrodiaphragmalysis cells are used, for example, to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen by means of electrochemical processes in solutions of salts. The generated ions are separated in the electric field and form with ions of the salt or salts acid and alkali. The alkalis and acids thus produced are used, for example, as a disinfectant.

The electro-diaphragm cell and in particular its electrodes, the anode and the cathode, are exposed to aggressive substances, which previously degraded their durability and life. Previous electrodes often had insufficient durability and durability. Due to the appropriate choice of material, the service life can now be significantly extended.

Here, the new electro-diaphragm cell brings significant improvements. According to the invention, the electro-diaphragm analyzing cell has the features of the characterizing part of independent claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention. The Elektrodiaphragmalysezelle according to the invention achieved under the same conditions a much longer life with the same production capacity, which significantly reduces the operating costs of the generator. The new electrode material and in particular the coating of the electrodes substantially extend the life of the electro-diaphragm cell. The electrohydraulic generator comprises one or more electro-diaphragm cell N according to the invention.

The interior of the electro-diaphragm cell is separated by the semipermeable (semipermeable) membrane into two equal chambers. In each of the two chambers is an electrode, i. an anode, or a cathode present. A DC voltage is applied to the two electrodes. The electrolytic current is selected and set, for example, at a voltage of 24 volts DC in the range of 0 to 20 amps (typically 14 amps). The two chambers are NaCl solution, called saline brine with lime-free (softened) water supplied.

Under the influence of the voltage applied to the two electrodes electrical voltage forms in the chamber to the anode of a solution, in addition to other compounds and ions H ₂ O ₁ Cl _2, HClO, HO _2, CIO, O ₃ H, HO ₂ available. In the chamber with the cathode, a solution is formed in which, among others, the compounds and ions H ₂ O, NaOH, H (X), H ₂ (X), OH "are present. The products produced with an electro-hydraulic generator with electro-diaphragm cell are diluted and / or mixed depending on the application. Important applications are to clean and sanitize.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the schematic drawings, which show an example of the electro-diaphragm cell and parts thereof.

1 is a parallel perspective view of a

Electrodiaphragmalysis cell with a partially fractured, drawn upper half shell;

Fig. 2 is a partial side view of the Elektrodiaphragmalysezelle of Fig. 1 in a section, which in turn is partially enlarged.

Fig. 3 shows schematically the sequence of a conventional electrolysis

Fig. 4 as realized for example in the Biostel ^® process schematically the sequence of the Electro-ionizing electrolysis.

The electro-diaphragm cell 1 shown in Fig. 1 consists essentially of the two housing shells 2 and 3, which are bolted together. The half shells 2 and 3 of the housing are made for example of a plastic such as PVC. The two housing shells 2 and 3 constitute in its interior a cavity, the interior space 10. The interior space 10 is provided with the semipermeable membrane 11 into two compartments or KammerniO ¹ and 10 "divided. In each of the partial spaces or chambers 10 'and 10" is a Electrode 12, and 13 arranged. The electrodes 12 and 13 are electrically conductive materials, the anode against the chemically aggressive

Acid is specially coated. The two electrodes 12 and 13 are guided to the outside. The outwardly led connections 12 "and 13 'become connected to a DC voltage of 24 volts. The current for the electro-diaphragm analysis is usually in the range of 10 to 20 amps, typically about 14 amps.

In the two subspaces or chambers 10 'and 10 "salt-containing lime-free water is fed through the holes 14, 14' .The supply takes place continuously in equal amounts for both chambers 10 ', 10". By electrolysis, an acid is formed in the chamber with the anode 13, in the chamber with the cathode 12 an alkali. Acid and alkali, the products used in the electro-diaphragm electrochemical cell

Generators are generated, each flow through a bore 14, or 14 'through lines (not shown) to containers (not shown).

In the schematic side view of the generator cell 1 of FIG. 1 shown in FIG. 2, details of the electrode package with the semipermeable membrane 11 are shown in a kind of exploded view in the lower part.

Between the two electrodes 12 and 13 and the intervening

Diaphragm 11 each have a spacer 15 is arranged, which is at the same time seal. between the spacer 15 and the electrode 13 (anode) is additionally a protective film 16 of e.g. Polyethylene arranged, which covers the non-active region of the anode 13 and protects against the particularly aggressive acid.

In Fig. 2, the bores 20 and 30 for the supply of salt solutions (arrows) to the subspace with the cathode 12 and those with the anode 13 are shown. Also, the holes 14 and 14 ', through which the products of the electrochemical generator flow out of the generator cell 1 (arrows) are shown in Fig. 2. In the line, from the chamber with the anode 13, a one-way valve 17 is installed in the example shown. The one-way valve 17 may be a check valve that opens only at a certain pressure. This results in the chamber with the anode 13 to a higher pressure than in the chamber with the cathode 12. The membrane 11 is thereby to the cathode 12 out arched. This measure results in optimum pH and redox values for acid and alkali

The operation of an electrochemical generator in the following 20 points for a Biostel ^® - explains generator of the company Biostel Switzerland AG.

The generator is a self-contained producing and monitored system that operates fully automatically and requires no further manipulation except for sporadically prescribed controls and manual salt refilling. Important prerequisites for optimum function are a dust-free and well-ventilated location and a temperature of not less than + 5 ° Celsius.

1. Supplying the system through the fresh water network by means of a constant minimum pressure of 4 bar and connection AG / G ³ A inch for the supplied connecting hose IG / G ³ A inch.

2. Reduction to 4 bar operating pressure via on-line pressure regulator and manometer at higher pre-pressure from the mains.

3. Collect dirt particles in the water that are larger than 100 μ with an oversized candle filter.

4. Water consumption in production 80 Lt./h (duplex system 160 Lt./h), with softening for several minutes a little more.

5. Direct feeding of the water softener from the filter with fresh water.

6. The softener works fully automatically after 1 ¹ 000 liters of consumption it interrupts the production and regenerates itself to 0 ^c DH. He stands in the right trough part with saturated salt solution for regeneration. Contaminated water and rinse water is discharged directly into the drain. The water required for the next regeneration is automatically refilled via a float valve. Irrespective of the production volume, a forced regeneration takes place every fourth day.

7. Parallel to the regeneration (duration approx. 45 min.) The automatic cleaning of the electrolysis cell is activated. From a tank next to the system liquid decalcifier is sucked in with a pump integrated in the system. This flows through the cell and in the circulation back into the container (shelf life of the descaling agent about three months). When regeneration is complete, the descaling pump stops and the system starts to automatically re-produce.

8. A magnetic field is opened to supply the softened water to the process in the system.

9. The left pan contains the saturated brine needed for the process. An underwater pump ensures the permanent circulation of the brine. Extracted brine is automatically replaced with fresh water via a float switch and a bypass solenoid valve and circulated.

10. After the central solenoid valve, the flow rate (about 40 liters of Anostel® and 40 liters of Cathostel® are finely adjusted via a manual needle valve. 11. After the needle valve in the riser, the amount specified by the electronics brine is sucked with a pump and inoculated into the line. The quantity of brine is regulated on the basis of the ampere measurement of the absorbed current in the electrolytic cell (system clamp ammeter).

12. After the brine feed to the water both get into a static mixer to make a constant concentration

13. Immediately after the mixer, the medium for the preparation of Anostel ^® and Cathostel ^® in two identical strands is divided.

14. Static flow rate limiters prevent the amount from being able to be adjusted at the top (a maximum of about 45 liters per hour and a line at 4 bar).

15. After the flow rate limiters, inductive turbines measure the effective flow rate and report the values to the electronics for display on the needle readjustment display (item 10) Fault message if the quantity per line exceeds tolerance.

16. In the subsequent heart of the system, the electrolysis cell in the two chambers is produced, the acidic solution and the alkaline solution Anostel ^® ^® Cathostel separated by a special diaphragm and two energized electrodes. The active areas of the diaphragm and the electrodes as well as the flow rate have been accurately determined and specified for optimum measurement results and can not be arbitrary to be changed. The distance between the diaphragm and the electrodes is also decisive.

17. Thereafter, the components flow via two solenoid valves from the system in free fall directly into two separate adjacent container.

18. After a certain amount of production is interrupted and the electrolysis cell interval-flushed with fresh water over two more solenoid valves for a certain time. The generator will automatically return to production mode.

19. Any faults will be displayed literally on the control panel display; the production is stopped and a visual and an audible alarm occur.

20. The formulation to be prepared according to need is prepared by pumping the caustic into the acid with a mix pump installed on the containers.

In summary, it can be stated that under controlled

Addition of a light saline solution, the electrical conductivity of the water is increased. The controlled energizing of two electrodes separates water into its elements hydrogen and oxygen. Positively charged hydrogen ions are attracted by the cathode (Cathostel ^® electrode).

When the hydrogen ions come into contact with the Cathostel ^® electrode, they absorb electrons and transform into microscopic hydrogen bubbles. The negatively charged ions and sulfurous acid from the anode (Anostel ^® - electrode) tightened there to break up the water molecules, without appreciably losing electrons. The The resulting reaction in the Anostel ^® electrode is the ionization of water, which forms microscopic oxygen bubbles, light chlorine compounds and other ionized compounds. Slightly released chlorine gas is evacuated.

The electro-diaphragm analysis cell 1 has an inner space 10 and a semipermeable membrane 11, which divides the inner space 10 into a first chamber 10 'or a first partial space 10' and a second chamber 10 "or a second partial space 10". A cathode 12 is arranged in the first chamber 10 'and an anode 13 in the second chamber 10 ". The two electrodes 12, 13 each have an electrical connection 12', 13 'and each of the two chambers 10', 10" has an inlet opening 20, 30 for the slightly salty and lime-free water and an outlet opening 14; 14 'for the acid, or the alkali. The cathode 12 and the anode 13 are made of metal, preferably made of titanium or pure titanium. The anode 13 is acid-resistant coated.

Claims

claims

An electro-diaphragm cell (1) having an internal space (10) and a semipermeable membrane (11) which divides the internal space (10) into a first chamber (10 ¹ ) and a second chamber (10 ") and a cathode (12) in the first chamber (10 ') and an anode (13) in the second chamber (10 ") and having an electrical terminal (12'; 13 ') on each electrode (12; 13), the two chambers (10 \ 10 ") each have an inlet opening (20, 30) for the slightly saline and lime-free water and an outlet opening (14, 14 ') for the acid, or the liquor, characterized in that the cathode (12) and / or the anode (13) are made of metal, preferably of titanium or pure titanium, and the anode (13) is acid-resistant coated.

2. Electrodiaphragmalysis cell (1) according to claim 1, wherein also the cathode (12) has a coating.

The electro-diaphragm cell (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coating is composed of multiple layers.

4. Elektrodiaphragmalysezelle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coating of the anode (13) mixed oxide, preferably iridium mixed oxide, or consists of mixed oxide, preferably of iridium mixed oxide.

5. Elektrodiaphragmalysezelle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner space (10) is cuboid, and is preferably 45 mm x 170 mm x 25 mm in size.

The electro-diaphragm cell (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the coated and active area of the anode (13) is 25 mm x 150 mm (3750 mm ² ).

7. Electrohydraulic generator for producing acid and alkali from NaCl-SoIe and decalcified water, comprising at least one electro-diaphragm analysis cell (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Electrohydraulic generator according to claim 7, in which at least one Elektrodiaphragmalysezelle (1) with a voltage of 12 V to 36 V, preferably with a voltage of 24 V, and with a current of 10 A to 18 A, preferably with a current in Range from 13 A to 14 A, is operated.

The electrohydraulic generator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the total flow rate through the electro-diaphragm analyzing cell (1) is 60 to 100 liters, preferably at least approximately 80 liters.