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DE-112014002509-B4 - Device and method for automated cathode cleaning in an electrolysis system

DE112014002509B4DE 112014002509 B4DE112014002509 B4DE 112014002509B4DE-112014002509-B4

Abstract

Electrolysis device for arrangement in a water container (4), comprising: (a) at least one rotating cathode (120) mounted on an axis (112) and designed to rotate during an electrolysis process; (b) at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) configured to contact a surface of the rotating cathode (120) so that deposits are removed from the rotating cathode (120) during the electrolysis process while the rotating cathode (120) is rotating, wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is pre-tensioned outwards so that a scraping edge (152 a,b) of the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is in contact with the surface of the rotating cathode (120), and wherein the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is constructed with a support extension (156) wherein the curvature of the support extension (156) substantially corresponds to the curvature about the axis (112) and the support extension (156) bears against the surface of the axis (112), thereby providing suitable orientation of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is maintained with the scraping edge (152 a,b); and (c) at least one stationary anode (132) arranged adjacent to the rotating cathode (120).

Inventors

  • Zvi Livni
  • Motti Karin
  • Omer Livni
  • Udi Siboni

Assignees

  • C.Q.M. LTD.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20140522
Priority Date
20130522

Claims (6)

  1. Electrolysis device for arrangement in a water tank (4), comprising: (a) at least one rotating cathode (120) mounted on an axis (112) and configured to rotate during an electrolysis process; (b) at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) configured to contact a surface of the rotating cathode (120) so that deposits are removed from the rotating cathode (120) during the electrolysis process while the rotating cathode (120) is rotating, wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is pre-tensioned outwards so that a scraping edge (152 a,b) of the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is in contact with the surface of the rotating cathode (120), and wherein the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is constructed with a support extension (156) wherein the curvature of the support extension (156) substantially corresponds to the curvature about the axis (112) and the support extension (156) bears against the surface of the axis (112), thereby providing suitable orientation of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is maintained with the scraping edge (152 a,b); and (c) at least one stationary anode (132) arranged adjacent to the rotating cathode (120).
  2. Electrolysis device according to Claim 1 , wherein (a) the at least one rotating cathode (120) is designed as a plurality of spaced-apart rotating cathodes; (b) the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is configured as a plurality of stationary cathode cleaning elements, the number of which is equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes (120), such that one of the stationary cathode cleaning elements (140) is located in each gap between the rotating cathodes (120), so that it touches a surface of each rotating cathode (120) between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged, wherein each stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is pre-tensioned outwards, so that the scraping edges (152 a,b) of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) are in contact with the surfaces of the two rotating cathodes (120) between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged; and (c) the at least one stationary anode (132) is configured as a plurality of stationary anodes, the number of which is at least equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes (120), such that in each gap between the rotating The cathodes (120) are located at one of the stationary anodes (132).
  3. Electrolysis device according to Claim 1 , wherein the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged such that it extends from a point adjacent to the axis (112) to at least one edge of the rotating cathode (120).
  4. Electrolysis device according to Claim 1 , wherein the rotating cathode (120) is essentially designed as a disk.
  5. A method for automated cathode cleaning in an electrolysis system having at least one rotating cathode (120) and at least one stationary anode (132), comprising: (a) arranging at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) such that it contacts a surface of the rotating cathode (120), wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is biased outwards such that a scraping edge (152 a,b) of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is in contact with the rotating cathode (120), the surfaces of the cathodes (120) being in contact, and wherein the at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is constructed with a support extension (156) having a curvature substantially corresponding to the curvature about the axis (112), and wherein the support extension rests against the shaft surface, thereby providing suitable alignment of the stationary (1) maintaining the rotating cathode (120) with the cathode cleaning element (140); (b) actuation of the electrolysis system, causing the rotating cathode (120) to rotate while an electrolysis process is carried out; (c) removal of deposits on the rotating cathode (120) with the aid of the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) while the cathode (120) is rotating.
  6. Procedure according to Claim 5 , wherein the at least one rotating cathode (120) is implemented as a plurality of spaced-apart rotating cathodes and the at least one stationary anode (132) is implemented as a plurality of stationary anodes, such that the provision of at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is implemented as the provision of a plurality of stationary cathode cleaning elements, the number of which is equal to the number of gaps between the rotating cathodes (120), such that at least one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is located in each gap between the rotating cathodes (120), such that it touches a surface of each rotating cathode (120) between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged, wherein each stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is deflected outwards, the scraping edge (152 a,b) of one stationary cathode cleaning element (140) being in contact with the surface of the two rotating cathodes (120) is brought, between which the stationary cathode cleaning element (140) is arranged.

Description

AREA AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices used in the electrolysis of water, and in particular to a water electrolysis device having rotating cathodes and an automated cathode cleaner, as well as a method for automated cathode cleaning. The system of the present invention is suitable for use with a water purification and disinfection system for the treatment of water in a substantially closed water circulation system which uses electrolysis to generate free chlorine and other oxidants, such as, but not limited to, ozone (O3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), wherein all the water in the system is exposed to the electrolysis process. STATE OF THE ART document DE 32 03 090 A1 Disclosing a device for cleaning the electrodes of water chlorination and disinfection equipment using a scraper. There is mechanical or hydraulic contact and relative movement between the electrodes and the scraper. As the scraper passes the electrodes, limescale deposits or gas bubbles are removed and transferred to the flowing medium being cleaned. DE 2 238 844 A A chlorination plant is known that uses an anode and a cathode. From the KR 10 2008 0 094 345 A An electrolysis device is known that can remove deposits on the cathode. From the US 3 825 484 A An electrolytic regenerator is known that is suitable for scraping off deposits. The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for automated cathode cleaning in an electrolysis system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electrolysis device according to claim 1 and a method for automated cathode cleaning according to claim 5. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described herein by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 1 a transparent isometric view of a system for the electrolysis of water not belonging to the invention, constructed and ready for operation. 2 a transparent isometric view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of 1 is, 3 a side view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of 2 is; 4 a top view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of 2 is; 5 a front view of the electrolysis mechanism of the system of 2 is; 6 a detail A of 5 is; 7 a transparent isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a system for the electrolysis of water, constructed and ready for operation according to the teaching of the present invention, shown here with the cleaning elements in an exploded view from the main body; 8 a detail B of 7 is; and 9 an isometric view of a single cleaning element of the embodiment in 7 is. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS The principles and operation of a system for the electrolysis of water with rotating cathodes and an automated cathode cleaner according to the present invention are better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 1 Figure 2 shows a system 2 for the electrolysis of water, constructed and ready for operation. As is typical in such systems, the container 4 is equipped with an inlet 6 and an outlet 8. It is clear that the electrolysis system can essentially be installed in any container designed to hold water. What is not common in such systems is the drive mechanism 10, shown here as a gear reduction assembly, designed for attachment to a drive motor not shown. If one now looks at the 2 - 6 Looking at the arrangement, at least one disk-shaped rotating cathode 20, shown here as a plurality, is attached to the axis 12, which extends from the drive mechanism 10 into the container 4. At least one anode 32, shown here as a plurality, is attached to the stationary frame 30. In this arrangement, the electrons transfer from the rotating cathodes 20 to the adjacent anodes 32 while the rotating cathodes 20 rotate on the axis 12. It is evident that the circumference, and thus the surface area, of the rotating cathode disks 20 and the surface area of the anodes 32 can vary depending on the requirements of the respective system. It is also understood that although the figures here depict the anodes 32 as a pair of anodes arranged symmetrically on both sides of the axis 12, this serves only to illustrate a preferred embodiment and is not to be interpreted as a limitation on the arrangement of the anodes 32 and their relationship to the rotating cathodes 20. As is common with water electrolysis systems, undesirable deposits form on the surface of the cathodes. Current state-of-the-art systems attempt to solve this problem by constructing the electrodes, the "cathodes" and the "anodes," from the same material and by intermittently reversing the system's polarity, so that the cathodes become anodes and vice versa, and this change is then repeated. There are several disadvantages to this approach, the most significant being the cost. Since the most efficient material for cathodes is platinum or platinum alloys, both electrod