EP2847366A1

EP2847366A1 - Electrolysis cell, in particular for use in a plant for producing an electrochemically activated sodium chloride solution, and plant having a number of such electrolysis cells

Info

Publication number: EP2847366A1
Application number: EP13725564.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans-Georg Mathé
Original assignee: Caliopa AG
Current assignee: Caliopa AG
Priority date: 2012-02-24
Filing date: 2013-02-25
Publication date: 2015-03-18
Also published as: US20150041311A1; EP2631334A1; WO2013124076A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrolysis cell (40, 41), in particular for producing an electrically chemically activated sodium chloride solution, comprising an anode chamber (44) provided with an anode and a cathode chamber (42) separated from the former by a membrane (46) and provided with a cathode, the membrane (46) being designed as a hollow ceramic cylinder (18) surrounded by an outer housing (84). The aim of the invention is to permit the production of a particularly high-quality electrically activated sodium chloride solution in a particularly beneficial and reliable manner by means of said electrolysis cell. To achieve said aim, the hollow ceramic cylinder (80) forming the membrane (46) and the outer housing (84) surrounding said cylinder are respectively mounted at the ends in a closure cap (86), which has a central bore (110) forming an entry channel to the interior of the hollow ceramic cylinder (80) that forms the membrane (46) and an annular chamber (112) that runs around said hollow ceramic cylinder and, on the media side, is connected to the interspace between membrane (46) and outer housing (84).

Description

description

Electrolysis cell, in particular for use in a plant for producing an electrochemically activated saline solution, and plant with a number of such electrolysis cells

The invention relates to an electrolytic cell, in particular for producing an electrochemically activated saline solution, having an anode space provided with an anode and a cathode space separated therefrom by a membrane provided with a cathode, wherein the membrane is designed as a ceramic hollow cylinder surrounded by an outer housing , It further relates to a system for generating an electrochemically activated solution with a plurality of such electrolysis cells having electrolysis module.

Electrolysis apparatus or systems for producing an electrochemically activated solution by electrolysis of brine containing one or more electrolytic cells having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a membrane are selected from a variety of documents, for example DE 30 003 131 A1, US Pat. No. 4,056,452, EP 1 728 768 A1 or European Patent Application No. 10 003 555.9-2104. In plants of this type, a water stream charged with a saline solution or brine is fed to the electrolysis device by electrolysis to produce the electrochemically activated salt solution, where it is electrolytically decomposed. As a result, an electrochemically activated aqueous salt solution is obtained which has a comparatively high content of free chlorine and a comparatively high redox potential. The available electrochemically activated salt solution is particularly useful as a disinfectant, for example for the sterilization of water and / or aqueous solutions usable.

In the preparation of the electrochemically activated salt solution in the manner mentioned is usually a particularly high activity or biocidity of the produced

CONFIRMATION COPY Substance, usually characterized by a particularly high content of free chlorine and / or a reasonably high redox potential, sought. In addition, especially with regard to possible applications of such substances as a disinfectant or as an additive, carrier or even active ingredient in medical or therapeutic preparations desirable that the high efficiency, especially in view of a particularly good shelf life even after relatively long storage of, for example, more as a year is to remain virtually unchanged or with only minor changes. Another important characteristic for the characterization of the electrochemically activated saline solution obtainable in the above-mentioned manner is their pH, which substantially determines the compatibility or compatibility with other chemical substances or active substances and also the usability of the electrochemically activated salt solutions in various environmental conditions and the like.

In the production of electrochemically activated salt solutions of the type mentioned by electrolysis is thus generally the desire to ensure high storage stability, a particularly high bacteriocidal or antibacterial effect, characterized by a high content of free chlorine, the pH as good as possible compatibility allow with other substances or agents or even be kept adjustable in the manner of a free parameter independently of the other parameters mentioned.

As has been found, the achievement of these design goals of a large variety of parameters, for example in the process, in the preparation of the electrochemically activated solution, in the design of the equipment used for this purpose and also in the basic design of the manufacturing process, for example with regard to the media flow, depending. Among all these aspects and parameters, the design of the individual electrolysis cells, which are also referred to as reactors, and in this context, in particular, their structural design, is also significant.

With regard to the design and the geometric structure of the individual, also referred to as "reactor" electrolysis cells, a so-called tubular or rod-shaped construction particularly well-proven, in which the membrane is designed as surrounded by an outer casing ceramic hollow body. In such a tubular construction of the reactor or of the electrolysis cells, a first electrode is located in the interior of the ceramic hollow cylinder, whereas the other electrode is arranged in the annular space between the ceramic hollow cylinder and the outer housing or is formed by the outer housing itself. With such a construction of the reactor or the electrolysis cell, the ion and electron migration required for the electrolysis of the solute-containing water solution and the ion exchange via the ceramic hollow cylinder provided as a membrane thus take place from its interior, into the outside space surrounding it, or vice versa. An electrolytic cell for use in a plant for producing an electrochemically activated saline solution with this tubular structure of the type mentioned is known from the non-prepublished European patent application no. 10 014 854.3-1213.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an electrolytic cell of the type mentioned above, with the production of a particularly high-quality electrochemically activated saline solution in the sense of said design objectives is possible in a particularly favorable and reliable manner, and especially for use in a particular plant suitable is. Furthermore, a plant for the production of an electrochemically activated saline solution, in particular using a number of such electrolysis cells, should be specified, with which the production of particularly high-quality saline solution in the sense of the aforementioned design goals is made possible.

With regard to the electrolytic cell, this object is achieved in that the membrane forming ceramic hollow cylinder and the surrounding outer housing are each end mounted in a cap, which is an access channel to the interior of the diaphragm forming the hollow ceramic cylinder forming the central bore and one of these , Media-side with the space between the membrane and outer housing connected annular space.

The invention is based on the recognition that the fulfillment of the various named design goals mentioned above for the provision of a particularly high level of activated saline seems to depend to a great extent on highly precise and precise media flow and material handling. To make this possible, the electrolytic cell should be designed for a reproducible and reliably controllable process management, the highly reproducible at constant process parameters such as flow rate, temperature, applied activation voltage and the like reliably reproducible microscopic effects on the ion migration and the corresponding implementation in the Media streams shows. To make this possible, the electrolytic cell should be designed in terms of their structural and structural design for a particularly homogeneous and uniform flow profile in anode and cathode chamber, in which the media flow can be kept largely free of interference, statistical interference and the like. In order to ensure this precisely in the intended tubular design of the electrolysis chamber, just for the outer region of the ceramic hollow cylinder, so provided as the electrode chamber annulus between the ceramic hollow cylinder and the surrounding outer housing, seen in the circumferential direction as uniform as possible and Outlet of the flow medium provided, are to be kept particularly low in the input and Ausspeisungsbedingte Verwirbe-.

This is achieved by the aforementioned ring space between the membrane and outer housing input and preferably also the output side associated with an annular plenum in which the medium is first fed or from which the medium can be removed again after passing through the annulus. Homogenization and thorough mixing of the medium fed via assigned inlet openings is provided in this collecting chamber before it enters the annular space between membrane hollow cylinder and outer housing via a circumferential annular gap (or analogously on the outlet side). Turbulences, which could occur through the feed of medium via inlet openings and could disturb the homogeneity of the flow, especially in the circumferential direction, are thus consistently displaced away from the actual electrode space formed by the annular space between the membrane and outer housing and into the upstream collecting space. Environmental influences such as feed-in turbulence can thus be consistently kept away from the actual electrode space. The inlet or outlet of the medium or electrolyte in the annular space between the membrane and the outer housing thus takes place over the circumferential annular gap and thus while avoiding selective overflow, as would be the case, for example, in connecting or Überströmlöchern. In this case, the annular gap is particularly preferably dimensioned comparatively narrow so that, due to geometry, a comparatively high flow velocity of the medium results when flowing through the annular gap. Due to this local increase in the flow rate, an additional homogenization and homogenization of the flow profile takes place.

Preferably, the outer housing surrounding the membrane is also designed as a hollow cylinder, particularly preferably formed of metal. This results in an overall tubular design of the electrolysis cell, wherein in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the outer housing forming hollow cylinder is arranged concentrically to the membrane forming hollow cylinder.

Within the hollow cylinder forming the membrane, a further metal body is arranged to form the electrode provided there. This is preferably designed as also designed as a hollow cylinder metallic central electrode, the interior of which is connected via a number of overflow openings on the media side with the outside surrounding, bounded by the inside of the membrane annulus. For the inside of the membrane forming hollow cylinder thus feeding the media stream to be treated in the manner of a central arrangement is first in the interior of this central electrode allows the transfer of the medium into the actual electrode space, so the annulus between the central electrode on the one hand and membrane on the other hand, takes place via the overflow openings.

The central electrode is preferably also arranged concentrically to the membrane. Especially in combination with the outer casing thus results in a total concentric and thus rotationally symmetrical construction of the entire system of central electrode, membrane and outer casing, wherein the actual electrode compartments on the one hand through the annulus between the central electrode and membrane and on the other hand be formed by the annulus between the membrane and the outer housing. Symmetriebedingt is achieved by this configuration of the electrode spaces as concentric to each other positioned annular spaces a particularly homogeneous media flow management on both sides of the membrane.

In order to ensure a particularly homogeneous and trouble-free media power supply in the actual electrode chambers, the overflow openings provided in the central electrode are preferably arranged exclusively exclusively in the end region of the central electrode, ie in the immediate vicinity of the end cap provided in each case. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, all overflow openings of the central electrode are seen in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement at most 10 mm, more preferably at most 5 mm, arranged from the contact point of the membrane forming ceramic hollow cylinder with the respective end cap. In particular, the overflow openings are advantageously positioned substantially within the plane formed by the end face of the end cap. By this construction is achieved in particular that the "effective length", through which the media streams are exposed during flow through the electrode chambers of the electrolytic activation, both for the electrode space inside the membrane forming ceramic hollow cylinder and in the outside of this hollow cylinder arranged electrode space is the same. On both sides of the membrane, therefore, a flow profile in the electrode chambers which is particularly homogeneous in the circumferential direction is ensured, with both electrode spaces having a common end plane with regard to the flow profile of the medium.

In a further advantageous refinement, the central electrode is provided with an inlet or outflow element projecting into its interior and having a number of overflow openings, wherein in a particularly preferred embodiment the overflow openings of the inlet or outflow elements are arranged at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the membrane are like the overflow openings of the central electrode. As a result of this arrangement or positioning of the individual components relative to each other, it is achieved that the media supply from the outside (or the outlet side, the media removal) via the inlet or outlet element and its overflow openings gene in the interior of the central electrode can be carried out, wherein viewed in the same position in the longitudinal direction of the membrane, the further transport of medium from the inner region of the central electrode via the overflow in the surrounding the central electrode outside, serving as an electrode space annulus can be done.

Especially in combination with the annular gaps respectively provided for the media inlet and outlet into the outer, annular electrode space, the overflow openings are preferably selected and configured with regard to number, positioning and size in such a way that an overall particularly uniform and homogeneous flow profile results.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, which also has independent inventive significance, the system is provided for a swirl generation in the respective annularly shaped electrode spaces flowing medium. In other words, advantageously, the system is designed in such a way that the electrolyte flows through the electrode spaces primarily in the longitudinal direction of the membrane, wherein a swirl in the media flow is superimposed on this flow direction. This swirl can be provided on the inside of the membrane, on the outside of the membrane or in both electrode spaces. As a result, the medium flowing through the electrode chambers is additionally pressed against the respective outer walls of the electrode space by the centrifugal forces that occur, that is to say for the inner annular space on the inner wall of the membrane or for the outer annular space on the inner wall of the outer housing. This results in a particularly intimate contact of the medium on the respective wall, so that the relevant transport processes are additionally supported.

Especially in the case of the particularly preferred arrangement of the anode in the central region, an additional favoring of the ion migration processes can be achieved by additionally pressing the produced nations against the membrane, so that the imbalance between Na ⁺ and CI ^" produced by electrolysis In the outer region, ie in the outer, the membrane surrounding the annular cathode space, the swirl, however, causes the water is increasingly brought into intimate contact with the cathode, so that the H ₂ formation and then the degassing is enhanced. Both effects in combination favor the production of NaOH in particular.

The end caps are on the one hand, just by the said circumferential annulus, provided for homogenization, collection and pre-distribution of the flow media. On the other hand, the end caps are also provided in a particularly preferred embodiment as support elements and also as insulation elements, via the proper positioning of the components, ie in particular central electrode, membrane and / or outer housing, relative to each other and a simultaneous reliable electrical insulation of these components can be done from each other. For this purpose, the end caps are preferably made of insulator material, particularly preferably made of plastic, in particular polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or in particular polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In the manner of a conventional construction, the electrolysis cell could be configured such that the inner space of the membrane bounded by the central electrode is provided as the anode space and the outer space bounded, with respect to the membrane outer annulus as the cathode space. Advantageously, however, the central electrode is designed as a cathode and the outer housing surrounding the membrane as an anode. In this way, it can be achieved, in particular, that the annular space circulating on the outside of the membrane, that is to say the anode space, has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area for the flow through the medium, so that a particularly trouble-free medium throughput can be achieved on the anode side.

In order to promote the running in the electrolysis electrochemical processes, in particular with respect to the desired ion migration and their implementation in the electrochemical activation of saline, the anode is provided in an advantageous embodiment with a surface coating. The surface coating is specifically oriented with regard to the choice of material in the manner of a catalytic favoring of the reactions targeted to the intended processes. The surface coating therefore preferably comprises the materials platinum and / or iridium and / or ruthenium and / or gold and / or diamond. Especially Iridium and / or ruthenium may be present in suitable form, for example in each case as oxide or mixed oxide. The coating component ruthenium oxide in particular promotes as catalyst a particularly high production rate of oxygen-releasing substances, in particular measured in free chlorine, and in this regard may be provided in a suitable amount as a constituent of the coating. In an alternative or additional advantageous embodiment, the cathode is also provided with a surface coating favoring the electrochemical processes, particularly preferably of gold (Au). Advantageously, the layer thickness of the Au coating is about 1 μηι.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment, which also has independent inventive significance, the ceramic hollow cylinder forming the membrane is specifically matched and oriented with regard to its choice of material and its material properties to the ion migration processes taking place during the electrolysis. For this purpose, the hollow cylinder forming the membrane particularly preferably has a carrier body of porous ceramic with an average pore size of at least 500 nm, preferably of about 3 μm. In a further advantageous embodiment, a coating serving as a definition layer with an average pore size of at most 150 nm, preferably of approximately 100 nm, is provided on at least one of the surfaces of this carrier body. Advantageously, the material for the carrier body α - Al2O3 with a pore size of about 3 μητι and provided for the definition layer of titanium dioxide (T1O2) with a pore size of about 5 to 10 nm or α - Al2O3 with a pore size of about 100 nm.

By this with respect to the use in an electrolytic cell independently inventive combination of a comparatively large-pored carrier body with a comparatively small-pore definition layer is given a basically good material permeability of the hollow cylinder, so that the lonenwanderungsprozesse across the membrane away are particularly facilitated. The definition layer ensures that essentially the desired ions selectively selected in terms of their size can migrate, whereby unwanted by-products or by-products can be filtered out. In a further advantageous embodiment, the definition Onsbeschichtung thereby an average pore size of at least 0.2 nm or 200 pm.

Advantageously, the definition layer is on the inside of the anode side of the membrane facing surface of the carrier body, so in the preferred design provided with internally provided anode and externally provided cathode space inside attached.

With respect to the plant for the production of an electrochemically activated saline solution based on water, the stated object is achieved with an electrolysis module comprising a plurality of electrolytic cells of the type mentioned, wherein the anode chambers of the electrolysis cells are connected in series on the media side and the cathode compartments of the electrolysis cells on the media side. Precisely because of the use of the electrolytic cells of the type mentioned in a system in which a targeted sequential accumulation of ions in the anolyte is ensured by this media flow, a particularly high-quality electrochemically activated solution can be produced in the sense of the aforementioned design goals.

In this case, the anodes in the anode spaces are particularly preferably provided in each case with a surface coating, the material and composition of the surface coating being selected depending on the position of the respective anode in the series connection of the anode chambers. As a result, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, each anode can be provided with a catalytically active coating specifically tailored to the requirements within the series connection so that, for example, an increased production rate of free radicals, split-off oxygen or the like can be set depending on the flow guidance within the series connection can.

The advantages achieved by the invention are, in particular, that input and output side downstream of the integrated in the end caps annular collecting space both the input and output side of the media inlet and outlet in the membrane surrounding the outside annular annular electrode space particularly by the media flow side homogeneous, turbulence-free and Seen in the circumferential direction can be uniform. Thus, the sensitive electrolysis processes possibly undesirably influencing disturbing factors such as Verwirbelungseffekte, formation of gas bubbles or the like can be consistently avoided or at least kept particularly low. Especially in view of the relatively sensitive dependence of the material properties of the produced electrochemically activated solution of various process parameters, a reliable, reproducible and high-quality adjustment of the desired material properties is thus possible.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

FIG. 1 a plant for the production of an electrochemically activated salt solution by electrolysis

FIG. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell for use

Plant according to FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3 the electrolysis cell according to FIG. 2 in plan view

FIG. 4, 5 the electrolysis cell according to FIG. 2 each in longitudinal section

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cap of the electrolysis cell according to FIG. 2

FIG. 8 the end cap according to FIG. 7 in longitudinal section, and

FIG. 9 shows the end cap according to FIG. 7 in cross section.

Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures. The plant 1 according to FIG. 1 is provided for producing an electrochemically activated salt solution by electrolysis. For this purpose, the system 1 comprises an electrolysis module 2 to which an electrolysis medium can be fed on the input side via a supply line 4. The electrolysis medium used is softened or demineralized water mixed with brine or an aqueous salt solution. For this purpose, the inflow line 4 is connected on the input side to a water softener station 6. For metering the brine into the softened water, a venturi 8 is connected in the inflow line 4, which in turn is connected on the input side to a brine tank 10. From the supply line 4 also branches off after the water softening station 6 from a drain line 12, via which during a commissioning phase of the system 1, the water flow from the water softener station 6, bypassing the electrolysis module 2 of the following components in the brine tank 10 can be discharged. To switch between these operating conditions with the continuous mode and the metered feed of a predetermined amount of brine in the electrolysis medium are in the supply line 4, the drain line 12 and the opening into the venturi 8 brine feed line 14 suitable valves 16, 18, 20 and additionally in the feed line 14 a Throttle valve 20 connected.

On the output side, for discharging the electrochemically activated salt solution prepared in the electrolysis module 2, an outflow line 24 is connected to the electrolysis module 2, which discharges on the output side into a reservoir 26 for the prepared salt solution or the anolyte. For temporarily bypassing the reservoir 26 during the commissioning phase of the system 1, a multi-way valve 28 is also connected in the drain line 24, whose second output is connected to a drain line 30.

The plant 1 is for the production of an electrochemically activated salt solution with just for use as a disinfectant or antibacterial agent in, for example, medical or pharmaceutical applications particularly favorable properties, in particular with a particularly high content of free chlorine of preferably more than 500 mg / l and in particular about 800 mg / l, but possibly even more than 2,000 mg / l with high storage life, designed. To make this possible, the electrolysis module 2 has a multi-component construction and comprises a A plurality of electrolytic cells 40, 41, of which only two are shown in the embodiment; Of course, other electrolysis cells 40, 41 may be provided analogous to the following embodiments.

Each electrolysis cell 40, 41 each comprises a cathode space 42 forming a first electrode space and an anode space 44 forming a second electrode space, which are each separated from one another by a membrane 46. The application of an electrical voltage between the respective anode compartment 44 limiting anode on the one hand and the respective cathode compartment 42 bounding cathode on the other hand then causes ion migration across the intermediate membrane 46 away, so that an at least partial dissociation of the water contained in the electrolysis and at least partially Dissociation of entrained in the form of brine salts and their electrolysis derivatives occurs. Due to the electric charge of the ions in these materials, this ion migration process leads to an enrichment of CI ^" and OH ^" in the respective anode space 44 as a result of the applied electrical voltage and to an accumulation of H ⁺ and Na ⁺ in the respective cathode space 42 As required, hydrogen gas enriched in the respective cathode space 42 or first electrode space is connected to a respective degassing line 47. This forms, optionally in combination with arranged in the cathode space 42 means for bubble generation or gas separation such as swirlers or the like, a degassing module for the respective cathode space 42nd

The desired, high-quality properties of the electrochemically activated salt solution are achieved in the plant 1 in particular by a specific guidance of the media streams in the electrolysis module 2. In this case, in the system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, which is specifically directed to the provision of electrochemically highly activated anolyte, a cathode-side substantially parallel media flow guide is combined with an anode-side essentially serial media flow guide. Alternatively or with a different design target, it is also possible to combine an anode-side substantially parallel with a cathode-side essentially serial media stream guide. In addition, even further combinations of these media-side interconnections can be provided. Specifically, a branching point 48 is provided in the system 1 in the exemplary embodiment in the inflow line 4, from which supply lines 50 discharging into the cathode chambers 42 of the electrolytic cells 40, 41 depart in the manner of a parallel media supply. On the output side of the cathode chambers 42 discharge lines 52 are provided, which are brought together in a collection point 54, so that a total of a medially parallel connection of the cathode chambers 42 results.

On the anode side, however, a series or series connection of the anode chambers 44 is provided for the anolyte. For this purpose, the anode chamber 44 assigned to the first electrolysis module 40 in the flow direction of the anolyte is connected on the output side via an overflow line 56 to the input side of the following anode chamber 44 arranged in the second electrolysis module 41. This in turn is the output side connected to the discharge line 24, so that in the manner of a multi-stage or cascade-like execution of a series connection of the anode chambers 44 with respect. The anolyte results.

In addition, it is provided in Appendix 1 to feed the effluent from the cathode chambers 42 catholyte as anolyte in the series connected anode chambers 44. For this purpose, the collection point 54 for the catholyte is connected via an overflow line 58 to the anode space 44 of the first electrolytic cell 40, viewed in the flow direction of the anolyte.

From the overflow line 58 branches off in collection point 54 also from a discharge line 60, via which a in its amount via a throttle valve 62 adjustable partial flow of the catholyte to a sewer system or a collecting container 64 can be supplied. With this arrangement, it is possible to supply an adjustable subset of the catholyte flowing out of the cathode chambers 42 as anolyte of the cascade of anode chambers 44. Thus, inter alia, the individual reaction parameters such as, for example, pressure and flow rate in the anode chambers 44 can be suitably influenced, and in addition the amount of catholyte obtained in this application as a "waste product" can be kept particularly low. For checking the material properties of the prepared anolyte and for measuring the quantity, a number of sensors, in particular a quantity sensor 66, a temperature sensor 68, a pH sensor 70 and a sensor 72 for measuring the redox potential, are connected in the outflow line 24.

In constructive terms, the electrolysis cells 40, 41, as shown in perspective view in FIG. 2, in plan view in FIG. 3 and in longitudinal section in FIG. 4, 5 is executed in a substantially cylindrical basic shape and thus in a tubular or rod-shaped construction. In this case, a ceramic hollow cylinder 80 is provided as a membrane 46, which is surrounded on the outside by a likewise designed as a hollow cylinder 82 outer housing 84. The outer housing 84 is additionally provided as an electrode for the electrolysis cell 40, 41 and accordingly made of metal, in the embodiment of titanium. End of the membrane 46 forming ceramic hollow cylinder 80 and the surrounding outer housing 84 are each mounted in a cover cap 86, which in turn is mounted on metallic end plates 88 on end face plates 90 of the outer housing 84. As particularly the top view in FIG. 3, the media connections 92 of the electrolysis cell 40, 41 are provided exclusively in the region of the end caps 86.

From the representation of the electrolysis cell 40, 41 in longitudinal section according to FIGS. 4, 5 it is clear that the outer casing 84 forming metallic hollow cylinder 82 is arranged concentrically to the membrane 46 forming ceramic hollow cylinder 80. In addition, likewise concentric with the ceramic hollow cylinder 80 forming the membrane 46, a metallic central electrode 96, likewise designed as a hollow cylinder 94, is disposed within the membrane 46, which serves as the second electrode of the electrolytic cell 40, 41 in addition to the outer housing 84.

In this tubular or rod-shaped embodiment of the electrolysis cell 40, 41, the electrode spaces flowed through by the electrolyte thus on the one hand by the space formed between the central electrode 96 and the diaphragm 46 first annular space 98 and on the other hand by the gap between the diaphragm 46 and the outer housing 84th formed second annulus 100 formed. With regard to the electrical circuit, the electrolysis cell 40, 41 can be used in the manner of a "conventional" conventional "design such that the inner, first annular space 98 is provided as the anode space 44 and the outer, second annular space 100 as the cathode space 42. However, in the exemplary embodiment is for a particularly extensive homogenization of the flow profile of the electrolyte and a favorable media flow guide in particular With regard to the achievable throughputs, the inner, first annular space 98 is configured as the cathode space 42 and the outer, second annular space 100 is configured as the anode space 44.

Accordingly, the central electrode 96 serves as a cathode, whereas the outer housing 84 is provided as an anode. Accordingly, the choice of material for these components is provided. The central electrode 96 provided as the cathode is constructed as a metallic basic body, in particular of titanium, and preferably provided with a surface coating which promotes the functionality, in the exemplary embodiment a coating of gold (Au) with a thickness of approximately 1 μm. The outer housing 84, which is provided as an anode, is likewise formed by a base body made of titanium, which on its inner surface of the hollow cylinder 82 facing the anode space 44 or the second annular space 100 comprises a suitably selected surface coating 102, in particular comprising iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), gold (Au) and / or diamond.

The electrolytic cell 40, 41 is designed especially for the production of particularly high-quality electrochemically activated saline, in particular a particularly high content of free chlorine and / or a high redox potential is sought at a total of particularly high storage stability. In order to make this possible, the electrolysis cell 40, 41 is designed with respect to its structural design for a particularly uniform and homogeneous media flow during flow through the electrolyte through the electrode chambers, in particular disturbing effects due to turbulence, gas bubbles and the like should be kept particularly low.

For this purpose, the respective end cap disposed on the main bodies of said components end cap 86, which in FIG. 7 in perspective view and in FIGS. 8, 9 is shown in longitudinal or cross-section, designed suitable. Especially the design of the end cap 86 is based on the idea that the turbulence effects occurring due to the feed and exit of the electrolyte from the electrode chambers should be consistently shifted out of the actual electrode spaces. For this purpose, the end cap 86 has a central bore 110, via which the electrolyte can be fed into the interior of the hollow cylinder 94 forming the central electrode 96. Just in order to be able to feed the membrane 46 on the outside, provided as anode chamber 44 second annulus 100 particularly homogeneous and turbulence free medium, the end cap 86 a the the access channel to the interior of the central electrode 96 forming central bore 110 encircling annular space 112 which can perform the function of a collection chamber or distribution chamber. The respective media connection 92 opens into the annular space 112.

As in particular the representation in longitudinal section according to FIG. 8 and the representation in cross section to FIG. 9 is particularly clearly removed, the end cap 86 also has a first, provided for receiving the diaphragm 46 forming the hollow cylinder 80 annular groove 114 and a second, provided for receiving a sealing ring annular groove 116. In the area between the annular space 112 and the first annular groove 114, the end cap 86 has a bevelled edge 118. This corresponds to an associated edge 120 in the flange portion of the outer housing 84. The end cap 86 and the outer housing 84 are dimensioned and constructed such that the flanks 118, 120 form a circumferential annular gap in the assembled state, via which the annular space 112 on the media side with the Anode space 44 forming second annulus 100 between membrane 46 and outer housing 84 is connected.

This constructive design results in a rotationally symmetrical and thus particularly homogenized media-side connection of the annular space 112 in the end cap 86 with the anode space 44 forming annular space 100 within the outer housing 84. The annular space 112 in the end cap 86 thus serves as a collection and distribution chamber, the Media feed from external via the media connections 92 first takes place in the annular space 112. From there a homogenization of the injected medium takes place, and all turbulences take place in the ring Room 112. From there, the medium can then be homogenized and flow into the anode chamber 44 via the annular gap formed by the flanks 118, 120 without any further disturbing influences.

In one variant, the electrolysis cell 40, 41 is provided for swirl generation in the medium flowing through the annularly configured anode chamber 44 and optionally also in the medium flowing through the cathode chamber 42. This ensures that the medium flowing through the electrode chambers is additionally pressed against the outer wall of the respective electrode space, that is to say for the cathode space 42 on the inner wall of the membrane 42 or for the anode space 44 on the inner wall of the outer housing 84 due to the occurring centrifugal forces. This results in a particularly intimate contact of the medium on the respective wall, so that the relevant transport processes are additionally supported. In order to generate the swirl during the feeding of the medium into the outer annular space 100 provided as the anode space 44, the circumferential annular gap formed by the flanks 118, 120 in the mounted state can be suitably designed, in particular contoured, and / or suitable means for swirl generation such as fins, baffles or the like in the inflow region of the medium, ie in particular in the region of the annular gap, be provided.

Optionally, other suitable means for swirl generation in the medium flowing through the electrode chambers may be provided, for example, a Innenberippung the respective hollow cylinder 80, 82, 94 in the construction of a "drawn pipe" or corrugation on the inner surface.

The end caps 86 are on the one hand, just by the said circumferential annular space 112, provided for the homogenization, collection and pre-distribution of the flow media. On the other hand, the end caps 86 but also support elements and also provided as insulation elements, via the proper positioning of the components, ie in particular the central electrode 96, the diaphragm 46 and the outer housing 84, relative to each other to form a total concentric arrangement and a simultaneous reliable electrical insulation these components can be done from each other. These are the Plastic end caps 86, namely made of PTFE in the exemplary embodiment, so that the desired insulator effect is ensured.

Via the central bore 110, the interior of the central electrode 96 is fed with medium. In order for the electrolyte in this inner area of the hollow cylinder 94 forming the central electrode 96 to be able to pass into the first annular space 98 surrounding the cathode space 42, the central electrode 96 is provided with a number of overflow openings 130 in its end areas. These provide a media-side connection of the interior of the hollow cylinder 94 with its outer space, that is to say with the first annular space 98. In this case, the overflow openings 130 are positioned in the longitudinal direction of the electrolysis cell 40, 41 such that the same "effective length" exists for the cathode space 42 on the one hand and the anode space 44 on the other hand forming hollow cylinder 94 positioned so that they lie substantially in the plane defined by the end plate 90 of the outer housing 84. In particular, the overflow openings 30 are positioned so that they are at most about 5 mm offset from the end face of the respective end plate 90.

For controlled media feed into the interior of the central electrode 96, an inlet or outlet element 132 is arranged in the central bore 110, which protrudes in the manner of a guide sleeve into the respective central bore 110 and is provided at the end with overflow openings 134 for the electrolyte. In order to ensure a particularly homogeneous media inlet and outlet here as well, the overflow openings 134 are arranged in the substantially same position as the overflow openings 130 of the central electrode 96 viewed in the longitudinal direction of the electrolytic cell 40, 41. The overflow openings 134 can communicate with their main Flow direction to be aligned substantially radially. In the exemplary embodiment, however, the system is provided for swirl generation in the medium flowing into the interior of the central electrode 96. This ensures that the medium flowing through the interior of the central electrode 96 is additionally pressed against the inner wall of the central electrode 96 by the centrifugal forces that occur. For this purpose, the overflow openings 134 are with their main flow direction inclined aligned, so in addition to a radial direction component also have a tangential direction component.

As particularly the detail enlarged representation in FIG. 6 is removable, in addition, the membrane 46 forming ceramic hollow cylinder 80 is aligned with regard to its choice of material and its material properties in particular extent to the ongoing electrolysis processes. The ceramic hollow cylinder 80 forming the membrane 46 is designed to be suitable for this purpose and has, in particular, a carrier body 140 made of porous ceramic (in the exemplary embodiment α-Al ₂ O ₃ ) with an average pore size of at least 100 nm (in the exemplary embodiment about 3 μm ) on. As a result of this choice of porosity, overall a comparatively easy ion transport with a suitably high ion permeability is made possible with sufficiently high mechanical stability of the carrier body 140, even for long-term use. However, in order to favor the application-specific desired ion migration processes and to minimize side effects and disruptive processes, the carrier body 140 has on its inner surface a coating 142 serving as a definition layer with an open porosity of about 40 to 55%. In comparison to the comparatively large-pored carrier body 140, the coating 142 has a comparatively small pore design and has an average pore size between 0.2 nm (200 μm) and 150 nm (in the exemplary embodiment about 100 nm). The coating 142 serving as a definition layer could be formed, for example, from titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) with a pore size of about 5 to 10 nm. In the exemplary embodiment is provided as a material for α - Al2O3 with a pore size of about 100 nm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

investment

electrolysis module

Supply line / inflow line Water softening station

venturi

brine tank

drain line

outflow

reservoir

Multi-way valve

drain line

electrolysis cell

cathode space

anode chamber

membrane

degassing

supply

outflow

assembly point

overflow

discharge

throttle valve

receptacle

quantity sensor

temperature sensor

pH sensor

sensor

Ceramic hollow cylinder

hollow cylinder

outer casing end cap

faceplate

media connection

hollow cylinder

Central electrode first annulus second annulus

surface coating

central bore

annulus

ring groove

flanks

overflow

Input / outflow element

overflow

support body

coating

Claims

claims

1. electrolysis cell (40, 41), in particular for the production of an electrochemically activated saline solution, provided with an anode anode space (44) and one of which by a membrane (46) separated, provided with a cathode cathode space (42), wherein the membrane (46) is embodied as a ceramic hollow cylinder (80) surrounded by an outer housing (84), characterized in that the ceramic hollow cylinder (80) forming the membrane (46) and the outer housing (84) surrounding it at the ends in each case a closure cap (86) are mounted, which has a central bore (110) forming an access channel to the interior of the ceramic hollow cylinder (80) forming the membrane (46) and a medium-side with the space between membrane (46) and outer housing (84 ) connected annular space (12).

2. electrolytic cell (40, 41) according to claim 1, the membrane (46) surrounding the outer housing (84) as a hollow cylinder (82), preferably formed of metal, is preferably arranged concentrically to the membrane (46).

3. electrolysis cell (40, 41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein within the membrane (46) forming the hollow cylinder (80) designed as a hollow cylinder (94) metallic central electrode (96) is arranged, whose interior via a number of overflow openings (130) on the media side with the outside surrounding, bounded by the inside of the membrane (46) annular space (98) is connected.

4. electrolytic cell (40, 41) according to claim 3, the central electrode (96) is arranged concentrically to the membrane (46).

5. electrolysis cell (40, 41) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the overflow openings (130) are positioned exclusively in the end regions of the central electrode (96).

6. electrolytic cell (40, 41) according to one of claims 3 to 5, the central electrode (96) is provided at each end with a projecting into its interior, a number of overflow openings (134) having inlet / outlet (132), wherein the Overflow openings (134) of the inflow / outflow elements (132), viewed in the longitudinal direction of the membrane (46), are arranged at the same position as the overflow openings (130) of the central electrode.

7. electrolytic cell (40, 41) according to claim 6, wherein the overflow openings (134) of the inlet / outflow elements (132) are arranged inclined in the radial direction.

8. electrolysis cell (40, 41) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the end caps (86) made of insulating material, preferably made of a plastic, preferably based on PP, PE or particularly preferably made of PTFE.

9. electrolysis cell (40, 41) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the central electrode (96) as the cathode and the membrane (46) surrounding the outer housing (84) is provided as an anode.

10. electrolytic cell (40, 41) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, whose anode is a

Surface coating (102), preferably comprising platinum, iridium, ruthenium, gold and / or diamond.

11. electrolytic cell (40, 41) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the cathode of which comprises a surface coating, preferably gold, particularly preferably with a layer thickness of about 1 μιτι having.

12. An electrolytic cell (40, 41) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the membrane (46) forming the hollow cylinder (80) has a carrier body (140) made of porous ceramic having an average pore size of at least 100 nm, on at least one of its Surface is provided with a porous definition coating with an average pore size of at most 10 nm.

The electrolysis cell (40, 41) of claim 12, wherein the definition coating has an average pore size of at least 0.2 nm.

14. System (1) for producing an electrochemically activated saline solution based on water with an electrolysis module (2) comprising a plurality of electrolysis cells (40, 41) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the anode chambers (44) of the electrolysis cells ( 40, 41) are connected in series on the media side and the cathode chambers (42) of the electrolysis cells (40, 41) are connected in parallel on the media side. 15. System (1) according to claim 14, wherein the anodes of the electrolysis cells (40, 41) are each provided with a surface coating (102), wherein material and composition of the respective surface coating depending on the position of the respective anode in the series circuit of Anode spaces (44) are selected.

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