A Study on Chemical Cleaning of Electrolytic Facilities with Sea Water

해수전해설비의 화학세정 최적화 방안에 관한 연구

When NaOCl was generated and put into sea-water cooling machine in order to overcome the biological hindrances against sea-water cooling machine, it was converted into metallic ion, particularly Ca and Mg, as a hydrate in sea-water and is to stick to electrolyte as a side reaction. This phenomena make the distance between the electrolytes narrow to decrease the flow rate, which induces the local vortex flow which erodes the pole plate. Moreover, this increases the resistance of the electrolyte as well as voltage to decrease the electrolytic efficiency, which has curtailed a chlorine yield and caused a pole plate cut. We are able to overcome these problems by chemical cleaning and intend to extend the life-time of electrolyte and to increase output of the sea-water electrolysis facilities by studying optimal policy regarding chemical cleaning of electrolytic cell. Cleaning time of electrolytic facilities is determined when both increase in electrolytic efficiency and decrease in pole-plate voltage are 10%. At this time as operating current of electrolytic facilities is high, operating time is diminished. Whereas, parameter of end point determination according to cleaning is Mg ionic concentration in solution. When we use Cleaner as a 7wt% HCl, cleaning time is about 80min proper. We are able to maintain pole plate performance by protecting against pole plate cut by means of electrolytic by-product, improve operating rate of facilities, and cut down on maintenance expenditure after acidic cleaning.