Assembly of Carbon Anode in Electrolytic Cells
An electrolytic cell is an apparatus with electrodes placed in a liquid solution containing charged ions. When a voltage is applied, the ions move toward their respective electrodes, one negatively charged and the other positively charged. In this way an oxidation and reduction reaction takes place and energy is released.
One of the most common and important applications of electrolytic cells is the assembly of a carbon anode. A carbon anode is a piece of graphitic material usually formed into a cylinder, and is the electrode that is connected to the negative pole of the electric circuit. Carbon anodes are extremely stable and corrosion resistant, which makes them highly suitable for applications such as electroplating, electrorefining, and electrolytic recovery of metals.
The assembly of a carbon anode begins with the preparation of a graphite rod of desired size. The shape of the rod is generally cylindrical, although other shapes such as cubes and discs can also be used. The rod is then machined and shaped to the desired size and shape through the use of cutting and grinding machines.
At this stage, the anode is then connected to the negative terminal of the electrolytic cell. Before this connection is made, however, the anode must first be ensure that it is securely fixed in place. This is done by means of an mechanical device known as a stopper. The stopper is a mechanical device that secures the anode in place. The stopper is usually placed inside the anodes body and is tightly clamped to the walls of the anode thus preventing it from slipping out.
Once the stopper has been placed, the next step is to cover the anode with a slurry of activated carbon and electrolyte solution. This slurry forms a kind of surface on the anode that prevents the current from flowing without an intentionally applied voltage. This process is known as anodic polarization and is an important step when it comes to preventing the corrosion of the anode.
Finally, the anode is then connected to the negative terminal of the electrolytic cell. The connection is usually made through a cable which is clamped to the anode surface. Once the connection is made, the assembly of the carbon anode is complete and the cell is now ready for use.
The assembly of the carbon anode can be quite complex and requires the expertise of experienced technicians. However, once the installation is complete, it can provide reliable and long lasting performance. For this reason, carbon anodes are widely used in a variety of industrial applications.
