Reactor Having a Sacrificial Anode

Abstract

A reactor is proposed that comprises a cathode and a sacrificial anode, in which a spacing between cathode and anode is kept constant by the cathode following, or tracking, the anode.

1 . A reactor comprising a housing ( 1 ,  4 ), a cathode ( 3 ), and an anode ( 2 ), wherein the cathode ( 3 ) and the anode ( 2 ) delimit a channel ( 10 ), the cathode ( 3 ) being movable in the housing ( 4 ) relative to the anode ( 2 ). 
     
     
         2 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , wherein the anode is a sacrificial anode and a spacing (S) is included between surfaces ( 25 ,  27 ) of the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ) delimiting the channel ( 10 ), independent of consumption of the anode ( 2 ). 
     
     
         3 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one electrically nonconductive spacer ( 9 ) is disposed between surfaces ( 25 ,  27 ) of the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ) that delimit the channel ( 10 ). 
     
     
         4 . A reactor as in  claim 3 , wherein the spacing (S) is kept constant with the help of gravity, one or more springs, or one or more actuators. 
     
     
         5 . A reactor as in  claim 2 , wherein the surfaces ( 25 ,  27 ) of the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ) that delimit the channel ( 10 ) are planar. 
     
     
         6 . A reactor as in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ) is rectangular. 
     
     
         7 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an upper part and a lower part, and wherein the lower part ( 1 ) serves as a transport container for the anode ( 2 ). 
     
     
         8 . A reactor as in  claim 7 , wherein outer measurements (L, B) of the lower part correspond to the measurements of a standardized transport system. 
     
     
         9 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , wherein a surface ( 27 ) of the cathode ( 3 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) or a surface ( 25 ) of the anode ( 2 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) has a plurality of flushing nozzles ( 12 ). 
     
     
         10 . A reactor as in  claim 9 , wherein the cathode ( 3 ) has a distribution chamber ( 11 ), and the flushing nozzles ( 12 ) are hydraulically linked to the distribution chamber ( 11 ). 
     
     
         11 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , further including means ( 7 ) for detection of the position of the anode ( 2 ) and/or the cathode ( 3 ). 
     
     
         12 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , further including means for detection of electrical current (I) that flows between the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ), or electrical voltage (U) that is applied between the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ). 
     
     
         13 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , wherein the anode ( 2 ) is a sacrificial anode and comprises a magnesium-containing material. 
     
     
         14 . A reactor as in  claim 1 , wherein a liquid containing phosphate salts flows through the channel, and phosphate salts are removed at the anode. 
     
     
         15 . A reactor as in  claim 3 , wherein the surfaces ( 25 ,  27 ) of the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ) that delimit the channel ( 10 ) are planar. 
     
     
         16 . A reactor as in  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ) is rectangular. 
     
     
         17 . A reactor as in  claim 2 , wherein a surface ( 27 ) of the cathode ( 3 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) or a surface ( 25 ) of the anode ( 2 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) has a plurality of flushing nozzles ( 12 ). 
     
     
         18 . A reactor as in  claim 3 , wherein a surface ( 27 ) of the cathode ( 3 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) or a surface ( 25 ) of the anode ( 2 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) has a plurality of flushing nozzles ( 12 ). 
     
     
         19 . A reactor as in  claim 5 , wherein a surface ( 27 ) of the cathode ( 3 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) or a surface ( 25 ) of the anode ( 2 ) that delimits the channel ( 10 ) has a plurality of flushing nozzles ( 12 ). 
     
     
         20 . A reactor as in  claim 2 , further including means for detection of electrical current (I) that flows between the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ), or electrical voltage (U) that is applied between the anode ( 2 ) and the cathode ( 3 ).