METHOD FOR FIXING EDGE STRIPS ON ELECTRODE PLATES

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chilean application No. 202400934 filed Mar. 27, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is developed in the field of hydrometallurgy, specifically referring to a method for installing pins or sealing elements for fixing insulating edge strips on the edges of electrode plates, preferably permanent cathodes, for electro-refining or electro-winning processes, in aligned perforations of the edge strips and electrode plates, which avoidsthe issues with the edge strips becoming detached while also ensuring a tight seal, preventing the aqueous electrolyte solution from entering these perforations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the electrolytic processes for copper production, the permanent cathodes correspond the negative pole of the process, which consist of a conductive rod and a stainless steel or titanium plate or sheet suspended from the conductive rod at one of its ends. These cathodes are placed inside a solution of copper sulphate and sulphuric acid, hereinafter referred to as “electrolyte”, where, when a direct current circulates, metallic copper is deposited on the surface of the cathodes.

The first permanent cathodes for electrolytic processes were made entirely of titanium, both the conductive rod and the plate, since at that time it was a proven element with corrosion resistance and with unbeatable characteristics for the subsequent separation or detachment of the obtained metal plate.

Later, due to the high cost of titanium cathodes, permanent cathode technology was developed, made with copper conductive rod and stainless steel plate, preferably type 316 and Duplex. The conductive rod and the stainless steel plate are joined by a welding method.

Permanent cathodes are used to recover the metal in a process that involves seeding and harvesting them in electrolytic cells.

During the process, the metal can accumulate near or on the edges of the plates, thus joining the metal accumulated on the cathode surfaces. This makes it difficult and hinders the detachment of the metal deposit from the plate. To prevent the deposit of metal in the areas around the edges of the cathode plates, wax has been used on these edges to inhibit the metal deposit, thus facilitating detachment. In particular, in the case of the bottom edge, wax is commonly applied on both sides of the plate in a strip 15 to 20 mm wide from the bottom edge of the plate, to inhibit metal deposition in that area for easier removal. However, the wax on the cathode plate contaminates the deposited metal, since wax residues remain, compromising the quality of the metal, and can also contaminate the electrolyte and cathodes stripping machines. When wax residues remain on the deposited metal, it is necessary to clean it by burning off the wax, for example, using oxy-fuel cutting. This cleaning process, in turn, generates local contamination in the workplace, posing a risk to the operators on site.

Wax can be replaced by edge strips or edge protectors that are placed on the edges of the cathode plates to inhibit the deposition of metal, preventing accumulation near or on the edges of the cathode plates and contamination of the deposited metal.

In the state of the art, edge strips or edge protectors for electrode plates or permanent cathodes are widely known, whether for side edges, bottom edge or corners of said plates, as described, for example, in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,798 which discloses side edge, bottom edge and corner protectors comprising a groove or clamp that fits or is inserted into a respective edge or corner of a cathode plate to install said protector.

However, during the operation of the electrolytic cell it is common for the edge strips to move from their installed position or for edge strips to become detached, making it necessary to reposition the edge strips on the cathode plates, since in the area that is uncovered due to the displacement of an edge strip there will be a metal deposition on the edge of that area causing a jacketing or union of the deposited metal on the cathode surfaces, thus leading to defects or the rejection of the deposited metal plates obtained.

In order to solve this problem, in the prior art it is possible to find solutions that use complementary components in the edge strips to ensure attachment to the cathode plate.

A first alternative solution available in the prior art consists of using a longitudinal piece that is placed in a groove opposite the groove or clamp that is adjusted or inserted in the cathode plate in order to generate compression in said groove or clamp, thus producing a tightening on the plate, as disclosed in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,769, which describes a plastic edge insulation member for stainless steel cathodes, where each vertical edge of the cathode is provided with a plastic edge that extends from the surface of the electrolyte to the bottom edge. The plastic edge comprises an elongated body with a first and second groove that extend, respectively, along opposite sides of said body, where the first groove is configured to be inserted into the edge of the cathode and the second groove is configured to receive an elongated piece to exert pressure on the body, which squeezes the first groove, favoring the adhesion or fixing of the edge guard to the edge of the cathode plate.

A second alternative solution available in the prior art relates to the use of multiple pins or transverse pins placed in aligned holes of an edge strip and the cathode plate, in order to fix the position of the edge strip in its installation position. This solution is addressed in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,600 which describes an edge strip designed to be placed around the edge of a cathode plate, being fixed by means of pins placed through holes in the edge strip and cathode plate that become aligned in the installation position.

In the case of the second alternative, despite the fact that the use of multiple pins or transverse pins allows the position of edge strips on the cathode plate to be fixed, there may nevertheless be spaces between the pins and the holes, either at the time of installation or due to deformation or thermal expansion of the edge strip due to the use of the permanent cathode, allowing the electrolyte solution to enter when the cathode is submerged. This leads to irregular deposits of metal in or around these spaces and on these pins, making it difficult to strip the deposited metal from the permanent cathodes. In addition, these irregular deposits make it difficult to remove the edge strips when they need to be replaced or during maintenance operations on the permanent cathode.

In the state of the art it is possible to find solutions that address the problem of electrolyte entering the perforations or through holes to place pins or pins for fixing edge strips.

In this respect, document U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,012 describes an edge protector for an electrode comprising an elongated core with a longitudinal groove to fit an edge of the electrode and transverse perforations along the length of the core, to fit fixing pins, which fit into respective perforations in the edge of the electrode, where an outer cover is incorporated which covers the core, comprising a longitudinal groove aligned with the groove in the core, isolating the fixing pins and the perforations from the electrolyte when the electrode is submerged, thus preventing the electrolyte from entering the space between the fixing pins and the perforations and avoiding undesirable deposits in or around these components. In addition, a method of installing the edge protector is described, which consists of placing the core on one edge of the electrode plate, inserting the plate into the longitudinal groove and aligning the perforations in the core with the perforations in the plate; arranging the fixing pins through the perforations in the core and the electrode plate, securing the position of the core, verifying that no part of the fixing pins is exposed outside the perforations; sliding the outer cover longitudinally over the core, isolating the fixing pins.

Another antecedent that can be cited relates to document U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,395 which describes a fixing device to be placed in insertion holes in the side walls of the body of an edge strip for fixing to an edge portion of an electrode plate, comprising a pin and a stop for inserting the pin, wherein the pin includes a cylindrical main body and a gripping portion having a diameter greater than the main body covering the diameter of the insertion hole, and wherein the stopper has a tubular shape including a ring-shaped fixing portion configured to be fixed in the insertion hole, a central insertion hole provided along the axial axis of the stopper and a slotted sleeve, where the diameter of the central insertion hole is reduced, being configured to open towards the outer side in the radial direction when the pin is inserted into the central insertion hole, thus retaining it tightly, and allowing the edge strip to be firmly fixed to the electrode plate, which would improve the insulation in the edge portion, preventing the ingress of electrolyte when the edge strip is submerged. The installation of a fixing device in an insertion hole involves inserting and adjusting the stop inside the insertion hole and inserting the pin in the insertion hole, passing it through the central insertion hole of the stop to fix the edge strip to the electrode plate.

None of the prior art solutions provides a method for installing pins or sealing elements, and a configuration of these, for the fixing of insulating edge strips or protectors on the edges of electrode plates or permanent cathodes for electro-refining or electro-winning processes, which facilitates their arrangement and accommodation, thus ensuring a tight seal aimed at preventing the ingress of the aqueous electrolyte solution into spaces between said pins or sealing elements and the edge strips and edges of plates where they are installed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a method for installing pins or sealing elements, and a configuration of these, for fixing insulating edge strips to the edges of electrode plates, preferably permanent cathodes, for electro-refining or electro-winning processes, which facilitates their arrangement and accommodation in aligned perforations or through holes, comprised the edge strips and edges of the electrode plate, which prevents detachment problems of the edge strips, thus avoiding the accumulation of deposits on the edges of the cathode due to the displacement of the edge strip with respect to its installation position, while at the same time ensuring a tight seal, thus preventing the entry of the aqueous electrolyte solution into said perforations.

The method allows to reduce the precision required when inserting or placing pins in the perforations of edge strips and the edge of the electrode plate where said edge strips are installed, where it is required that said pins be arranged inside the perforations in such a way that no portions of pins protrude from the ends of the perforations in the edge strips.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a method to install pins or sealing elements, and their configuration, that does not require the use of adhesives or complementary products, such as resins or glues, to fix said pins or sealing elements inside the perforations of an edge strip and edge of an electrode plate, thus avoiding the detachment of pins or sealing elements.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a method for installing pins or sealing elements, and configuration thereof, which prevents breakage or cracking of said pins or sealing elements due to the operating conditions or mechanical stresses to which they are subjected.

In particular, an elastomer or rubber pin or extended sealing component is used which is inserted into the perforations in the side walls of edge strips and in the edges of the electrode plate where these edge strips are placed.

The extended pin or sealing component is provided as a single cylindrical component or piece which is inserted into a first aligned perforation of an edge strip and edge of the electrode plate, passing through it, so that sections of the extended pin or sealing component project from each end of the first perforation, leaving a segment inside the first perforation. Once this segment is placed inside the first perforation, the portions of the extended pin or sealing component that protrude from the ends of the first perforation are cut off, so that the segment inside the first perforation does not protrude from the ends of the first perforation, leaving two remaining portions of the extended pin or sealing component.

The process is repeated, using a remaining portion of the extended pin or sealing component or a new extended pin or sealing component, until a segment of the extended pin or sealing component is arranged in each of the perforations of the edge strips in order to fix them to the edges of the electrode plate.

The elastic properties of the extended pin or sealing component allow it to be stretched/elongated and compressed without breaking, allowing said extended pin or sealing component to have a larger diameter than the perforations of the edge strip and edge of the electrode plate and to be inserted comfortably and without difficulty into said perforations. The difference in diameter between the extended pin or sealing component and the perforations allows that, once a segment of the extended pin or sealing component is positioned in a perforation, it expands inside it, thus forming a tight seal between said segment and perforation. Furthermore, it has been verified that the elastomer or rubber from which the extended pin or sealing component is made does not undergo crystallization nor does its performance and properties alter when it comes into contact with the electrolyte, thus maintaining its structure and characteristics during the electro-refining or electro-winning processes. In this way, the segments of the extended pin or sealing components that are inserted into the edge strips and edges of the electrode plate remain in their installed position throughout the life cycle of each edge strip, and are only removed when the edge strip needs to be replaced.

The advantage of the invention described in the present application is that it provides pins that define fastening elements which effectively allow an edge strip to be completely inserted and fixed to an electrode plate edge, thus avoiding edge strip detachment problems during use, so that it is not necessary to reposition the edge strip on the electrode. In addition, the pins provide a tight seal that prevents the aqueous electrolyte solution from entering the spaces between the pins and the perforations of the edge strip and the edge of the electrode plate, thus avoiding the generation of nodules, crystallization or irregular and unwanted deposits inside the perforations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures are included to provide a better understanding of the invention and form part of this description and also illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, where it can be seen that:

FIG. 1 shows an electrode used in electro-refining or electro-winning processes with perforations at the edges of its plate, according to the state of the art.

FIG. 2 shows an edge strip assembly, for insertion into the plate edges of an electrode, comprising perforations in its side walls, according the state of the art.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode plate edge having a side edge strip inserted therein, wherein the perforations of the plate edge and the side edge strip are aligned, according to a modality of the invention.

FIG. 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a extended pin or sealing component being inserted into first aligned perforations of the side edge strip and edge of the electrode plate, according to a modality of the invention.

FIG. 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a segment of the extended pin or sealing component placed in its installation position in first perforations aligned with the side edge strip and edge of the electrode plate, according to a modality of the invention.

FIG. 4C shows a schematic cross-sectional view in which a segment of the extended pin or sealing component has been inserted into each of the perforations of the edge strip and edge of the electrode plate, according to a modality of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is intended for electrodes (1) used in electro-refining or electro-winning processes comprising a conductive bar (2) and a stainless steel/titanium plate (3) or sheet that is suspended from the conductive bar (2) at one of its ends, as shown in FIG. 1, where a set of insulating edge strips are required to be attached to the edges of the electrode plate (3).

The edge strip assembly typically comprises two side edge strips (5); two side edge strips (5) and a bottom edge strip (6); or two side edge strips (5), a bottom edge strip (6) and two corner edge protectors (7), as shown in FIG. 2. The side edge strips (5) are configured to be inserted into and cover a respective side edge or vertical edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), the bottom edge strip (6) is configured to be inserted and cover the bottom edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) and the corner edge protectors (7) are configured to be inserted and cover a respective bottom corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), connecting one end of a side edge strip (5) and an end of a bottom edge strip (6). The side edge strips (5) and the bottom edge strips (6) comprise an elongated body with a groove or a clamp that extends longitudinally to fit or insert into a corresponding edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1). The corner edge protectors (7) comprise a typically L-shaped body with a groove or a clamp that extends between the ends of the corner edge protector (7) to fit or insert into a respective bottom corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1).

To secure or favor the attachment of the edge strips to the plate (3) of the electrode (1), the edges of the plate (3) include perforations (4), arranged along said edges, corresponding with perforations (8) along the side walls of said edge strips, in the area of the groove or clamp, for the installation of fastening elements.

In particular, the invention refers to a method of installing pins or sealing components, and a configuration thereof, for fixing or fastening insulating edge strips on the edges of plates (3) of electrodes (1) for electro-refining or electro-winning processes, which facilitates their arrangement and accommodation in aligned perforations (4, 8) in the edge strips and edges of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), which avoids the detachment problems of the edge strips (5) while ensuring a tight or hermetic seal, preventing the entry of the aqueous electrolyte solution into said perforations (4, 8).

The installation method uses an elastomer or rubber extended pin or sealing component (9) that is inserted into the perforations (4, 8) in the side walls of an edge strip, either side or bottom, and in the respective edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) where said edge strip is inserted and placed. The extended pin or sealing component (9) is provided as a single element or piece of elongated cylindrical shape which is inserted into a first aligned perforation of an edge strip and the respective edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), passing through it, so that sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) project from each end of said first perforation, leaving a segment (9B) inside the first perforation. Once said segment (9B) is placed inside the first perforation, the sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) protruding from the ends of the first perforation are cut, so that the segment (9B) inside the first perforation does not protrude from the ends of the first perforation, leaving two remaining sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9).

The sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) that protrude from the ends of the first perforation can be cut with a knife, box cutter or any other tool that allows these sections (9A, 9C) to be cut transversally.

The process is repeated, using a remaining section (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) of the previously aligned perforation or a new extended pin or sealing component (9), until a segment (9B) of the extended pin or extended sealing component (9) is placed inside each of the perforations (4, 8) of the edge strip and the respective edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) to fixing said edge strip to the plate (3) of the electrode (1). The use of the remaining sections (9A, 9C) from the extended pin or sealing component (9), which are are cut from an aligned perforation for insertions into a next aligned perforation, will depend on whether their length is sufficient to go through said aligned perforation so that portions of the remaining section (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) used project from each end of said perforation.

Preferably, the extended pin or sealing component (9) is inserted into the first perforation so that the end or edge of one of the sections (9A, 9C) of the pin or extended sealing component (9) that protrude from the ends of said first perforation is arranged around or near the respective end of the first perforation in order to reduce the waste material generated when cutting the sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9), thus favoring the other remaining section (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) having a sufficient length for its reuse to be inserted in the following aligned perforations (4, 8). In one modality, the extended pin or sealing component (9) is inserted into the first perforation in such a way that one of the sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) protrudes up to 1 cm from a respective end of said first perforation.

In one modality, the extended pin or sealing component (9) can be provided rolled up or in an extended form.

In one modality, the electrode (1) is arranged horizontally on a work table before proceeding with the installation of pins or sealing elements in the perforations (4, 8) of the edge strips and edges of the plate (2) of the electrode (1).

The elastic properties of the extended pin or sealing component (9) allow it to stretch/elongate and compress without breaking, thus allowing said extended pin or sealing component (9) to have a larger diameter than the perforations (4, 8) of the edge strip and the respective plate edge (3) of the electrode (1) and to be inserted comfortably and without difficulty into said perforations (4, 8). The difference in diameter between the extended pin or sealing component (9) and the perforations (4, 8) allows the segment (9B), once positioned in aligned perforations, to expand inside them, thus generating a tight seal between them. In one modality, the diameter of the extended pin or sealing component (9) is at least bigger than the diameter of the perforations (8) of the edge strip. In one modality, the diameter of the extended pin or sealing component (9) is between 1 and 1.3 times the diameter of the perforations (8) of the edge strip. In a particular modality, it has been verified that the extended pin or sealing component (9) can have a diameter between 1.1 to 1.3 times the diameter of the perforations (8) of the edge strip without hindering the entry, insertion and passage of the extended pin or sealing component (9) through the perforations (4, 8), so that it is not necessary to directly pushor compress the end of the extended pin or sealing component (9) before entering said perforations (4, 8), thus favoring and ensuring the tight seal between them. In one modality, the perforations (4) at the edges of the plate (3) can have a diameter equal to or bigger than that of the perforations (8) of the edge strips. At the same time, the diameter of said perforations (4) is smaller than the diameter of the extended pin or sealing component (9), in order to facilitate the insertion of said extended pin or sealing component (9) through the plate (3). In a specific modality, the diameter of the perforations (8) in the edge strips is between 5 mm and 10 mm.

According to the present invention, the method of installing pins or sealing elements to fixing a side or bottom edge strip to a respective edge of the plate (3) of an electrode (1) comprises the following steps:

• • i. Providing an electrode (1) comprising a conductive bar (2) and a plate (3) that is suspended by the conductive bar (2) at one of its ends, where the edge of the plate (3) is configured to receive an edge strip comprising a plurality of perforations (4) that extend along said edge;
  • ii. Providing an edge strip comprising an elongated body with a groove or a clamp that extends longitudinally to fit or be inserted into a corresponding edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) and a plurality of perforations (8) along the side walls of the edge strip, in the area of the groove or clamp, corresponding with the plurality of perforations (4) on the edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1);
  • iii. Placing the edge strip on the edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), by using the groove or clamp, and aligning the perforations (4) of the edge of the plate (3) with the perforations (8) of the edge strip, as shown in FIG. 3 for the case of a side edge strip (5);
  • iv. Inserting and passing through an extended pin orsealing component (9) made of elastomer or rubber with an elongated cylindrical shape through a first aligned perforation of the plurality of perforations (4, 8), so that sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin orsealing component (9) are projected from each end of said first perforation, thus leaving a segment (9B) inside the first perforation, where said extended pin or sealing component (9) has a diameter bigger than the plurality of perforations (4, 8), as shown in FIG. 4A for a side edge strip (5);
  • v. Cutting the sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) that protrude from the ends of the first perforation, so that the segment (9B) inside the first perforation does not protrude from the ends thereof, as shown in FIG. 4B for a side edge strip (5); and
  • vi. Repeating steps iv. and v. until a segment (9B) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) is positioned inside each of the aligned perforations of the edge strip and edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), as shown in FIG. 4C for a side edge strip (5).

The installation of pins or sealing elements will be repeated for each side edge strip (5) and bottom edge strip (6) of the edge strip assembly used in the electrode (1).

The method described above can also be used for corner edge protectors (7), where the plate (3) of the electrode (1) comprises at least one perforation in the bottom corner area of the plate (3) that is covered by a corner edge protector (7). The installation of pins or sealing elements to fix a corner edge protector (7) will be equivalent to that described for side edge strips (5) or bottom edge strips (6), so the method of installing pins or sealing elements to fixing a corner edge protector (7) in a respective bottom corner of the plate (3) of an electrode (1), comprises the following steps:

• • i. Providing an electrode (1) comprising a conductive bar (2), a plate (3) that is suspended by the conductive bar (2) at one of its ends, a side edge strip (5) placed on each side edge of the plate (3) and a bottom edge strip (6) placed on the bottom edge of the plate (3), wherein the corner that receives a corner edge protector (7) comprises at least one perforation;
  • ii. Providing a corner edge protector (7) comprising an L-shaped body with a groove or a clamp extending between the ends of the corner edge protector (7) to fit or be inserted into a respective corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) and at least one perforation in the side walls of the corner edge protector (7), in the area of the groove or clamp, corresponding with the at least one perforation in the corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1);
  • iii. Placing the corner edge protector (7) in the corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), using the groove or clamp, and aligning at least one perforation in the corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) with at least one perforation in the corner edge protector (7);
  • iv. Inserting and passing through an extended pin or sealing component (9) made of elastomer or rubber with an elongated cylindrical shape through at least one first perforation aligned at the corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) and the corner edge protector (7), so that sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) are projected from each end of said first perforation, leaving a segment (9B) inside the at least one first perforation, where said extended pin or sealing component (9) has a diameter bigger than the perforations of the corner of the plate (3) and of the corner edge protectors (7);
  • v. Cutting the sections (9A, 9C) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) that protrude from the ends of the first perforation, so that the segment (9B) inside the first perforation does not protrude from the ends of said first perforation; and
  • vi. Repeating steps iv. and v. until a segment (9B) of the extended pin or sealing component (9) is placed inside each of the aligned perforations of the corner edge protector (7) and the corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1).

In the event that the corner of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) and the corner edge protector (7) only comprise a single perforation, it will only be necessary to carry out the installation steps once.

The installation of pins or sealing components will be repeated for each coner edge protector (7) comprising the set of edge protector used in the electrode (1). In this way, an electrode (1) for electro-refining/electro-winning processes is obtained, comprising a conductive bar (2) and a plate (3) or stainless steel/titanium sheet that is suspended by the conductive bar (2) at one of its ends, where each side or vertical edge of the plate (3) comprises a plurality of perforations (4), which extend along it, comprising said electrode (1):

• • two side edge strips (5) formed by an elongated body with a length that allows at least partial coverage of a side or vertical edge of the plate (3), each edge strip (5) comprising a groove or a clamp that extends along one side of the side edge strip (5), where said groove or clamp is inserted into a side edge of the plate (3), fixing the position of the side edge strip (5) so that the side edge of the plate (3) is adjusted in said groove or clamp; and a plurality of perforations (8) along the side walls of the side edge strip (5), in the area of the groove or clamp, corresponding with the plurality of perforations (4) in a side edge of the plate (3) of the electrode (1), so that said perforations (4, 8) are aligned; and
  • an elongated cylindrical pin or sealing component (9) made of elastomer or rubber inserted in each of the aligned perforations (4, 8), where the diameter of the pins or sealing components is bigger than the diameter of said perforations (4, 8) thus forming a tight seal between them.

In one modality, the electrode (1) also comprises a bottom edge strip (6) formed by an elongated body with a length that allows at least partial coverage of a bottom edge of the plate (3), comprising a groove or a clamp that extends along one side of the bottom edge strip (6), where said groove or clamp is inserted into a bottom edge of the plate (3), fixing the position of the bottom edge strip (6) so that the bottom edge of the plate (3) fits into said groove or clamp. In one specific modality, the bottom edge of the plate (3) and the bottom edge strip (6) comprise a plurality of perforations that extend respectively, along said bottom edge of the plate (3) and along the side walls of the bottom edge strip (6), in the area of the groove or clamp, where the perforations of the bottom edge of the plate (3) and the bottom edge strip (6) are aligned, where each said aligned perforation contains an elongated cylindrical pin or sealing component (9) made of elastomer or rubber, where the diameter of the pins or sealing components is bigger than the diameter of said perforations of the bottom edge of the plate (3) and bottom edge strip (6), thus forming a tight seal between them.

In one modality, the electrode (1) also comprises two corner edge protectors (7) that each join one end of a side edge strip (5) to one end of the bottom edge strip (6), covering a bottom corner of the plate (3), where each corner edge protector (7) is formed by an L-shaped body, comprising a groove or a clamp, in the shape of an L, that follows the shape of the body, wherein the end of a side edge strip (5), the end of the bottom edge strip (6) and a bottom corner of the plate (3) are inserted. In one specific modality, each bottom corner of the plate (3) and each corner edge protector (7) comprise at least one perforation in, respectively, the area of the corner that receives the corner edge protector (7) and in the area of the groove or clamp, where the at least one perforation of the bottom corner of the plate and the corner edge protector (7) are aligned, where each of the aligned perforations contains an elongated cylindrical pin or sealing component (9) made of elastomer or rubber where the diameter of the pins or sealing components is bigger than the diameter of the perforations of the bottom corner of the plate (3) and corner edge protector (7), thus forming a tight seal between them.

In one modality, the perforations of the plate (3) of the electrode (1) and the respective perforations in the side edge strips (5), bottom edge strip (6) and corner edge protectors (7) have the same diameter to reduce the spaces between them and ensure a tight seal with the pins or sealing components in accordance with the present application.

The characteristics and advantages of the presente invention will be evident based on the following description. The description provided represents a broad definition of the invention, so that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be evident to a person skilled in the related technical field. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed and the invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, just as described in the claims.