Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Patent
1993-09-27
1995-03-21
Valentine, Donald R.
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
204272, 204227, C25C 700, C25C 708
Patent
active
053992490
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for electrolytically recovering metal, in particular silver, from a photographic processing solution, the device comprising an anode located in a recovery chamber and a cathode arranged for movement from a first position within the liquid to a second position outside the liquid as well as a scraper for removing metal deposited on the cathode.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. NO. 2,099,873 discloses a machine for electrolytically recovering metal, e.g. from a chromium-containing solution, using a cathode formed of a flexible metal belt. The belt moves around a large drum and a number of deflecting rollers arranged adjacent to the drum. The drum is supported by a shaft extending across the level of the solution and is partly submerged in the chromium-containing solution. For the purpose of recovering metal, the drum is constantly rotated so that the belt cathode moves continuously around the drum and the deflecting rollers. A curved anode arranged eccentrically to the drum axis runs at a small distance to the surface of the drum section submerged in the solution and the belt cathode moving over the drum.
When the belt cathode moving out of the solution leaves the periphery of the drum, it extends in horizontal direction to the first deflecting roller, is then guided downwards and, moving over further deflecting rollers arranged in a separate water tank outside the tank holding the chromium-containing solution, returned to the drum.
Due to the fact that the belt cathode is sharply bent while moving over the deflecting rollers, most of the metal having deposited on the flexible belt cathode is released therefrom and collected in the water tank or in a foraminous container nested therein. Any residual particles still adhering to the belt are removed by two scrapers contacting the belt.
The large diameter and the width of the drum are required to obtain a peripheral surface as large as possible because only a portion is submerged in the solution. The belt cathode is dimensioned such that the area covering the submerged peripheral section of the drum is of substantially the same size as the submerged section. As a result, there is always a fairly large deposition surface of the arcuate anode facing the belt cathode contacting the rotating drum.
Due to the above mentioned design features, however, the known metal recovery machine has exceptionally large dimensions. Supporting and driving mechanisms of the amply dimensioned drum are technically sophisticated and expensive. Moreover, removal of the deposited metal is very complicated. Also, due to the continuous movement of the belt cathode, the amount of metal deposited is very small.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a metal recovery device of the generic type which comprises a relatively small apparatus which is uncomplicated in design and the cathode of which shows an optimally sized surface on which a large quantity of metal can be deposited. Moreover, a scraper device and a collecting device for the scraped off metal are provided such that the two devices can be jointly removed without difficulty and reinserted without difficulty.
According to the present invention, the object is attained in that the cathode is designed as a hollow-cylindrical circular cathode which in a first position surrounds a vertically arranged cylindrical anode (41) and, which in a second position is located above the anode and is engaged with the scraper (44) and will remain in engagement therewith until it has returned to the first position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages will be apparent from the claims as well as the description of an embodiment shown schematically in the drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the silver-recovery device according to the invention, and
FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line II--II of the silver-recovery device according to FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2880156 (1959-03-01), Benner et al.
patent: 3477926 (1969-11-01), Snow et al.
patent: 3540991 (1970-11-01), Green
patent: 3847779 (1974-11-01), Sekine et al.
patent: 4028199 (1977-06-01), Holland
patent: 4097347 (1978-06-01), Packer
patent: 4105534 (1978-08-01), Beatty
patent: 4302319 (1981-11-01), Ueno
patent: 4406753 (1983-09-01), Blake et al.
patent: 4508599 (1985-04-01), Ott et al.
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