Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Patent
1994-04-09
1996-06-25
Valentine, Donald R.
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
204278, C25C 700
Patent
active
055296726
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to mineral recovery apparatus.
This invention has particular but not exclusive application to the electrowinning of copper from aqueous solution, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as the electrowinning of silver or other metals, or the production of gases.
Many methods of extracting metals from ores leave small but significant proportions of the metals in the ore. Other methods cannot be utilised economically on low-grade ores. One established method of extracting residual metals from processed ores, or of extracting metals from low-grade ores, is known as "leaching". Leaching involves passing a fluid in which the metal to be extracted will dissolve through the ore, collecting the leachate, and separating the metal from the leachate. In the case of copper extraction, the leachate typically used is dilute sulphuric acid, which reacts with the copper to produce copper sulphate. The copper may then be removed from the copper sulphate drained from the ore by exposing it to metallic iron or steel, where iron sulphate and free copper are formed.
Unfortunately, the copper so produced contains significant impurities, and the acid is used up in the process, making the economics of the process poor. Alternatively, the copper sulphate solution may be passed through an electrolytic cell, recovering both free copper and sulphuric acid. However, conventional electrolytic cells cannot generally be applied economically to the direct winning of metal from the low-concentration leachates available from mining operations, a further concentration process being required before the leachate can be electrolysed.
The present invention aims to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide mineral extraction apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a mineral extraction cell assembly for extracting a metal from a flowing solution containing mineral, said cell assembly including: the metal to be harvested is electro-deposited in the form of a shell; housing to form an annular cavity between the housing and the electrode; formed whereby, in use, fluid is introduced to the cell assembly offset from the elongate axis of the stationary elongate housing; assemblies, and electrode and the conductive surface.
Preferably the elongate housing extends between end walls and the electrode is disposed within the housing and extends between said end walls. It is also preferred that the electrode is utilised as an electrical anode and the conductive surface is utilised as a cathode such that mineral material produced by electrolysis of a liquid held within the housing is deposited on the conductive surface. Of course, if desired, the electrode may be utilised as the cathode such that mineral material may be deposited thereon. If desired, the electrode may be formed to include surface treatments such as projections or ribs for promoting turbulent flow in the fluid.
Suitably, the housing includes an elongate cylindrical portion formed from conductive material such that the conductive surface may be integral therewith. The cathode and in particular the conductive material may be chosen to be the same as the mineral to be deposited. For instance, in the electrowinning of copper, the cylindrical portion may take the form of a thin-walled copper tube within which a thick layer of copper may be deposited, and the cylindrical portion may then be replaced with a fresh copper tube. This eliminates the need to carry out the difficult process of stripping the deposited material from the tube.
Alternatively, the conductive material may be chosen such that it differs in its surface properties from the mineral to be electrowon to the extent that the shell of the mineral built up on the conductive material may be convenie
REFERENCES:
patent: 4026784 (1977-05-01), Rivers
patent: 4439300 (1984-03-01), Houseman
patent: 4840717 (1989-06-01), Dzodin
patent: 5017273 (1991-05-01), Woog
Barr Neal
de Denus Robert N.
Treasure Patrick A.
Material Research Pty. Ltd.
Valentine Donald R.
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