Treatment of aqueous matrices using electrolysis to produce soluble tin metal

A method for removing a target metal from an aqueous matrix, the method comprising

• receiving the aqueous matrix from an inlet, into a chamber;
• using a power source to cause current to flow in the chamber between a first electrode and a second electrode, each of the first electrode and the second electrode comprising metal tin, wherein the first electrode is embodied as a part of an electrode module, and wherein the metal tin is to dissolve over time into the aqueous matrix as a function of applied electrical stimulus;
• removing the aqueous matrix from the chamber via an outlet;
• and
• delivering ultrasound energy to the first electrode from an ultrasound system, to clean each of the first electrode and the second electrode;
• wherein the method further comprises, with a sensor, sensing at least one property associated with the aqueous matrix, and controlling a power source coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, as a function of the sensed at least one property, so as to provide the electrical stimulus in a manner that electrolyzes the metal tin and forms a stannous material in dependence on the sensed at least one property, and so as to thereby regulate a reaction with the target metal;
• and
• wherein the method further comprises causing alternating current to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode, such that each of the first electrode and the second electrode is operated as an anode for a period of time, to thereby electrolyze the metal tin to form soluble stannous material in the aqueous matrix.

An apparatus for removing a target metal from an aqueous matrix, the apparatus comprising:

• a chamber to receive an aqueous matrix from an inlet;
• means for electrolyzing metal tin from each of two electrodes of an electrode module to form soluble stannous material in the aqueous matrix;
• an outlet to remove the aqueous matrix from the chamber;
• a sensor to sense at least one property associated with the aqueous matrix;
• and
• means for cleaning each of the two electrodes using ultrasound;
• wherein the means for electrolyzing the metal tin is to do so on a regulated basis, such that a rate of forming the soluble stannous metal is responsive to sensing of the at least one property so as to thereby regulate a reaction with the target metal;
• and
• wherein
• the means for electrolyzing the metal tin is to cause alternating current to flow between the two electrodes, such that each of the two electrodes is operated as an anode for a period of time, to thereby electrolyze the metal tin from to soluble stannous material in the aqueous matrix, and
• the means for cleaning is also to deliver ultrasound energy to each of the two electrodes, to clean each electrode.