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AssigneeH.C. Starck GmbH
InventorsArmin Olbrich, Juliane Meese-Marktscheffel, Gerhard Gille, Viktor Stoller, Wolfgang Mathy
Estimating the term…
Process for the electrochemical decomposition of precursors in powder form by introducing a powder batch between two electrodes of an electrolysis cell, electrodes being designed to be liquid-permeable, and the electrolyte flowing through the powder batch perpendicularly to the electrode surfaces, and electrolysis cell suitable therefor, which is essentially characterized in that at least one electrode has a structure which consists of a supporting pierced plate (5), an electrode plate (3) provided with perforations, and a filter cloth (4) arranged between the supporting pierced plate (5) and the electrode plate (3), and in that the cathode (6) is shielded from the cell by means of a liquid-permeable separator (7).
Process for electrochemical decomposition of precursors in powder form comprising introducing a powder batch between two electrodes of an electrolysis cell, wherein electrodes are liquid-permeable, and the electrolyte flows through the powder batch perpendicularly to the electrode surfaces.
Electrolysis cell, comprising an electrically insulating housing and two parallel liquid-permeable electrodes, at least one electrode having a structure which comprises a supporting pierced plate, an electrode plate provided with perforations, and a filter cloth arranged between the supporting pierced plate and the electrode plate, the cathode structure being shielded from the cell by means of a liquid-permeable separator made of electrically insulating material, a distributor chamber for the electrolyte being provided on the cathode side and a collection chamber for the electrolyte being provided on the anode side, a recirculation line arranged outside the cell being provided, and means being provided for feeding the electrolyte back from the collection chamber to the distribution chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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By leaching: leaching using electrochemical processes
Working up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals and compounds thereof; Methods of a general interest or…: wet…
By wet processes: recovery of noble metals from waste materials
Obtaining chromium, molybdenum or tungsten: obtaining tungsten
Term end not estimated
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the electrolytic decomposition of precursors in powder form, and in particular highmelting alloys such as rhenium/tungsten alloys, rhenium/molybdenum alloys, rhenium/molybdenum/tungsten alloys, superalloys, and alloy systems containing noble metals. More particularly, the invention relates to a process of recovering the valuable materials, such as rhenium, tantalum, hafnium and platinum contained in the precursors. Such precursors are encountered when processing the corresponding alloys, and also when comminuting scrap from used machine parts made of such alloys.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows an electrolysis cell 1 according to the invention, which consists of an electrically insulating cell housing 2 in which a horizontally arranged anode 3 provided with perforations is arranged. A filter cloth 4 bears against the anode 3, and is held against the anode 3 by a means of pierced support plate 5. The cathode 6, which has a separator 7 on its side facing the anode 3, is arranged vertically mobile inside the cell housing 2.
The invention is further described hereunder with particular reference to its present embodiments. According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrolyte flows through the electrolysis cell from the cathode to the anode, with the powder batch being pressed against the anode not only by gravity, but also by the liquid pressure which is necessary owing to the flow resistance.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the electrodes are arranged horizontally, with the cathode plate being fitted so as to be vertically mobile in the cell, and lying on the powder batch while being separated from it by the separator. In this case, the powder batch may, in order to ensure electrical contact with the anode plate and between the powder particles of the batch, exert pressure on the batch owing to the weight of the electrode plate or owing to additional forces exerted on the electrode plate, with a short-circuit being prevented by the separator arranged on the cell side of the cathode.
In the event that the cell is designed with a vertically mobile cathode, the electrode spacing is determined by the height of the powder batch, which decreases in the course of carrying out the electrochemical decomposition. An initial height of the powder batch of from 1 to 50 cm is preferred.