Reducing power consumption in electro-refining or electro-winning of metal
AssigneeMount Isa Mines Limited
InventorsNigel James ASLIN, Wayne Keith Webb, Reville Wayne Armstrong, Tim Robinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cathode plate and method for electro-refining or electro-winning of metal. The cathode includes a cathode blade and hanger bar. A quantity of electrically conductive material is wrapped around the hanger bar and along the cathode blade to a position, in use, proximate the level of electrolyte in the electrolytic bath. The provision of a deeper and preferably thicker coating of electrically conductive material, as compared with conventional cathode plates, reduces power consumption in the electrolytic circuit.
Claims26
A cathode plate for electro-refining or electro-winning of metal, the cathode plate comprising a cathode blade for deposition of metal thereon, a hanger bar attached along one edge of the cathode blade and adapted to support and transfer current to the cathode blade when placed in an electrolytic bath and a quantity of electrically conductive material extending downwardly from the hanger bar along the cathode blade to a position, in use, 30-40 mm above the level of the metal deposition area on the cathode blade the material having an electrical conductivity greater than the cathode blade.
A method of reducing power consumption of a cathode plate in electro-refining or electro-winning of metal, the cathode plate comprising a cathode blade for deposition of metal thereon and a hanger bar attached to an edge of the cathode blade for supporting and transmitting current to a cathode blade in an electrolytic bath,
- the method comprising providing:
- a quantity of electrically conductive material extending downwardly from the hanger bar along the cathode blade to a position, in use, proximate the level of electrolyte in the electrolytic bath,
- the material having electrical conductivity greater than the cathode blade.
A method of reducing power consumption of an electro-refining or electro- winning circuit having a series of cathode plates, each plate having a cathode plate for deposition of metal thereon and a hanger bar attached along one edge of the cathode blade adapted to support and transfer current to the cathode blade when placed in an electrolytic bath,
- said method comprising incorporating into one or more of the cathode plates, a quantity of electrically conductive material extending downwardly from the hanger bar along the cathode blade to a position, in use, proximate the level of electrolyte in the electrolytic bath, said material having an electrical conductivity greater than said cathode blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.