# US 2013/0153437 A1 · Cathode assembly including a barrier, system including the assembly and method for using same

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- Number: US 2013/0153437 A1
- Document ID: US20130153437A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/331,680
- Filed: 2011-12-20
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20
- Assignees: Freeport-Mcmoran Corporation
- Inventors: Scot P. Sandoval; Gerald Moen; Jason M. Morgan; Mark Peabody
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153437A1

## CPC

- C25C 1/12: of copper
- C25C 1/00: Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of solutions (C25C5/00 takes precedence)
- C25C 5/02: from solutions
- C25C 7/02: Electrodes (consumable anodes for the refining the metals C25C1/00 - C25C5/00); Connections thereof
- C25C: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR

## Abstract

A cathode assembly, a system including the cathode assembly, and method of using the assembly and system are disclosed. The cathode assembly includes a conductive element and a barrier element proximate the conductive element. The assembly, system and method provide for improved metal powder formation. The system may be stationary or portable.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cathode assembly for electrowinning metal comprising:
a suspension element;
a conductive element coupled to the suspension element; and
a barrier element having a plurality of holes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cathode assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment element coupled to the suspension element and the barrier element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cathode assembly of claim 1, wherein the barrier element comprises a material selected from the group of polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cathode assembly of claim 1, wherein the barrier element comprises one of a film, laminate or overlay.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cathode assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive element comprises a metal starter sheet.

### Claim 6 (depends on 7)

The cathode assembly of claim 7, wherein the metal sheet comprises copper.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cathode assembly of claim 1, wherein the suspension element comprises material selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloy, copper aluminum alloys, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, gold, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 8

A system for electrowinning metal comprising:
a cathode assembly comprising a suspension element, a conductive element coupled to the suspension element, and a barrier element having a plurality of holes;
an anode assembly;
an electrolyte solution between the anode assembly and cathode assembly; and
a tank containing electrolyte solution.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises one of a recycled solution, bleed solution, remediation solution, waste water solution, or acid mine drainage stream.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the barrier element comprises a material selected from the group of polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the barrier element comprises a film, laminate or overlay.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the electrolyte solution contains between 0.1 g/l and 2.5 g/l of metal ions.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the tank comprises a portable tank.

### Claim 14

A method of electrolytic recovery of metal comprising the steps of:
providing an electrolyte solution;
electrowinning metal from the electrolyte solution using a cathode assembly, the cathode assembly comprising a conductive element and a barrier element proximate a surface of the conductive element, the barrier element having a plurality of holes; and
harvesting the metal in the form of metal powder.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the metal is copper.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of recovering the electrolyte solution from a remediation site.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the barrier element comprises a material selected from the group of polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the barrier element comprises a film, laminate or overlay.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the concentration of ferrous iron ions in the electrolyte solution is controlled by the addition of a reducing agent.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the concentration of ferrous iron ions in the electrolyte solution is controlled by adjusting the pH of the electrolyte solution.