Continuous electrowinning process and system thereof

A method of continuous electrowinning comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrowinning system comprising a cell body configured to maintain electrolyte solution at a high pressure and/or temperature within the cell body;
• a plurality of anodes;
• a plurality of cathodes nested with said anodes;
• an inlet configured for receiving an influent stream of electrolyte solution, the inlet being configured to direct portions of the influent stream between said anodes and cathodes;
• a first outlet configured for discharging an effluent stream of spent electrolyte solution;
• a second outlet configured for removing cathode slime/sludge concentrate;
• and a residence chamber configured to dynamically and continuously transfer electrolyte solution from said inlet to said first outlet and increase residence time of said electrolyte solution between said anodes and said cathodes, the residence chamber comprising a plurality of channels, defined between said anodes, said cathodes, and a number of insulators separating the anodes from the cathodes, wherein the plurality channels are configured to provide a forced flow of electrolyte solution therein which is strong enough to continuously dislodge and/or move cathode slime/sludge concentrate along and eventually out of said plurality of channels;
• dynamically and continuously feeding electrolyte solution into said inlet;
• and
• dynamically and continuously removing spent electrolyte solution from said first outlet.

A replacement anode or cathode for a continuous electrowinning cell comprising a cell body configured to maintain electrolyte solution at a high pressure and/or temperature within the cell body;

• a plurality of anodes;
• a plurality of cathodes nested with said anodes;
• an inlet configured for continuously receiving an influent stream of electrolyte solution, the inlet being configured to direct portions of the influent stream between said anodes and cathodes;
• a first outlet configured for continuously discharging an effluent stream of spent electrolyte solution;
• a second outlet configured, for removing cathode slime/sludge concentrate;
• and, a residence chamber configured to dynamically and continuously transfer electrolyte solution from said inlet to said first outlet and increase residence time of said electrolyte solution between said anodes and said cathodes, the residence chamber comprising a plurality of channels defined between said anodes, said cathodes, and a number of insulators separating the anodes from the cathodes, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to provide a forced flow of electrolyte solution therein which is strong enough to continuously dislodge and/or move cathode slime/sludge concentrate along and, eventually out of said plurality of channels, the replacement anode or cathode comprising:
• one or more protuberances which extend from the replacement anode or cathode which, by virtue of said nested configuration, are configured to form upper and lower walls of each of the channels.