Process and apparatus for metal refining
AssigneeElemetal Holding B.V.
InventorsSilvan Johan Thus, Dirkjan Kooijman
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Abstract
The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for metal refining, in particular for refining a mixture of conductive particles, such as heavy non-ferrous particles. In accordance with the invention a feed containing a mixture of conductive particles is fed to a dissolution unit, wherein the less noble metal is separated from a metal of interest in the presence of one or more acids or complexing agents, thus producing a stream having a concentrated less noble metal and producing a conductive stream containing a metal of interest. The conductive stream is then fed to a refining unit, wherein the conductive stream is separated in a stream of concentrated metal(s) of interest and a stream of concentrated conductive particles.
Claims17
A process for recovering a metal of interest from a mixture of conductive particles containing said metal of interest, as well as a less noble metal, which process comprises:
- a) feeding said mixture of conductive particles to a separation unit, wherein the less noble metal is separated by selective leaching, thus producing a concentrated stream comprising the less noble metal and producing a conductive stream comprising the metal of interest;
- b) followed by a step of separating the metal of interest from said conductive stream by electro-refining, thus producing a stream comprising the metal of interest and a stream of concentrated conductive materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.