Electrochemical flow reactor

An electrochemical flow reactor for continuous production of an iron-bearing product from iron ore particles comprising:

• an electrochemical cell assembly comprising an arrangement of alternating cathodic compartments and anodic compartments, wherein adjacent cathodic and anodic compartments are separated by respective separators;
• each cathodic compartment containing a catholyte comprising a suspension of iron ore particles in a first alkaline solution, and a cathode at least partially in contact with the catholyte and arranged to facilitate reduction of the iron ore particles to the iron-bearing product, the cathodic compartment having an inlet for ingress of the catholyte and an outlet for egress of a spent catholyte containing the iron-bearing product, wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet via a first conduit in an arrangement whereby spent catholyte may be recirculated from the outlet of the cathodic compartment to the inlet thereof;
• each anodic compartment containing an anolyte comprising a second alkaline solution and an anode at least partially immersed therein, the anodic compartment having an inlet for ingress of the anolyte and an outlet for egress of a spent anolyte, wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet via a second conduit in an arrangement whereby spent anolyte may be recirculated from the outlet of the anodic compartment to the inlet thereof;
• and,
• a separation means associated with the first conduit to separate the iron-bearing product from the spent catholyte and produce a depleted catholyte;
• wherein the first conduit is provided with an inlet for ingress of iron ore particles and the first alkaline solution that enables replenishment of said depleted catholyte prior to recirculation to the inlet of the cathodic compartment.