Vanadium and uranium oxidation by controlled potential electrolysis
AssigneeKerr-McGee Corporation
InventorsPaul R. Graham, Olen L. Riggs, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process and apparatus for oxidizing vanadium and uranium in wet process phosphoric acid to a higher valence state for extraction by subsequent contact with complex organic extractants. The wet process phosphoric acid is oxidized in an electrolytic cell operated at a controlled potential via use of a reference electrode. The cell comprises a tank having at least one high surface area anode and at least one high surface area cathode separated by an ion exchange membrane.
Claims10
An electrolytic cell for controlled potential electrolysis adapted to contain an anolyte and a catholyte which comprises:
- a tank having a closed bottom and an open top;
- a plurality of high surface area anodes disposed in said tank and secured to said tank in spaced apart, substantially parallel relationship with respect to one another;
- a plurality of vertically positioned, substantially parallel, high surface area cathodes disposed and secured in said tank and said cathodes being spaced apart to receive an anode between each adjacent pair of cathodes;
- a plurality of vertically positioned, substantially parallel, ion exchange membranes disposed in said tank, said ion exchange membranes being spaced apart to receive alternately anodes and cathodes between each adjacent pair of ion exchange membranes to thereby form separate compartments;
- a reference electrode disposed in said tank to provide a potential voltage measurement within a compartment;
- said cell being provided with inlet means for introducing anolyte and catholyte into the separate compartments containing anodes and cathodes respectively and exit means for removing said anolyte and catholyte therefrom.
A process for the controlled potential oxidation of a metal contaminant in an acid solution comprising:
- providing an anolyte comprising the acid solution having a reference electrode and an anode therein;
- providing a catholyte having a cathode therein;
- separating the anolyte and the catholyte by an ion exchange membrane which contacts the anolyte and catholyte on opposing surfaces;
- providing an adjustable voltage electrical power source;
- connecting the power source to the anode and cathode;
- providing a potential monitoring means adapted to measure a potential between the reference electrode and the anode;
- continuously monitoring the potential between the reference electrode and the anode;
- and
- applying a voltage to the anode from the electrical power source, said voltage being sufficient to maintain a predetermined potential between the reference electrode and the anode whereby the metal contaminant in the acid solution is oxidized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.