Electrowinning using fluidized bed apparatus

A continuous method for extracting metal ions from electrolytes in a fluid bed electrolysis cell which comprises:

• establishing an electrolyte bath containing at least one metal value in a fluid bed electrolysis cell comprising,
• an anode disposed axially in said cell within an anode chamber surrounded by a porous diaphragm,
• a cathode surrounding the porous diaphragm of said anode chamber, said cathode defining an annular cathode chamber relative to said porous diaphragm and containing a fluidizable cathode bed of electrically conductive particulate material,
• maintaining a continuous flow of said electrolyte through said cell by passing said electrolyte axially through said cell beneath said fluidizable cathode bed and through the cathode and anode chambers at a rate to maintain said cathode bed in a fluidized electrochemically active cathodic state at an expanded volume ranging from about 5% to 20% greater than the volume of said bed at a state of rest, while electrolytically activating said cell to effect deposition of at least one metal value on the particulate material of said fluidized bed during which gas bubbles are formed by electrolysis,
• causing said flow of electrolyte leaving said cell to collect in a reservoir to permit disengagement and removal of said gas bubbles,
• continuously withdrawing the electrolyte from said reservoir and recycling it to the cathode and anode chambers through the fluidized cathode bed,
• continuously monitoring and controlling the pH of the electrolyte at a predetermined value according to the metal or metals being deposited,
• and continuing said electrolysis for a time sufficient to effect the desired amount of metal deposition from said electrolyte.