US 4,585,539 A · Electrolytic reactor

Abstract

An improved electrolytic reactor is provided with a sealed enclosure subdivided into separate solution chambers for an anolyte and for a catholyte by the interposition of an electrically insulating septum with a microporous matrix. The microporous membrane, or septum, permits the controlled passage of ionic species but prevents the gross intermixing of the separate electrolytes in respective contact with the cathode and the anode of the reactor. At least one of the chambers defined on either face of the microporous septum is filled with electrically conductive particulate material--stainless steel balls in one embodiment--acting as extensions of the electrode in that chamber, so as to increase the electrically charged, stable surface available for electrolytic mass transfer. The polarity of the electrodes in the reactor is readily reversible to permit complex processes, such as the recovery of very dilute solutions of metallic ions by first depositing them on an extended-surface cathode and, afterwards, deplating them into suitable recovery solution. The flow passages through the solution chambers are so defined, either by dimensional control or by packing the chamber with static conductive material, so as to ensure turbulent flow of the electrolytes through at least one active chamber in the reactor. Reactors embodying the teachings of the invention may be cylindrical or polygonal, and may contain auxiliary electrodes for use during polarity-reversed operation. The electrolytic reactor is particularly useful, but not limited to the continuous removal of relatively small concentrations of metal ions from large quantities of solutions.

Claims61

Dependent claims

An electrolytic reactor for the treatment of chemical species dissolved in electrically conductive solutions, comprising:

(a) a sealed container;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means, composed of discrete, particulate bodies, packing at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means, and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential applied across said first and second electrode means.

6 more elements

Apparatus for the electrolytic treatment of chemical species in solution, comprising at least two flat-plate reactors assembled together, each of the flat-plate reactors comprising:

(a) first and second rectangular plate electrodes;
(b) first and second solution chambers defined between said plate electrodes;
(c) a rectangular septum, formed of an electrically insulating microporous material, spaced from both plate electrodes, and intermediate therebetween, separating said first and second solution chambers from one-another;
(d) a first hollow spacer between said first electrode and the septum;
(e) a second hollow spacer between the septum and said second electrode;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for continuously introducing and withdrawing a first electrolyte respectively into, and from, said first solution chamber;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for continuously introducing and withdrawing a second electrolyte respectivly into, and from, said second solution chamber;
(h) pumping means for continuously introducing the first electrolyte into said first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(i) a direct-current power supply for reversibly applying an electrical potential across said first and second plate electrodes, wherein
said first plate electrode is shared by two adjacent flat-plate reactors;
and
(j) static, elecrically conductive packing material in conductive contact with at least one of said plate electrodes, filling the solution chamber adjacent to said one of said plate electrodes.

9 more elements

An electrolytic reactor for the treatment of chemical species dissolved in electrically conductive solutions, comprising:

(a) a sealed container formed as a right rectangular paralleliped;
(b) a microporous, insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means, including a principal electrode and at least one auxiliary electrode, in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode means in that chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first solution chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into said second solution chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means for reversing the polarity applied across said first and second electrode means, with said current supply means alternately connected to said principal electrode and said auxiliary electrode of the second electrode means by the operation of the current reversing means
wherein the electrolytic reactor is constructed with said one auxiliary electrode as a foraminous plate electrode parallel to, and spaced from, said principal electrode.

8 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum, constructed from an alumina ceramic, subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means, wherein the reactor is so constructed that one of said electrodes forms part of said container;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte containing a metallic ion species through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
and
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means is negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means.

12 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container formed as a rectangular parallelepiped;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber, forming part of said container;
(e) static surface extension means, formed of metallic bodies, in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(j) first pumping means for the first electrolyte;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte containing a metallic ion species through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow, at a velocity greater than one foot per second;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
and
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means is negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means.

13 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container formed as a right polygonal body;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means, including a principal electrode and at least one auxiliary electrode, in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte containing a metallic ion species through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
and
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the principal electrode of the second electrode means is made positive with respect to the first electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means.

12 more elements

A method for operating electrolytic apparatus incorporating at least two flat-plate reactors assembled together, each such flat-plate reactor comprising:

(a) first and second rectangular plate electrodes, with the first plate electrode shared in common by two adjacent flat-plate reactors;
(b) first and second solution chambers defined between said plate electrodes;
(c) a rectangular septum, formed of an electrically insulating microporous material, spaced from both plate electrodes and intermediate therebetween, separating said first and second solution chambers from one-another;
(d) a first hollow spacer between the first plate electrode and the septum;
(e) a second hollow spacer between said septum and said second plate electrode;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for continuously introducing and withdrawing a first electrolyte respectively into, and from, said first solution chamber;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for continuously introducing and withdrawing a second electrolyte respectively into, and from, said second solution chamber;
(h) pumping means for continuously introducing the first electrolyte into said first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(i) a direct-current power supply for reversibly applying an electrical potential across said first and second plate electrodes;
and
(j) static, electrically conductive, material in conductive contact one of said plate electrodes, filling the solution chamber adjacent to said one of said plate electrodes;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte, containing a metallic ion species, through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
and
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the principal electrode of the second electrode means is made positive with respect to the first electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means.

13 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor, for the pourpose of removing metal ions from electrolytes also containing cyanide ions, with said reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container formed as a right polygonal body;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte, containing a metallic ion species, through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
and
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means are made negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means;
(iv) operating said current reversing means, to reverse the polarity applied to the first and second electrode means;
and
(v) continuously passing a recovery solution through the first solution chamber, to collect the metal previously plated onto the first electrode means in step (iii).

15 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor, for the purpose of removing metallic ions from electrolytes also containing cyanide ions, with said reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container formed as a rectangular parallelepiped;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber, forming part of said container;
(e) static surface extension means, formed of metallic bodies, in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(j) first pumping means for the first electrolyte;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte, containing a metallic ion species, through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
and
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means are made negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means;
(iv) operating said current reversing means, to reverse the polarity applied to the first and second electrode means;
and
(v) continuously passing a recovery solution through the first solution chamber, to collect the metal perviously plated onto the first electrode means in step (iii).

16 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor for the purpose of recovering metallic ions selected from the group of copper, silver or gold, from electrolytes also containing cyanide ions, with said reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte containing a metallic ion species through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means is negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means;
(iv) operating the current reversing means, to reverse the polarity applied to the first and second electrode means;
and
(v) continuously passing a recovery solution through the first solution chamber, to collect the metal previously plated onto the first electrode means.

14 more elements

(a) a sealed container;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum, constructed from an alumina ceramic, subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte, containing a metallic ion species, through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means is negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means;
(iv) operating the current reversing means, to reverse the polarity applied to the first and second electrode means;
and
(v) continuosly passing a recovery solution through the first solution chamber, to collect the metal previously plated onto the first electrode means.

14 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor for the purpose of recovering metallic ions--selected from the group of nickel, cadmium and lead--from electrolytes also containing cyanides or sulfamates, with said reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte containing a metallic ion species through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means is negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means;
(iv) operating the current reversing means, to reverse the polarity applied to the first and second electrode means;
and
(v) continuosly passing a recovery solution through the first solution chamber, to collect the metal previously plated onto the first electrode means.

14 more elements

A method for operating an electrolytic reactor for the purpose of recovering metallic ions--elected from the group of nickel, cadmium and lead--from electrolytes also containing cyanides or sulfamates, with said reactor incorporating:

(a) a sealed container;
(b) a microporous, electrically insulating septum, constructed from an alumina ceramic, subdividing said container into first and second solution chambers;
(c) first electrode means in said first solution chamber;
(d) second electrode means in said second solution chamber;
(e) static surface extension means in at least one of said solution chambers, in electrically conductive contact with the electrode in said chamber;
(f) first conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a first electrolyte into said first chamber and the withdrawal of electrolyte therefrom;
(g) second conduit means, including at least one inlet port and one discharge port, for the introduction of a second electrolyte into, and the withdrawal thereof from, said second chamber;
(h) current supply means, for the imposition of a direct electrical potential across said first and second electrode means;
and
(i) current reversing means, for reversing the potential across said first and second electrode means;
said method comprising the steps of:
(i) continuously passing a first electrolyte containing a metallic ion species through the first solution chamber under conditions of turbulent flow;
(ii) filling the second solution chamber with a static volume of a second electrolyte;
(iii) energizing the current supply means so that the first electrode means is negative with respect to the second electrode means, causing said metallic ion species to plate out on the first electrode means;
(iv) operating the current reversing means, to reverse the polarity applied to the first and second electrode means;
and
(v) continuosly passing a recovery solution through the first solution chamber, to collect the metal previously plated onto the first electrode means.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrolytic reactor

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Electrolytic reactor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims61