Electrolyte circulation manifold for copper electrowinning cells which use the ferrous/ferric anode reaction

Abstract

An improved electrolyte circulation manifold system for use in a copper electrowinning cell which includes an array of alternating cathode and anode plates positioned within a holding tank is disclosed. The manifold system itself includes a first manifold section positioned within the holding tank adjacent to a first lateral edge portion of each cathode plate and anode plate in the array. The first manifold section includes a first plurality of holes formed along it's length so that each hole is oriented in a horizontal plane and a single hole is positioned between and facing each anode plate and an adjacent cathode plate. A second manifold section is positioned within the holding tank adjacent to a second lateral edge portion of each cathode plate and anode plate in the array. The second manifold section includes a second plurality of holes formed along it's length so that each hole is oriented in a horizontal plane and a single hole is positioned between and facing each anode plate and an adjacent cathode plate. A pump is operable to pump an electrolyte solution through the first and second manifold sections and out of the first and second plurality of holes so that the electrolyte solution passes substantially horizontally between pairs of adjacent cathode plates and anode plates.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.