Ventilation system for electrolytic cell

An electrowinning cell, comprised of:

• a tank;
• a weir arrangement in said tank defining an electrolytic solution operating level when electrolytic solution is present within said tank;
• a plurality of flat metallic electrode plates, each of said plates having a support beam along an edge thereof;
• a support assembly disposed outside said tank for supporting a plurality of said electrodes by said support beams, said support assembly dimensioned to position said electrodes in said tank in side-by-side, spaced apart, parallel relationship with a lower portion of said electrodes below said electrolytic solution operating level and an upper portion disposed above said electrolytic solution operating level, the upper portions of said electrodes and the electrolytic solution operating level forming parallel channels extending from one side of said tank to a second side of said tank;
• a plurality of apertures formed in said tank wall along said one side of said tank, said apertures disposed above said electrolytic solution operating level and disposed wherein at least one of said plurality of apertures is located between an adjacent pair of said electrodes;
• a blower and manifold assembly connected to said plurality of apertures for creating gas flow through said plurality of apertures, said blower and manifold assembly dimensioned to create a stream of gas through said channels above said electrolytic solution operating level;
• an elongated slot formed in said tank wall along said second side of said tank, said slot disposed above the electrolytic solution operating level;
• and
• an exhaust blower and manifold assembly for creating a suction through said slot to create a drop in gas pressure opposite said apertures.

An electrowinning cell assembly, comprised of:

• a tank for holding an electrolytic solution;
• a weir arrangement in said tank for establishing an operating level for said electrolytic solution;
• a support structure for supporting a plurality of flat, planar metallic electrode plates in said tank such that a major portion of each of said electrode plates is below said operating level;
• a first duct extending along an edge for said tank perpendicular to said electrode plates;
• a blower for forcing air into said first duct;
• a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed in said first duct, said apertures disposed above said operating level to direct a stream of air across said tank along each surface of each of said electrode plates;
• a second duct extending along a side of said tank parallel to said first duct, said second duct having a slot above said operating level in registry with said aperture in said first duct;
• an exhaust fan for creating a suction in said second duct to draw air through said slot.