Methods and apparatus for enhancing electrorefining intensity and efficiency

An improved electrorefining system comprising:

• a cell having an alternating series of anodes and cathodes disposed therein;
• an inlet port disposed in a first side of said cell;
• an electrolyte inlet manifold, wherein said electrolyte inlet manifold communicates with said inlet port to thereby introduce an aqueous electrolyte solution into said cell;
• a first substantially fluidly impermeable baffle disposed to substantially shroud said electrolyte inlet manifold and configured to direct flow of said electrolyte solution out of said inlet manifold, said first baffle and said first side of said cell defining an elongate inlet slot therebetween, said inlet slot being positioned along the length of said inlet manifold;
• an outlet port disposed in a second side of said cell;
• an electrolyte discharge manifold, wherein said electrolyte discharge manifold communicates with said outlet port;
• and
• a second substantially fluidly impermeable baffle disposed to substantially shroud said electrolyte discharge manifold, said second baffle and said second side of said cell defining an elongate discharge slot therebetween;
• wherein said inlet slot is configured to reside below the surface of said aqueous electrolyte solution within said cell;
• and
• said aqueous electrolyte solution flows from said inlet manifold, through said inlet slot, and into said cell.

An improved method for refining a metal comprising the steps of:

• providing an inlet port disposed in a first side of a cell for receiving an electrolyte solution;
• providing an inlet manifold in fluid communication with said inlet port, said inlet manifold having a plurality of inlet orifices formed therein;
• substantially shrouding said plurality of inlet orifices with a first baffle substantially impermeable to said electrolyte solution and configured to define an elongated inlet slot positioned over the length of said inlet manifold between a first side wall of said cell, said inlet slot being configured to reside below the surface of said electrolyte solution within said cell;
• transporting said electrolyte solution from said inlet port to said plurality of inlet orifices;
• directing said electrolyte solution from said inlet orifices, through said inlet slot, and into said cell;
• providing an outlet port disposed in a second side of said cell;
• providing an outlet manifold in fluid communication with said outlet port;
• and
• discharging said electrolyte solution through said outlet port.

An improved electrorefining system of the type comprising a cell having an alternating series of anodes and cathodes, an inlet for receiving an electrolyte solution and an outlet for exiting of said electrolyte solution as said electrolyte solution is pumped through said cell, said cell in operation having a slime layer at the bottom thereof and on at least one anode face, improved wherein said cell includes means for increasing electrolyte flow through said cell while maintaining the slime layers substantially intact, said means for increasing electrolyte flow comprising:

• a baffle substantially impermeable by said electrolyte solution and disposed to substantially shroud an electrolyte inlet manifold;
• an inlet slot formed between said baffle and a side wall of said cell and positioned over the length of said inlet manifold, said inlet slot being configured to reside below the surface of said electrolyte solution within said cell;
• wherein
• said baffle is shaped to direct flow of said electrolyte solution out of said inlet manifold, through said inlet slot, and into said cell.

An improved electrorefining system of the type having a cell containing an alternating series of anodes and cathodes, the system comprising:

• an elongated electrolyte inlet manifold configured to introduce an aqueous electrolyte solution into said cell;
• and
• a first baffle substantially impermeable by said electrolyte solution and disposed to substantially shroud said electrolyte inlet manifold to thereby define an elongate inlet slot positioned alone the length of said electrolyte inlet manifold between said first baffle and a first wall of said cell, said inlet slot being configured to reside below the surface of said electrolyte solution within said cell;
• wherein
• said baffle is configured to direct flow of said aqueous electrolyte solution out of said inlet manifold, through said inlet slot, and into said cell.