System and method for removing a solution phase metal from process liquor

A method for removing a solution phase metal from process liquor output from a scrubber comprising:

• establishing an electrochemical cell having a first half-cell, a second half-cell, and an ionic conductor section containing an ionic conductor for enabling a transfer of ions from said ionic conductor into each of said first and second half-cells, said first half-cell having a cathode located therein, said second half-cell having an anode located therein, said anode including a metal having an electronegativity less than an electronegativity of said ionic conductor;
• receiving a first portion of said process liquor at said first half-cell;
• receiving a second portion of said process liquor at said second half-cell;
• producing a redox reaction in said electrochemical cell system, said redox reaction causing said solution phase metal to be removed from one of said first and second portions of said process liquor;
• following said redox reaction, combining said first and second portions of said process liquor;
• and
• returning said combined process liquor to said scrubber.

A galvanic cell system for removing iron from process liquor output from an inhibited oxidation scrubber comprising:

• a first half-cell having a first inlet configured to receive a first portion of said process liquor, and having a first outlet;
• an iron electrode in said first half-cell at which a reduction reaction occurs with said first portion of said process liquor, said first portion of said process liquor being released from said first outlet following said reduction reaction;
• a second half-cell having a second inlet configured to receive a second portion of said process liquor, and having a second outlet;
• an anode containing magnesium in said second half-cell at which an oxidation reaction occurs with said second portion of said process liquor, said second portion of said process liquor being released from said second outlet following said oxidation reaction;
• an electrical circuit coupled between said cathode and said anode;
• an ionic conductor section containing an ionic conductor for enabling a transfer of ions from said ionic conductor into each of said first and second half-cells, wherein said reduction and oxidation reactions form a redox reaction causing said iron be removed from said first portion of said process liquor by plating said iron to said iron electrode;
• and
• a combiner, in fluid communication with each said first and second outlets, for combining said first and second portions of said process liquor and returning said combined process liquor to said scrubber.

An electrolytic cell system for removing aluminum from process liquor output from a forced oxidation scrubber comprising:

• a first half-cell having a first inlet configured to receive a first portion of said process liquor, and having a first outlet;
• an iron electrode in said first half-cell at which a reduction reaction occurs with said first portion of said process liquor, said first portion of said process liquor being released from said first outlet following said reduction reaction;
• a second half-cell having a second inlet configured to receive a second portion of said process liquor, and having a second outlet;
• an aluminum anode in said second half-cell at which an oxidation reaction occurs with said second portion of said process liquor, said second portion of said process liquor being released from said second outlet following said oxidation reaction;
• an electrical circuit coupled between said cathode and said anode;
• an ionic conductor section containing an ionic conductor for enabling a transfer of ions from said ionic conductor into each of said first and second half-cells, wherein said reduction and oxidation reactions form a redox reaction causing said aluminum to be removed from said second portion of said process liquor by plating said aluminum to said aluminum electrode;
• and
• a combiner, in fluid communication with each said first and second outlets, for combining said first and second portions of said process liquor and returning said combined process liquor to said scrubber.