GB1123168A - Electrolytic silver recovery cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:1123168/C6-C7/1> In an electrolytic cell for recovery of silver from used photographic fixing solutions comprising a liquid container 1 having inlet and outlet means 8, 16, respectively; anode means 12 disposed axially within said container; agitator means 11 axially surrounding said anode 12; cathode means 7 axially surrounding said agitator, the inlet means 8 communicates with the interior of the anode means 12 and thereafter to a distributer means for dispensing electrolyte to the interior of the liquid container. In the form shown a tubular anode 12 is positioned between bearings 13, 10 which rotatably support a paddle structure comprising circular plates 20, 21, e.g. having the plate 20 larger than the plate 21 which thus produces a pumping action during operation, and paddle blades 22. The electrolyte may be supplied from the interior of the anode 12 to the container via holes 30 formed in the anode or via holes formed in the upper bearing 13. The cathode 7 which is positioned adjacent the cell wall may be formed of thin stainless steel sheet which may be flattened when removed from the cell for scraping deposited silver therefrom and re-rolled for returning to the cell e.g. the seam may be formed with a releasable fastening i.e. snaps or clips. The cell wall may be of non-conducting material e.g. glass, synthetic polymer or wood, or of metal coated with glass of synthetic polymer. The paddle may be formed of glass or synthetic polymer or of metal having a non-conductive coating. The anode may be of platinum coated titanium or of graphite. The bearing 13 may be of synthetic polymer e.g. nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene.