GB1443254A - Electrolytic refining of metal - Google Patents

Abstract

1443254 Electrolytic refining of metal BICC Ltd 23 May 1975 [24 May 1974 17 July 1974] 23386/74 and 31717/74 Heading C7B In a series process for electrolytically refining metal, e.g. Cu, Ni or Zn, comprising immersing unrefined electrodes in an electrolyte solution 12, e.g. of CuSO 4 and H 2 SO 4 , in a tank 11 and passing D.C. therethrough to cause impure metal from each of the intermediate electrodes 14 to be dissolved and deposited as pure metal on another of the intermediate electrodes or on the starting cathode 15, the intermediate electrode 14'adjacent the anode 13 and/or the intermediate electrode 14" adjacent the starting cathode 15 is, or is adapted to be, electrically connected to the anode or starting cathode (or to its terminals), e.g. by means of a manually or automatically-operated switch 18, 20, as the case may be. Preferably rigid conductive metal bars 17, 19 embedded in a pair of rigid insulating elongate members 16 support (by lugs) the intermediate electrodes 14', 14". The anode and starting cathode are preferably Cu rodssupported vertically in opposite corners of the tank 11 so that the intermediate electrodes may be introduced into the solution after the anode and cathode have been immersed and D.C. is flowing. The anode may be inert e.g. of stainless steel, Ti or Pb. The D.C. may be reversed or interrupted for short periods.