SK1082010U1 - Device for electrochemical retrieval of metals and its use - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is designated for obtaining powdered non-ferrous and noble metals, regeneration and recycling of etching and caustic solutions, and also for electrochemical refining of metals. It consists of an electrolyzer block (1) with rotating cylindrical electrode party immersed to electrolyte in a bath (2) of electrolyte. A stirrer block (3) performs stirring of the electrolyte. Product is wiped away and washed down from the rotating electrode to a sedimentation block (4) where the product is cleaned and settled to a collecting fabric.

Description

Apparatus for the electrochemical extraction of powder metals and its use

Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the electrochemical extraction of powder metals, in particular non-ferrous and precious metals, and its use. The equipment is also used for the recovery and recycling of adhesive and leaching solutions, as well as for electrochemical refining of metals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the electrochemical devices used to date to obtain non-ferrous and precious metals, in particular copper, silver or gold, static cathodes with manual removal and washing of the product are mostly used. Rotating disc titanium cathodes wiped with pressure squeegees are also used to recover copper powder from spent ferric chloride adhesive solutions, but this arrangement does not allow the product wiped off the cathode surface to be washed off sufficiently quickly. This, with the adhesive effect of the remainder of the electrolyte wiped along with the product and the absence of the protective effect of cathodic polarization, results in product loss and an increased concentration of the metal salt (cuprous chloride) in the rinsing water. The treatment of rinsing water is then more demanding on the consumption of chemicals and increases the cost of its purification or makes it impossible to recycle it into the process. Another disadvantage of the prior art devices is also the overheating of the cathode at higher current densities and longer electrolysis times, where the electrolyte residues in the precipitated product densify and increase aggressiveness. In addition, there is also an increased evaporation of other aggressive components into the surrounding atmosphere (in the case of ferric chloride vapor of hydrochloric acid).

nature

The drawbacks of the prior art are overcome by the electrochemical powder metal recovery device according to the invention, characterized in that the device (Fig. 1a, b) consists of an electrolyzer block f, an electrolyte tank 2, a stirrer block 3 and a sedimentation block 4.

The body of the electrolyzer block I (Fig. 2) is formed by a carrier frame H of an electrically non-conductive material, for example PVC, in which the axis of the rotating cathode 12 partially immersed in the electrolyte and designed in the form of a hollow cylinder such as titanium is connected. and contacting the power supply by means of at least one current contactor 14, optionally provided with cooling channels. Anode current collectors 15 with fixed anode 16, preferably made of titanium strips with a surface modified with a noble metal oxide, such as ruthenium oxide, are attached to the carrier film ii. The distance of the fixed anodes 16 from the surface of the rotating cathode 12 is adjustable. Optionally, a separating permeable baffle 17 may be positioned above the fixed anodes 16. A scraper 18 resiliently abutting to the surface of the rotating cathode 12 is inserted in the support grooves 111 in the spacing grooves 111. A sedimentation block 4 is located below the lower edge of the scraper 18.

The agitator block 3 may be formed by a belt distribution 31 (Fig. 2), which is connected to the agitator motor 32 with a possible gearbox. The belt manifold 31 interconnects vane pumps 33 provided with intake openings 331 and outflow pipes 332.

The sedimentation block 4 may consist of a removable labyrinth 41 resting on the catch fabric 42 located at the bottom of the sedimentation vessel 43 provided with the overflow trough 431 (Fig. 2).

A refining anode 21 formed of refined metal and / or a contact titanium basket containing the source metal for refining can be placed in the electrolyte tank 2.

The apparatus can be used to recover adhesive and leaching solutions for metals and / or electrochemical refining of metals.

The device according to the invention is intended for the electrochemical recovery of powder metals from solutions which do not liberate free halogens during electrolysis. The device can also be used for the recovery and recycling of metal etching solutions, such as ferric chloride solution, ammoniacal solution, or depleted copper peroxide peroxide solution used for etching copper from sheet metal plates while producing washed copper powder, or recycling or reclaiming leaching copper. solutions containing metal cations, for example the sulfuric acid solution used for leaching, or for the treatment of metal-containing raw materials (neutralizing sludges, metallic ores and other secondary source materials). The device can also be used for electrochemical refining of metals obtained in metallic form (cathodes, wastes containing metallic form of metal, etc.).

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is, in particular, that by permanently renewing the surface of the rotating and wiped cathode, the formation of a compact layer of metal to be deposited is limited and the formation of a higher concentration of crystalline grain nuclei required for producing the powdered metal form. By automatically removing precipitated metal crystals from the cathode surface, the active portion of the cathode surface is constantly renewed and the grain size distribution of the product changes little. At the same time as the impurities are washed away, washing of the product stops the possible effect of redissolving the metal crystals into the remnants of the solution entrained in their formation. At the same time, the automatic washing and separation of the powdered product from the impurities after the electrolysis reduces the costs of these operations, without requiring a demanding process control and regulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1a, b, an example of an overall assembly of an electrochemical metal acquisition device is shown in two views.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a device in section.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Fig. 1 shows an overall assembly of a device for recovering non-ferrous and noble metals, and recovering etching and leaching solutions, in particular copper from ferric chloride solution, and consisting of a PVC PVC electrolyte block 2, a stirrer block 3 and a sedimentation block 4. J (according to Fig. 2) forms a PVC support frame 11 in which the hollow axis of the rotating cathode 12 is rotatably mounted in the form of a hollow titanium cylinder driven by a gear drive 13 and contacted with a voltage source by two carbon-titanium current contactors 14. They are cooled by the flow of cooling water flowing through the axis and the internal volume of the rotating cathode 12. Titanium anode current collectors 15 with fixed anode 16 formed by titanium strips with a surface modified with ruthenium oxide are fixed to the support frame. The distance of the fixed anodes 16 from the surface of the rotating cathode 12 is adjustable. Above the fixed anodes 16, a permeable partition 17 of a fine PVC mesh is placed. In the carrier frame U there is a PVC scraper 18 inserted in the spacing grooves 111, pressed by silicone rubber elastically to the surface of the rotating cathode 12 and washable by rinsing water from a perforated PVC rinsing tube 19 so that the obtained powder product is washable to the sedimentation block 4. serves for an adjustable rotation speed of the rotating cathode 12. The agitator block 3 is formed by a belt distribution 31 (according to Fig. 3), which is driven by a geared motor 32 with a gearbox. The belt manifold 31 drives the vane pumps 33 provided with the inlet openings 331 and the discharge pipes 332. The sedimentation block 4 is formed by a PVC removable labyrinth 41 resting on the gripping fabric 42 located at the bottom of the sedimentation vessel 43 provided with the overflow trough 431 (see Fig. 4). For the use of the refining apparatus, a refining anode 21, consisting of a contact titanium basket containing the source metal for refining, is disposed in the electrolyte tank 2.

Industrial usability

The invention is useful for recovering powdered metals, in particular non-ferrous and noble metals, from solutions of their salts, and for recovering or recovering, respectively. recycling of adhesive and leaching solutions and for the electrochemical refining of metals in the chemical, mining, electrical and metallurgical industries, in particular hydrometallurgy, as well as for the cleaning of industrial waste solutions and aqueous mixtures containing heavy and rare metals. The solution can be used in the recycling of metals and solutions, as well as in the material recovery of waste aqueous concentrates containing rare and / or toxic components.

Claims (7)

Μα ockmiu ^ Apparatus for the electrochemical extraction of powder metals, characterized in that it consists of an electrolyzer block (1), an electrolyte bath (2), a stirrer block (3) and a sedimentation block (4). Apparatus for electrochemical powder metal extraction according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of the electrolyzer block (1) is formed by a supporting frame (11) of an electrically non-conductive material, for example PVC, in which the axis of the rotating cathode (12) immersed in the electrolyte and made in the form of a hollow cylinder, for example of titanium, connected to the gear drive (13) and contacted with a power supply by means of at least one current contactor (14), optionally provided with cooling channels. fixed anode current collectors (15) with fixed fixed anodes (16), preferably formed of titanium strips with a surface modified with a noble metal oxide, for example ruthenium oxide, whose distance from the surface of the rotating cathode (12) is adjustable and optionally overlaid with a permeable baffle (17), and in the nose frame (11) is in the delimitation tracks tions (111) inserted wiper scraper (18) flexibly adjacent to the surface of the rotating cathode (12) having a top arranged perforated rinsing pipe (19) and below the lower edge is arranged sedimentation unit (4). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the agitator block (3) is formed by a belt distribution (31) which is connected to an agitator motor (32) with an optional gearbox, the belt distribution (31) interconnecting vane pumps (33). provided with intake openings (331) and discharge pipes (332). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sedimentation block (4) is constituted by a removable labyrinth (41) placed on the collecting fabric (42) located at the bottom of the sedimentation vessel (43) provided with the overflow trough (431). Apparatus according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a refining anode (21) formed of refined metal and / or a contact titanium basket containing the source metal for refining is arranged in the electrolyte tank (2). Use of a device according to claims 1 to 5 for the regeneration of adhesive and leaching solutions for metals. Use of a device according to claims 1 to 5 for electrochemical refining of metals.