Metal recovery apparatus and method

Claim 2

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided means for venting the space as a solution is directed thereinto.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fluid circuit includes a fluid pump, there being an inlet line connected to the inlet of the pump and an outlet line connected to the outlet of the pump, and a pair of valves coupled to the pump at the inlet and outlet thereof, respectively, said valves being controlled by said controlling means to cooperate with said valve means to control the flow of a solution into, through and out of said circuit.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrode is substantially equally spaced from all locations on said inner surface of the unit.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a tubular shaft carried by the unit and extending into the space, the inner end of the shaft being open to vent the interior of the unit to a region exteriorly thereof, said second electrode being mounted on the shaft centrally of the unit.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included means coupled with the unit for sensing the level of solution in said space.

Claim 7

In apparatus for recovering a metal from a solution by an electrolytic action: a fluid-receiving unit having a generally spherical inner surface and being formed from an electrically conductive material; an electrode which is substantially equally spacEd from all locations on said inner surface of said unit; and means coupled with the unit and electrically insulated therefrom for mounting the electrode within the space, there being conductor means for connecting the electrode to a source of electrical power.

Claim 8

An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said mounting means includes a pipe, and means securing the pipe to the unit and maintaining the pipe out of electrical contact therewith.

Claim 9

An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the pipe has an open inner end disposed adjacent to the upper extremity of the space to vent the same to a region externally of the unit.

Claim 10

An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said unit includes a pair of generally semi-spherical members, and means on the members for releasably interconnecting the same.

Claim 11

Apparatus for recovering a metal from a solution by an electrolytic action comprising: a fluid circuit including a closed, fluid-receiving unit having a generally spherical inner space and defining a first electrode, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe coupled with the unit, said inlet and outlet pipes being coupled with the outlet and inlet, respectively, of a fluid pump; a valve for each of the inlet and outlet pipes, respectively; inlet means coupled with the inlet of the pump for controllably directing a solution thereto; outlet means coupled with the outlet of the pump for controllably directing a solution away from the circuit; a second electrode; means mounting the second electrode at a central location within the space; means coupled with the electrodes for establishing a potential gradient therebetween; and means coupled with the valves for actuating the same to cause a solution to be directed into the circuit, to circulate therethrough, and be discharged therefrom in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

Claim 12

Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein is provided a first sensor coupled with the inlet means, a second sensor coupled with the outlet means, sand a third sensor coupled with said fluid circuit, said sensors being connected to said controlling means for actuating the same in accordance with said sequence.